Arizona · freestone
Hatch-chart nymphs, dries, and streamers for this river. Not a crowdsourced catch report.
Open the East Verde River fly list →3 listed points. Map is Vellum land and Teal water — a desk chart, not a satellite.
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Tonto National Forest picnic area on Houston Mesa Road (FR 199).
Tonto National Forest day-use area on FR 199. A trail leads upstream toward Ellison Creek.
Tonto National Forest picnic area on FR 199.
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. From the source downstream to the SRP pumphouse: catch and release only for trout, artificial fly and lure only, single-pointed barbless hooks only. From the pumphouse downstream: statewide trout limits. Smallmouth and largemouth bass and channel and flathead catfish are unlimited.
Verify with Verify with the local fish and wildlife agency. Retrieved 2026-08-31. Seasons and gear rules change.
The East Verde River heads below the Mogollon Rim north of Payson and runs southwest to the Verde River near Childs. In Rim country it is a small, clear trout river. Its upper flow is boosted by water piped from C.C. Cragin Reservoir, released near Pine.
AZGFD reports the upper river fishing well for wild rainbow trout. It is also on the stocking lists in summer and appears on the department's hatchery Gila trout list. From the source down to the Salt River Project pumphouse, trout are catch and release only on artificial flies and lures with single-pointed barbless hooks. Below the pumphouse, statewide limits apply.
In summer, AZGFD suggests ants, beetles, small hoppers, and Elk Hair Caddis on top, with Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, Prince Nymphs, and leeches underneath. Houston Mesa Road (FR 199) out of Payson reaches the river at First Crossing, Water Wheel, and Second Crossing. These are Tonto National Forest day-use sites, and they get crowded with swimmers on summer weekends.
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Freestone
Rainbow Trout
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Freestone
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
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Freestone
Roundtail Chub · Desert Sucker · Sonora Sucker
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Freestone
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Roundtail Chub
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Freestone
Rainbow Trout · Gila Trout
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Freestone
Rainbow Trout · Roundtail Chub
If something here is thin or wrong, add what you know. It goes to review before it publishes.
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