Long Tree Lake

Long Tree Lake is a lake in Apache County, Arizona and covers about 0.7 acres, reaches about 9.7 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 2.9 acre-feet.

Keep the first check on Long Tree Lake simple: one weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity. With little deep water in Long Tree Lake, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

The plan for Long Tree Lake starts here: the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

When working Long Tree Lake, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.

How to Read the Water

To begin fishing Long Tree Lake, do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself.

Season by Season

While fishing Long Tree Lake, early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.

A Simple Tackle Plan

One way to read Long Tree Lake is this: a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

While learning Long Tree Lake, record the wind, water color, productive depth, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.