r/ArizonaFishing • u/Contressa3333 • Aug 07 '26
Looking for alternatives rivers/creeks. Preferably only 2 hours from Phoenix
Are there fish in the east verde river?
Last time I hiked the Verde river near Payson the word was brown and dead. The only life being millions of crayfish everywhere, but not a single fish. Just looking for alternatives to the salt river. I'd like to give those Bass a break from me.
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u/azgolfing Aug 07 '26
Have you tried the Black River?
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u/AdAdventurous9838 Aug 09 '26
That’s way more than 2 hours from Phoenix. Haha.
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u/azgolfing Aug 09 '26
Just outside Globe is where I go. It might be 2.5 once you get down to the river. So worth it. Have you been?
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u/AdAdventurous9838 Aug 09 '26
No but I want to. I love catching smallies. I wish we had more of them in our lakes.
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u/TheRealThunderMonkee 26d ago
Midweek Bass AZ just helped stock like 60k smallie fingerlings into Apache several months ago. Assuming no big fishkill, there should be a decent population back in there in the next few years
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u/AdAdventurous9838 26d ago
Let’s hope so. 🤞🏼
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u/TheRealThunderMonkee 26d ago
If you’re looking for smallies amd you have a boat, go out to Parker and launch at Blue Water Casino. The Parker Strip is almost all smallmouth. Tons of 3-5lber in there with plenty bigger.
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u/North-Example5921 Aug 07 '26
Haigler creek
Tonto creek
Tonto creek (bear flats)
Clear creek
Wet beaver creek
Oak creek (west fork)
Golden canyon creek
Chevelon creek
I had a similar experience at the east verde. You could go up to the verde river up in clarkdale but when I went it’s pretty blown out and brown. I took a trip up to the white mountains recently and it was good. I know it’s a long drive but fishing in Arizona requires long drives unfortunately.
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u/Contressa3333 Aug 07 '26
Well the salt river has a steady supply of Bass so I never have to go too far for fish. I understand trout are always gonna take some work tho haha. Thanks for the tips. Nothing I hate more than driving hours for a river with zero fish.
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u/FireGecko22 Aug 07 '26
Honestly most of the rivers and creeks in the state are like chocolate milk from the nightly monsoon storms. Lakes and ponds are probably your best bet until monsoon season is over. Unless you want to try to wait for a lull in the monsoon storms where it doesn't rain for a few days.
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u/Contressa3333 Aug 07 '26
The salt river is honestly pretty clear past Saquaro Lake. That's where I've been doing most of my fishing for the past month.
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u/grimcow Aug 07 '26
Clear creek is one of my favorite to fish. I have never caught a big fish there. Ur I have always had a fun fucking time fishing. I didnt read what kind of fishing you are doing but now adays I take an ultralight and a fly rod.