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Arizona · Fishing
Phoenix is not the first city that comes to mind for fishing, but there are five urban lakes and tanks within city limits that give anglers a legitimate reason to bring a rod.
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Phoenix is not the first city that comes to mind for fishing, but there are five urban lakes and tanks within city limits that give anglers a legitimate reason to bring a rod. Skunk Creek Tank, Lockett Tank, and Cortez Park Lake are stocked urban fisheries managed through Arizona Game and Fish's urban fishing program, and Granada Lake and Encanto Lagoon round out the options for anyone who wants to fish without driving two hours into the mountains. These are small, accessible waters — think neighborhood parks with shoreline access — not remote wilderness destinations. That framing matters, because it sets the right expectations: you are fishing for stocked fish in a city park, and that is actually a solid setup for beginners, families, or anyone who wants a few hours on the water on a weekday morning before the heat sets in. Summer fishing in Phoenix means being on the water before 8 a.m. or waiting until the sun drops. Winter and early spring are genuinely comfortable and often the most productive months across all five locations.
Arizona Game and Fish stocks the urban program lakes with rainbow trout in the cooler months (roughly November through March) and channel catfish during the warmer months. Largemouth bass and sunfish are also present in several of these waters year-round. Check the AZGFD stocking schedule before your trip so you know what was recently put in and where.
Arizona requires a valid fishing license for anyone 10 years of age and older. There is no special urban fishing permit on top of that — a standard Arizona fishing license covers all five of these locations. Licenses are available online through AZGFD or at most sporting goods retailers in the Phoenix area.
Cave Creek Group Site
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Cortez Park Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Horsethief Cabin
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Granada Lake
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Turney Gulch Group
~1h 7m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Lockett Tank
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin)
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Encanto Lagoon
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Marguerite Lake
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Marguerite Lake
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Skunk Creek Tank
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
McKellips Lake
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Early morning, ideally from first light until around 8 or 9 a.m., is your best window in summer. Water temperatures at these shallow urban lakes climb quickly once the sun is up, and fish activity drops off significantly by mid-morning. If you can only go in the evening, the hour before sunset is your next best option.
A light or ultralight spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations at these lakes. For stocked trout, small spinners, PowerBait, or a simple hook-and-worm setup under a bobber are all effective. For catfish, a heavier bottom rig with cut bait or stink bait works well from the bank. None of these waters require a boat — all five locations are fishable from shore.
Yes, and that is genuinely one of the strongest reasons to fish them. Encanto Lagoon and Cortez Park Lake in particular have paved paths, open shoreline, and nearby parking, which makes the logistics easy for families. Stocked fish are more catchable than wild fish, so the odds of a beginner landing something are reasonable, especially right after a stocking event.
