Fool Hollow Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Fool Hollow Lake
image_lake = FoolsHollow01.jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Navajo County, Arizona
coords = coord|34|17|34.15|N|110|2|41.01|W|region:US-AZ_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
basin_countries = United States
area = convert|150|acre|abbr=on|lk=on
depth = convert|23|ft|abbr=on
elevation = convert|6260|ft|abbr=on|lk=off

With a variety of fish species, Fool Hollow Lake offers something for everyone, from first-time anglers to seasoned veterans. Even though the lake has first-rate visitor amenities and is minutes from Show Low, its craggy banks and beautiful vistas give visitors a feeling of seclusion.

Location

Fool Hollow Lake is located less than convert|2|mi|km from downtown Show Low, off of Old Linden Road. Access Old Linden Road either from Highway 60 in town or at its western end from Highway 260.

Description

Fool Hollow was named for a hapless settler who attempted to farm the rocky canyon in the 1880s. The Arizona Game and Fish Department constructed the lake in 1957 specifically to provide water-oriented outdoor recreation. The lake consists of convert|150|acre|km2, with an average depth of convert|23|ft|m. It is located within the Fool Hollow Recreation Area, and is cooperatively managed by the Arizona State Parks Department, the U.S. Forest Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the City of Show Low. The elevation is convert|6260|ft|m. It contains self-sustaining populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, carp and black crappie. The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with catchable-sized rainbow trout throughout the spring and summer.

Boating Facility Features

* Single Motor
* Launching Area
* Boat Trailer Parking
* Tables
* Drinking Water
* Handicap Accessible
* Restrooms
* Trailer Spaces
* Electricity
* Camping Allowed
* Paved Access

Amenities

Arizona State Parks maintains visitor amenities that include 31 tent camping sites, 92 RV sites with water and electric hookups, two boat ramps, two fish-cleaning stations, picnic tables, barrier-free restrooms, showers, drinking water and a dump station. There are four barrier-free fishing piers, ten single-family picnic ramadas and five large-group ramadas that can each accommodate up to 150 people. Fees are $20 per night for a site with hookups, $15 per night for tent camping and $6 per vehicle for day users. Day-use anglers can use the west side boat ramp and parking lot free of charge.

Fish Species

* Rainbow
* Largemouth Bass
* Smallmouth Bass
* Sunfish
* Catfish (Channel)
* Walleye

Fishing Techniques

Fool Hollow Lake provides a great opportunity for novices and kids to catch anything that bites. For these folks, night crawlers on the bottom or under a bobber are a good way to go. More experienced anglers can try spinner baits, jigs and night crawler rigs around underwater rocky structure, where large bass and walleye lurk. This is a great lake to catch trophy-sized walleye. Catch catfish in summer and early fall with night crawlers or chicken livers on the bottom. The lake is open year round, rarely icing over and never for long.

pecial Notes

Statewide fishing regulations apply and a trout stamp is required. The daily bag limit is six trout, six bass (any species), six walleye, and 25 catfish for licensed anglers. Trout bag limits are halved for unlicensed anglers under the age of 14. There is no bag limit on crappie, sunfish or carp. Fool Hollow Lake holds the current Catch and Release State Records for smallmouth bass (21 inches) and walleye (33 inches). Boat motors are restricted to electric or convert|10|hp|abbr=on or less gas motors.

External links

* [http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/BoatingLocationsMap.shtml Arizona Boating Locations Facilities Map]
* [http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/FishingLocationsMap.shtml Arizona Fishing Locations Map]
* [http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/where_fish.shtml Where to Fish in Arizona Species Information]
* [http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/edits/lake_levels.shtml Arizona Lake Levels]
* [http://www.azgfd.gov/video/FoolHollowLake.shtml Video of Fool Hollow Lake]

References

*Citation |first=Information and Education Division|title=Arizona Fishin' Holes|place=Phoenix, AZ|publisher=Arizona Game and Fish Department|year=2007