Fish Stocking Near Payson, Arizona

Payson is the hub of Rim Country fishing, with easy access to Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and Tonto Creek.

Quick answer

Looking for stocked lakes near Payson, Arizona? This page highlights nearby Arizona community fishing waters and other relevant lakes that anglers commonly search when planning a local trip. Use the lake links and recent schedule information below to see where trout or catfish may be stocked near Payson.

Nearby stocked lakes

Woods Canyon Lake

Woods Canyon Lake is a scenic Mogollon Rim trout lake surrounded by ponderosa pines. It is one of Arizona's most popular stocked trout fisheries.

Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Willow Springs Lake

Willow Springs Lake sits on the Mogollon Rim near Woods Canyon Lake. It is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and offers bank and boat fishing.

Rainbow Trout

Recent stocking near Payson

Scheduled Week OfLakeRegionSpecies
Aug 31, 2026WILLOW SPRINGS LAKEPayson - Mogollon Rim AreaTrout
Aug 31, 2026WOODS CANYON LAKEPayson - Mogollon Rim AreaTrout
Sep 14, 2026WILLOW SPRINGS LAKEPayson - Mogollon Rim AreaTrout
Aug 24, 2026WILLOW SPRINGS LAKEPayson - Mogollon Rim AreaTrout
Aug 24, 2026WOODS CANYON LAKEPayson - Mogollon Rim AreaTrout
Aug 17, 2026WILLOW SPRINGS LAKEPayson - Mogollon Rim AreaTrout
Aug 17, 2026WOODS CANYON LAKEPayson - Mogollon Rim AreaTrout

Related pages

Backlash Supply outdoor apparel — fishing and hunting tees and hats

Backlash Supply

Sponsored

Outdoor apparel that doesn't suck

Tees and hats for anglers and hunters, inspired by traditional tattoo flash and real time on the water. No recycled fish-and-mountain graphics — just gear with some teeth, made to get worn, faded, and kept in rotation.

Frequently asked questions

There are 2 stocked lakes tracked near Payson. Browse the lake cards above for details on each location.

Trout stocking near Payson typically follows Arizona's cooler-season schedule. Community fishing lakes may be stocked with trout from fall through spring. Check the stocking table for current dates.

Source note

This page organizes public Arizona fish stocking schedule information and related lake context. Official schedule dates may represent the Monday of the stocking week rather than a guaranteed same-day event.

Schedule information should be verified against the official source when planning travel-sensitive trips. Stocking schedules may change due to weather, hatchery logistics, or local conditions.