Fishing Near Flagstaff AZ — Trout, Bass & Fly Fishing Guide

Arizona Fishing License Requirements

Anyone 10 years or older fishing in Arizona needs a valid Arizona fishing license. No exceptions for national forest waters near Flagstaff — this is state-licensed water regardless of federal land jurisdiction.

License Costs (2026)

• 1-day license: $15 residents / $20 non-residents
• Annual combination (fishing + hunting): $57 residents / $160 non-residents
• Annual fishing only: $37 residents / $55 non-residents
• Under 10: Free, no license required

Buy your license at azgfd.com, at sporting goods stores in Flagstaff (Peace Surplus, Walmart Supercenter), or at any AZGFD license dealer. Digital licenses on your phone are valid — you don't need a paper copy.

Trout Stamp

A separate trout stamp ($24 annual, $5 one-day) is required to fish trout statewide. It's typically purchased alongside your fishing license and is required at all the lakes and streams listed here. The AZGFD stocks more than 500,000 pounds of trout per year across Arizona — the stamp funds that stocking program.

Regulations to Know

Oak Creek has a designated catch-and-release stretch from the canyon mouth south through the Sedona area for part of the year. Bag limits on trout at Lake Mary are 6 fish per day. Some waters near Flagstaff have special regulations — always check the current AZGFD regulations booklet for the specific water body you plan to fish, as rules change annually.

Best Fishing Spots Near Flagstaff

The five waters below cover the range from easy-access family fishing to fly rod canyon streams. All are within 30 miles of downtown Flagstaff.

Upper Lake Mary — Bass, Trout & Perch

Upper Lake Mary is the largest lake in Coconino National Forest and the most productive multi-species water near Flagstaff. The 600-acre reservoir holds largemouth bass, yellow perch, rainbow trout, and northern pike in addition to regularly stocked rainbows. The bass fishing here is legitimately good by Arizona standards — late May through June, largemouths work the submerged timber in 4 to 8 feet of water and respond well to Texas-rigged plastics and topwater lures at dawn.

The Forest Service maintains two boat ramps on Upper Lake Mary (small fee, typically $4/vehicle). Non-motorized and electric-motor boats are allowed. The lake is open year-round weather permitting. During monsoon season (July–September), afternoon thunderstorms roll through fast — get off the water early. Trailhead access: Take Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3) south from Flagstaff about 7 miles. The main access area is well-signed from the road.

Lower Lake Mary — Rainbow Trout & Catfish

Smaller and shallower than Upper Lake Mary, Lower Lake Mary is the most family-friendly fishing spot in the area. The AZGFD stocks rainbow trout heavily here — typically weekly during April through October. Fishing from the bank is easy, with accessible shoreline along the north side of the lake. Channel catfish are also present, best targeted with PowerBait or nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. The shallow, warm water makes Lower Lake Mary better for catfish in summer when the trout push into deeper, cooler water.

No boat launch at Lower Lake Mary — bank fishing only. Parking is free. Access: Same Lake Mary Road heading south; Lower Lake Mary is 2 miles before Upper Lake Mary.

Oak Creek Canyon — Fly Fishing & Wild Brown Trout

Oak Creek Canyon cuts 16 miles from the Mogollon Rim down into Sedona, dropping from pine forest to red rock country. The upper section — roughly from the canyon mouth at Coconino National Forest boundary down to Slide Rock State Park — holds both stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout in the deeper pools. This is the best fly fishing near Flagstaff by a significant margin.

The creek runs clear and cold in spring and fall, dropping to low flows in late summer. Dry flies work the riffles; nymphs produce in the deep runs under cut banks. Brown trout concentrate in the largest pools. Wading is easy on flat rock, but the canyon narrows in places and requires some scrambling. Important: From the Slide Rock area south, Oak Creek is designated catch-and-release only for trout November 1 through August 31. Check current AZGFD regulations for the exact boundary before fishing. The drive down the canyon on AZ-89A is spectacular on its own — it connects to our Sedona day trip route.

Ashurst Lake — Quiet Trout Fishing & Ice Fishing

Ashurst Lake sits in open ponderosa pine forest at 7,080 feet, 18 miles southeast of Flagstaff on Forest Road 82E. The 212-acre lake is stocked regularly with rainbow trout and tiger trout (rainbow-brown hybrid). It's significantly less visited than Lake Mary, making it the local's pick for a quiet fishing day. The campground adjacent to the lake is one of the best-positioned in Coconino National Forest — you can fish from camp.

In cold winters, Ashurst Lake freezes thick enough for ice fishing from December through February. Bring an auger (or rent one from a sporting goods shop), tip-ups or jigging rods, and plenty of warm layers. The elevation means it's colder out here than in Flagstaff proper. Access: Lake Mary Road south to Forest Road 82E east, then follow FR 82E about 2 miles to the lake. High-clearance vehicle recommended in winter and after wet weather.

Kinnikinick Lake — Remote Trout Fishing

The most remote of the main Flagstaff-area fisheries, Kinnikinick Lake sits 26 miles southeast of town on the Anderson Mesa. The 130-acre lake holds rainbow trout and walleye — the walleye fishery is unique in this area and draws anglers specifically for it. AZGFD stocks the lake with trout but walleye are self-sustaining. The nearest campground is primitive (no water, vault toilets), which keeps the crowds down.

The access road (FR 125) is dirt and can be rough after rain. A high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. The remote setting means limited cell service — download offline maps before going. Ice fishing here is popular in good winters, as the lake is shallow enough to freeze reliably.

Gear Recommendations by Water Type

The right gear depends heavily on whether you're fishing a stocked lake versus a stream for wild fish. Here's what works at each location.

Lake Mary (Spin Fishing)

• Rod: 6–7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 4–8 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon
• Trout setup: Size 10–14 PowerBait on a sliding egg sinker rig, or small spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) in gold or silver
• Bass setup: 3/8 oz Texas-rigged plastic worms in green pumpkin, drop shots near submerged timber, topwater frogs early morning in spring
• Perch: Small jigs (1/32 oz) tipped with wax worms or small pieces of nightcrawler

Oak Creek Canyon (Fly Fishing)

• Rod: 9 ft 4-weight or 5-weight fly rod is ideal for the tight canyon corridors
• Dry flies: Elk Hair Caddis (size 14–16), Parachute Adams (size 14–18), Stimulators in summer during caddis and stonefly hatches
• Nymphs: Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Copper John (size 14–16) in the deeper runs
• Leader: 9 ft tapered to 5X or 6X — the water is clear and the fish are spooky in low flows

Ice Fishing (Ashurst & Kinnikinick)

• Rods: 24–28 inch ice fishing rods with small spinning or inline reels
• Jigs: Size 8–12 ice flies in chartreuse, pink, or white tipped with PowerBait or wax worms
• Tip-ups: Set at 4–8 feet depth with small sucker minnows for walleye (Kinnikinick)
• Safety: Minimum 4 inches of clear ice for walking. Never fish alone on ice. Bring ice picks worn around your neck in case of breakthrough.

Fishing by Season Near Flagstaff

Spring (April–May)

Spring is prime time for trout fishing near Flagstaff. Snowmelt fills the lakes, water temperatures stay in the 45–55°F sweet spot, and AZGFD ramps up its stocking program. Lake Mary rainbows stack up near inflows. Oak Creek runs fast and high in April but drops to wadeable levels by mid-May — the best fly fishing of the year. Bass in Upper Lake Mary start moving shallow as water warms through 60°F, typically late May.

Summer (June–September)

Trout fishing slows at midday in summer as water temperatures rise. The best strategy is early mornings (pre-7 a.m.) and evenings after 5 p.m. when temperatures drop. The Lake Mary bass fishery is at its peak June through July. Monsoon season (July–September) brings afternoon thunderstorms — get off the water by noon. Oak Creek's fly fishing drops off in August when flows are minimal, though it picks back up in September.

Fall (October–November)

Fall is excellent for trout fishing across all the Flagstaff waters. Water temperatures cool into the ideal range, AZGFD continues stocking through October, and the surrounding forest hits peak fall color. Oak Creek Canyon fly fishing is at its best in October — wild browns are in pre-spawn condition and feeding aggressively. Crowds are minimal on weekdays.

Winter (December–March)

Lower Lake Mary and Lake Mary fish year-round for hardy anglers willing to deal with cold. Ice fishing on Ashurst and Kinnikinick lakes is the unique winter option — when the ice comes in (typically late December after a cold snap), the fishing can be exceptional with light pressure. Check ice thickness every time; conditions vary year to year. The Flagstaff Nordic Center is nearby Ashurst Lake if you want to combine snowshoe hiking with ice fishing in the same day.