Arizona · Fishing
Fishing in 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
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Lake fishing
(Private Lake)
Surprise, AZ
Lake fishing
273 Tank Number 2
Greer, AZ
Lake fishing
A One Lake
Vernon, AZ
Lake fishing
Adobe Lake
Cibola, AZ
Lake fishing
Adobe Lake
Nortons Landing, AZ
Lake fishing
Adobe Lake
Cibola, AZ
Lake fishing
Aguirre Lake
Arivaca, AZ
Lake fishing
AIC Dam Tank
Seligman, AZ
Lake fishing
Aker Lake Fishing Site
Blue, AZ
Lake fishing
Alamo State Park
Alamo Lake, AZ
River fishing
Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex
Pinetop, AZ
Lake fishing
Alejandro Tank
St. Johns, AZ
Lake fishing
Alejandro Tank
St. Johns, AZ
River fishing
Alpine Ranger District
Blue, AZ
Lake fishing
Als Lake
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Antelope Tank
Happy Jack, AZ
Lake fishing
Antelope Tank
Kingman, AZ
Lake fishing
Arivaca Lake
Arivaca, AZ
Lake fishing
Arrowhead Tank
San Carlos, AZ
Lake fishing
Arsenic Tank
Fort Thomas, AZ
Lake fishing
Ashurst Lake
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Atcheson Reservoir
Eagar, AZ
Lake fishing
Atherton Lake
Flagstaff, AZ
Lake fishing
Badger Tank
Leupp, AZ
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.
