Best Fishing Spots in Arizona

Arizona may be a desert state, but it holds remarkable fishing diversity — from trophy bass in the Salt River chain of lakes to world-class trout in the White Mountains and massive striped bass on Lake Powell. The state stocks trout year-round in over 50 community waters, and the warm desert reservoirs produce largemouth bass that rival Florida strain genetics.

🎣 7 Top Spots 📍 3 Regions 📋 4 Seasons
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Salt River Chain — Desert Bass Country

The Salt River chain of reservoirs east of Phoenix — Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, and Saguaro — creates a spectacular desert fishing corridor through the Tonto National Forest. These warm-water reservoirs hold outstanding largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish.

Roosevelt Lake

Roosevelt, AZ · Reservoir

Intermediate

Roosevelt Lake is Arizona's largest reservoir and one of the state's premier bass fisheries. The 22,000-acre lake holds Florida-strain largemouth bass that exceed 10 pounds. AZGFD regularly stocks crappie and the fishery continues to improve, making it a top multi-species destination.

🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 Crappie 🐟 Catfish 🐟 Smallmouth Bass 🐟 Carp
🌸 Spring 🍂 Fall ❄️ Winter

🎯 Expert Tip

Target bass on steep main-lake points and bluffs with crankbaits and Carolina rigs in 20-35 feet. The bite improves mid-morning rather than first light. Crappie school in the Tonto Creek arm and major coves — 2-inch curly tail grubs and 1/16 oz tube jigs work well. Spring is prime for pre-spawn bass.

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Canyon Lake

Apache Junction, AZ · Reservoir

Intermediate

Canyon Lake is the smallest of the Salt River chain but produces trophy-class largemouth bass. The narrow canyon walls and deep clear water create ideal habitat. The lake also receives trout stockings in winter and supports a walleye population from historical plants.

🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 Smallmouth Bass 🐟 Rainbow Trout 🐟 Walleye 🐟 Catfish
🌸 Spring ❄️ Winter

🎯 Expert Tip

Fish the sheer canyon walls with jigs, worms, and shaky heads. Largemouth bass often suspend off the vertical rock faces. Winter trout stockings create a fun fishery December through March. The Dolly Steamboat dock area concentrates fish. Boat rental is available at the marina.

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Lake Pleasant

Peoria, AZ · Reservoir

Beginner

Lake Pleasant is the closest quality reservoir to Phoenix and holds excellent striped bass, largemouth bass, and flathead catfish. The lake's deep, clear water and abundant shad forage produce aggressive stripers that boil on the surface during summer.

🐟 Striped Bass 🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 White Bass 🐟 Catfish 🐟 Crappie
🌸 Spring ☀️ Summer 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Stripers: locate the boils on electronics and cast topwater plugs or spoons. Summer striper boils are spectacular. Largemouth: work the creek arms with spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Flathead catfish over 50 pounds lurk in the rocky structure. Lake Pleasant Regional Park has excellent ramps and facilities.

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📍 Salt River Chain — Desert Bass Country · 33.6700°N, 111.1500°W

Northern Arizona — Trout & Mountain Fishing

Northern Arizona's high country offers a dramatic contrast to the desert below — cool mountain streams with wild trout, alpine lakes rimmed with ponderosa pines, and some of the finest small-stream fly fishing in the Southwest.

Oak Creek (Sedona)

Sedona, AZ · Creek

Intermediate

Oak Creek flows through the stunning red rock canyon near Sedona and offers excellent trout fishing in one of Arizona's most scenic settings. The upper reaches hold quality rainbow and brown trout in clear, cold pools surrounded by the famous red sandstone formations.

🐟 Rainbow Trout 🐟 Brown Trout 🐟 Smallmouth Bass
🌸 Spring 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Fly fishing with small midge patterns and Pheasant Tail nymphs is most effective. The catch-and-release sections upstream of Sedona hold the best fish. Late winter through spring offers the best flows and less crowds. Slide Rock State Park area is stocked but crowded — hike upstream for wild fish.

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White Mountains Lakes (Big Lake / Reservation Lake)

Springerville, AZ · Lake

Beginner

The White Mountains of eastern Arizona sit above 8,000 feet and hold numerous cold mountain lakes stocked with rainbow, brook, and the rare native Apache trout. Big Lake, Reservation Lake, and the surrounding streams provide a high-country trout fishing experience unique to the Southwest.

🐟 Rainbow Trout 🐟 Brook Trout 🐟 Apache Trout 🐟 Cutthroat Trout
☀️ Summer 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Big Lake is the most popular — fish from shore or small boats with PowerBait, worms, or small spinners. Fly anglers should try small dry flies in the evening. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest streams hold wild Apache trout — use barbless hooks as these are a threatened species. Road access is seasonal (May-October).

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📍 Northern Arizona — Trout & Mountain Fishing · 34.8700°N, 111.7500°W

Colorado River & Border Waters — Trophy Bass & Stripers

Arizona's Colorado River border waters — Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, and Lake Mead — offer trophy fishing in spectacular desert canyon settings. These massive reservoirs hold huge populations of striped bass, smallmouth, and largemouth bass.

Lake Powell

Page, AZ · Reservoir

Intermediate

Lake Powell stretches across the Arizona-Utah border with 1,960 miles of shoreline carved through red sandstone canyons. The lake holds massive striped bass (40+ pounds possible), excellent smallmouth bass, and walleye. The scenery alone makes this a bucket-list fishing destination.

🐟 Striped Bass 🐟 Smallmouth Bass 🐟 Walleye 🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 Crappie
🌸 Spring ☀️ Summer 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Stripers: locate schools with electronics and use anchovies or shad-pattern swimbaits. Summer striper boils in the main channel are legendary. Smallmouth bass hold on the rocky canyon walls — drop-shot and Ned rigs. Check water levels before launching as they fluctuate significantly. Bullfrog Bay and Wahweap are primary access points.

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Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu City, AZ · Lake

Intermediate

Lake Havasu on the Arizona-California border is one of the premier bass fisheries in the western United States. The lake regularly produces largemouth bass over 5 pounds and hosts major tournament circuits. The clear water and diverse structure — from rocky shorelines to tule beds — support a year-round bass fishery.

🐟 Largemouth Bass 🐟 Striped Bass 🐟 Smallmouth Bass 🐟 Redear Sunfish 🐟 Catfish
🌸 Spring ❄️ Winter

🎯 Expert Tip

Largemouth: fish the tule (bulrush) lines with punching rigs and jigs during warmer months. Winter drop-shot and finesse tactics produce in the clear water. The stretch from Site Six to the Bill Williams arm holds some of the biggest bass. Havasu hosts numerous bass tournaments — check schedules to avoid tournament pressure.

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📍 Colorado River & Border Waters — Trophy Bass & Stripers · 37.0700°N, 111.2400°W

When to Fish in Arizona — Seasonal Guide

SeasonMonthsBest TargetsPrime SpotsTips
SpringMarch – MayDesert Bass Spawn, Mountain Trout Opening, Striper Pre-SpawnRoosevelt Lake (bass spawn), Oak Creek (trout), Lake Havasu (tournament bass)Spring is prime for desert reservoir bass — spawning activity peaks March through April as water temps reach 60-65°F. Mountain trout streams become fishable as snowmelt subsides. Lake Havasu bass fishing is world-class in spring. Lake Powell stripers begin moving shallow.
SummerJune – AugustStriper Boils, Mountain Escapes, Night CatfishingLake Powell (striper boils), White Mountains (alpine trout), Lake Pleasant (night catfish)Escape the desert heat by fishing the White Mountains above 7,000 feet. Desert lakes are best at dawn, dusk, or night. Lake Powell and Lake Pleasant striper boils are spectacular summer events. Night catfishing on the urban lakes can be exceptional with temperatures above 100°F.
FallSeptember – NovemberFed-Up Bass, Fall Striper Runs, Post-Monsoon TroutRoosevelt Lake (fall bass), Lake Powell (fall stripers), Oak Creek (fall trout)Cooling water temperatures trigger aggressive fall feeding on all desert reservoirs. Bass and stripers chase shad schools to the surface. Mountain trout fishing improves post-monsoon with clearer water. October is arguably Arizona's best overall fishing month.
WinterDecember – FebruaryStocked Trout, Clear-Water Bass, Community LakesCommunity lakes (stocked trout), Canyon Lake (winter bass), Lake Havasu (finesse bass)AZGFD stocks rainbow trout in 50+ community lakes throughout the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas — check the stocking schedule. Desert reservoir bass fishing slows but rewards finesse anglers. Lake Havasu produces year-round. This is actually a pleasant time to fish Arizona's lower elevations.

🪪 Arizona Fishing License Info

An Arizona fishing license is required for anyone aged 10 and older. Resident annual license costs $37. Non-residents pay $55/year or $26/day. The license covers all fishing statewide — no separate trout stamps needed.

View Arizona License Guide → Official Resources ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fishing spot in Arizona? ▼

Roosevelt Lake is Arizona's top bass fishery with Florida-strain largemouth exceeding 10 pounds. Lake Powell offers trophy striped bass and stunning scenery. Lake Havasu is the premier tournament bass lake. For trout, Oak Creek near Sedona and the White Mountains are top picks.

How much is an Arizona fishing license? ▼

Resident annual license: $37. Non-resident: $55/year or $26/day. Youth (10-17): $5 resident. Children under 10 fish free. No separate trout stamp required — the license covers all species statewide. A combination hunting/fishing license is available for $57 (resident).

Where can I fish for trout in Arizona? ▼

Oak Creek near Sedona is the premier trout stream. The White Mountains (Big Lake, Reservation Lake) offer mountain trout above 8,000 feet in summer. AZGFD stocks over 50 community lakes with trout during winter months (October-March). Canyon Lake also receives winter trout stockings.

Can you fish year-round in Arizona? ▼

Yes — Arizona's warm desert climate allows year-round fishing on lower-elevation lakes like Roosevelt, Lake Pleasant, and Lake Havasu. Mountain waters are seasonal (typically May-October due to snow). Winter is actually excellent for trout fishing in community lakes and finesse bass on desert reservoirs.

What are the best fishing spots near Phoenix? ▼

Lake Pleasant (45 minutes northwest) offers stripers and bass. Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake (1 hour east) have bass and trout. The Salt River chain (Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, Saguaro) is within 90 minutes. Over 50 community lakes within Phoenix are stocked with trout in winter.

Is Lake Powell good for fishing? ▼

Lake Powell is excellent — it holds massive striped bass (40+ pounds possible), quality smallmouth bass, and walleye in spectacular red-rock canyon scenery. Summer striper boils are legendary. Access from Page, AZ (Wahweap) or Bullfrog, UT. Check water levels before planning as they fluctuate significantly.