Targeting Salt River Trout: A Fly Angler’s Guide

Fly fishing for trout in the Salt River, Arizona sounds like a contradiction—until you try it. Nestled just outside Phoenix, this desert river winds through red rock canyons and saguaros, offering a surprisingly accessible trout fishery in one of the most unlikely places. Arizona Game and Fish stocks the river, so anglers chase rainbow trout in the cooler months, just a short drive from the city.

In this post, I’ll break down when to go, where to fish, what flies to use, and the strategies that have worked best for me over the years. Whether you’re a local looking to squeeze in a session before work or a traveling angler curious about trout in the desert, here’s everything you need to know to get started on the Salt.

Key Points for Salt River Trout

Just outside Phoenix, the Salt River river offers a legit trout fishery thanks to cold bottom releases from Saguaro Lake and seasonal stockings by AZ Game and Fish. Most fish are stockers, but holdovers in the 16–18″ range aren’t unheard of. Target riffles near structure, deeper runs, and slow pools—especially early or late in the day. Small flies outperform big ones here: think zebra midges, pheasant tails, wooly buggers, pellet flies, and tiny dry fly rigs when trout start sipping. It’s not your classic mountain stream, but if you time it right and fish smart, Salt River trout will consistently be at the end of your line.

Are there Trout in the Salt River?

Yes—surprisingly, there are rainbow trout in this desert, metropolitan river. Thanks to regular stockings from Arizona Game and Fish, the Salt River offers one of the more unexpected trout fishing experiences in the Southwest.

Helping the cause is the cold water release from the bottom of Saguaro Lake, which flows into the Salt and keeps temperatures a bit cooler than they otherwise would be. This bottom-release system gives trout a jolt of relatively cooler water so they’re not constantly boiling in the AZ heat.

Even though the Salt River winds through cactus-lined canyons and sees more sunshine than most fisheries, trout can still thrive here—at least for part of the year.

The key is timing. Most of the trout are stocked during the cooler months and don’t make it through the intense Arizona summer. When water temps rise, many of them die off. Most of the trout you catch in the Salt River are “stocker” sized and most likely were dropped in their new habitat relatively recently.

Though most trout are in the 10-14 inch range, every now and then a few fish hang on. These tougher survivors, known as “holdovers,” are usually more selective and have had time to adjust to the river’s flow and food sources, making them more challenging—and more satisfying—to catch.

The Salt River is full of lots of smaller-sized fish, not necessarily large fish. I’ve caught a few solid holdovers in the 16-18 inch range over the years, but for the most part you’ll be catching hard fighting stockers.

For an overview of the river, check out our Beginner’s Guide to the Salt River.

Salt River Trout Stocking

The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks rainbow trout in the Salt River during the fall, winter, and spring months, when water temperatures are cool enough to support them. Summer stockings don’t happen—the heat simply makes survival impossible.

If you’re thinking about planning a trip, be sure to check the AZGFD trout stocking schedule. It’s updated regularly and will tell you exactly when and where trout are being released.

One tip I’ve learned over the years: don’t rush out the day of a stocking. That’s when crowds are thickest and the fish are freshly disoriented. I usually give it a day or two. This gives the trout time to acclimate to their surroundings, spread out a bit, and begin feeding more naturally. The fishing is often better (and more peaceful) once the initial frenzy dies down.

If you do happen to catch a stocking as it is happening, it’s a pretty bizarre scene. Pickup trucks (or sometimes larger rigs) with barrel loads of fish get right to the water’s edge and dump ‘em right out. Hundreds of fish then scurry into their new surroundings with a frantic pace. It’s a strange sight, and one that I personally like to avoid. But the fish gotta get in there somehow!

Where Do You Catch Trout in Salt River, AZ?

There are plenty of access points along the Salt River, especially driving on Bush Highway between Saguaro Lake and Granite Reef. Whether you’re pulling off the road near Phon D Sutton, Blue Point, or Water Users, you’ll find spots that are easy to reach and offer fishable water close to the parking lot.

If you’re targeting stocked trout specifically, don’t wander too far from the access points. Stocked fish typically stay close to their release site for the first few days—sometimes even longer. They’re adjusting to the flow, figuring out where to hide, and not in a rush to swim miles upstream or down.

I’ve found that walking just a short distance away from the most obvious holes can pay off. A little separation from the crowds helps, but you’re still close enough to stay in the strike zone for newly stocked fish.

The Salt is a popular place, there’s no doubt you will find other anglers anchored up near some of the more popular holes. But if you venture just a couple hundred yards up or downstream, you’ll have a little bit of solitude while still getting plenty of action from the trout.

Targeting Trout Water on the Salt River, AZ

When it comes to finding trout on the Salt, it pays to be selective. Not all water is created equal, and over the years I’ve learned to focus my efforts where trout are most likely to hold, feed, and feel safe.

I’ve had consistent success fishing riffles near structure, especially where the current breaks and offers trout a place to sit without expending too much energy. There are some solid pockets and undercut banks near these riffles that often hold fish. I’m all for sharing information, but it takes some adventuring to find them on your own!

Deeper runs are also productive, particularly in the middle of the day when fish push down to cooler, darker water. And when conditions are calm, those slow-moving pools can really shine—especially in the early morning or late afternoon, when trout start sipping small dry flies off the surface.

That said, there are definitely parts of the river that seem too slow, too stagnant, and too lifeless. I tend to skip those stretches altogether. In my experience, if the water feels dead, it probably is. I’ve had my best days targeting the most productive parts of the river and avoiding the others, despite the temptation to get a cast or two in. As you fish the Salt, you’ll start to find your favorite spots that are productive and hopefully secluded from the crowds.

Best Flies for Trout in the Salt River

Trout on the Salt River aren’t the most selective feeders—especially fresh stockers—but choosing the right fly can still hook more fish.

Over time, I’ve found that smaller flies consistently outperform larger ones on this river. Whether it’s midges, nymphs, or dries, downsizing tends to trigger more takes, especially when the trout are pressured or the water is low and clear.

Here are some of my go-to patterns for the Salt:

Fly Recommendations for the Salt River

Zebra Midges (black or red, sizes 16–20) – Simple, effective, and always worth tying on in slower pools or faster runs.
Pheasant Tail and Hare’s Ear Nymphs – Reliable staples that mimic a broad range of natural bugs. There’s a ton of food in the Salt for trout to eat and having these broad, general patterns mimics all of them.
Wooly Buggers (olive or black, smaller sizes) – Great for covering water and picking off aggressive fish. Buggers are especially effective on cloudy days from my experience.
Pellet Flies – Is it a fly? Does it technically count as fly fishing? Unless you’re a purist, who cares! Pellet flies can be especially effective right after a stocking, mimicking the food hatchery trout are used to.
Small Dry Flies – Especially early morning or late evening, you’ll find trout rising in slower water and sipping tiny dries. The mayflies they’re eating are generally very small (Size 18-22), which is nearly impossible to see. I’d recommend throwing a two fly rig- one with a larger dry fly leading the way with a small one trailing behind. You’ll be able to track the larger fly (which also might get eaten) while the tiny guy riding behind it is your real offering.

Fly weight also matters. I carry a range of lightly weighted and tungsten beadhead versions of the same flies to match different flows. Sometimes you need to get down fast in a riffle; other times, a slow drop in a quiet pool does the trick. Be sure to carry some split shot for those deeper pools and run offs you may encounter.

Tips and Tactics for Trout in the Salt River

The Salt River, despite being in the middle of a desert, fishes similarly to other typical trout rivers in the US. Sure, it has some unique scenery and surroundings, but at the end of the day, fishing is fishing! Like other rivers, success here often comes down to reading the water well and fishing smart during the right windows of the day.

I’ve had the most consistent success fishing riffles, deeper runs, and slow-moving pools with structure. Trout want cover and current breaks where they can hold without burning energy. Riffles near boulders or deep cut banks are great ambush zones—especially for holdovers.

One factor that sticks out about of the Salt is that time of day matters more here than in many other trout fisheries. Because the Salt runs through the Arizona desert, it’s usually hot, bright, and exposed. Early mornings, cloudy days, and late afternoons are when the fish seem most willing to move and feed. That lower light seems to give them a bit of comfort. I’ve had days with nothing going on but the second clouds roll in, the bite is on. Once they’re gone, it’s like someone turned the feeding window off with the flick of a switch.

I also keep my approach flexible. If I’m not seeing fish or getting takes, I don’t waste time. There’s enough access and water here that moving a hundred yards up or down can put you into a completely different setup—sometimes one that’s holding more active fish.

Conclusion

The Salt River might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about trout fishing—but that’s part of what makes it special. Between the stark desert backdrop, bottom-release flows from Saguaro Lake, and the chance to fool both freshly stocked and seasoned holdover trout, this river offers a unique experience.

It’s not a technical spring creek or a remote mountain stream—but it doesn’t try to be. The Salt is an urban fishery that rewards timing, observation, and a little creativity. Bring the right flies, target the right water, and fish smart during low light, and you’ll find that trout in the desert are more than just a novelty—they’re a legitimate opportunity.

For local advice, check out the helpful folks at Pheasant Tail Fly Fishing and the AZ Fly Shop