Fishing & Hunting

Greenlee County’s rivers flow year-round! Fish for catfish, brook trout, Apache trout, grayling, and others. Also, try Aker Lake.

Coal Creek

Fishing and hunting are plentiful with many year-round rivers for stream fishing and thousands of National Forest acres that are home to bear, lion, elk, deer, turkey, antelope, javelina, bighorn sheep and seven known species of quail. All can be found throughout the various lands of Greenlee County.

Murdock Outfitters of Duncan, AZ.  Our guides offer 30 years’ experience in all aspects of hunting in Arizona, including excellent knowledge of all units and their particular game movements. Our guides will give 100% effort, working hard everyday, helping you be in the right place at the right time to find your next big game trophy. Your success is our highest priority.

For more information call (928) 651-1566, “Like” us on Facebook, or visit www.murdockoutfitters.com

Blue River Recreational Fish Hatchery in Blue, AZ.  Fun for the whole family at our onsite fishing pond stocked with Rainbow Trout. Come throw your line in our trophy pond and hook a whopper. Located at 69 Blue River Road, Blue AZ, accessed off the Coronado Trail (US 191) via Red Hill Road. For more information call (928) 339-4534.

Black River Mainstream Trail (#61). Take FR 26 west off US 191 (about 14.5 miles south of Alpine, AZ). Continue about 9.5 miles to FR 24, then either turn left about 1.5 miles to Bear Creek for one access route, or turn right for about 3 miles to the trailhead across from the Buffalo Crossing Campground entrance.  The Black River forms the far northwest boundary between Greenlee and Apache Counties. This is a good area to find trout fishing along a more remote stretch of the river.  There is great scenery here and plentiful wildlife, including black bears.  Find more info at:   http://qoo.ly/yuhey or call (928) 339-4370; email: info@hannaganmeadow.com

Bear Wallow Trailhead (#63). West off US 191 in between MP 226 & 227. Native Apache trout were re-established in Bear Wallow Creek in the early to mid 1990’s. This trail follows the Bear Wallow Creek riparian area, dropping to the creek’s meadow confluence with the Black River. Fence line marks San Carlos Apache Reservation boundary. Permit required to continue onto the reservation. Trailhead on Reno Road (FR 25), across from Double Cienega. Trailhead parking area is located on the south side of FR 25.

FR 25 junctions with the following trails with adjacent fishing:

Reno Trail #62. Popular Stream Side Trail with Native Trout Fishing.

Gobbler Point Trail #59. The steepest trail and shortest route for Apache Trout fishing connecting to Bear Wallow Trail #63. Coronado Trail (US 191) brings you to FR 25, head west to Gobbler Point Road (FR 8154) on the south side of the road. Keep left at the fork and right at the second fork. Drive 3 miles to the trailhead.

South Bear Wallow Wilderness Area (FR 54). West off the Coronado Trail (US 191) at MP 226. Schell Canyon Trail #316. Rugged Canyon, Native Trout Fishing and Picturesque Campsites. Head west on FR 54 at fork in the road. Proceed through the gate along the right fork about 0.6 mile to the end of the road at the Rose Springs Trailhead. Rose Spring Trail begins 20 yards below the parking area at a signed gate in the fence. Follow this trail about 3 miles to the junction marked by a sign where Schell Canyon Trail branches off to the north. Schell Canyon Trail is also accessible from Bear Wallow Trail at the bottom of Bear Wallow Canyon.

KP Cienega Road (FR 55). East off the Coronado Trail (US 191) just south of MP 227. KP Cienega Campground is a wonderful, centrally-located campground with an array of amenities and outdoor adventure possibilities. The nearby rim trails offer panoramic views of the entire Eagle Creek recreation area below the rim of the Colorado Plateau. Bear Wallow wilderness trails allow hikers and horseback riders to camp, fish for native Apache trout or enjoy the many wildlife viewing opportunities of this wilderness riparian area. Take a “gone fishing” day trip to Aker Lake (see below) or one of the many creeks in the area — all abundant with trout and many other angler’s preferred choices. Campground amenities include picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grills and restroom facilities. Free tent/trailer camping or picnicking is available at this location. Turn east off the Coronado Trail (US 191) and continue onto the access road to the campground.

Near Aker Lake

Aker Lake Loop Road (FR 8312). West off the US 191, in between MP 228 & 229. Aker Lake Fishing Site is one of many quiet, out-of-the-way getaways, found in Greenlee County and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This lake is ideal for fly and lure anglers to catch and release trout and grayling. Primitive camping, hiking and a beautiful drive through the Alpine meadow and evergreen forest lands of this area can be enjoyed by all. Elk and other wildlife are abundant in the area. Take the northern entrance of this forest loop road for the shortest route to the lake. Aker Lake is located on west side of FR 8312.

Black River

Black River Mainstream Trail #61. Follow Black River from Bear Creek Trail #66 to Buffalo Crossing Campground. Reputed to be one of the most scenic streams in the southwest, this trail is popular for rainbow and brown trout fishing. Hiking, horseback riding and an easy fisherman’s trail are all available. Utilizing Bear Creek Trail #66 as a center point, travelers can connect to Fish Bench/Fish Creek Trails for southwestern expedition or head northwest along the Black River to reach Buffalo Crossing Campground area (currently closed to campers, please check Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest’s website for up-to-date information). Greenlee County boundary line is the Black River in this area. Connecting trails of Fish Bench Trail #320, Fish Creek Trail #60 and Bear Creek Trail #66. Travelers continuing east past the Black River into Apache Reservation must purchase a permit. Please respect their boundaries and law. Coronado Trail (US 191) to FR 26 about 9.5 miles to FR 24. Head southwest on FR 24 1.5 miles to Bear Creek Trail #66 trailhead located on the north side of road

Trout

Fish Bench Trail #320 and Fish Creek Trail #60.  5.5 Mile Hike to confluence of Fish Creek and Black River – Home to the Apache Trout From the Coronado Trail (US 191) take FR 26 9.5 miles to FR 24. Turn right and follow FR 24 to FR 83. Turn right and follow FR 83 for 3 miles to FR 83A, which turns right in about 1.4 miles to a lesser dirt road that forks left. Follow this road about 0.5 miles past the old corral to the #320 trailhead, or proceed 0.6 miles farther to Fish Creek Trail #60.

Gila River

Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area.  Sixteen miles east on US 70 from Duncan, head northeast on Fuller Road (near New Mexico US 70 MP 10). Reaching Fisherman’s point requires a high-clearance vehicle and 4WD is recommended as rain causes washes and ruts to deepen. BLM rules, regulations and tips for preparation of a self-guided tour of Fisherman’s Point can be found at https://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/las_cruces/gila_lower_box.html