Trip brief · Tonto Creek (upper Rim)
How to go fish the Tonto Creek (upper Rim)
The months we list for the Tonto Creek (upper Rim) are April, May, June, September, October. You are inside that window now, so this brief is written for October.
October
No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.
Flies to tie — October
We hold no hatch chart for October on this river, so there is no fly list to publish here. Browse the fly library.
Access
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
34.339, -111.094parking
Lower Tonto Creek Campground
34.331, -111.094parking
Ponderosa Campground
34.299, -111.114parking
Bear Flat Trailhead
34.285, -111.069parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Arizona fishing license required for anglers 10 and older. Rules cite Arizona Game and Fish Commission Order 40 (2025-26 regulations). Unless a special regulation applies, the statewide limit is four trout per day in any combination, and roundtail chub are catch and release only. Statewide trout limits apply on upper Tonto Creek. Fathead minnows are legal bait only on Tonto Creek from Gisela downstream, well below this reach.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Tonto Creek (upper Rim) page →