Fishing Season: April through November(no winter access to upper river)

Black River - AZ

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

50

Orvis Phoenix 's Tip of the Week

Try a size 12 stimulator or beetle with a larger size 12-14 may fly imitation. indicators or imitating a wounded fish have been working wonders as well If you are planning to access the lower through the San Carlos, plan ahead to get your permit. Smallies are smacking poppers! The wildlife and Recreation HQ on the San Carlos is the only place for the south side to get a permit as of right now.

Directions open in app

Map of Black River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 5/22/25

Fishing has been looking up, dry flies and nymphing have been taking the cake!

Techniques & Tips as of 5/22/25

Strip streamers along the undercut banks or bushy attractors thrown in the white water. prospecting with a cicada or hopper with a caddis larvae underneath has been finding some great browns right now. Any craw colored streamer or blue popper have been great for us for the small mouth.

Local Species Available April through November(no winter access to upper river)

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    Brown Trout

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    Apache Trout

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Smallmouth Bass(lower river)

Orvis Phoenix 's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer black, olive 2-14
Flying Ant Black 14-18
CDC Caddis olive, grey, tan 14-18
Tactical Peeping Caddis TH Jig tan 10-14
Articulated Streamers Black,olive 2
Come at me cray Crawdad 4
Rosenbauer Parachute Beetle Black 14-18
Hawkins' Hat Trick rainbow or Brown 2-10
Sparkle Minnow Olive 4
Mardi craw olive/orange 4

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

2.49

Item #0311

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Orvis Phoenix 's Recommended Gear

Description: About Black River

The Black River, from the East and West Forks high in the White Mountains to the 80 mile long main stem is some of the best moving water in the state. The upper reaches are trout water, once it enters the Apache Reservation it begins to transition into smallmouth bass water. Access on the upper portions is good with many forest service roads meeting the stream. The middle and lower sections of the Black are 4 x 4 only access points, with most requiring a long hike into the canyon to get to the stream. 80 miles with only 10 access points makes this a great place to find solitude and some amazing fishing. Special Use permits are required for the main stem from either the San Carlos or White Mountain Apache tribe depending on what side you enter from. Access may be limited in winter due to snow.

Nearest Airport:

Showlow

Hatches:

Caddis Multiple species of Mayflies Terrestrial's more mid summer

Best Time to Fish:

Morning to Afternoon

Best Stretch:

All stretches can fish very well. Lots of Fish between Wildcat Crossing and Buffalo crossing.

Best Access:

Mainstem- Wildcat Crossing East Fork- Camground's along forest road 276 West Fork- West Fork Campground or thompson Trail 629 after May 1st