Peña Blanca Lake

Arizona · Santa Cruz

40.8 acres mapped (USGS NHD)
4.1 km shoreline
County: Santa Cruz
Shoreline outline: USGS NHD

The pin marks the middle of the water, for directions. The shoreline on the map comes from USGS NHD.

Photos

Overview

Peña Blanca Lake fills nearly 50 acres of Peña Blanca Canyon in the foothills of the Atascosa and Pajarito Mountains, about 9 miles off I-19 northwest of Nogales. It's named for the white volcanic-tuff cliffs (peñas blancas) around it. AZGFD built the earthen dam in 1957, and the lake is in the Coronado National Forest.

Fishing

AZGFD manages Peña Blanca for trophy largemouth bass and seasonal trout fishing. Quiet coves and shoreline vegetation hold catfish, bass and sunfish, and rainbow trout are stocked in the cooler months. Bag limits and fish consumption advisories are posted on site (USFS).

Species

Largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, and rainbow trout stocked in the cooler months (USFS).

Seasons

Rainbow trout are stocked during the cooler months.

Regulations

Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations apply: https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/licenses-and-regulations/. Confirm statewide limits and any special rules for this water before you fish; this page is not a legal source.

Licensing

A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers 10 and older (AZGFD).

Access

From I-19 about 8 miles north of Nogales, take the Peña Blanca–Ruby Road exit (AZ 289) west for about 9 miles, then turn right on the paved road to the lake and boat ramp. The site is day use only, with a fee of $8 per vehicle per day or $10 per week, and Coronado or Interagency passes are accepted. Paved parking includes pull-through trailer spots. Boats are limited to one motor of 10 hp or less, and there are no rentals.

Boat ramps & launches

Paved ramp. 10 hp motor limit (USFS).

Amenities

Three fishing piers near the boat ramp. Four picnic areas with shaded tables, grills and vault toilets. No potable water.

Activities

Fishing, paddling, birding (wintering waterfowl and spring and fall songbird migration), the 1.5-mile round-trip Children's Forest Discovery Trail, and the scenic Ruby Road drive (high-clearance vehicle beyond the lake).

Water facts

Area: nearly 50 acres (USFS). Earthen dam built by AZGFD in 1957 on Peña Blanca Wash. County: Santa Cruz.

Nearby services

Nogales Ranger District: 303 Old Tucson Rd, Nogales, (520) 761-6000.

Safety & advisories

USFS warns that contaminants including mercury may be present and aren't routinely monitored. There's no lifeguard, and swimming is prohibited near the ramp. Border-area cautions apply, so report suspicious activity to Border Patrol at (800) 232-5378. The lake gets very crowded on summer weekends and holidays, especially Easter.

Likely species (watershed)

Fathead Minnow, Grass Carp, Longfin Dace, Mosquitofish, Speckled Dace

Likely species come from USGS Aquatic GAP ranges for the whole watershed (HUC8). They show what may be here, not a count of this water.

Nearby waters

Arivaca Lake · 21 km (AZ)
Patagonia Lake · 24.9 km (AZ)