Arizona · Fishing
Fishing in Holbrook, Arizona
Fishing around Holbrook means small tanks and one industrial-sized exception. Most of the local water is high-desert stock tanks — Rock Tank, Heber Road Tank, Delaney Tank, Blue Tank, Cedar Tank — shallow, wind-exposed impoundments that
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Fishing around Holbrook means small tanks and one industrial-sized exception. Most of the local water is high-desert stock tanks — Rock Tank, Heber Road Tank, Delaney Tank, Blue Tank, Cedar Tank — shallow, wind-exposed impoundments that hold warmwater species and draw little pressure compared to the bigger Arizona destinations. Then there's Cholla Cooling Pond, the warm-water discharge lake attached to the Cholla Power Plant near Joseph City, which fishes differently than anything else in the area and is worth treating as its own trip. None of these are designated gold medal or wild trout waters, so expect bass, catfish, and panfish rather than trophy trout. What you get instead is accessibility: no long hikes, no crowds, and the kind of quiet morning fishing that's easy to build around a stop on I-40. Holbrook sits at roughly 5,080 feet, so summer temperatures are more manageable than the Phoenix basin, and the tanks can fish well from late spring through early fall. If you're driving through northeastern Arizona and want a few hours on the water without committing to a full wilderness trip, this stretch of Navajo County delivers that reliably.
Frequently asked questions
What species can I expect to catch at the tanks around Holbrook?
The stock tanks in this area — Rock Tank, Delaney Tank, Blue Tank, Cedar Tank, and Heber Road Tank — typically hold largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish species like bluegill. These are warmwater fisheries, not trout water, so gear and expectations should match accordingly.
Is Cholla Cooling Pond open to the public, and does it fish differently than the other spots?
Cholla Cooling Pond receives warm discharge water from the power plant, which keeps water temperatures elevated year-round and can extend active feeding periods into cooler months. Access and permit requirements can change based on plant operations, so confirm current public access status with Arizona Game and Fish or the facility before making the drive.
What's the best time of day to fish the desert tanks near Holbrook?
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are the most productive windows, especially in summer when midday heat pushes fish into deeper or shaded water. In spring and fall, midday fishing can also be worthwhile since water temperatures stay in a more comfortable range for active fish.
Do I need a fishing license, and are there any local regulations I should know about?
Yes, a valid Arizona fishing license is required for anyone 10 years of age or older. Some tanks on or near tribal land may fall under Navajo Nation jurisdiction and require a separate tribal permit rather than a state license, so check the specific location against current Arizona Game and Fish and Navajo Nation regulations before you go.
What gear setup makes sense for fishing these tanks?
Light to medium spinning gear covers most situations here. For bass and panfish, small plastic baits, spinners, and topwater lures work well in the shallower tanks. For catfish, a simple bottom rig with cut bait or prepared bait fished near deeper edges of the tank is a straightforward approach. A float tube or small inflatable can help you reach water away from the bank, though many of these tanks are fishable from shore.
