Luna Lake (Arizona)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Luna Lake
image_lake = LunaLake01.jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Apache County, Arizona
basin_countries = United States
area = convert|75|acre|abbr=on|lk=on
depth = convert|8|ft|abbr=on
coords = coord|33|49|44.92|N|109|5|22.56|W|region:US-AZ_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
elevation = convert|7890|ft|abbr=on

Luna Lake is a natural body of water that covers approximately convert|120|acre|km2 of land. It is located about three miles (5 km) southeast of Alpine, Arizona at the elevation of convert|7900|ft|m|abbr=on.

Luna Lake has the distinction of being part of the San Francisco River, flowing easterly into New Mexico, then south, and west into the Gila River (in Arizona). The headwaters are north of the other main mountain tributary to the Gila, the Blue River of Arizona.

Location

Luna Lake lies at 7,890 feet on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, as such the facilities located here are managed by that authority. It is located about 3 miles east of Alpine, just north of U.S. Highway 180. It’s accessible year-round, but ices over in winter months. Ice fishing is usually possible, but always check ice conditions before setting out.

Description

Luna Lake is a 154-acre impoundment of the upper San Francisco River. It has a maximum depth of 21 feet and an average depth of 8 feet. It's stocked annually with fingerling and subcatchable rainbow and cutthroat trout, which rapidly grow to catchable size due to the high productivity of the lake. Because it is a shallow, nutrient-rich lake, it is subject to water quality problems and excessive weed growth. The Arizona Game and Fish Department annually harvests weeds to help alleviate some of the water quality problems.

Fauna and flora

The following species are noted at Luna Lake.
* Gray Catbird, (South and West of most westerly ranges in New Mexico, and Colorado.)
* Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
* Bald Eagle
* Mexican Spotted Owl
* Myotis occultus, the Arizona myotis, a Mouse-eared bat
* Northern Leopard Frog
* Chiricahua Leopard Frog
* Clover: Trifolium, "Trifolium neurophyllum", "White Mountains Clover"
* Gila Groundsel, "Senecio quaerens", Senecio

Boating Facility Features

* Boats To Rent
* Motors To Rent
* Groceries
* Gas and Oil
* Tackle and Equipment
* Tables
* Drinking Water
* Restrooms
* Trailer Spaces
* Camping Allowed

Amenities

There is one boat ramp, barrier-free toilets, picnic tables and paved parking at the lake. The Luna Lake Campground, which includes 40 individual fee-camping sites, three group sites, picnic tables, restrooms and drinking water, is located on Forest Service lands about ¼-mile north of the lake. Reserve a site at Luna Lake Campground by visiting [http://www.reserveusa.com www.reserveusa.com] on the web or by calling 1-877-444-6777. In addition, a concessionaire operates a small store near the dam where you can purchase tackle, bait, drinks, snacks or rent a boat.

Fish Species

* Rainbow
* Cutthroat

Fishing Techniques

Trolling with flies works well in spring and early summer at Luna Lake. Try wooly buggers, a prince nymph and other large wet flies. Night crawlers and Power Bait fished off the bottom also work well. As water temperatures go up in the summer, fish in deeper, cooler water.

pecial Notes

Luna Lake Wildlife Area, which covers only the uppermost end of the lake, is closed to public entry annually from April 1 through July 31. Statewide fishing regulations apply at Luna Lake. The bag limit is six trout; three for unlicensed anglers under the age of 14. Boat motors are restricted to either electric or 10 HP gas motors or less.

References

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

External links

* [http://www.gf.state.az.us/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_luna_lake.shtml Luna Lake Wildlife Area]
* [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]