Arizona Fishing Charters
Arizona fishing charters mean chasing striped bass on big desert lakes, casting dry flies on alpine streams, and bottom bouncing for catfish under the desert stars.
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Top Rated Charters in Arizona
Arizona Fishing Guide
Arizona doesn’t have a coastline, but the freshwater action runs deep—from high-country creeks full of trout to sprawling reservoirs stacked with stripers, largemouth, and catfish. Most fishing here centers around the lakes, with Lake Havasu, Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, and Lake Powell being the big four. Each of these supports a solid charter scene, especially for folks looking to target striped bass, largemouth bass, or catfish. You’ll also find guided trips in the White Mountains for trout and Apache species, and some fly guides working the tailwaters and creeks near towns like Payson and Greer.
Lake trips usually run half or full days, often launching early to beat the heat. Guides tend to use center consoles or bass boats, running live shad or anchovies for stripers, crankbaits and plastics for bass, and chicken liver or stink bait for channel cats. In the mountains, it’s mostly walk-and-wade fly fishing with nymphs and dries depending on hatch activity.
Water levels shift a lot due to irrigation and snowmelt, so guides adapt by moving between coves, ledges, and inflows. Spring and fall are the sweet spots, but nighttime striper trips on Lake Pleasant and Havasu during the summer are a real Arizona tradition. Most ramps are well developed with easy truck access, but plan ahead in remote areas—cell service and bait shops can be sparse.
Regional Fishing Highlights
Lake Havasu & Lower Colorado
Havasu’s a striper factory, especially in spring when the spawn pushes fish shallow. Nighttime lights-and-shad setups work year-round. Smallmouth and largemouth bass bite around structure—drop-offs, rock piles, and docks. Catfish hit well in the river stretches. Most guides run out of Lake Havasu City, with half-day and full-day options.
Lake Powell
Powell straddles the Utah border and offers deep canyon fishing for striped bass, walleye, and smallmouth. Long runs are common, so expect to burn some gas. Guides often chase boils for surface-feeding stripers or troll deep when it’s slow. Launch points vary—Page is the main town for trips.
White Mountains
This is trout country. Creeks like the Little Colorado and lakes like Big Lake and Hawley Lake hold rainbows, browns, and native Apache trout. Most of this fishing is fly or light spin, and many areas are catch-and-release or barbless only. Summer is prime, with snow keeping access tight until May in some spots.
Roosevelt & Apache Lakes
This is when the desert wakes up. Bass spawn in shallow brush, stripers school tight, and trout get aggressive as snowmelt cools things down. Topwaters and jerkbaits start producing. Water levels climb, and access improves weekly.
Fishing Seasons in Arizona
Spring
Summer
Brutal heat in the lowlands pushes anglers to night trips or high elevation. Stripers bite best after dark under lights, especially on Pleasant and Havasu. Trout fishing stays steady in the mountains, where snowmelt-fed creeks run cool. Mornings are key across the board.
Fall
Probably the best all-around season. Water temps drop, bass and stripers feed heavy, and trout pick up again. Roaming schools chase shad, so fast-moving baits shine. Great time for full-day trips without the summer heat beating you up.
Winter
Cold snaps slow things down, but stripers still hit deep jigs and live bait. Catfish are sluggish. In the high country, trout fishing can be decent on sunny afternoons but gets limited by snow and ice. Good time for scouting and planning next spring’s push.
Most Popular Gamefish in Arizona
- Striped Bass – 2–10 lbs. Found in Havasu, Pleasant, Powell. Trolled or chunked with anchovies, especially at night.
- Largemouth Bass – 1–5 lbs. Spring spawn in Roosevelt, Pleasant. Target with plastics, topwater early, crankbaits.
- Smallmouth Bass – 1–3 lbs. Structure-focused in Powell and Havasu. Crayfish patterns, jerkbaits, tubes.
- Channel Catfish – 2–10 lbs. Night bite on stink bait, chicken liver. Roosevelt, Bartlett, and Havasu.
- Rainbow Trout – 10–20 inches. High country creeks and lakes. Fly or spin with nymphs, worms, PowerBait.
- Apache Trout – 8–16 inches. Native species in the White Mountains. Fly fishing only in most zones.
- Walleye – 1–6 lbs. Found in Powell and Roosevelt. Jigs, trolling, and crankbaits around drop-offs.
- Flathead Catfish – 5–40 lbs. Deep holes in Roosevelt and Bartlett. Live bluegill or carp on bottom rigs.
- Crappie – 0.5–1.5 lbs. Spring bite in brush. Roosevelt and Alamo Lake. Minnows and jigs under floats.
Arizona Fishing FAQs
Do I need a fishing license to fish in Arizona?
Yes, everyone 10 and older needs a valid Arizona fishing license, even on guided trips.
When’s the best time to fish Lake Pleasant?
Night fishing for striped bass from May through September is prime. Use submersible lights and anchovies.
Can you book fishing charters in the White Mountains?
Yes, but they’re usually walk-and-wade trips for trout. Most guides are based in towns like Pinetop and Greer.
What bait works best for Arizona stripers?
Frozen anchovies are the go-to on Havasu and Pleasant. Some guides also net live shad when available.
Where can I catch Apache trout?
They’re native to the White Mountains—places like the East Fork Black River and reservation waters.
Is summer fishing worth it in the desert lakes?
Yes, but only at night or dawn. Daytime temps can hit 110°F. Stripers and cats still bite in the dark.
Do Arizona guides provide all gear?
Most lake charters include rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Fly guides usually provide gear too, but ask first.
Can I keep what I catch?
Usually yes, but check species limits. Some trout streams are catch-and-release or have special rules.
Are there family-friendly fishing trips in Arizona?
Are there family-friendly fishing trips in Arizona?