Fly Fishing Phoenix (5 Best Places To Go Fly Fishing Around The Valley
Phoenix is known for its wide variety of outdoor activities, but did you know that fly fishing is one of those activities it has to offer?
In Phoenix and the nearby surrounding areas, you’ll find fly fishing opportunities for trout, carp, bass and more. So put away your baitcaster and spinning reels and bust out your fly rod because no matter what time of year it is in Phoenix, it’s always a good time of year for fly fishing.
In this article, I’m listing what I believe to be 5 of the best places for fly fishing in and around Phoenix. If you want to read more about fishing outside of the immediate Phoenix area, you can read my guides The Best Trout Fishing in Arizona and The Best Bass Fishing In Arizona.
Best Fly Fishing In Phoenix
Below are the 5 best fly fishing bodies of water for you to visit and explore. They are:
- Lower Salt River
- Lake Pleasant
- Oak Creek
- Tempe Town Lake
- Encanto Lake
Lower Salt River
A very popular tubing destination for locals, the Lower Salt River runs between Phoenix and Lake Saguaro, which is only about a one hour drive from the middle of Phoenix. The Lower Salt River is not only perfect for getting your fly fishing muscles warmed up, it’s also a quite scenic location to spend an early morning fishing. In the Lower Salt River, you can expect to catch largemouth bass, sunfish, rainbow trout, catfish and carp. All of these are available to be targeted year round in the Salt River below Saguaro Lake.
Lake Pleasant
After construction of the state’s main dam and completion of its diversion dam, the
Lake Pleasant Regional Park hosts several fishing tournaments throughout the year as well.
Oak Creek, Sedona
Oak Creek is well known for its high trout populations, which are stocked from the nearby Page Springs Fish Hatchery located on the same river. Located approximately 6 miles north of Sedona, AZ, you’ll find excellent year-round fishing opportunities. Plan your fishing trip for late spring and fall are excellent times for fly fishing on Oak Creek due to the prolific hatches that occur here.
Oak Creek boasts of a wide range of fishing opportunities. The creek offers large populations of trout, bass and even catfish. It’s also surrounded by red sandstone that showcases Sedona’s beauty. Oak Creek just might be one of the best fly fishing destinations within a short drive from Phoenix.
Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Town Lake is a popular spot for anglers, as it’s right in the middle of town. Walking paths line both sides of the lake, providing easy access for fishing from the bank. Here, as with other fishing spots in the state, all you need in order to do some fly fishing is an
In addition to trout, other species of fish in Tempe Town Lake are bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish.
Encanto Lake
Encanto Lake has been rated by some as one of the best urban fishing spots in the Phoenix area. In this lake you can find opportunities for catching not just trout but catfish, bass, and sunfish. Private boats are not allowed, and you cannot fish from the golf course.
Encanto Lake also enforces daily fishing limits:
- Four catfish
- Four trout
- Ten sunfish
- Two bass, minimum of 13 inches
- One white amur, minimum of 30 inches
Final Thoughts
Phoenix has a variety of lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds that contain both wild and stocked fish. From trout to bass to carp, all of these fish are a thrill to battle on a fly rod. So whether you’re looking for place to go fly fishing near Phoenix to take home fish for dinner or just to practice your fly fishing technique and catch and release. You’ll find many opportunities for the beginners all the way to the expert fly fisherman.
