Best Place to Fish

Anyone who has lived in Tucson for any length of time and has not visited Rose Canyon Lake has some catching up to do. And although there are no bad times to check out this little watery wonderland, summertime is one of the best as the temperature at Milepost 17 on the Catalina Highway is a tad bit more comfortable that on the valley floor below. Upwards of 50,000 visitors a year drive, bike or hike into the diminutive five-acre lake with adjacent campsites, concrete picnic tables and grills to ward off the hunger pangs that being in the fresh air tend to produce. The lake is currently celebrating its 50th birthday as a place for lucky anglers to put their own supper on the table as the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the waters throughout the warmer months with both rainbow and brown trout. Heavily damaged by severe storm runoff about five years ago, the lake was drained and dredged before being refilled and restocked. Even if the fish won't cooperate, just being on the bank with a fishpole in your hand and hope in your heart is enough.