Catch-and-release section has expanded

Oak Creek - Sedona, AZ (Coconino County)

by Arizona Game & Fish Department
5-27-2026
Website

As of Jan. 1, 2023, the catch-and-release section on Oak Creek has been expanded to include Oak Creek from the Highway 89A bridge at Slide Rock State Park upstream to the Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery property boundary including the West Fork Oak Creek. This section will be catch and release only for trout, artificial fly and lure only, barbless hooks only. Oak Creek stream flow 28.0 cfs, stream temperature 58.60-64.60 F, turbidity 1.5-2.0 FNU on 5/26/2026. Banjo Bill picnic area is closed for repairs. Anglers are finding success using inline spinners and flies. Hellgrammite, Simi Seal leech, Wooly Bugger, Prince Nymph, midges, elk hair caddis, and mayfly patterns are a good bet. Now is a great time to fish the catch-and-release section of Oak Creek. Mornings and weekdays are your best bet to beat the tourist crowd. Rainbow trout will be stocked this week.

More Reports

Arizona Game & Fish Department Reports

for Wednesday, May 27th

Flagstaff City Reservoirs: Fishing should be excellent this week!
Kaibab Lake: Lake level is low
Cataract Lake: Rainbow trout recently stocked
City Reservoir: Channel catfish were stocked last week
Dogtown Lake: Dogtown Lake campground now open!
Santa Fe Lake: Anglers have been catching trout
JD Dam Lake: JD is full from recent storms
Whitehorse Lake: Anglers are finding success!
Russel Tank: Access to Russel Tank is open
Lower Lake Mary: Lower Lake Mary is dry
Upper Lake Mary: Northern pike and walleye are active
Frances Short Pond: Anglers are finding success catching rainbow trout!
Ashurst Lake: Rainbow trout were stocked last week
Kinnikinick Lake: Kinnikinick Lake is now open
Mormon Lake Lodge Pond: Access to the pond is open
Marshall Lake: Marshall Lake is now open
Bartlett Lake: Recent Videos!
Roosevelt Lake: Recent videos!
Lake Pleasant: Late-Spawn Topwater at Lake Pleasant

Arizona Game & Fish Department Reports

for Thursday, April 23rd

Kaibab Lake: The lake is very low and launching a boat is challenging
Cataract Lake: Anglers have been catching tiger trout on worms, lures, and flies
City Reservoir: The reservoir is down about six feet and is muddy
Dogtown Lake: The lake level is just on the old boat ramp and launching a boat is a little challenging
Santa Fe Lake: Santa Fe Reservoir is full
J. D. Dam Lake: JD is full from recent storms
Whitehorse Lake: Nice Largemouth at Whitehorse Lake
Upper & Lower Lake Mary: Northern pike are starting to get active
Francis Short Pond: Rainbow trout were stocked last week
Ashurst Lake: FR 82E to Ashurst Lake is now open
Kinnikinick Lake: FR 125 to Kinnikinick Lake is now open
Mormon Lake: Mormon Lodge is still closed, but access to the pond is open
Oak Creek: Mornings are your best bet to beat the tourist crowd
West Clear Creek: Stream flow is at base flow with a recent reading of 12.5 cfs
Dead Horse Ranch State Park : Dead Horse Ranch State Park Report
Goldwater Lake: The trout are still plentiful in Goldwater
Mingus Lake: Anglers are reporting a decent number of trout being caught out of Mingus
Watson Lake: Trout fishing has been good at Watson
Yavapai Lake: Yavapi Lake Report
Knoll Lake: FR 300 and FR 295E into Knoll Lake are now open.
Huffer Tank: Huffer Tank is full due to recent snow melt runoff
Lake Pleasant: 7 lb. Striper