Arizona Fishing Reports ยท Central Region
Below Saguaro Lake, the lower Salt River near Mesa gets winter-stocked trout and has bass and catfish year-round.
Looking for the latest Lower Salt 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 Lower Salt River.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Lower Salt River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Releases are low in winter.
Nymphs and small streamers at the stocked recreation sites.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Below Saguaro Lake, bring: Woolly Bugger #6-8, Zebra Midge #16-18, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Clouser Minnow #4-6, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Lower Salt River details
| Access | Tonto National Forest recreation sites along Bush Highway (Water Users, Phon D Sutton, Granite Reef). |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,300 ft |
| Nearest town | Mesa, Arizona |
| Best season | Winter for trout |
| Fish | Stocked rainbow trout in winter, bass, catfish |
| Regulations | 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 | 9 ft leaders, 3X to 5X |
| Camping | Tonto National Forest sites |
| Kids | Yes. |
| Good to know | A Tonto Pass is needed. Very busy with tubers in summer. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Trout.
Spring
Bass.
Summer
Tubing season.
Fall
Trout stocking starts.
How to get there
From Mesa, take Bush Highway north to the Salt River recreation sites.