Rose Canyon Lake

Overview

Rose Canyon Lake is a small high-elevation reservoir in Pima County, Arizona, on the Santa Catalina Mountains (Mount Lemmon area) in Coronado National Forest. Product geometry lists about 0.025 square kilometers (roughly 6 acres) with about 1.0 km of shoreline. The public map pin is the named-water centroid; shoreline outline comes from USGS NHD when shown. It is a popular day-use trout water above Tucson, not a large warmwater lake.

Fishing

Arizona Game and Fish Department stocking records in the product show repeated Trout plants through spring–fall windows (approximate calendar dates from state reports). Treat dates as windows, not exact day-of-year guarantees, and re-check AZGFD before you go. Expect put-and-take trout fishing after plants; pressure can be high on weekends.

Species

Documented recent stocking species: Trout (generic label in ingested AZ reports). No separate natural-species survey list is attached on this page yet.

Techniques

Light spinning gear, small spoons, spinners, soft plastics, or bait suited to stocked trout are typical on this compact mountain reservoir. Work shoreline edges and any deeper holes; keep presentations quiet on a small water.

Seasons

Trout interest follows AZGFD plant windows from spring into fall at this elevation. Winter access depends on Mount Lemmon road and weather conditions — check Coronado National Forest and local road reports before driving.

Regulations

Arizona Game and Fish Department freshwater fishing regulations apply. Confirm seasons, bag limits, and any special rules on the official AZGFD site before fishing. This page does not replace the regulation guide.

Licensing

A valid Arizona fishing license is required for most anglers. Confirm license type and privileges on the AZGFD website.

Access

Rose Canyon Lake sits in Coronado National Forest along the Mount Lemmon / Catalina Highway corridor (Pima County). Confirm day-use fees, parking, trail or shoreline access, and seasonal road status with USDA Forest Service before you go. Respect posted rules and private inholdings.

Amenities

National Forest day-use and camping facilities are commonly associated with the Rose Canyon recreation area — verify current status, fees, and open seasons with Coronado National Forest; do not assume every amenity is open year-round.

Activities

Fishing is the primary draw. Picnicking and nearby forest trails may be available when recreation sites are open — check Forest Service notices.

Ice fishing

Ice fishing is not a practical expectation at this southern Arizona mountain site in most winters; confirm local conditions rather than planning on safe ice.

Water facts

State: AZ. County: Pima. Water type: Reservoir. Approximate area: 0.025 km2. Approximate shoreline: 1.0 km. Coordinates (centroid): 32.3873, -110.7111. GNIS feature id: 37494. Source waterbody id: rose-canyon-lake-az-2b2a2b30.

Safety & advisories

Elevation, sun, and sudden mountain weather matter on Mount Lemmon. Bring water, sun protection, and layers. Cell coverage can be spotty. Follow Forest Service fire restrictions and wildlife guidance.

Nearby waters

• Sabino Creek · 17.6 km (AZ)
• Sahuarita Wash · 22.8 km (AZ)
• Tucson Wash · 39.4 km (AZ)

More in Pima

• Sahuarita Wash (AZ)
• Arivaca Lake (AZ)
• Sabino Creek (AZ)