The Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD) is stocking dozens of small lakes and ponds in the Phoenix area this fall and winter.
Depending on the location and sometimes on water conditions, the trout may be stocked every few weeks. Most of these fishing holes are in public parks in the city and suburbs.
In addition to the long list of park ponds that receive stocked trout, anglers may also want to try their luck on the Lower Salt River, which is stocked with trout most weeks throughout the fall and winter months.
The river is typically stocked well below Saguaro Lake, with abundant fish and access available at recreational and day-use areas such as Phon D. Sutton and Sheeps Crossing.
Here are the spots scheduled for stocking in Maricopa County, organized alphabetically by city.
Avondale: Alamar Park Pond, Friendship Pond, Festival Fields Pond
Buckeye: Sundance Park
Casa Grande: Dave White Regional Park
Chandler: Desert Breeze Lake, Veterans Oasis Lake
Gilbert: Discovery Ponds, Freestone Pond, Gilbert Regional Park, McQueen Pond, Water Ranch Lake
Glendale: Heroes Regional Park Pond, Bonsall Pond
Maricopa: Copper Sky Lake, Pacana Pond
Mesa: Red Mountain Lake, Riverview Lake, Eastmark Phase 4 Pond, Greenfield Pond
Peoria: Paloma Park, Pioneer Lake, Rio Vista Pond
Phoenix: Alvord Lake, Cortex Lake, Desert West Lake, Encanto Lake, Papago Ponds, Roadrunner Pond, Steele Indian School Pond
Queen Creek: Mansel Carter Oasis Lake
Scottsdale: Chaparral Lake
Surprise: Surprise Lake
Tempe: Evelyn Hallman Pond, Kiwanis Lake
Catch More Trout
Trout fishing in stocked waters is best soon after the fish are planted. I would plan on stopping in the first few days or at least the first week after stocking occurs to get in on the best action. After that, it’ll be increasingly tougher to scratch out enough fish for dinner until the stocking truck arrives with the next batch of fish.
Check AZGFD’s Community Fishing Stocking Schedule and Winter Trout Stocking Schedule to narrow down your timing and locations.
Stocked trout are easy to catch with a variety of baits, including PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Lures such as spinners or spoons and various wet and dry flies will convince these aggressive fish to strike.
For tips and techniques, read our easy trout-fishing how-to guide. We also have an article specific to fishing with PowerBait.
Finally, check out our full guide to great fishing near Phoenix.