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Arizona · Fishing
Scottsdale sits in the Sonoran Desert, which doesn't scream fishing destination at first glance, but the area has a workable mix of still water and moving water within reasonable driving distance.
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Scottsdale sits in the Sonoran Desert, which doesn't scream fishing destination at first glance, but the area has a workable mix of still water and moving water within reasonable driving distance. Bartlett Reservoir is the biggest draw on this list — a large desert impoundment northeast of the city on the Verde River arm that holds largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie, and gets serious attention from local anglers year-round. Closer in, McKellips Lake and Marguerite Lake are smaller urban fisheries that the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks periodically, making them genuinely accessible options for families or anyone who doesn't want to drive an hour into the desert. Cave Creek Group Site adds a river fishing angle, with the creek running through the area offering a different experience than the lakes — smaller water, more technical, and more dependent on seasonal flows. None of these are wilderness fly-fishing destinations, but Bartlett in particular is a legitimate reservoir worth a planned trip, and the stocked urban lakes punch above their weight for casual outings. If you're visiting Scottsdale and want to wet a line without renting a boat or hiring a guide, this lineup gives you real options across different skill levels and time commitments.
Yes, anyone 10 years of age or older needs a valid Arizona fishing license for all waters on this list, including the urban lakes at McKellips and Marguerite. You can purchase a license online through the Arizona Game and Fish Department website or at most sporting goods retailers in the Scottsdale area. Day licenses are available if you're just visiting.
Bartlett holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and carp. Bass fishing is the main draw, and the rocky coves and creek arms of the reservoir give you structure to work. It's a natural fishery, not a stocked put-and-take lake, so fish sizes vary but the bass population is self-sustaining.
Cave Creek Group Site
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Cholla Campground
~1h 3m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Frazier Group Campground
~1h 11m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Burnt Corral Campground
~1h 3m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Windy Hill Campground
~1h 15m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Horsethief Cabin
~1h 12m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Schoolhouse Campground
~1h 22m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Turney Gulch Group
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Marguerite Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Sycamore Cabin
~1h 20m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Fountain Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin)
~1h 19m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
They're stocked urban ponds managed by the city and Arizona Game and Fish, which means trout go in during cooler months and catfish are stocked in warmer months. They're small and heavily fished, but the stocking schedule keeps catch rates reasonable around stocking events. Adults fish them regularly, especially for catfish in summer evenings.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are your best windows, especially from May through September when midday air temperatures routinely exceed 105°F. At Bartlett Reservoir, fish move deeper during the heat of the day, so morning topwater and evening sessions near structure will outperform a midday trip by a wide margin.
Cave Creek is a seasonal desert stream, meaning flow levels depend heavily on recent rainfall and time of year. It can run well after winter rains or summer monsoons and drop to near nothing in dry stretches. Check recent conditions before making the drive specifically for river fishing there, and keep expectations calibrated — it's a small creek, not a large river.
