Boating and Fishing

FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY: Do not eat largemouth bass caught in Silverbell Lake. Fish tissue testing found elevated PFOS (A PFAS chemical). Questions? Visit azdeq.gov/fca.

Chart rating fish species by mercury bioaccumulation risk (low, medium, high), with consumption guidance for each. Source: AZ Game & Fish/ADEQ.

 

 

The City of Tucson has three lakes for boating and fishing.
Archer Lake at Danny Lopez Park is for model boats only (no boating, no fishing).

Fishing and Boating Locations

Silverbell Lake at Danny Lopez Park

  • 4600 N. Silverbell Rd
  • Park hours 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
  • Size: 13 acres. Maximum depth 7 feet

Kennedy Lake at John F. Kennedy Park

  • 3600 S. La Cholla
  • Park hours 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
  • Size: 10 acres. Maximum depth 12 feet

Lakeside Lake at Chuck Ford Lakeside Park

  • 8300 E. Stella Rd
  • Park hours 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
  • Size: 14 acres. Maximum depth 35 feet

Rules and Regulations

  • Fishing is permitted at Silverbell, Kennedy, and Lakeside Lakes, which are managed jointly with Arizona Game & Fish Department under the Community Fishing Program. 
  • Persons fishing are required to adhere to regulations adopted by the Arizona Game & Fish Department.   
  • No swimming or wading. 
  • Do not feed ducks bread. Instead, try half-cut seedless grapes, chopped lettuce, birdseed, peas, corn, and oats. 
  • Paddleboards are allowed. 
  • No parking allowed on boat ramp. Ramp is for loading and unloading boats only. 
  • Children aged 12 and younger are required to wear life jackets. 
  • Boating activities must be held in daylight hours. 
  • All motorized watercraft must be properly licensed. 
  • Boats must be 14 feet or under in length. 
  • Canoes/kayaks may extend up to 17 feet. 
  • No gas-powered motorboats of any type allowed.
  • Boats in lakes must be equipped with necessary safety equipment in order to comply with Arizona Game and Fish Department safety rules and regulations.  
  • Swimming, wading, glass containers, and littering are prohibited. 
  • Live baitfish are prohibited. 
  • No campfires or open fires are allowed.  
  • Fishing is not permitted at Reid Park irrigation reservoir.  

Arizona Game and Fish Fishing Information, Rules and Regulations (AZGF)
Arizona Game and Fish Boating Information, Rules and Regulations (AZGF)

Back to top