Fishing
Trout close to town, and higher up
Anyone 10 or older needs an Arizona fishing license, including at the town lakes. Children under 10 do not. Buy it before you leave cell service. The bag limit posted at the water is the one that counts.
Green Valley Park is the easy day. The Rim lakes and C.C. Cragin are the trout trip, and only when the forest roads are open.
- License at age 10
- Posted bag limits
- No live baitfish in town
Green Valley Lakes
In town · community fishing
Three stocked lakes at the end of Main Street. Rainbow trout in the cool months, channel catfish when it warms up, plus bass and sunfish. There are accessible fishing docks.
The posted daily bag is 4 trout, 4 catfish, 2 bass at 13 inches or longer, and 10 sunfish. No live baitfish. No swimming or wading. The park is open 6:00am to 10:30pm.
From town. The lakes are at Green Valley Park, 1000 West Country Club Drive, at the west end of Main Street.
Driving directionsEast Verde and Horton Creek
Closest trout water
Small, clear streams for trout. Horton Creek is a walk from the trailhead. The East Verde is the river on the way to the Water Wheel.
These are not stocked park ponds. Some stretches have special rules. Check the current Arizona Game and Fish regulations before you keep a fish.
From town. Horton Creek: east on Highway 260 to Tonto Creek Road, Forest Road 289, then to the Upper Tonto Creek trailhead. The East Verde: north on Highway 87 toward the Water Wheel. Both are under half an hour.
Driving directionsRim lakes
Woods Canyon · Willow Springs · Bear Canyon
Trout water near 7,500 feet. Woods Canyon is stocked with rainbow and tiger trout from spring into early fall, and holds a few brown trout. Willow Springs is the easier drive. Bear Canyon is the quiet one.
Snow can close these roads from about December through April. Afternoon wind makes the fishing, and the paddle, harder.
From town. All three leave town east on Highway 260. Willow Springs is about 25 miles. Woods Canyon is about 35. Bear Canyon is about 40, with dirt at the end.
Driving directionsC.C. Cragin Reservoir
Blue Ridge · about 60 miles
Rainbow, brown, and brook trout in a canyon reservoir. Almost no beach. You fish from a boat, a kayak, or the few places you can stand.
Forest Road 751 closes in winter. One electric motor, or one gas engine of 10 horsepower or less. Low water can close the ramp to trailers.
From town. North on Highway 87 through Pine and Strawberry, past Clint’s Well about 4 miles, then Forest Road 751 about 6 miles. About an hour and a half.
Driving directions
Regulations change. Read the current rules at azgfd.com before you go, and keep the license with you. The Payson Ranger District is (928) 474-7900.