Arizona
Verde River below Bartlett Dam
Location Snapshot
Verde River below Bartlett Dam is a regulated central Arizona desert-river reach below Bartlett Lake. Bass and catfish provide the principal warmwater fishing opportunities across pools, runs, and reservoir-influenced river habitat.
Current River Rating
Poor · 39
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Air temperature is outside a comfortable fishing range.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 966 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.64 ft
- Water Temperature
- 68.2 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 12:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09510000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
88°F
Feels like
87°F
Wind
8 mph S
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 4:45 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 7 PM
Overcast
Temp 82°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 11 PM
Overcast
Temp 78°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 3 AM
Overcast
Temp 74°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 14 mph
Wed 7 AM
Overcast
Temp 74°F
Chance 22%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Wed 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 81°F
Chance 31%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Wed 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 80°F
Chance 28%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 88°F / Low 69°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 88°F / Low 70°F
Chance 51%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Thunderstorms
High 80°F / Low 69°F
Chance 96%
Precip 0.24 in
Max gust 26 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 76°F / Low 63°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 5 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Rainbow trout are in the mixed fishery on the Verde River below Bartlett Dam, a tailwater.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Verde River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Stocking information
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Arizona Game and Fish Department
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Maricopa, Arizona
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Maricopa
Management Category
Tailwater trout and mixed river
Regulation Scope
Verde River below Bartlett Dam / public SRP-Tonto reach.
Regulation Summary
Verde River below Bartlett Dam: AZGFD public tailwater rules. Confirm current Commission Order 40. Tribal water downstream is separate.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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