Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Arizona
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Striped Bass (Striper)
Verified
World Record
81 lb 14 oz
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Signature Fact
Their eggs must stay drifting for about 48 hours-sink once, and the entire spawn suffocates.
2
Channel Catfish
Verified
World Record
58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Signature Fact
With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.
3
Largemouth Bass
Verified
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
4
Rainbow Trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
48 lb 0 oz
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Signature Fact
Siblings from one nest can grow up as 8-inch creek fish or 20‑plus‑pound ocean‑run steelhead, then spawn together.
5
Bluegill
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
4 lb 12 oz
T.S. Hudson / 1950
Ketona Lake, Alabama
T.S. Hudson / 1950
Ketona Lake, Alabama
Signature Fact
Males come in three types-nest-building dads, lightning-fast sneakers, and full-on female mimics that steal fertilizations.
6
Common Carp
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
75 lb 11 oz
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Signature Fact
They remember being hooked for over a year, dodging that same rig and flavor like seasoned veterans.
7
Brown Trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
44 lb 5 oz
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Signature Fact
Brown trout have been filmed snatching low-flying bats off the water-night monsters with a mammal habit.
8
Flathead Catfish
Species Guide Coming Soon
World Record
—
Signature Fact
More details coming soon.
9
Smallmouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.
10
Black Crappie
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
5 lb 7 oz
Lionel Ferguson / 2018
Richeison Pond, Tennessee
Lionel Ferguson / 2018
Richeison Pond, Tennessee
Signature Fact
During spawn, males can shift from silvery speckles to almost jet-black while fanning and ferociously guarding saucer nests.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Arizona?
You can catch striped bass, channel catfish, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, carp, and brown trout in Arizona’s freshwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in Arizona?
Spring and fall usually bring the most consistent action for most Arizona freshwater species.
Where are the best places to fish in Arizona?
Arizona’s freshwater lakes and rivers hold striped bass, catfish, bass, and trout. Pick your favorite spot and get casting.
What gear do you need for fishing in Arizona?
Bring medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting setups. Match your tackle to bass, catfish, or trout—Arizona’s species don’t all play the same.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Arizona?
Bluegill and channel catfish are usually the easiest catches in Arizona’s freshwater spots.
