1. United States/
  2. Arizona
Map

Fishing in Arizona

Find fishing spots near you with Fishbrain's interactive crowd-sourced map

App Section

Want trophy-size catches? These Arizona spots deliver

About Arizona fishing

Arizona fishing combines desert reservoirs and mountain streams. Largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie populate lakes, while high-elevation streams provide trout. With scenic landscapes and year-round opportunities, Arizona offers freshwater anglers a mix of adventure and relaxation.

Arizona fishing license

Fishing in Arizona requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Residents and non-residents can purchase annual or short-term licenses online or at authorized retailers across the state.

In Arizona, no fishing license is required for anglers under 10 or residents 70 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license

Top fish species caught in Arizona

Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app

Biggest catches in Arizona

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in Arizona

SpeciesWeightCommon carp37 lbsChannel catfish33.4 lbsLargemouth bass16.5 lbsRainbow trout15.6 lbsSmallmouth bass7.1 lbsBluegill4 lbs

Latest Arizona fishing reports

fish catches icon
Common carp caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Common carp

Fortuna Pond

length · weight

fish catches icon
Channel catfish caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Channel catfish

Chaparral Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
Largemouth bass caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Veterans Oasis Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
Common carp caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Common carp

North Lake

15 in · 3 lb

fish catches icon
Channel catfish caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Channel catfish

Sundance Park

length · weight

fish catches icon
Common carp caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Common carp

Lake Havasu

length · weight

fish catches icon
Common carp caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Common carp

Lake Havasu

length · weight

fish catches icon
Common carp caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Common carp

Lake Havasu

length · weight

fish catches icon
Common carp caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Common carp

Lake Havasu

length · weight

fish catches icon
Largemouth bass caught on Fishbrain
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Surprise Lake

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Fishing regulations in Arizona

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Arizona can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Rainbow trout as of September 9th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Rainbow trout

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

4

Special gear

Aggregate

4
Additional information
No size limit.These regulations apply statewide unless Site-Specific Special Regulations apply to that body of water. Click here to see Site-Specific Special Regulations Statewide includes all state and federal refuges, parks and monuments; open areas do not include any area closed to hunting, fishing, or trapping.CATCH AND RELEASE artificial flies and lures only, single-pointed barbless hooks:Aker LakeBecker LakeBurro Creek — May 1 through Dec. 31Canyon Creek-OW Bridge to the Fort Apache Reservation BoundaryCoyote CreekDude Creek — May 1 through Dec. 31East Fork, Little Colorado River-above Colter Dam — May 1 through Dec. 31East Verde River-origin to the pumphouseElk TankGrant Creek – Pinaleno MountainsGrapevine Creek — May 1 through Dec. 31Horton CreekJ.D. DamMamie CreekMiddle TankPerkins TankRiver Reservoir — Oct. 1 through April 30Silver Creek — Oct. 1 through March 31Thompson Creek — May 1 through Dec. 31West Fork Black River- Hayground Creek to Fort Apache Reservation Boundary — May 1 through Dec. 31CATCH AND RELEASE artificial flies and lures only, barbless hooks:Oak Creek-West Fork Oak CreekCATCH AND RELEASE artificial flies and lures only:Lower Goldwater2 TROUT LIMIT artificial flies and lures only:Carnero LakeChevelon Canyon LakeChevelon Creek, from the Confluence with Willow Springs Creek to Chevelon CrossingLees FerryLee Valley CreekLee Valley Lake2 TROUT LIMIT:Alamar Park PondBonsall PondCommunity fishing pondsCouncil Avenue PondDave White Regional Park PondDiscovery Park PondsEastmark Park PondEldorado Park PondEvelyn Hallman PondFestival Fields PondFreestone PondFriendship PondFrye Mesa ReservoirGilbert Regional Park PondGraham County Fairgrounds PondGreenfield Park PondHeroes Regional Park PondMcQueen PondPacana PondPacific Avenue Athletic Complex PondsPapago Park PondsPatterson PondsRio Vista Park PondRoadrunner Park PondShow Low Creek Meadow Steele Indian School Park PondWater Ranch Park Lake (barbless hooks only)West Wetlands Pond4 TROUT LIMIT:Community fishing lakes5 TROUT LIMIT:Colorado River-Separation Canyon to the California/Nevada Boundary, including Lake Mead and Lake Mohave10 TROUT LIMIT:Colorado River-California/Nevada Boundary to the International BoundaryUNLIMITED TROUT REGULATIONS:Colorado River-Navajo Bridge to Separation CanyonSEASONAL UNLIMITED TROUT REGULATIONS SEPT. 1 – MARCH 31 ANNUALLY:Chevelon Creek-Chevelon Crossing to the confluence with the Little Colorado RiverEast Clear CreekNutrioso Creek
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Regulations for

33°26′54.4″N 112°04′25.8″W
Regulations in the map
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

FAQ about Arizona fishing

📜 What are the fishing regulations in Arizona, United States?
Fishing regulations in Arizona, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.
🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in Arizona, United States?
Some of the most popular species anglers target in Arizona, United States include Rainbow trout, Largemouth bass, and Channel catfish. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.
🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in Arizona, United States?
Some of the most popular fishing spots in Arizona, United States include Salt River, Tres Rios Wetlands, and Lakeside Park Lake. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.