Arizona Fishing Reports ยท Verde Valley Region
Through Clarkdale, Cottonwood and Camp Verde, the Verde River has winter-stocked trout and smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Looking for the latest Verde 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 Verde River (Clarkdale to Camp Verde).
Current flows
Wind forecast
Verde River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Winter trout stocking runs in the cooler months. Check the AZGFD stocking schedule.
Small nymphs and streamers near the stocked access sites.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Clarkdale to Camp Verde, bring: Woolly Bugger #6-8, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Zebra Midge #16-18, 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.
Verde River details
| Access | Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Tuzigoot, White Bridge and other public access. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 3,100 to 3,300 ft |
| Nearest town | Cottonwood, Arizona |
| Best season | Fall through spring |
| Fish | Stocked rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth 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 | Dead Horse Ranch State Park |
| Kids | Yes, at Dead Horse Ranch. |
| Good to know | Floods after big storms. Watch the gauge. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Trout stocking.
Spring
Trout and bass.
Summer
Bass.
Fall
Trout return.
How to get there
From Phoenix, take I-17 north to State Route 260 and Cottonwood.