Arizona Trout Waters You Don't Want to Miss

Black River

If you're an angling enthusiast, Arizona's Black River should be on your radar. This freestone stream is renowned for its exceptional brown trout fishing, but it's also teeming with Apache trout and rainbow trout. The river lies in eastern Arizona near Springerville, just about an hour's drive from Flagstaff. While you're there, visit the local fly shop for recommended flies for these three species. Don't forget to pack the essentials like sunscreen, bug spray, a mosquito net, and water for both hydration and fishing.

The Salt River

The Salt River, a 110-mile segment of the Little Colorado River in central Arizona, boasts some of the finest trout fishing in the state. Home to rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish, it's an angler's paradise. The river also offers excellent largemouth bass and sunfish fishing. Its upper reaches are densely populated with redband trout, while the lower sections offer fantastic smallmouth bass and channel catfishing. Unfortunately, the lower part below Roosevelt Lake, despite its abundance of browns (largemouths), suffers from poor water quality due to agricultural runoff during low flows after heavy winter rainfall.

Colorado River (Lee’s Ferry)

For a serious trout fishing trip, head to the Colorado River near Lee's Ferry. To fish here, a permit is necessary, obtainable via the Navajo Nation, who own this river stretch. Navigate the paperwork with the help of a reservation resident, and then gear up for an amazing tailwater fishery brimming with rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout of varying sizes. Access is limited and only possible through the Navajo Nation.

Oak Creek

One of Arizona's prime fly fishing destinations, Oak Creek, is a Verde River tributary. Although public access sites are limited, some private landowners allow public access for a small fee. The fee is worth the opportunity to fish this picturesque stream teeming with brown and rainbow trout.

Canyon Creek

Canyon Creek, a Little Colorado River tributary that meanders through Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona's White Mountains, is primarily a brown trout fishery. It's also an excellent spot for rainbow and cutthroat trout. The creek maintains a cold temperature throughout the year, preventing it from freezing in winter. However, some areas require wading, which can be challenging with snow. Catch-and-release fishing isn't permitted due to high wildlife populations, but ethical fishing techniques are encouraged.

Bright Angel Creek

Barely a mile long, Bright Angel Creek, a Colorado River tributary, is nestled within the Grand Canyon National Park, making it a favorite amongst hikers and tourists.

Chevelon Canyon Lake

Chevelon Canyon Lake is home to five trout species and four salmon species, including the sensitive Apache trout, a native subspecies of rainbow trout. Brown trout, an introduced species, are easy to catch in spring. Lake Trouts, another introduced species, pose a challenge but offer a satisfying catch.

The Big Bonito Creek

The Big Bonito Creek, a tributary of the San Francisco River, provides good fly fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and Gila chub. Also known as Big Bonita, the creek flows through Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Greenlee County.

Managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona's fishing scene features 17 legally catchable fish species. These include bass, catfish, trout, walleye, carp, and smallmouth bass. Anglers under 16 or fishing from non-privately owned shoreline property do not require a license.