Arizona Fishing Reports ยท Central Region
Below Bartlett Dam, the lower Verde has winter-stocked trout and bass close to Phoenix.
Looking for the latest Lower 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 Lower Verde River (below Bartlett Dam).
Current flows
Wind forecast
Lower Verde River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Releases from Bartlett Dam set the flow.
Streamers and nymphs at the stocked access points.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Below Bartlett Dam, bring: Woolly Bugger #6-8, Zebra Midge #16-18, Clouser Minnow #4-6, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, 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 Verde River details
| Access | Tonto National Forest recreation sites below Bartlett Dam. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,500 ft |
| Nearest town | Rio Verde, Arizona |
| Best season | Winter |
| 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 4X |
| Camping | Tonto National Forest sites |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | A Tonto Pass is needed at many sites. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Trout.
Spring
Bass.
Summer
Hot.
Fall
Trout stocking starts.
How to get there
From Scottsdale, take Rio Verde Drive and the Bartlett Dam road.