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Nelson Reservoir

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Arizona, United States

4.4·43 catches

Top fish species at Nelson Reservoir

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Nelson Reservoir fishing reports

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Rainbow trout

18 in · 3 lb

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Black crappie

length · weight

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Black crappie

length · weight

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Greengill hybrid

length · weight

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Green sunfish

length · weight

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Green sunfish

length · weight

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General info

Nelson Reservoir is a lake located in Apache County, Arizona, United States. It is most popular for fishing Rainbow trout, Black crappie, and Green sunfish.

Location

34°03′10″N 109°11′20.8″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Nelson Reservoir, AZ

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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout

Regulation boundaryAZ Arizona State Waters
Bag limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit4

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

AZ Methods

Hook and Line Methods• All new fishing and combo licenses allow the angler to fish with two poles or lines simultaneously. In no case are more than two lines allowed to be used at the same time.• "Angling" means the taking of fish by one line and not to exceed two hooks, by one line and one artificial lure, which may have attached more than one hook, or by one line and not to exceed two artificial flies or lures.• Fishing lines must be constantly attended and in immediate control.• The hook, fly or lure must be used in such a manner that the fish voluntarily attempts to take it in its mouth.• A single-pointed barbless hook is a fish hook with a single point, manufactured without barbs on or which barbs have been completely closed or removed. This does not include a treble hook. Regulations limiting tackle to single-pointed barbless hooks do not eliminate the angler's option for simultaneous fishing as defined. Anglers may use a single line with no more than two single hooks, as with a primary hook and a dropper hook or fly.Artificial Flies and Lures• "Artificial flies and lures" means manmade devices intended as visual attractants to catch fish. Artificial flies and lures does not include living or dead organisms or edible parts of those organisms, natural or prepared food stuffs, or chemicals or organic materials intended to create a scent, flavor, or chemical stimulant to the device regardless of whether it is added or applied during or after the manufacturing process.• Check the Special Regulations to determine if hooks must also be single- pointed barbless hook only.Other Fishing Methods• Bow and arrow, crossbow, snare, gig, spear or spear gun, or snagging are valid methods for taking common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad statewide unless a closure or Special Regulation restricts it.• Bow and arrow fishing for catfish (5 catfish daily bag limit, any combination) is valid at Apache Lake, Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake.Capturing Baitfish and Crayfish for Bait• Live baitfish may be used only in areas approved for certain species.• Live bait may be taken by minnow trap, dip net, cast net, pole and line, handline, crayfish net or seine.• Cast nets shall not exceed a 4-foot radius (or an 8-foot diameter).• Seine nets shall not exceed 10 feet in length and 4 feet in width.• Except for sunfish of the genus Lepomis, the flesh of gamefish may not be used as bait.• Landing nets or dip nets may be used for the capture of legal baitfish or crayfish or only to land a legally hooked fish.• Any unattended traps or devices used to catch or hold aquatic wildlife or fish

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
Season open: year-round
Black crappie

Black crappie

Regulation boundaryAZ Arizona State Waters
Special gear

AZ Methods

Hook and Line Methods• All new fishing and combo licenses allow the angler to fish with two poles or lines simultaneously. In no case are more than two lines allowed to be used at the same time.• "Angling" means the taking of fish by one line and not to exceed two hooks, by one line and one artificial lure, which may have attached more than one hook, or by one line and not to exceed two artificial flies or lures.• Fishing lines must be constantly attended and in immediate control.• The hook, fly or lure must be used in such a manner that the fish voluntarily attempts to take it in its mouth.• A single-pointed barbless hook is a fish hook with a single point, manufactured without barbs on or which barbs have been completely closed or removed. This does not include a treble hook. Regulations limiting tackle to single-pointed barbless hooks do not eliminate the angler's option for simultaneous fishing as defined. Anglers may use a single line with no more than two single hooks, as with a primary hook and a dropper hook or fly.Artificial Flies and Lures• "Artificial flies and lures" means manmade devices intended as visual attractants to catch fish. Artificial flies and lures does not include living or dead organisms or edible parts of those organisms, natural or prepared food stuffs, or chemicals or organic materials intended to create a scent, flavor, or chemical stimulant to the device regardless of whether it is added or applied during or after the manufacturing process.• Check the Special Regulations to determine if hooks must also be single- pointed barbless hook only.Other Fishing Methods• Bow and arrow, crossbow, snare, gig, spear or spear gun, or snagging are valid methods for taking common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad statewide unless a closure or Special Regulation restricts it.• Bow and arrow fishing for catfish (5 catfish daily bag limit, any combination) is valid at Apache Lake, Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake.Capturing Baitfish and Crayfish for Bait• Live baitfish may be used only in areas approved for certain species.• Live bait may be taken by minnow trap, dip net, cast net, pole and line, handline, crayfish net or seine.• Cast nets shall not exceed a 4-foot radius (or an 8-foot diameter).• Seine nets shall not exceed 10 feet in length and 4 feet in width.• Except for sunfish of the genus Lepomis, the flesh of gamefish may not be used as bait.• Landing nets or dip nets may be used for the capture of legal baitfish or crayfish or only to land a legally hooked fish.• Any unattended traps or devices used to catch or hold aquatic wildlife or fish

Additional information
No size limit. No bag 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.Special Regulation Areas: (crappie bag limit includes black and white crappie)Bartlett Lake: bag limit = 15 crappieColorado River-Separation Canyon to Davis Dam, including Lake Mead and Lake Mohave: bag limit = 15 crappieColorado River-California/Nevada border to the International Boundary, including Topock Marsh and Lake Havasu (in any combination with sunfish): bag limit = 25 crappieLake Powell: bag limit = 10 crappieRoosevelt Lake: bag limit = 15 crappie
Edibility
Excellent! Catch, Clean, Cook Black Crappie aka Speckled Perch
Synonyms
Calico bass, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Speckled Perch
Season open: year-round
Green sunfish

Green sunfish

Regulation boundaryAZ Arizona State Waters
Special gear

AZ Methods

Hook and Line Methods• All new fishing and combo licenses allow the angler to fish with two poles or lines simultaneously. In no case are more than two lines allowed to be used at the same time.• "Angling" means the taking of fish by one line and not to exceed two hooks, by one line and one artificial lure, which may have attached more than one hook, or by one line and not to exceed two artificial flies or lures.• Fishing lines must be constantly attended and in immediate control.• The hook, fly or lure must be used in such a manner that the fish voluntarily attempts to take it in its mouth.• A single-pointed barbless hook is a fish hook with a single point, manufactured without barbs on or which barbs have been completely closed or removed. This does not include a treble hook. Regulations limiting tackle to single-pointed barbless hooks do not eliminate the angler's option for simultaneous fishing as defined. Anglers may use a single line with no more than two single hooks, as with a primary hook and a dropper hook or fly.Artificial Flies and Lures• "Artificial flies and lures" means manmade devices intended as visual attractants to catch fish. Artificial flies and lures does not include living or dead organisms or edible parts of those organisms, natural or prepared food stuffs, or chemicals or organic materials intended to create a scent, flavor, or chemical stimulant to the device regardless of whether it is added or applied during or after the manufacturing process.• Check the Special Regulations to determine if hooks must also be single- pointed barbless hook only.Other Fishing Methods• Bow and arrow, crossbow, snare, gig, spear or spear gun, or snagging are valid methods for taking common carp, buffalofish, mullet, tilapia, goldfish, and shad statewide unless a closure or Special Regulation restricts it.• Bow and arrow fishing for catfish (5 catfish daily bag limit, any combination) is valid at Apache Lake, Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake.Capturing Baitfish and Crayfish for Bait• Live baitfish may be used only in areas approved for certain species.• Live bait may be taken by minnow trap, dip net, cast net, pole and line, handline, crayfish net or seine.• Cast nets shall not exceed a 4-foot radius (or an 8-foot diameter).• Seine nets shall not exceed 10 feet in length and 4 feet in width.• Except for sunfish of the genus Lepomis, the flesh of gamefish may not be used as bait.• Landing nets or dip nets may be used for the capture of legal baitfish or crayfish or only to land a legally hooked fish.• Any unattended traps or devices used to catch or hold aquatic wildlife or fish

Additional information
No size limit. No bag 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.Special Regulation Areas:Community Fishing Lakes: bag limit = 10 sunfish (includes bluegill, redear sunfish, green sunfish, and hybrid sunfish)Community Fishing Ponds: bag limit = 5 sunfish (includes bluegill, redear sunfish, green sunfish, and hybrid sunfish)
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Lepomis cyanellus
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Local laws and licenses

Arizona fishing license

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Reviews of Nelson Reservoir

4.4
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5 ratings

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4
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1
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Cities nearby

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7.1 miles away

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San Jose

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FAQ about Nelson Reservoir fishing

📍 Where is Nelson Reservoir located?
Nelson Reservoir is a lake located in Apache County, Arizona, United States. Its coordinates are:
34°03′10″N 109°11′20.8″W
.
🎣 Where on Nelson Reservoir is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Nelson Reservoir by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Nelson Reservoir?
The most common species in Nelson Reservoir are:
📢 What are the latest Nelson Reservoir fishing reports?
The latest Nelson Reservoir fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Nelson Reservoir?

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.

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