where is the best place to go urban fishing in Phoneix, AZ?
I’m from montana recently moved to phoenix, az and ive heard alot about the urban fishing program. i got my license and im ready to go, just want to know where all the best spots are…where the most action is, the biggest fish…etc.
Hi Scott, I lived in Gilbert for a few years some years back. Being a hardcore fisherman from the Gulf coast at that time, I found fishing the Phoenix urban and rural fishing spots to be very tough on the patience sometimes. Their are actually quite a few urban lakes to choose from that are legal to fish in when you include, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, Chandler, and Scottsdale. Most are located at the public parks but their are a few smaller ones that were built next to public buildings like libraries. The Fish and game use to have a small booklet giving locations and rules for fishing these lakes. These rules can differ from lake to lake. Like having a beer stamp or a two pole license. Certain species must be released in some lakes. Knowing these rules is a must, so try to get a booklet or maybe they have it on their website by now. Some of the fishing shops used to have them as well. They are free. The only time I had any luck or caught any real fish was in the winter months. During the Winter time the Fish and game stock certain lakes with rainbow trout. The fish and game post the date times and locations of releasing the trout. I fished the closest lake to me at the time mostly when I was there at the corner of Higley and Baseline next to the library. I also caught the occasional small channel catfish out of this lake. Overall, for better fishing ya need to get out of town. The White Mountains right now would be prime for Apache Green trout. You could head out on the Apache Trail past Queen Creek and fish the lakes out that way, Canyon, Apache, or Roosevelt lakes. I have fished off of the banks of Canyon and Apache lakes with usually catching a few channel cats. A boat is your best bet for fishing these lakes, but still I found the fishing to be really slow out there as well. My favorite spot was fishing the Upper Verde River. This river feeds Roosevelt lake. Great for nice sized channel and flathead cats. I caught a 52lb flathead on the Verde with a waterdog.as my biggest. I usually but not allways come home with a few nice catfish worth cleaning. The White Mountains was my favorite spot but allot futher away to get to. I always camped for a couple of days when getting up there. The other answer’s mentioned the other popular rural lakes. I fished most if not all of the main rural lakes and found fishing to be generally really slow. There was those odd days when we would catch more fish or get more hits, usually around spawning. The Upper Verde kept me satisfied with my fishing itch while I was there. I hope this helped, and feel free to email me for more info if needed 40 yr exp
October 16th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Seein’ as how your from Montana I’m assumin ya’ be might just be a’ Trout enthusiast? If ya’ are, unfortunately I can’t help ya’ out (not totally familiar with AZ.) but, got a’ buddy that fish’s (Largemouth Bass) and swears by Roosevelt Lake ~ fact is he’s a’ Tournament man. In the tourney’s he’s more programed not only with the size but, the numbers of bass as well, now when he’s sport fishin’ it be size n’ nothin’ but SIZE and RL be one place that he can achieve this;)…
Not much help but it’s a’ good start. Be patient because there’ll be others with Answers from AZ., that can narrow it down for ya’ a’ bit better than I…
Tight lines;)…< ‘ ( (( > <
Roosevelt Lake (Lake info., species of fish it supports, directions, etc.):
http://www.go-arizona.com/Roosevelt-Lake
Note: Be a’ bit of a’ drive from Phoniex…
References :
Myself and a’ FEW years, along with some good fishin’ buddy’s…
October 16th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Never been to Phoneix, but I have heard that Lake Pleasant has good fishing as well as Roosevelt (as stated by another user).
I looked at a map of Phoneix online and noticed serveral small impoundments around the metro area. Grab your pole and go explore. I’b be willing to bet that there are fish in all of them.
Good luck.
References :
Post your fishing pics to the bragging board:
http://www.jerkmybait.com/
October 16th, 2009 at 3:12 am
Hi Scott, I lived in Gilbert for a few years some years back. Being a hardcore fisherman from the Gulf coast at that time, I found fishing the Phoenix urban and rural fishing spots to be very tough on the patience sometimes. Their are actually quite a few urban lakes to choose from that are legal to fish in when you include, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, Chandler, and Scottsdale. Most are located at the public parks but their are a few smaller ones that were built next to public buildings like libraries. The Fish and game use to have a small booklet giving locations and rules for fishing these lakes. These rules can differ from lake to lake. Like having a beer stamp or a two pole license. Certain species must be released in some lakes. Knowing these rules is a must, so try to get a booklet or maybe they have it on their website by now. Some of the fishing shops used to have them as well. They are free. The only time I had any luck or caught any real fish was in the winter months. During the Winter time the Fish and game stock certain lakes with rainbow trout. The fish and game post the date times and locations of releasing the trout. I fished the closest lake to me at the time mostly when I was there at the corner of Higley and Baseline next to the library. I also caught the occasional small channel catfish out of this lake. Overall, for better fishing ya need to get out of town. The White Mountains right now would be prime for Apache Green trout. You could head out on the Apache Trail past Queen Creek and fish the lakes out that way, Canyon, Apache, or Roosevelt lakes. I have fished off of the banks of Canyon and Apache lakes with usually catching a few channel cats. A boat is your best bet for fishing these lakes, but still I found the fishing to be really slow out there as well. My favorite spot was fishing the Upper Verde River. This river feeds Roosevelt lake. Great for nice sized channel and flathead cats. I caught a 52lb flathead on the Verde with a waterdog.as my biggest. I usually but not allways come home with a few nice catfish worth cleaning. The White Mountains was my favorite spot but allot futher away to get to. I always camped for a couple of days when getting up there. The other answer’s mentioned the other popular rural lakes. I fished most if not all of the main rural lakes and found fishing to be generally really slow. There was those odd days when we would catch more fish or get more hits, usually around spawning. The Upper Verde kept me satisfied with my fishing itch while I was there. I hope this helped, and feel free to email me for more info if needed 40 yr exp
References :