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Arizona · Fishing
Fishing in Sedona is a quieter pursuit than the hiking crowds might suggest, and the options here are genuinely limited — which is worth knowing before you drive out expecting a full roster of trophy waters.
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Fishing in Sedona is a quieter pursuit than the hiking crowds might suggest, and the options here are genuinely limited — which is worth knowing before you drive out expecting a full roster of trophy waters. The two spots covered on this page are Crescent Moon Ramada, where Oak Creek runs through one of the most photographed stretches of red rock country in Arizona, and Dad Jones Tank Number Two, a small impoundment that offers a different experience entirely. Oak Creek at Crescent Moon is a classic riparian fishery — moving water, shaded banks, and the kind of setting that makes a slow morning feel worthwhile even if the bite is off. Dad Jones Tank Number Two is a modest lake-fishing destination, the sort of place that suits a relaxed outing rather than a serious trophy hunt. Neither site appears in the data as a gold medal or wild trout water, so temper expectations accordingly and treat both as accessible, low-pressure options rather than destination fisheries. If you are driving specifically for the fishing, plan around the experience of the place as much as the catch.
Crescent Moon Ramada is a river fishing site on Oak Creek. You are fishing moving water here, so techniques suited to streams and small rivers — light spinning gear or fly fishing — are the practical choices. Access is through the Crescent Moon day-use area, which charges an entry fee.
Dad Jones Tank Number Two is a small tank, meaning a man-made impoundment rather than a natural lake. Expect a compact, calm-water fishery that is better suited to casual outings than serious angling trips. Light spinning tackle and simple rigs are plenty for this type of water.
Crescent Moon Ramada
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
WHITE HORSE LAKE Campground
~37 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Dairy Springs
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Dogtown Lake Campground And Group
~51 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Manzanita.
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Pinegrove
~46 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Cave Spring
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Dad Jones Tank Number Two
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Pine Flat Campground West
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Dad Jones Tank Number Two
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Verde Ranger District
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
East Lagoon
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Yes, an Arizona fishing license is required for anyone 10 years of age or older fishing in the state. Licenses are available through the Arizona Game and Fish Department online or at local sporting goods retailers. Check current regulations before your trip, as rules for Oak Creek can include specific gear restrictions depending on the season.
Early morning before day-use traffic picks up is the most practical window, both for fish activity and for avoiding the crowds that Crescent Moon draws throughout the day. The site is popular with hikers and swimmers, so midday fishing pressure from non-anglers is a real factor in warmer months.
Probably not on its own. The active listings here cover just two locations, neither flagged as a gold medal or wild trout fishery, so the fishing is best treated as a complement to everything else Sedona offers rather than the main draw. Anglers making a dedicated fishing trip to Arizona would find more options by also looking at waters further along Oak Creek or elsewhere in the Verde Valley.
