If you have not been to Christmas Tree Lake on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, you should make plans to visit this historic and stunningly beautiful 41-acre lake. Constructed at the junction of Sun Creek and Moon Creek at an elevation of 8222 feet in the heart of the eastern third of the Reservation in 1965, this is truly a crown jewel of the Reservation in Arizona’s White Mountains.

Christmas Tree Lake is historic for a couple of reasons. It was named for the site where a giant spruce tree was cut in 1965 that was given to U.S. President Lyndon Johnson by the Tribe, and became the official White House Christmas tree that year. This was the first time that any Indian Tribe had been honored to provide a tree to grace the White House lawn for the President’s annual lighting ceremony.

The lake also made history as the first and most successful nursery for growing the rare Apache Trout (Oncorhynchus Apache), one of only two trout native to Arizona, and found only in the White Mountains. Apache Trout were federally listed as an endangered species in 1969, and no fish has ever made it off the endangered list before becoming extinct. Over the past 45 years, cooperative protection and recovery efforts by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the White Mountain Apache Tribe have restored this colorful native species to a point where anglers can fish for them in designated waters. Due to these efforts, the Apache Trout was downlisted from endangered to threatened in 1975, and today populations are nearing the point of full recovery. Historic indeed.

The first of May marks the unofficial opening of spring fishing season on the Reservation each year. I was privileged to be among the first to fish Christmas Tree Lake this year at “Fish Camp” and it was truly a top-flight experience. The camp was clean, comfortable, and well appointed, with heated wall tents and oversized cots, a spanking clean mess tent, fresh sanitary facilities, and spacious 15-foot aluminum boats outfitted with electric motors, seat cushions, oars, and an anchor. Food and drink were both excellent and plentiful, and the Apache Trout were beautiful, feisty, and cooperative.

It had been 7 years since I last fished Christmas Tree, and improvements in the fishery, the camp, and the surroundings are notable and accommodating. Game & Fish Director Stuart Leon and his hard-working staff are to be commended for the tremendous progress made, despite setbacks from the Covid-19 pandemic. The camp was festive and well run, with Tribal Game & Fish ranger Josiah Amos presiding over activities, and Tribal member Fred Riley handling a variety of duties, from assisting anglers and charging boat batteries to fueling campfires and wood stoves. Anna Amos and kitchen helper Lisa whipped up some tasty meals that undoubtedly added an inch or two to our waistlines.

The drive to the lake – east from Pinetop on State Route 260 to State Route 473, then south 10 miles to Hawley Lake, then follow the signs south on Indian Route 26 for about 15 miles – went smoothly, as the roads were in surprisingly good shape. My close friend, New York veterinarian George Pinkham, and I were treated to numerous elk sightings, as well as mule deer and amorous Merriam’s turkeys, so pay attention! And, keep an eye peeled for Bigfoot, particularly near “Bigfoot Crossing” identified with the words carved on a log en route. 

A week or so prior to opening, Christmas Tree was stocked with Apache Trout, including some “bonus” fish up to 20-inches, from the Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery. Any concern over recently transplanted fish not biting was almost immediately dispelled. We were on the lake less than 5 minutes before buddy George hooked and landed his first Apache Trout! And, the action continued for almost all of the 8+ hours that we fished, regardless of the time of day. Although Apache Trout typically do not survive the winter, we caught a number of husky “holdover” fish that were easily identified with more vibrant colors of yellow on the belly, rose on gill plates and midline, and peach on pelvic, pectoral, and anal fins. This is a testament to the health of these hatchery-reared fish. Kudos to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the White Mountain Apache Tribe for their outstanding success with the restoration program.

So, what do Apache Trout eat? On this particular outing, it seemed to be anything gold. Spin-fishermen scored regularly with small gold kastmaster spoons, as well as gold phoebes and z-rays, both trolling and casting. Small spinners like the panther martin were also effective. Fly fishermen found success with traditional favorites like the wooly bugger, peacock lady, and prince nymph. Black ant and cricket dry flies are two of my personal favorites, and although I tried hard for a couple of hours, I could not entice any bites on dries. Capitalizing on the preference for gold, I switched to a wooly bugger with a gold bead head and immediately began catching fish. Bead head leech patterns were also effective. Dark colors – black and purple – worked best early and late in the day, while yellow and silver/grey worked best in midday brightness. Fish would typically rise from weedy growth on the bottom to strike a foot or so below the surface.

Christmas Tree Lake is managed as a trophy Apache Trout fishery thus, only single barbless hooks may be used, which facilitates catch-and-release (no treble hooks and no bait). Possession limit during the regular season, which runs from the middle of May through Labor Day weekend, is one (1) Apache Trout, or up to five (5) brown trout, for a total of five (5) fish in the aggregate. Although the lake holds a good population of brown trout, including some real rod-busters, we did not catch any of the toothy critters on this particular outing. Regular season access is limited to 20 anglers per day, with permits issued on a first-come-first-served basis. Current fees are $30.00/day until July 4, and $25.00/day from July 5 through the end of the season. Contact Hon-Dah Ski & Outdoor Sports at (928) 369-7669 for reservations.

Fish Camp is operated for two weeks in early May before the lake is officially opened to the general public. This program is a fully-outfitted, overnight experience. Permits include dinner and lodging the night before the reserved fishing date, breakfast, lunch, and dinner the day of fishing, and boats with electric motors to access the lake. Current fees are $275.00 per angler per day for the first week and $250.00 per angler per day for the second week.

For additional information, contact the Game & Fish office in Whiteriver at (928) 338-4385.

Tony Martins

Freelance Outdoors Photojournalist

 POMA & NSSF Media Member

 5140 High Drive

 Lakeside, AZ 85929

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