Arizona Fishing Reports ยท White Mountains Region
The East and West Forks of the Black River in the White Mountains have Apache trout, browns and rainbows in high meadows and canyons.
Looking for the latest Black River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Black River.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Black River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Cold nights. Fishing is best on sunny afternoons.
Nymphs and small dries in the pools.
Load your fly box
Before you head to East and West Forks, bring: Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Parachute Adams #14-18, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Hopper #10-12, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Black River details
| Access | Forest roads from Alpine and Hannagan Meadow to the East and West Forks. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 7,500 to 8,500 ft |
| Nearest town | Alpine, Arizona |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Apache, brown and rainbow trout, smallmouth lower down |
| Regulations | Parts of the Black River are on tribal land. Check the Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations before you go. An Arizona fishing license is required for anglers 10 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 7.5 to 9 ft leaders, 5X |
| Camping | Apache-Sitgreaves campgrounds |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Gravel roads. Snow closes access in winter. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Snowed in.
Spring
Good.
Summer
Hoppers.
Fall
Browns.
How to get there
From Alpine, take US-191 south and Forest Road 249 to the East Fork.