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Fishing Report | August 2026

Your monthly update on fishing conditions, stocking and news from around Arizona.

Canyon Lake Drawdown to Begin Sept. 16

Lake will be closed for about 16 weeks for critical dam safety inspections and maintenance.

The water level of Canyon Lake, about 50 miles east of Phoenix, will be lowered for approximately 16 weeks starting Sept. 16, 2026, for dam safety inspections and maintenance. Tonto National Forest will close the lake, including all boat ramps and access points, during this time.

Salt River Project (SRP) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lower Canyon Lake for critical dam safety inspections and maintenance once every 20 years. While inspections and maintenance are regularly performed on the dams, some critical equipment is located underwater, which makes it inaccessible without lowering the lake level.

According to SRP, the lake's water level will be lowered by approximately 54 feet through a drawdown process. The work will focus on the normally submerged portions of Mormon Flat and Horse Mesa dams, as well as the river channel downstream of Horse Mesa Dam. No water will be wasted, just stored in other reservoirs while the work is performed. The lake drawdown will not interfere with water delivery from the Salt and Verde river reservoirs
to SRP’s water customers.

Benefits of the project support the operational safety of the dams for water storage and flood control and help ensure water reliability for more than 2.5 million Valley residents who receive water from SRP reservoirs. The drawdown will also provide an opportunity for other agencies and businesses to perform any necessary maintenance work and repairs to their Canyon Lake facilities.

For more information, visit SRP at the link below.

Looking for Fishing Updates in Your Region?

Lake-by-lake conditions, water temps, and species activities for Arizona's waters, from Northern Arizona to Lees Ferry and Lake Powell.

Upper Elevation Lakes Stocked as Lower Elevation Community Lake Stockings Remain on Hold Through Mid-September

The statewide fish stocking schedule link below will give you access to all Department stocking schedules. Trout continue to be stocked from the Hatcheries and Channel Catfish into upper elevation Community Fishing Program waters. The dates listed on the stocking schedules represent the Monday of the week the stocking will occur.

Note: stockings can take place any day throughout that week. These schedules are tentative and subject to change due to weather. Take a look!

Other News and Articles

Illegal Fish Stocking is a Problem

Transporting fish between bodies of water may seem like a harmless act, but it can have serious economic and ecological consequences — and in the state of Arizona, it’s against the law.

It is illegal to release aquarium pets or any fish or aquatic species that are not approved for use as live baitfish into Arizona waters, and it is illegal to move fish from one water body to another water body.

Illegal fish stocking threatens native and sport fish populations, spreads disease and invasive species, and costs millions in removal efforts that take resources away from improving fishing opportunities.

→ Learn more

Chef Randy Hale Cooks Up Trout Almondine

Tender, pan-fried fish fillets with a rich browned butter sauce and crispy almonds requires just one skillet and takes only minutes to cook.

→ Get the recipe

What Eagles, Ospreys and Herons Can Teach Anglers

Who better to learn fishing techniques from than our feathered friends? Fish predators can help us understand fish behavior and adapt fishing techniques accordingly. 

→ Read more from "Life on the Fly's" Jim Strogen in this Payson Roundup article.

Angling Tips with AZGFD Fishing R3 Coordinator Chase Newlon

Hot temperatures down in the valley shouldn’t prevent you from getting out on the water and catching some fish! Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing. Protecting your skin from the sun is crucial this time of year, a long sleeve sun shirt with a hood is a great option to keep the sun off of you. You can also wear sun gaiters and hats to protect your skin.

Warm water species such as carp, bass and bluegill are my favorite to target this time of year. All of these species can be found in almost all of the ponds and lakes found in the Phoenix area.

Bluegill are one of my favorites to target, especially when I only have an hour or two to get out on the water. They are also typically very aggressive and willing to eat, so they make for a great species for beginners to target. Bluegill will be oriented to structure. Try fishing near docs, vegetation, rock piles or other structures that provide shade and a place to hide. Conventional anglers should use a 6-7 foot ultra light spinning rod with 4-6 lb test line. Small 1/32 oz or 1/16 oz jigs tipped with a piece of worm or scented soft plastic under a bobber works great for catching Bluegill. Fly fishing can be extremely effective as well. Grab a 3 weight fly rod and use small nymph/leech patterns under an indicator. My favorite flies for bluegill are a zebra midge (size 16-20), flashback pheasant tail (size 12-18), and a jigged mayer’s mini leech (size 12-16).

Fishing Gear for Beginners from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12 at Peoria Park Rangers, Rio Vista Park, Peoria.

Learn the basics of fishing gear in this beginner-friendly class. Perfect for those new to fishing or looking to build confidence before their first trip. Each participant receives a small tackle box with starter gear to take home. For more information about this event click here.

Fly Fishing Film Tour, with AZ Fly Shop and Wildlife For Tomorrow, from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 at Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix.

The 20th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) is coming to Phoenix—and it’s bigger and better than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned angler, an adventure enthusiast, or simply love incredible outdoor films, this is an event you won’t want to miss. This year, the Fly Fishing Film Tour celebrates 20 years of unforgettable stories from the water—featuring breathtaking cinematography, extraordinary destinations, and anglers from around the world. Plus, starting Sept. 13, a charity auction featuring both live and online bidding opportunities will be held. Net proceeds will support hatchery improvements and priority conservation projects that advance Arizona’s wildlife and outdoor heritage. For more information and to get tickets click here.

The FishAZ Network is filled with great events for all skill levels by a variety of great partners, for a full list of up to date events, click the link below!

Other Fishing Resources

Fish & Boat AZ App

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

AZ Bass Challenge

Fishing Regulations

Join the FishAZ Facebook Group

Experience FishAZ