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White Mountain Apache Tribe Wildlife & Outdoor Recreation Division
Christmas Tree Lake Fish Camp
and Limited Access Fishing

FOR BOOKING INFORMATION CALL HONDAH SKI & OUTDOOR SPORTS

AT 928 (369-7669)

Each year in early May the Division hosts a fully Outfitted Fishing Camp at Christmas Tree Lake. The Division is sponsoring a fully outfitted fishing camp at Christmas Tree Lake before the lake officially opens in late May. This lake is managed for trophy Apache Trout (the only trout native to the White Mountains). The Division will provide fishing licenses, lodging, all meals and boats for $200/day. (Please Note:  First Weekend of Fish Camp is $250/day).

This is a great time with wonderful scenery, storytelling and new friends.

Fish camp bag limits are now identical to those during the regular season: one(1) Apache Trout having a minimum length of 16 inches, or up to five (5) Brown Trout - Total of five (5) fish in the aggregate.


Picture of Christmas Tree Lake


THE CHRISTMAS TREE LAKE STORY

Scenic Christmas Tree Lake at the junction of Sun and Moon creeks was built in 1965. It is named after the site on which the 1965 White House christmas tree, given to President Lyndon B. Johnson by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, was found.

Then Tribal Chairman Lester Oliver said, "The Tribe was very honored to be chosen for the sponsorship of the tree." and added, "This is the first time that any Indian Tribe has been selected to provide the tree which will grace the White House lawn and will be seen by millions of television viewers in December when President Johnson pulls the switch to light the tree."

The Tribe's ongoing Apache Trout stocking program at Christmas Tree Lake is a unique and important component of its ongoing fisheries management efforts on the Reservation. Christmas Tree Lake represents the first and most successful attempt to grow this rare fish species that is found only in the White Mountains of Arizona.

After the Fish Camp season ends, Christmas Tree Lake is available as a limited access fishing area for the remainder of the year. The pristine beauty and scenic surroundings of Christmas Tree Lake will bring you back year after year.