Rose Canyon Lake is the crown jewel of fishing on Mt. Lemmon — a quiet six-acre mountain lake at 7,000 feet, ringed by ponderosa pines and stocked with rainbow trout. It sits just 7 miles from Mt. Lemmon Hotel in Summerhaven, making it the perfect half-day (or full-day) mountain escape. Here is everything you need to know: fishing rules and licenses, fees, season, accessibility, and how to make the most of your visit.
Rose Canyon Lake — 7 miles from Mt. Lemmon Hotel.
Fishing at Rose Canyon Lake
What's in the lake
Rainbow trout are stocked regularly — the Arizona Game and Fish Department releases catchable rainbows about once a month from early April through the end of August. Brown trout are stocked once in the late fall as fingerlings. The lake is managed as a put-and-take trout fishery, and fish large enough to take home are the norm.
Fishing rules & limits
A valid Arizona fishing license is required (ages 10+). The current limit at Rose Canyon Lake is 4 trout in any combination, with statewide possession limits at twice (2x) the daily bag limit. Fishing is from the shoreline only — no boats. Winter walk-in fishing is allowed even when the gate is closed.
Arizona fishing licenses (2026)
Buy online before you go — it's quick and supports conservation. Required for ages 10 and up.
Hours, Fees & Season
Season: April through October (weather dependent)
The primary recreation season runs April through October. Opening and closing are weather dependent — in winter the gate closes and the lake is accessed by walk-in only (fishing still allowed with a license). The entrance booth is open daily 9 AM–5 PM and now accepts credit cards. Rose Canyon phone: (928) 978-2508.
Fees: $11 per vehicle day-use
Day-use is $11 per vehicle per day. A concessionaire annual day-use pass is $72 for one vehicle (up to 6 people). Walk-ins: $1 per person; bike-ins: $1 per bicycle. Note: the concessionaire does not accept America the Beautiful or other federal passes for day use at the lake.
Accessibility
Rose Canyon Lake Trail #37 circles the lake and is handicapped-accessible from a lower parking area to a floating dock near the dam — one of the best accessible fishing spots on the mountain. Vault toilets are available; no potable water at the site.
Rules to respect
No swimming, no boats, no camping at the lake. Dogs must be on a leash. Please use the trash bins — this lake is small and ecologically fragile, and keeping it clean keeps it beautiful.
More Than Fishing: Things to Do at Rose Canyon
Hike the Rose Canyon Lake Trail #37
The 1.4-mile out-and-back trail around the lake is easy, family-friendly, and offers constant water views with pine reflections. Great for kids, birders and photographers. For longer adventures, connect to nearby trails — see our Mt. Lemmon hiking trails guide.
Birding hotspot
Rose Canyon Lake is one of the mountain's top eBird hotspots: violet-green swallows work the water, and red-faced warblers, painted redstarts, bridled titmice and hepatic tanagers sing from the pines. Best in late spring and early summer. See our Mt. Lemmon birding guide.
Picnic & camp nearby
Rose Canyon Campground (43 first-come, first-served sites) sits right by the lake — but if you'd rather sleep in a real bed with a full kitchen, our cabins in Summerhaven are just 7 miles up the road.
Getting There
From Tucson: head east on Tanque Verde Road, turn left onto the Catalina Highway, and continue 17 miles up the mountain to the clearly marked Rose Canyon Campground turnoff (mile marker ~17.1). From Mt. Lemmon Hotel in Summerhaven, it's a scenic 7-mile drive down the mountain. The road is paved all the way. During winter storms, check road conditions before you go — see our Mt. Lemmon weather page.
What to Pack for a Fishing Day
Tap each item to check it off as you pack.
Good to know
The lake is small, fragile and popular — arrive early on summer weekends (before 9 AM) for the best fishing and parking. Weekdays are gloriously quiet. And if the gate is closed in winter, park at the road and walk in — the fishing can be excellent with fewer people around.
Stay 7 Miles from the Lake
Book a cabin at Mt. Lemmon Hotel — full kitchens for packing lunches, a cozy bed after a day on the water, and Summerhaven's restaurants just steps away.
Check Availability Text (520) 277-2478