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

Arizona fishing licenses are required for anglers 10+. Residents and non-residents can purchase annual or short-term licenses online or at authorized retailers across the state.

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
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Chaparral Lake

12 in · 1 lb

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Black bullhead

Santa Cruz River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Black bullhead

Santa Cruz River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Black bullhead

Santa Cruz River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Black bullhead

Santa Cruz River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Santa Cruz River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Santa Cruz River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

Santa Cruz River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Fortuna Pond

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Beardsley Canal

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 Channel catfish as of April 2nd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Channel catfish

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

10

Aggregate

10

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.

Special Regulation Areas: (catfish bag limit includes channel catfish and flathead catfish)

  • Community fishing lakes: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Community fishing ponds: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Alamar Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Alvord Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Apache Lake: bag limit = 5 catfish when taken by bow and arrow
  • Bear Canyon Lake: no bag limit 
  • Beaver Creek (Wet and Dry): no bag limit 
  • Black Canyon Lake: no bag limit 
  • Bonsall Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Canyon Lake: bag limit = 5 catfish when taken by bow and arrow
  • Cataract Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • CC Cragin Reservoir (Blue Ridge): no bag limit 
  • Chaparral Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Chevelon Canyon Lake: no bag limit 
  • City Reservoir: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Cluff Ranch Ponds: catch and release only 
  • Colorado River-Glen Canyon Dam to Separation Canyon: no bag limit 
  • Copper Sky Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Cortez Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Council Avenue Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Crystal Gardens Water Treatment Facility (city of Avondale): catch and release only 
  • Dankworth Pond: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Dave White Regional Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Dead Horse Ranch State Park Lagoons: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Desert Breeze Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Desert West Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Discovery Park Ponds: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Dogtown Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • East Verde River: no bag limit 
  • Eastmark Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Eldorado Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Encanto Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Evelyn Hallman Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Fain Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Festival Fields Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Fortuna Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Francis Short Pond: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Freestone Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Friendship Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Gilbert Regional Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Graham County Fairgrounds Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Granite Basin Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Green Valley Park Lakes: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Greenfield Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Heroes Regional Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Horseshoe Lake: no bag limit 
  • Kaibab Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Kennedy Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Kiwanis Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Knoll Lake: no bag limit 
  • Lakeside Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Long Tom Lake: no bag limit 
  • Lower Goldwater: artificial flies and lures only; catch and release only 
  • Lower Lake Mary: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Mansel Carter Oasis Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • McQueen Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Oak Creek: no bag limit 
  • Pacana Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Paloma Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Papago Park Ponds: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Parker Canyon Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Patterson Ponds: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Pena Blanca Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Pioneer Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Red Mountain Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Redondo Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Rio Vista Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Riverview Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Roadrunner Park Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Roper Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Saguaro Lake: bag limit = 5 catfish when taken by bow and arrow
  • Sahuarita Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Santa Fe Reservoir: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Show Low Creek Meadow: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Silverbell Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Steele Indian School Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Stone Dam: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Sundance Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Surprise Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Tempe Town Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • The Pond at Town Hall (town of Gilbert): catch and release only
  • Tucson waters in the city park system, but not in the CFP: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Upper Salt River (Roosevelt Diversion Dam upstream to the Reservation Boundary): no bag limit 
  • Verde River upstream of Horseshoe Dam including tributaries: no bag limit
  • Veterans Oasis Park Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Virgin River: no bag limit
  • Water Ranch Park Lake: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • West Clear Creek: no bag limit
  • West Wetlands Pond: bag limit = 2 catfish
  • Whitehorse Lake: bag limit = 4 catfish
  • Willow Springs Lake: no bag limit 
  • Woods Canyon Lake: no bag limit
  • Yavapai Lakes: bag limit = 4 catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

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

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.
Some of the most popular species anglers target in Arizona, United States include Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, and Bluegill. 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.
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.