Kennedy Lake, Waterbody in Pima County, Arizona

Kennedy Lake lies in J. F. Kennedy Park in Tucson, north of Ajo Way between La Cholla Boulevard and Mission Road. The flat water is bordered by pale sand and gravel on the near shore and a low line of green trees and bushes on the far side, with small dark birds scattered across the surface. The lake holds rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish and carp.

Kennedy Lake lies within J. F. Kennedy Park in Tucson, named for the president after his assassination in 1963. The lake is a constructed reservoir filled by city water pipes rather than a dammed creek, and it is stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish and carp.

The lake is named after President John F. Kennedy and became a community gathering place after his death in 1963. Fishing here remains an important local tradition, with the water regularly stocked to give residents access to outdoor recreation in an urban desert setting.

The park opens early at 6 a.m. and closes at 10:30 p.m. daily, with easy car access and nearby parking. Fishing requires a state license, and swimming, wading, and glass containers are not permitted, though small boats and canoes can be used if properly licensed and equipped with safety gear.

The lake is fed entirely by city water pipes rather than natural sources, making it a constructed oasis in the desert landscape. Gasoline motors are banned from all boats, keeping the water unusually quiet for an urban reservoir in Arizona.