Arizona · Fishing

Fishing in Arizona

539 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access

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Fishing · 200 spots

Featured spots

Lake fishing

Benny Creek Group Area

Greer, Arizona

Lake fishing

Brookchar

Greer, Arizona

River fishing

Burnt Corral Campground

Fort McDowell, Arizona

Lake fishing

Calabasas

Nogales, Arizona

River fishing

Caldwell Cabin

Alpine, Arizona

All spots · 200 of 539 spots

Lake fishing

(Private Lake)

Surprise, Arizona

Lake fishing

273 Tank Number 2

Greer, Arizona

Lake fishing

A One Lake

Vernon, Arizona

Lake fishing

Adobe Lake

Cibola, Arizona

Lake fishing

Adobe Lake

Nortons Landing, Arizona

Lake fishing

Adobe Lake

Cibola, Arizona

Lake fishing

Aguirre Lake

Arivaca, Arizona

Lake fishing

AIC Dam Tank

Seligman, Arizona

Lake fishing

Aker Lake Fishing Site

Blue, Arizona

Lake fishing

Alamo State Park

Alamo Lake, Arizona

River fishing

Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex

Pinetop, Arizona

Lake fishing

Alejandro Tank

St. Johns, Arizona

Lake fishing

Alejandro Tank

St. Johns, Arizona

River fishing

Alpine Ranger District

Blue, Arizona

Lake fishing

Als Lake

Mormon Lake, Arizona

Lake fishing

Antelope Tank

Kingman, Arizona

Lake fishing

Antelope Tank

Happy Jack, Arizona

Lake fishing

Arivaca Lake

Arivaca, Arizona

Lake fishing

Arrowhead Tank

San Carlos, Arizona

Lake fishing

Arsenic Tank

Fort Thomas, Arizona

Lake fishing

Ashurst Lake

Mormon Lake, Arizona

Lake fishing

Atcheson Reservoir

Eagar, Arizona

Lake fishing

Atherton Lake

Flagstaff, Arizona

Lake fishing

Badger Tank

Leupp, Arizona

Arizona fishing runs a lot deeper than most people expect from a desert state. With 539 active listings across the state, you're looking at a genuinely varied fishery: high-elevation lakes on the Mogollon Rim like Bear Canyon Lake and Soldier Annex Lake near Happy Jack, river access points like the Gila River Boat Put-In near Clifton and river stretches through the Black Mesa Ranger District near Overgaard, remote tanks scattered across the White Mountain and Navajo Nation lands like Tolani near Ganado and Pasture Canyon Reservoir near Tuba City, and lowland warmwater lakes like Cibola Lake near Cibola along the Colorado River. The seasonal spread matters here: rim-country lakes fish well from late spring through fall once ice-out happens, while lower-elevation tanks and warmwater fisheries near Phoenix and the San Carlos area can produce year-round. Luna Lake Marina near Alpine is one of the few spots in the state where you can rent a boat and pick up bait in the same stop, which tells you something about how self-sufficient you need to be at most other locations. Cell service is unreliable across large stretches of the White Mountains, Navajo Nation, and Apache lands, so downloading offline maps and checking Arizona Game and Fish regulations before you leave town is not optional.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special license or tribal permit to fish lakes on the Navajo Nation or San Carlos Apache lands?

Yes. Arizona state fishing licenses do not cover tribal lands. Waters like Tolani near Ganado and Halfway Tank and Catfish Tank near San Carlos are managed by their respective tribes, and you'll need a tribal recreation permit in addition to or instead of a state license. Check directly with the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife and the San Carlos Apache Tribe Recreation and Wildlife Department for current permit fees and rules before your trip.

What species can I realistically expect to catch at Arizona's high-country rim lakes?

Stocked trout are the primary target at most rim-country lakes including Bear Canyon Lake and Soldier Annex Lake near Happy Jack, and at smaller waters like Jeff Lake near Snowflake and Section Two Lake near Show Low. Warmwater species including bass, catfish, and sunfish show up in lower-elevation tanks and reservoirs. The activity listings here do not include gold_medal_water or wild_trout_water designations, so expect a mix of stocked fish rather than trophy wild trout.

When is the best time of year to fish Arizona's mountain lakes?

Late May through early July is productive at most rim-country lakes once ice clears and water temperatures stabilize. Fall, particularly September and October, is a second strong window before temperatures drop. Summer monsoon season from mid-July through August can muddy smaller tanks and shift fish behavior, though early mornings before afternoon storms are often worth the effort.

Are boats allowed on these lakes, and do I need to bring my own?

Most of the smaller tanks and lakes on this list are limited to non-motorized or electric-motor-only watercraft, so a kayak, canoe, or float tube covers the majority of locations. Luna Lake Marina near Alpine is a notable exception where boat rentals are available on-site. Confirm motor restrictions with Arizona Game and Fish before hauling a gas-powered boat to a remote location.

What gear setup makes sense for someone fishing multiple Arizona locations in one trip?

A medium-light spinning rod in the 6 to 7 foot range handles stocked trout at rim lakes and smaller warmwater species at tanks without requiring you to swap gear constantly. Bring a basic trout setup with small spinners, PowerBait, and a few jig heads, plus some heavier line and larger hooks if you're hitting catfish-heavy tanks near San Carlos or the lower-elevation warmwater fisheries. Access roads to many tanks are unpaved and can be rough after monsoon rain, so check road conditions locally before committing to a remote spot.