For more information such as area maps, concessions and supplies available,
boating information, nearest towns, and facilities of these waters, purchase
the "Arizona Fishin' Holes" book
from Arizona Game and Fish Department.
White Mountains: Waters
and species chart This portion of the state
is mostly pine or fir forests above 6,500
feet. Camping, hiking, and fishing are available
up to 10,000 feet in quality alpine settings.
This is the best place to be in the fall
when the aspen leaves turn. While there are
some bass and catfish in a few of these lakes,
the majority of the fish found in these waters
are trout. Morethan 90 percent of the trout
available to anglers are provided through
the Arizona Game and Fish Department's fish
hatchery system. Most of these waters are
stocked weekly from Memorial Day to Labor
Day. Anglers can also catch Apache trout
in the West Fork of the Black River, one
of the few areas in Arizona and the only
place in the country where these trout exist.
North Central Region: Waters
and species chart This area has the greatest
variety of fising in the state. Both cold
and warmwater lakes and streams are found
from Flagstaff at 7,000 feet to Camp Verde
at 2,500 feet. The Verde River offers smallmouth
bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish
and roundtail chub, while Lake Mary has
wallee, largemouth bass and crappie. Small
lakes around Williams and Flagstaff offer
weekly stocking of trout, and Oak Creek
has the best wild brown trout population
in the area. Surrounded by the Coconino,
Kaibab and Prescott national forests, this
area offers pine trees or desert all within
two hours of Phoenix.
Mogollon Rim: Waters
and species chart Most of the fishing
in thisarea is in small trout lakes.
These lakes were constructed by the
Arizona Game and Fish Department during
the '50s and '60s. The lakes are in
pine forests at about 7,000 feet. Camping
is available at or near each lake from
May to September. The Department stocks
these lakes from April through September.
The very best trout fishing is in the
spring and fall. The best stream fishing
is found in Canyon Creek, Chevelon Creek
and East Clear Creek.
Colorado River Northwest: Waters
and species chart This area includes waters
of the Colorado from Lake Havasu to Lake
Powell. There are four major reservoirs in
this area which offer a wide variety of fishing
from striped bass to trout and largemouth
bass to catfish. This area also includes
the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead. With the
exception of the area around the Grand Canyon,
this area is desert and quite hostile in
the summer. When fishing or camping in this
corner of the state always be prepared for
the unexpected. Carry plenty of water for
yourself and extra gas for the car or boat.
Don't find yourself stranded in a remote
location without provisions. This is one
of the most beautiful and exciting areas
of the state, but also the most dangerous.
Central Arizona: Waters
and species chart More fishing activity
takes place on these lakes than in any other
area of the state. They are also the closest
waters to the largest population center in
the state. These waters provide the best
largemouth bass, crappie and catfishing in
the state. Lakes Pleasant and Roosevelt are
best for largemouth bass and crappie, while
Roosevelt and Bartlett are best for catfish.
One of the most overlooked fishing experiences
in this area is trout fishing the Salt River
below Saguaro Lake. Take advantage of this
year-round trout fishery in the summer when
the air temperatures are 100° F and the
water is 65° F.
Southeastern Arizona: Waters
and species chart Arizona's grasslands
run rfom Tucson and Wilcox to the Mexico
border. This corner of the state offers small
bodies of water nestled in rolling hills
dotted with oak trees. These lakes offer
bass, bluegill, and catfish in the summer
and trout in the winter. The two exceptions
are located on top of Mount Lemon and Mount
Graham. Both of these lakes are in pine/spruce
forests and are stocked with trout in the
summer.
Southwestern Arizona: Waters
and species chart This area covers that
portion of the Colorado River south of Parker
Dam to Yuma near the Mexico border. If you
want to see the Colorado River as it was
pre-settlement, this is the place to go.
From Imperial Reservoir upriver through
the Cibola national Wildlife Refuge, it
is Arizona on the Colorado as it was. This
strech of river is excellent for flathead
catfish from April through October. There
are also trophy largemouth bass (over 12
lbs.) caught from backwater lakes along
this section of river each year. The very
best largemouth bass fishing in this area
occurs at Alamo Reservoir located east of
Parker on the bill Williams River.
* Directions are approximate and using Yahoo Maps. Please note that errors occasionally occur. Please contact local land management or tourism agencies to verify directions.
