47 Best Fishing Spots Near Phoenix

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The Phoenix area is by far Arizona’s most populous county and is famously hot and arid.

You might think such a place with well over 4 million people and so little rainfall wouldn’t have much fishing, but you would be wrong.

Maricopa County, home to Phoenix and most of the state’s other largest cities, is actually quite loaded with excellent angling.

The reservoirs built along the Salt River and tributaries like the Agua Fria and Verde rivers are among the best collection of fishing lakes anywhere in the state and are often within an hour or two from home.

For anglers who don’t want to drive for more than a few minutes, we’ll show you the parks in Phoenix and surrounding communities with small lakes stocked with trout and catfish. Some also are home to bass and panfish.

The lakes and rivers in this article will be nearby if you live or are visiting the Phoenix area, including Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale, Gilbert, and Tempe.

I’ve also included neighboring Pinal County in this roundup since it’s considered part of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, or locally “the Valley.”

Cities and communities in Pinal County include Maricopa, Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Florence, and a large population in the unincorporated San Tan Valley just outside of Maricopa County. Though a 10th the population of Maricopa County, Pinal County sits between Phoenix and Tucson and is home to well more than 400,000 people.

Maricopa County (a.k.a. “Valley of The Sun”) is home to the Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Zoo, and Camelback Mountain. The area is renowned for its mild winters and is a magnet for golfers and off-season baseball. Arizona State University is in Tempe.

Things to see in Pinal County include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Goldfield Ghost Town, and other outdoor activities.

But you came to this article for the fishing, so we’re about to reveal many of the better places near Phoenix to catch everything from lunker largemouth bass and mammoth stripers and catfish to wintertime trout and feisty panfish.

I’ve divided the article into sections for Maricopa and Pinal counties and then grouped each area by city. Whether you use the table of contents or scroll through it, you’ll easily be able to find a place to fish near you.

Fishing in Maricopa County

The following fishing spots are within Maricopa County (at least partly) and within a reasonable drive of the Phoenix area.

Major Fisheries Near Phoenix

Apache Lake

Scenic view of Apache Lake and Resort hidden in the desert west of Roosevelt Lake on the Apache Trail in Arizona.
Photo by TygerGilbert (Depositphotos)

This Salt River reservoir below the larger Roosevelt Lake feels somewhat secluded in the Tonto National Forest’s Superstition Wilderness, which provides a wide range of fishing opportunities.

Apache Lake is a well-known bass fishing lake with largemouth and smallmouth bass that will attack all types of bass lures. Yellow bass are also available and often strike minnows and small spoons that look like minnows. Crappies and other types of game fish also can’t resist small fish.

Apache Lake is sometimes stocked with walleye fry and is one of Arizona’s best places to catch walleye. It can also be productive for channel and flathead catfish.

Additional fish species in the lake include sunfish, common carp, tilapia, and bigmouth, black and smallmouth buffalo.

In some years, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has stocked Apache Lake with catchable rainbow trout, but don’t expect trout unless recent reports indicate they have been planted.

Many anglers will begin their trip at the Apache Lake Marina & Resort on the south side near mid-lake. You can easily motor into less-crowded areas up or down the reservoir if you have a boat.

Bartlett Lake

A dam used to form Bartlett Lake, one of the top fishing spots in Central Arizona.
Photo by adogslifephoto (Depositphotos)

This good-sized reservoir on the Verde River northeast of the city is one of the best places to catch channel and flathead catfish and black crappie in Arizona and also is among the top largemouth bass fishing lakes in the Phoenix area.

You also might catch smallmouth bass, sunfish, and common carp.

Bartlett Lake is in the Tonto National Forest, and the area is also a great spot for camping and wildlife viewing.

More: Bartlett Lake Fishing

Canyon Lake

Ripples across Canyon Lake with steep rock formations and a few fishing boats in the background.
Photo by cjh_11 (Depositphotos)

This is one of the smaller Salt River reservoirs, located between Saguaro and Apache lakes and about an hour east of much of the metropolitan area.

Canyon Lake is one of a handful of walleye fishing spots in Arizona but is more often fished for its big largemouth bass.

Anglers also go after catfish, crappie, and sunfish. Species of buffalo and carp also inhabit this reservoir as with its neighboring Salt River impoundments.

Trout have been stocked in this location at times, but it’s not always on the schedule, so be sure to check for recent reports if you have rainbows on your mind.

Horseshoe Lake

The shoreline of Horseshoe Lake lined with cattails with rugged mountains rising up in the distance.
Photo by nflane (Depositphotos)

Also known as Horseshoe Reservoir, this Verde River impoundment is far enough north of the city to be one of the more remote places to fish in the greater Phoenix area.

Horseshoe Lake has several of the region’s typical gamefish species, and it is most often fished for largemouth bass and channel catfish.

Other species include smallmouth bass, flathead catfish, bluegill, and carp.

Frequently low water levels definitely can impact the fishing here.

Lake Pleasant

Lake Pleasant is one of Arizona’s most popular lakes for fishing and other water sports.

The lower half of this 10,000-acre reservoir on the Agua Fria River is in Maricopa County, while the upper end is in Yavapai County.

Lake Pleasant made our lists for the best catfish, crappie, and striped bass fishing in Arizona, and it’s also a solid choice for largemouth and white bass, sunfish, and other species such as carp and tilapia.

Check out our full article for details.

More: Lake Pleasant Fishing

Roosevelt Lake

Theodore Roosevelt Lake from the shore in the desert outside of Phoenix, with green hills behind.
Photo by spork_spelunking (Depositphotos)

This massive Salt River reservoir is simply one of the state’s best fishing lakes and perhaps the best place in Arizona to catch a largemouth bass near the 20-pound mark, thanks to the Florida-strain largemouths planted here.

Besides bass (including smallmouth and yellow bass), Theodore Roosevelt Lake is a hotbed of fishing for channel and flathead catfish and black crappie.

Other fish you may catch at Roosevelt Lake include sunfish, common carp, and several species of buffalo.

There’s a lot more we could say about the fishing at Roosevelt Lake; we did just that in the linked guide.

More: Roosevelt Lake Fishing

Saguaro Lake

Double rainbow over Saguaro Lake in the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix, Arizona
Photo by brent_1 (Depositphotos)

This moderately sized reservoir is on the Lower Salt River, which places it much closer to the Phoenix area than the much larger Roosevelt Lake upriver.

But like its bigger and more distant relative, Saguaro Lake offers the potential to catch some trophy bass. Largemouths are the big ones here, but smallmouth and yellow bass may strike anytime.

Saguaro Lake also is often the best of the Salt River impoundments when it comes to walleye fishing.

You’ll also have a good shot at catching crappie, catfish, carp, tilapia, and several subspecies of buffalo fish.

Saguaro Lake is a quick 40-minute drive from the Mesa area.

Salt River, Lower

Lower reaches of the Salt river outside of Mesa Arizona.
Photo by jomo333 (Depositphotos)

The section of the river below Saguaro Lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout during the cooler months, often beginning in October and continuing every couple of weeks into June.

While other local waters have winter trout stocking, the Lower Salt River is the closest waterway to Phoenix that can offer reliable trout fishing until late spring or beyond.

Generally, the Granite Reef and Phon D. Sutton day-use recreation areas are good bets when the AZGFD is stocking trout.

The Lower Salt River also is home to several species of catfish, bass, and panfish common to the reservoirs upriver.

Phoenix-area Community Lakes

The AZGFD labels many of its smaller, more urban fishing spots Community Fishing Waters.

What follows are some of the better spots to fish very close to home in Phoenix and other Maricopa County communities.

I’ve organized these alphabetically by each city to help you quickly locate fishing spots.

Note the links to local parks departments at the end of each city section. Once you learn what fishing opportunities they offer, you can look up their hours of operation, detailed amenities, rules, and so forth.

Avondale

Alamar Park Lake

This is one of the newest fishing holes in the greater Phoenix area, developed as part of a new city park on the south end of Avondale.

At last check, AZGFD planned to stock this lake a few times, potentially with catfish in the spring and fall and trout in the coldest winter season.

Festival Fields Pond

This small pond offers fishing in a multiple-use park and city facilities center along the banks of the Agua Fria River (the riverbed is dry for part of the year).

Wait for the water to cool down and for AZGFD to start stocking fish. About April and October could be the time for catfish to arrive. For trout fishing, expect to hold off until December or January.

You can get to the park on Lower Buckeye Road and then go down past the ballfields to park near the pond.

Friendship Pond

This tiny pond (just 1 acre) is occasionally stocked with catfish or trout during the cooler months.

Catfish are most likely to be stocked in the spring and fall. Look for trout stockings in the late fall into the winter time frame.

Expect stocked fish to get caught out fairly quickly, so plan your trip within a week or so after it receives new fish for the best odds.

There may also be some bass and bluegill to catch here, but it’s a small body of water with limited places to hold fish.

Friendship Park is big into baseball and has a dog park and splash pad, but the spatula-shaped pond sits right in the middle of the action and is very accessible when the fishing is good.

The park is just north of U.S. 10 but accessible from W. McDowell Road.

More: City of Avondale parks information

Buckeye

Sundance Park Lake

This is one of the newest park lakes being developed in the metropolitan area, in the westside community of Buckeye.

The small pond is slated to be stocked when ready.

Sundance Park also features a variety of athletic amenities. It’s located along W. Lower Buckeye Road at S. Rainbow Road.

More: City of Buckeye parks information

Chandler

Desert Breeze Lake

This pond in Desert Breeze Park offers 4 acres of fishing in a nice setting on the west side of Chandler.

AZGFD stocks Desert Breeze Pond with catfish and trout. Look for catfish plantings to begin when the water starts to cool in the fall, while trout are most likely to be stocked in the coldest months, like December and January.

More catfish are likely to be stocked early to mid-spring, before the water gets too warm.

There may be bass and panfish to catch, including in warmer months.

The lake is easily accessible from trails and platforms encircling it. Other park amenities include tennis, volleyball, picnicking, and team sports fields.

Use Desert Breeze Boulevard to reach the park.

Veterans Oasis Park Lake

This park on the southeastern side of Chandler offers a similar fishing experience for stocked catfish and trout, stocked on a similar schedule to Desert Breeze Lake mentioned above.

A good trail encircles the lake and leads to fishing spots, where anglers might also catch bass and sunfish, along with the hatchery species.

This park features a nature center, trails to smaller ponds, and it hosts a Chandler Police Department office.

More: City of Chandler parks information

Gilbert

Discovery Ponds

These two small ponds in Discovery Park are stocked a handful of times, usually with a dose of catfish for the spring and fall and then some trout in the winter months when the water reaches its coolest point of the year.

In addition to the stocked fish, AZGFD also notes that largemouth bass and bluegill may be present in the ponds.

The lakes have paths and shelters along the shores for easy fishing access.

Discovery Park is in central Gilbert and features a variety of athletic facilities. It’s just east of the Santan Freeway. Reach it from E. Pecos Road or S. Santan Village Parkway (S. Greenfield Rd.).

Freestone Lake

This 2-acre pond offers seasonal fishing for catfish and trout, occasionally stocked during the cooler months. Bass and sunfish may also be available.

This bisected lake is located in Freestone Park, in the northern part of Gilbert, at the intersection of E. Guadalupe and N. Lindsay roads.

The lake is located in a grassy area with shade trees and trails.

The full park offers a nice range of outdoor activities, from the usual softball and soccer to archery, disc golf, and a skatepark.

Gilbert Regional Park Pond

This wide-open pond offers excellent access but limited shade for anglers.

Fortunately, the handful of times AZGFD stops by with channel catfish or trout from the hatchery are typically in the cooler months.

Gilbert Regional Park is located in the south part of the city and also has an amphitheater, pickleball courts, and a splash pad. Enter from E. Queen Creek Road.

McQueen Pond

As with other Gilbert fishing ponds, this 2-acre pond offers a few very good chances to catch fish, particularly soon after the fish truck delivers loads of catfish (probably in the spring and fall) and trout (likely a couple of times in the winter).

Bass and bluegill may also be available all year.

Bank access is superb.

This park, located in the northwestern part of the city off N. McQueen Road, also features an activity center and various athletic facilities.

Water Ranch Lake

This 5-acre lake is within the Gilbert Riparian Reserve, along E. Guadalupe Road in northeastern Gilbert.

The stocked community fishing lake sits immediately behind the Southeast Regional Library, where you’ll find parking and a trail system that encircles the recreational lake. Seven other shallow lakes within this preserve aren’t open to fishing.

The fishing lake is occasionally stocked with catfish and trout, with the most consistent fishing for catfish in the spring and fall and for trout in winter. The best catches occur soon after it’s planted with catchable fish.

You may also find other game fish in the open pond, but special fishing regulations apply here, including catch and release for bass and any sunfish. Anglers also must use single, barbless hooks. Be sure to look up the most recent regulations before fishing here.

More: City of Gilbert parks information

Glendale

Bonsall Park Pond

This almost cross-shaped pond is most popular when AZGFD stocks it with fish to catch. Look for plantings of catfish in the spring and fall, and then trout will arrive a couple of times in the winter.

The pond is among trees and lawns in the part of the park south of Bethany Home Road. Cross that street, and you’ll find a range of athletic facilities in Bonsall Park’s north unit, including outdoor hockey.

Longtime residents still might call this location the “Chicken Park.”

Heroes Regional Park Pond

A few miles west of Bonsall Park, the newer Glendale Heroes Regional Park has also been added to AZGFD’s seasonal stocking schedule for catfish and trout. The schedule is likely to mirror Bonsall Park’s stocking times.

This park, located along the Grand Canal, also has a variety of other amenities, including a skate park, bike course, disc golf, and a library. Access is from 83rd Avenue, just off Bethany Home Road.

More: City of Glendale parks information

Mesa

Greenfield Park Pond

This 2.5-acre pond offers convenient and accessible fishing near the middle of Mesa, just off S. Greenfield Road, behind a fire station.

The pond is on the west side of the community-oriented park along the Eastern Canal. It is accessible from both paved trails and lawns, and trees dot the landscape.

Greenfield Park Pond is stocked a handful of times yearly, typically with catfish during the spring and fall and trout in the winter.

The parking area is off E. Pueblo Avenue.

Red Mountain Lake

This pond, in the shape of a wavy figure-8 with two islands, is located in a newer park just east of Red Mountain High School.

This pond is planned as one of the core waters with regular stocking of catfish in the spring and fall, plus trout in the winter.

Fishing should be excellent soon after a fish planting but will tend to fall off as anglers catch most trout or catfish. According to AZGFD, bass and bluegill might also be present and offer some angling opportunities.

A trail encircles the lake.

Other facilities at Red Mountain Park include disc golf, soccer, and a multigenerational center.

Parking is available in several lots via E. Brown Road, E. Adobe Street, and N. Sunvalley Blvd.

Riverview Lake

This almost wedge-shaped pond in Riverview Park is slated for regular fish stocking in the fall through spring.

Expect channel catfish to kick off the action when the first cooling begins in the fall, with a switch to trout for the winter plantings. Then it’s back to catfish for spring fishing.

There may also be some other warm-water fish species in the 3-acre artificial lake.

The park is located in the commercial area, amid the baseball and softball complexes, just southeast of the massive interchange of the Red Mountain Highway (SR 202) and SR 101.

Eastmark Great Park Pond

This is a new fishing location in a community park in the city’s southeast part.

The pond was recently added to AZGFD’s list of potential ponds to stock now and then with catfish and trout. Look for catfish in the spring and fall, and trout are typically winter-stocked fish because they need cold water to survive long enough to catch.

The park, along Eastmark Parkway, also features a pool, splash pad, sports facilities, and an outdoor stage.

More: City of Mesa parks information

Editor’s note: If you’re strictly interested in fishing close to home, see our Fishing Near Mesa article.

Peoria

Paloma Park Lake

At the north end of Peoria, on the road to Lake Pleasant, Paloma Community Park’s lake offers seasonal fishing opportunities not found in the larger lake.

Namely, you can catch trout in Paloma Park Lake once it’s stocked with trout in the winter. You will also have a chance to catch stocked channel catfish in the spring and fall.

The kidney-shaped lake has easy fishing access from a paved trail around it.

The park is right off N. Lake Pleasant Parkway on the edge of the Peoria Regional Preserve. Other community park amenities include ballfields and a dog park.

Pioneer Lake

This artificial lake in Pioneer Community Park offers anglers periodic chances to catch catfish and trout.

Look for hatchery channel catfish to be planted several times during the spring and fall, followed by trout deliveries in the winter.

Access is extremely easy here, with a platform near parking and a paved trail encircling the 5-acre pond.

This is a well-developed park with many ballfields, a splash pad, a dog park, and other amenities. Look for parking near the lake from 83rd or W. Olive avenues.

Rio Vista Pond

This narrow lake snakes along N. Rio Vista Boulevard and straddles the Rio Vista Recreation Center.

For anglers, the times to go will be after regular plantings of catfish during the spring and fall. Winter is the time to chase trout, especially following stockings every few weeks during the prime cold-water season.

This popular park offers various recreational activities beyond fishing, such as a skate park, batting cages, and all kinds of athletic facilities.

The park is just west of SR 101 (Agua Fria Freeway). Get there by turning north on Rio Vista Boulevard from W. Thunderbird Road.

More: City of Peoria parks information

Phoenix

Alvord Lake

Alvord Lake is in Cesar Chavez Park in the Laveen Village southwest of Downtown Phoenix.

AZGFD tries to stock this 25-acre location every few weeks during the cooler season, often with catfish during the spring and fall and trout in the winter.

There are resident warm-water fish, including largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish.

Bank access is excellent, with a path that encircles the small lake and crosses over to Alvord Lake Island.

The park has other amenities, including athletic fields, and sits along West Baseline Road north of the Aguila Golf Course.

Cortez Lake

This small lake in a city park of the same name on West Dunlap Avenue in Northwest Phoenix offers fishing for seasonally stocked channel catfish and rainbow trout.

The catfish will typically be stocked in the fall and spring, while the trout will usually be planted in the winter, possibly in December and January.

The 3-acre pond also is home to warm-water fish such as largemouth bass, sunfish, and carp.

The park sits along the Arizona Canal and has parking off N. 35th Avenue. It has a unique shape, with a smaller, perfectly round section connected by a small channel to the main pond. And that main pond has a round island similar in size to the round side pond.

Desert West Lake

This 5-acre pond is located in Desert West Park on West Encanto Boulevard on the city’s west side.

Watch for this location to be stocked with channel catfish in the spring and fall, and trout are often stocked several times during the winter season.

Other fish you might catch here at any time of year include largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish.

This park also has athletic facilities and shares a long block with a Phoenix Police Department station. There’s a nice parking lot off West Virginia Avenue on the north side.

Encanto Lagoon

This lake is also called Encanto Lake and, appropriately, is in Encanto Park, more often a golfing destination than a fishery.

Still, this palm tree-lined park lake is seasonally stocked with channel catfish (usually in the spring and fall) and then with trout (usually in the winter).

Fishing will be best in this 7.5-acre lake shortly after the plantings because, as a general rule we might have made up, trout usually can’t live year-round where palm trees can.

Papago Park Ponds

Palm trees and picnic tables surround one of the ponds in Papago Park in Phoenix.
Photo by neilld (Depositphotos)

Papago Park Ponds offer a similar slate of fishing as other Phoenix ponds but in a more natural setting alongside the Phoenix Zoo.

These are small ponds, from 1 to 3 acres each, stocked with catfish in the spring and fall. In between, when the water is at its coldest, trout are typically stocked before and after the holidays.

Largemouth bass and bluegill can round out the catches and offer opportunities after anglers thin out the hatchery species.

Papago Park is located at the eastern edge of Phoenix, on the Tempe border, and next to Scottsdale.

Roadrunner Pond

This tiny park pond, just 2 acres and no more than 8 feet deep, is periodically stocked with catfish and trout, though not always as often as some of the larger community waters in this area.

The agency also reports the presence of bass and bluegill in the pond, located along E. Cactus Road just east of the Piestewa Freeway (51).

Steele Indian School Pond 

This pond in Steele Indian School Park, north of downtown, is among the Phoenix waterways typically stocked with catfish and trout.

While schedules can change year to year, look for the first plantings of catfish with the cooling weather in the fall. Trout stocking is more common in late fall and winter, and then more catfish will likely be added for spring fishing.

Other types of fish, such as largemouth bass and bluegill, may bite year-round in this pond, which is just 2.5 acres in size.

Steele Indian School Park offers a variety of sports, picnic facilities, and playgrounds.

More: City of Phoenix parks information

Queen Creek

Mansel Lake

Formally the Mansel Carter Oasis Park Lake, after the new family-oriented town park in Queen Creek southeast of Gilbert, this 5-acre lake is seasonally stocked with catfish and trout.

Look for the best fishing to kick off at Mansel Lake once AZGFD starts stocking catfish with the cooling weather of fall. The stocking shifts over to trout in the late fall and winter and then back to catfish for the spring season.

Other fish you might catch at any time include largemouth bass and bluegill.

You can get to the park by taking E. Appleby Road off S. Sossaman Road.

More: City of Queens Creek parks information

Scottsdale

Chaparral Lake

This is one of just a handful of smaller park lakes that allow you to use a boat, although gas motors are prohibited.

That kayak or electric motor-powered fishing skiff might allow you to reach more fish in this 10-acre lake in Chaparral Park.

Chaparral Lake is stocked with channel catfish a few times each during the spring and fall. The hatchery trucks typically return another batch of times with rainbow trout during the winter.

Fishing for those species is best in the days and weeks after stocking. Resident species, such as largemouth bass and bluegill, may also be available.

There are accessible platform areas near the parking lot and a trail that circles the lake, with grassy banks and trees.

Access to the pond’s small parking lot is from E. Chaparral Road just east of N. Hayden Road.

Farther north on Hayden, you’ll find a variety of amenities, including an aquatic center, various athletic facilities, and a dog park.

Eldorado Pond

The AZGFD occasionally stocks this 3.5-acre park pond with catfish and trout.

Watch for catfish to be planted in the spring and fall, followed by perhaps a couple of trout plantings in the winter.

There’s some paved and lawn access for easy fishing.

The park also has other outdoor recreation facilities to keep the whole family busy, including an aquatic and fitness center, athletic fields, a skate park, and a playground.

El Dorado Park is near Coronado High School. The pond sits just behind the local Boys & Girls Clubs facility on N. Miller Road. Parking is available along E. Murray Lane and N. 77th Street.

More: City of Scottsdale parks information

Surprise

Surprise Park Lake

View from the shoreline of Surprise Park Lake in a city park in the community of Surprise near Phoenix, Arizona.
Photo by DCA88 (Depositphotos)

This recently renovated park lake next to the city’s off-season baseball facilities is often stocked with catfish and trout when cooler weather comes back later in the year.

The AZGFD typically plants catfish several times each in the spring and fall and trout periodically in the winter, making the 5-acre lake a go-to spot for seasonal fishing. Bass and bluegill may also be available.

Surprise Community Park is along N. Bullard Avenue, between Surprise Stadium and City Hall. The area also features large athletic facilities, including racquet sports, an aquatic center, dog parks, and a recreation area for people with special needs.

More: City of Surprise parks information

Tempe

Evelyn Hallman Pond

This shallow, 3-acre park pond at the north end of Tempe tends to be stocked multiple times each year with catchable fish.

Look for channel catfish fishing to kick into gear with several plantings likely in the early spring and again in mid-fall. Trout are most likely to be stocked during the winter when the coolest water of the year is most suitable for these fish.

There’s at least some potential to catch other warm-water gamefish species here, possibly bass and bluegill.

A trail allows easy access to the south and west shorelines, and anglers can cross over to a large island. You also can hike the unpaved trails to other areas. A smaller island on the north side of the lake can offer shade that might attract fish within a 50- to 75-foot casting range of the main shoreline.

Evelyn Hallman Park is at the intersection of N. College Avenue and E. Marigold Lane

Kiwanis Lake

This pretty lake offers excellent bank fishing access from paved trails, platform areas, and a pier, all of which should come in handy during regular fish plantings during the prime seasons.

Expect the fishing to be good as the first stocking truck delivers hatchery fish, which will typically be channel catfish a couple of times each in both spring and fall. Trout stocking is scheduled multiple times during the winter.

This lake also is known to have both largemouth and yellow bass as well as sunfish such as bluegill.

The 13-acre lake does have some hand-powered boating options, but check the rules before launching.

This is a popular picnicking park with plenty of covered tables (ramadas) available.

Kiwanis Park is between W. Baseline Road and All American Way, just east of the West Canal crossing. Parking is available off both roads, or you can walk in from the surrounding streets or the canal pathway.

Tempe Town Lake

A small fishing boat moves along the surface of Tempe Town Lake near downtown Tempe and Arizona State University.
Photo by Foto.Toch (Depositphotos)

In the heart of Tempe, bordering downtown and Arizona State University, this impounded section of the Salt River is a major draw for people of all interests, including some anglers.

Boating is almost always popular, but anglers would do best to fish early and late, especially during the sweltering summer days.

While Tempe Town Lake has been stocked with trout and catfish at times, it’s not always on the schedule. At last check, catfish were scheduled to be planted in the spring and fall, but trout weren’t in the plan.

Fortunately, the 224-acre lake is a year-round home for various warm-water species found in the Salt River system. Anglers fish for largemouth and yellow bass, channel and flathead catfish, black crappie, and bluegill. You also can hook some big carp and possibly tilapia.

You can find bank access in many places, especially if you can walk a bit to get away from crowds. There are boat ramps, including the Town Lake Marina boat launch across the lake from downtown.

More: City of Tempe park information

Fishing in Pinal County

Pinal County residents have larger fishing spots and smaller park ponds that can offer excellent fishing. Here are a few of the best options.

Major Fisheries

Gila River

Below Coolidge Dam, the Gila River forms the county’s northeastern boundary for a while before flowing entirely into Pinal County.

While the upper, high-elevation drainage of the Gila and tributaries are home to the rare Gila trout, this lower section is too warm for trout but can be suited for warm-water species as long as there is enough water.

The closer this river gets to cities, the more water is pumped out, quickly leaving the lowest river fairly barren of fish and often of water.

The lower Gila River is perhaps best known for its catfish fishing, including some giant flathead catfish. We’ve named the Gila an honorable mention in our rundown of Arizona’s best catfishing lakes and rivers.

We’d stick to the river as high up as possible. Some spots to access potential catfish angling are around Winkelman and Kearny in far-eastern Pinal County, closer to the water releases below San Carlos Lake.

Overall, the system also is home to largemouth bass, sunfish, and other fish species where there is adequate year-round water.

San Carlos Lake

This Gila River reservoir has the “potential” to be among the largest in Arizona. I put “potential” in quotes because this reservoir is rarely close to full, which would take some substantial rainfall to achieve.

However, San Carlos Lake along the upper-northeast corner of Pinal County has shown its potential before pumping out still-standing records for black crappie and previous records for largemouth bass and flathead catfish.

Those species plus channel catfish and bluegill remain favorites among anglers visiting the reservoir.

The reservoir is shared between Pinal, Gila, and Graham counties and is in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. As such, you’ll need a San Carlos fishing permit.

Community Fishing Waters

Casa Grande

Dave White Pond

This pond is within Dave White Regional Park on the west side of Casa Grande and is occasionally stocked with catfish and trout.

Expect just a handful of plantings in this 1-acre pond when fish and good water conditions are available, with catfish most likely stocked in the spring and fall and trout coming perhaps a couple of times during the winter.

The pond has a trail and trees and is just off N. Thornton Road, across the street from the municipal golf course. Pickleball, racquetball, and other sports and picnicking are popular here.

More: City of Casa Grande parks information

Maricopa

Copper Sky Lake

This 5-acre park pond in the city of Maricopa is typically among the most frequently stocked waters in Pinal County.

AZGFD expects to stock the lake with catfish a few times each during the spring and fall and then deliver trout every few weeks during winter.

Fishing should be quite good soon after planting and taper off relatively quickly as anglers catch the fish.

Largemouth bass and bluegill are also present, according to the AZGFD, and they may sometimes show up in your catch.

The lake has excellent access with paved trails around its entire shoreline.

This location is part of the larger Copper Sky Regional Park, which features a recreation and aquatic center, disc golf, a skate plaza, a dog park, and athletic facilities. So the non-anglers in your group will have plenty to do as well.

The park is off N. Maricopa Road, with parking near the lake just off W. Bowlin Road.

Pacana Pond

This 2-acre park pond is scheduled for a few fish plantings during the cooler months.

If all goes to plan, catfish should be stocked in the spring and fall, and catching trout is possible a couple of times during the winter (likely in December and/or January).

Fishing will be best as soon as you get to the lake after a fresh planting, as these fish are eager biters and are likely to get caught fairly quickly.

There might also be warm-water resident fish, such as bass or bluegill, in the pond.

A trail encircling the lake provides easy fishing access.

Pacana Park is on the east side of Maricopa, right along N. Porter Road. The park also has various athletic fields and sports courts.

More: City of Maricopa parks information

More Nearby Fishing

Fishing Near Tucson and Southeast Arizona