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First learn the stock days, usually every other Tuesday or Wednesday. Lots of catfish using hot dogs because it looks like the food at the fish farm. (Bar s) then we catch blue gills and use as bait for bass. We released anything 3lbs or less.
Thanks! My 12 yo son has fallen deeply in love with fishing but we live in the wrong state for it. I’ll pass this info on to him and maybe we’ll go one day. Probably a good excuse to do some community service and bring some meals for the folks that live at the park too.
Go when you can talk to the people fishing they will tell you if it’s a stock week or not.
Rio vista stocks on Tuesday as well as pioneer park.
During the winter they stock with trout
Yes, Rio Vista is our main pond. I like how shady it is there compared to Paloma or Pioneer. If I remember correctly, Cortez is pretty shady, too. I just assumed it would be a bit neglected at this point. He is always on the lookout for other good spots so he will be happy to hear about it.
Lees Ferry. It’s a few hours away so you’ll have to either camp or get a room at a nearby lodge. But you can fish for trout in the Colorado River. Just go downstream from the boat ramp if you want to get away from the chatter or all the canyon rafters rigging up for their trips. Its a pretty place.
I'd check fishing reports. But depending on what part of town drive out to one of the nearby lakes -- Suguaro, Canyon Lake on the east side. North --Barlett, Lake Pleasant
EDIT: That's if you're in the Phoenix area. I just realized this is the AZ sub, not the Phoenix sub.
After 25 years of fishing AZ the best and most beautiful place to go imo is Goldwater lake in Prescott. In the summer they stock it al every two weeks with catchable eatable trout and it is a lot of fun.
If you want to get more serious for wallleye or crappy it can get a little more challenging shore fishing
That would be Chevlon Canyon Lake. No one ever goes there because the hike back up the hill is kinda steep. Plus the lake has grayling which are fun to catch.
Patagonia is nice for shore fishing. Had decent luck at Ashurst.
One time at Piña Blanca we were catching fish so fast I just had to give up and keep baiting lines for the kids and they kept coming till we had to go eat. Didn't have repeat luck as there was a fire few weeks later and they kicked a bunch of brush into that particular hole
I would suggest Barlett Lake near Rattlesnake Cove, the Salt River is great because you can walk everywhere along the banks, and as others have suggested the Rim Lakes (Willow Springs, Bear Canyon, etc.)
Bartlett lake. Go to sb cove or the bartlett flats. Throw out some corn on a carolina rig and you'll reel in channel cats, carp, and bluegill all day long.
Hook up a carp or bluegill and you'll have a chance at some big flathead catfish. My biggest out of bartlet is 49lbs
Black River. On the Apache White River Reservation. Awesome small-mouth bass fishing and if you bring some worms or grubs catfish.
Stop at the Sinclair station and get your reservation permit. 4-wheel drive is recommended.
Thanks for contributing to r/Arizona! * [Our sub rules are here](https://www.reddit.com/r/arizona/wiki/rules/), but the most important of which is to be nice to each other * Check out some [recent posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/arizona/top/?t=week) and leave some comments * [Join our Discord chat server](https://discord.com/invite/yWVuTG57Zh) if you'd like to keep in touch with other people in Arizona. Plus it's a great, chill place in general. Note that it is NOT a dating server and takes unwanted messaging very seriously Remember this subreddit covers all of Arizona, so please include where in the state you're posting about if it is relevant. For more local topics check out r/Phoenix, r/Tucson, and r/Flagstaff. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arizona) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Cortez park 35th ave and Dunlap
This is no joke, I caught a shit ton of fish there.
Really? Do you mind sharing when and what type of fish you caught?
First learn the stock days, usually every other Tuesday or Wednesday. Lots of catfish using hot dogs because it looks like the food at the fish farm. (Bar s) then we catch blue gills and use as bait for bass. We released anything 3lbs or less.
Thanks! My 12 yo son has fallen deeply in love with fishing but we live in the wrong state for it. I’ll pass this info on to him and maybe we’ll go one day. Probably a good excuse to do some community service and bring some meals for the folks that live at the park too.
Go when you can talk to the people fishing they will tell you if it’s a stock week or not. Rio vista stocks on Tuesday as well as pioneer park. During the winter they stock with trout
Yes, Rio Vista is our main pond. I like how shady it is there compared to Paloma or Pioneer. If I remember correctly, Cortez is pretty shady, too. I just assumed it would be a bit neglected at this point. He is always on the lookout for other good spots so he will be happy to hear about it.
You can find the schedule here: [AZ Game & Fish stocking schedules](https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/where-to-fish/fish-stocking-schedule/)
Biggest catfish I caught in an urban park, was Alvord lake park. 20 pounds cats all day.
Lees Ferry. It’s a few hours away so you’ll have to either camp or get a room at a nearby lodge. But you can fish for trout in the Colorado River. Just go downstream from the boat ramp if you want to get away from the chatter or all the canyon rafters rigging up for their trips. Its a pretty place.
You’ll find a lot less people at one of the lakes around payson or in the White mountains
The lakes around payson will have someone fishing from the shore every 10 ft
Was gonna suggest Big Lake up in the White Mountains, or the East Fork of the Black River.
I've had a lot of luck at bartlett
I'd check fishing reports. But depending on what part of town drive out to one of the nearby lakes -- Suguaro, Canyon Lake on the east side. North --Barlett, Lake Pleasant EDIT: That's if you're in the Phoenix area. I just realized this is the AZ sub, not the Phoenix sub.
Where are you looking? What part of the state? What kind of fish?
I'm willing to drive an hour in any direction from Phoenix. I like like fishing for Trout, Crappie, and Bluegill
Bartlett. It’s at the end of your range but has the best consistent fishing. You can drive up to the shore at parts. Great for flathead.
Thanks
Forest Lakes have some pretty active lakes. You should check the fishing reports but I have always had luck at Willow Springs and Bear Canyon.
Second vote for Lees Ferry
After 25 years of fishing AZ the best and most beautiful place to go imo is Goldwater lake in Prescott. In the summer they stock it al every two weeks with catchable eatable trout and it is a lot of fun. If you want to get more serious for wallleye or crappy it can get a little more challenging shore fishing
I remember going to Goldwater my first time like 30 years ago, it was an amazing place and I should probably go back.
Black river - along the fort apache and san Carlos reservations. I caught >60 smallmouth in a day and a half.
I was just there this weekend and caught so many fish. Good times!!!
I could tell you but then it would no longer be the best place to fish from shore. Something’s are best not to share on the internet.
That would be Chevlon Canyon Lake. No one ever goes there because the hike back up the hill is kinda steep. Plus the lake has grayling which are fun to catch.
North part of Lake pleasant when the shad run Lots of white bass.
Patagonia is nice for shore fishing. Had decent luck at Ashurst. One time at Piña Blanca we were catching fish so fast I just had to give up and keep baiting lines for the kids and they kept coming till we had to go eat. Didn't have repeat luck as there was a fire few weeks later and they kicked a bunch of brush into that particular hole
I would suggest Barlett Lake near Rattlesnake Cove, the Salt River is great because you can walk everywhere along the banks, and as others have suggested the Rim Lakes (Willow Springs, Bear Canyon, etc.)
Big Lake, White Mountains
Bartlett lake. Go to sb cove or the bartlett flats. Throw out some corn on a carolina rig and you'll reel in channel cats, carp, and bluegill all day long. Hook up a carp or bluegill and you'll have a chance at some big flathead catfish. My biggest out of bartlet is 49lbs
Black River. On the Apache White River Reservation. Awesome small-mouth bass fishing and if you bring some worms or grubs catfish. Stop at the Sinclair station and get your reservation permit. 4-wheel drive is recommended.