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Fishing In Phoenix

Where is Phoenix?

Phoenix is the capital and the most populous city in Arizona. It is in the south – central portion of Arizona, and in the southwestern United States.Fishing remains one of those lifelong activities that crosses generations and brings people together. Everyone before going fishing needs to know where to fish and what species to target.  Human – made ponds, lakes and canals surround the Phoenix region. Apparently, the fishing in Phoenix is good./ Lakes for fishing in Phoenix

Park Hours 

Size 

Rules 

Daily Bag Limits

Alvord Lake 

5:30am – 11:00pm

25 acres, maximum depth 18 feet

- Boating is permitted only between sunrise and sunset. 

- Only canoes, rowboats and sailboats are allowed, no motors allowed.

- Fishing from a boat is prohibited. 

- 4 Catfish

- 4 Trout

- 2 Bass ( 13’’ minimum)

- 10 Sunfish

- 1 White Amur ( 30’’ minimum)

Cortez Lake 

5:30am – 11:00pm 

3 acres, maximum depth 14 feet

Boating not allowed

- 4 Catfish

- 4 Trout

- 2 Bass ( 13’’ minimum)

- 10 Sunfish

- 1 White Amur ( 30’’ minimum)

Desert West Lake 

5:30am – 11:00pm

5 acres, maximum depth 15 feet

Boating not allowed

- 4 Catfish

- 4 Trout

- 2 Bass ( 13’’ minimum)

- 10 Sunfish

- 1 White Amur ( 30’’ minimum)

Encanto Lake

5:30am – 11:00pm

7.5 acres, maximum depth 10 feet

Private boats not allowed. 

Fishing prohibited from golf. 

- 4 Catfish

- 4 Trout

- 2 Bass ( 13’’ minimum)

- 10 Sunfish

- 1 White Amur ( 30’’ minimum)

Papago Ponds 

6:00am – 7:00pm

2 acres, maximum depth 8 feet

Boating not allowed

- 2 Catfish

- 2 Trout

- 1 Bass ( 13’’ minimum)

- 5 Sunfish

- 1 White Amur ( 30’’ minimum)

Roadrunner Pond 

5:30am – 11:00pm

2 acres, maximum depth 8 feet

- 2 Catfish

- 2 Trout

- 1 Bass ( 13’’ minimum)

- 5 Sunfish

- 1 White Amur ( 30’’ minimum)

Steele Indian School Pond 

6:00am – 10:00pm

2.5 acres, maximum depth 12 feet

Boating not allowed

- 2 Catfish

- 2 Trout

- 1 Bass ( 13’’ minimum)

- 5 Sunfish

- 1 White Amur ( 30’’ minimum)


Lakes are generally stocked with Catfish in June, September and October, and Trout in November and December. 

Fishing regulations

A fishing license is required for residents and nonresidents who are older than 10 years old when they go fishing in any public accessible water in Arizona.

Fishing near Phoenix

Below is a quick look at the various lakes around Phoenix and the types of fish you can potentially catch.

Lake 

Distance from Phoenix 

Types of fish 

Apache Lake 

120 miles, 2.5 hours driving 

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Carp 

Bartlett Lake

60 miles, 1h 20 minutes

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Crappie

Canyon Lake 

110 miles, 2h 10 minutes

Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Carp 

Horseshoe Lake

60 miles, 1h 30 minutes 

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Sunfish, Crappie

Roosevelt Lake 

108 miles, 1h 55 minutes 

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Sunfish, Bluegill, Crappie, Carp

Saguaro Lake

41 miles, 49 minutes 

Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Sunfish, Catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Tilapia, Perch, Carp


Fish in Phoenix are the inspiration for us to create beautiful, quality fishing shirts. Visit these products and we look forward to accompanying you on your fishing trips.