How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Phoenix, United States ? Today is a good day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Fishing in Phoenix, Arizona centers on a unique network of desert reservoirs, urban lakes, and canal systems that offer year-round angling just minutes from downtown. Anglers target largemouth bass, channel catfish, stocked rainbow trout, and panfish across popular waters like Roosevelt Lake, Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, and the community fishing program ponds. read more...
Some of the best fishing spots near Phoenix include: Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, Tempe Town Lake, Canyon Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Salt River, Apache Lake, Kiwanis Lake, etc. see full list
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moonset:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:24%
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Waxing Crescent
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Distance to earth:383,489 kmProximity:52.1 %
Moon Phases for Phoenix
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good Day
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major Time:02:51 am - 04:51 am
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minor Time:09:14 am - 11:14 am
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major Time:03:22 pm - 05:22 pm
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minor Time:09:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
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Fishing Overview Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ fishing revolves around deep desert reservoirs on the Salt and Verde rivers, plus a dense network of heavily stocked urban lakes. Within 60–90 minutes of downtown you can fish classic western bass reservoirs like Roosevelt, Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, and Lake Pleasant, then switch gears to quick after-work sessions on community lakes such as Chaparral, Evelyn Hallman, and Cortez.
Seasonal patterns in Phoenix are driven by extreme heat and big water-level swings. From February through April, largemouth bass move shallow in coves and flooded brush to spawn on Roosevelt, Saguaro, and Canyon. This is prime time for reaction baits: medium-diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and weightless soft plastics worked around visible rock, tules, and submerged trees. May and early June transition fish to points and first breaks; Carolina rigs, football jigs, and 4–6" soft swimbaits shine along main-lake structure.
Summer fishing is all about beating the heat with low-light windows. Bass, stripers, and catfish feed at night along steep rock banks, ledges, and under marinas with lights. On Lake Pleasant, watch for surface boils at dawn and dusk—schooling stripers, white bass, and yellow bass push shad to the top. Run-and-gun with small chrome spoons, 2–3" swimbaits, or walking topwaters. Daytime success hinges on fishing deep: drop-shots, vertical spoons, and jigging spoons over 40–80 ft humps and submerged river channels.
Fall brings cooling water and shad migrations. At Saguaro and Canyon, look for birds and surface activity on windblown banks and creek arms. Squarebill crankbaits, lipless cranks, and flukes match the hatch. Bass roam more, so cover water quickly and key on bait presence rather than specific spots. Winter can be surprisingly productive thanks to stocked rainbow trout in urban lakes and in some East Valley reservoirs. Trout respond well to small inline spinners, salmon eggs, dough baits, and 1/16–1/8 oz marabou or tube jigs fished slow near the bottom.
Habitat and location tips vary by lake. On Roosevelt, target long points, flooded mesquite, and rock transitions in the Salt and Tonto arms. At Lake Pleasant, think deep canyon walls, submerged roadbeds, and the old river channel. Saguaro and Canyon are steep, clear reservoirs; focus on rock shelves, cliff breaks, and any incoming water. In urban lakes, concentrate around aerators, inflow pipes, and any shade from piers, trees, or retaining walls.
Practical tactics for Phoenix revolve around finesse and light line in clear water. A 6–8 lb fluorocarbon drop-shot with 4–5" worms, Ned rigs on 1/10–1/5 oz heads, and small jerkbaits produce consistently on Saguaro, Canyon, and Pleasant. In stained or windy conditions, upsize to 12–15 lb line with jigs and spinnerbaits. Catfish anglers do well with cut bait, shrimp, or prepared stink baits on simple slip-sinker rigs, especially in the evenings along gently sloping banks.
Bank anglers can be highly effective in Phoenix. On big lakes, focus on accessible coves, marina areas, and fishing piers, casting parallel to shore to stay in the strike zone longer. In community lakes, scale down to 4–8 lb line, size 6–10 hooks, and small baits—nightcrawlers, corn, or dough—fished just off the bottom. Early and late in the day, try small poppers or finesse plastics for bonus bass and panfish. With smart timing and the right presentations, Phoenix offers productive fishing 12 months a year in the middle of the Sonoran Desert.
The Best Fishing Spots around Phoenix
Lake Pleasant
Saguaro Lake
Tempe Town Lake
Canyon Lake
Roosevelt Lake
Salt River
Apache Lake
Kiwanis Lake
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Phoenix area
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Phoenix. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Encanto Lagoon - 3.12751608277km , Dreamy Draw - 10.65665364459km , Tempe Town Lake - 12.70680409911km , Dreamy Draw Dam - 13.15263315809km , Guadalupe Dam - 13.9442723696km , East Park Dam - 14.41849731203km , West Park Dam - 14.99222454032km , Kiwanis Lake - 15.03067438688km , North Mountain Flood Detention Dam Number Two A - 16.08213474255km , North Mountain Flood Detention Dam Number Three - 17.45899771137km , Indian Bend Wash - 17.68963372274km , Riverview Lake - 18.57888811414km , Marguerite Lake - 19.97897643498km , Santa Cruz River - 20.81049512352km , Firebird Lake - 22.48207246934km , New River - 22.60991710649km , Santa Cruz Wash - 23.14252082895km , Salt River - 23.43776608349km , Cave Buttes Dam - 23.51742341084km , Skunk Creek - 24.42202565591km , Dysart Drain Wash - 25.1575222919km , Scatter Wash - 25.25943044588km , Dawn Lake - 25.83755073896km , Viewpoint Lake - 26.46797382753km , Maricopa Lake - 26.69144219042km , Litchfield Park Dam - 26.71234342023km , Dale Creek Wash - 26.78221688802km , Adobe Dam - 26.87355234852km , Taliesin Wash - 26.89431427932km , Lower El Mirage Wash - 26.9009529948km , Lost Dog Wash - 27.62183331315km , Agua Fria River - 27.8028122582km , North Fork Lower El Mirage Wash - 28.51081951748km , Vekol Wash - 29.35510130266km , Gila River - 29.77179122063km , Bullard Wash - 30.30339850141km , Cave Creek Dam - 30.84834427298km , Weir Wash - 31.22273037942km , Mesquite Tank Wash - 32.67703839087km , Fountain Hills Dam Number Seven - 34.81543168549km
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