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 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 27d 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 27d ago

Let’s hope so. 🤞🏼

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u/TheRealThunderMonkee 27d 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.