Summer of the kid: Places to boat, fish in Arizona

We keep hearing that kids would rather play video games than go outdoors. In Phoenix, it doesn't help that summer temps are roasty. But Arizona is full of cool places for families to swim, fish or boat. Here are a few.

Prescott

Goldwater Lake: At an elevation of 6,000 feet, this is a great place to spend a summer day in a canoe or kayak. Rentals are available, or bring your own boat. (Electric motors only.) The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with trout during the summer; crappie, bass and catfish are in there as well. Goldwater Lake is a magnet for family reunions and other celebrations. There are picnic tables, a large ramada, volleyball net, horseshoes pit and playground. The quarter-mile North Shore Trail and 0.6-mile Bannon Creek Trail are easy hikes for all ages.

Details: Take Mount Vernon Street, which becomes Senator Highway, about 4 miles south of Prescott to the signed entrance. $2. cityofprescott.net/services/parks/parks.

Watson Lake: This lake in the wildly scenic Granite Dells has boat launches, fishing, camping, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, hiking and biking trails, grills, restrooms and showers. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, or bring your own boat. Any type of moter is allowed, but the entire lake is a no-wake zone with a 5 mph speed limit.

Details: 3101 Watson Lake Road. $2. cityofprescott.net/services/parks/parks.

Willow Lake: Willow Lake sometimes gets overshadowed by neighboring Watson. But Willow has some of the same dells that make Watson so spectacular. People come for fishing, boating (electric motors only) and the chance to see birds in a riparian habitat. The lake has been designated an "important bird area" by the Audubon Society. The 3.5-mile Willow Lake Trail has nice views and is suitable for bikers as well as hikers.

Details: 1497 Heritage Park Road. $2. cityofprescott.net/services/parks/parks.

Lynx Lake: Lynx Lake has hiking trails and picnic areas, plus boat rentals for those who want to take a turn on the water. The 2-mile Lakeshore Trail is an easy walk for just about anyone — about half of it is asphalt. The Lynx Creek Ruin archaeological site and Salida Gulch trailhead and gold-panning area are close by. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and also holds largemouth bass and crappie. Electric motors or gas motors of 10 horsepower or less only.

Details: East of Prescott, on Walker Road about 2 miles south of State Route 69. $5. www.fs.usda.gov/prescott.

Patagonia

Patagonia Lake State Park: Unlike at the Prescott lakes, swimming is allowed at Patagonia Lake. There's a gravel beach where you can splash in the heat of the day. The park's free junior-ranger program is a fun way to learn about wildlife and ecology. Kids do activities and get a button. For fun before you go, coloring pages can be downloaded from the website. A campground overlooks the 265-acre lake where anglers can fish for crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish. There are picnic tables, grills, a creek trail, restrooms, showers and boat ramps. The Lakeside Market offers boat rentals, fishing licenses, bait, ice and other supplies.

Details: 400 Patagonia Lake Road. $10-$15. azstateparks.com/parks/pala.

Sedona

Rainbow Trout Farm: This is not a place to teach kids about catch-and-release fishing — the point is to catch dinner. The farm, in scenic Oak Creek Canyon, provides tackle, bait, grills, picnic tables and trout. It offers grill kits for $1 that include lemon, butter, salt, pepper, plate, fork, napkin and foil. Soft drinks are available for purchase, or bring a cooler. If you teach a kid to fish, you may as well teach him or her to clean the catch. But, if you prefer, the trout farm's staff can clean your fish for 50 cents each. Forest Service closures because of the Slide Fire do not apply to businesses, so Rainbow Trout Farm is open. Be aware that rain or other adverse conditions in the canyon could affect that, however.

Details: 3500 State Route 89A. $1 admission; fish are priced by the inch. sedonarainbowtroutfarm.com.

Springerville

Lyman Lake State Park: There are no boat speed or size restrictions on 1,500-acre Lyman Lake, so it's a favorite with water skiers. (No rentals available.) There is a designated swimming area away from the boats (no lifeguard) as well as a no-wake zone for anglers. Hiking trails (look for the petroglyphs), modern restrooms, cabins, yurts, a campground for tents and RVs and several at-large campsites make this a good multiday getaway.

Details: On U.S. 180/191, about 15 miles north of Springerville. $7 per vehicle. azstateparks.com/Parks/LYLA.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is a water lover's paradise. Its marinas have houseboat and speedboat rentals and offer tours to Rainbow Bridge and Antelope Canyon. Lodging is available at Lake Powell Resort at Wahweap Marina or at one of the numerous hotels in Page. Antelope Point has a restaurant, store and wakeboarding water park with ramps and an obstacle course. Kayak rentals and guided trips are available through Kayak Lake Powell.

Details: lakepowell.com, antelopepointlakepowell.com, kayakpowell.com.

Next up in Summer of the Kid: Five places to take the kids after sundown at kids.azcentral.com.