HERE Tucson
Tucson AZ
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, AZGFD regulations, and community fishing coverage for Pima County lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 0 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌒
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 9%
61°F
51°F
8 mph
1018
as of 4:55 AM ET
Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours.
Pima County • Southern Arizona AZ
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERE Tucson is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and AZGFD regulations across Pima County. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Tucson Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
FAIR
Winter catfish are catchable but slower. Concentrate in deepest lake holes and river pools.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Pima County waters. Always verify AZGFD regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
61F
Clear
Feels like 61°F
as of 4:55 AM ET
Wind
8 mph E
Humidity
45%
Pressure
1018 hPa
Est. Water Temp
51°F
Moon
Waxing Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
6:50 am / 5:25 pm
Location
Tucson, AZ
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
61°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
8 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1018 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌒
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Clear
64° / 54°
10 mph wind
GOOD
THU
Sunny
81° / 54°
10 mph wind
FAIR
FRI
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
76° / 53°
8 mph wind
GOOD
SAT
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
71° / 52°
10 mph wind
GOOD
SUN
Sunny
72° / 51°
3 mph wind
GOOD
Local Experts
Field Guides
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Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Tucson anglers.
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Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Tucson and Southern Arizona
Arizona
Official
Tucson fishing
No new Tucson-area fishing stories this week. Check current Arizona fishing rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
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Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Tucson angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Southern Arizona AZ waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Southern Arizona AZ Waters
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingAZGFD
AZGFD Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Pima County waters. Always verify current regulations at azgfd.com.
AZ Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Tucson Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference. Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Arizona Game and Fish Department at azgfd.com before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Feb – Mar
Crappie Pre-Spawn Begins
Crappie begin staging near structure in 6-10 ft. Bridge and dock pilings are prime staging areas.
Late Mar – Apr
Crappie Spawn Peak
Peak spawn in shallows 2-6 ft. Late March through April. Best crappie fishing of the year.
Mar – May
Largemouth Bass Spawn
Bass move shallow when water reaches 60°F+. Docks and brush piles are top targets.
Apr – May
Bluegill / Bream Spawning
Bream spawn in gravel shallows. Easy catching near boat ramps and fishing piers.
May (AZGFD)
Spring Trout Stocking
AZGFD stocks select Tucson area waters. Check stocking schedule at https://www.azgfd.com/.
June – Aug
Summer Bass & Catfish Peak
Fish early/late for bass. Catfish bite all night in summer heat on major lakes and rivers.
Sep – Oct
Fall Bass Turnover & Feed
Lake turnover triggers aggressive bass feeding. Topwater produces in early morning on all Tucson lakes.
Oct – Nov
Fall Crappie Run
Second best crappie window. Fish deeper 12-18 ft as water cools. Main-lake points hold fish.
Nov (AZGFD)
Fall Trout Stocking
AZGFD fall trout stocking program. Check https://www.azgfd.com/ for Pima County schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HERE Tucson for local tourney dates.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Pima County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. AZGFD trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit www.azgfd.com for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Tucson area, answered.
-
Yes. Anglers need a Arizona fishing license to fish public waters. See AZGFD at azgfd.com for current license ages, fees and any free fishing days.
-
Pima County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult AZGFD for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
-
The best crappie fishing in Pima County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Tucson lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult AZGFD for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Tucson typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult AZGFD for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
AZGFD stocks select Pima County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the AZGFD website at https://www.azgfd.com/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current AZGFD schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Tucson.