Prescott National Forest Fishing

Comprised of about 1.25 million acres, the Prescott borders three other National Forests in Arizona: Kaibab, Coconino, and Tonto. Roughly half of the forest lies west of the city of Prescott, Arizona, in the Juniper, Santa Maria, Sierra Prieta, and Bradshaw Mountains. The other half of the Forest lies east of Prescott and takes in the Black Hills, Mingus Mountain, Black Mesa, and the headwaters of the Verde River. Most of the lakes in the town of Prescott do not fall in the Prescott National Forest; most of them are owned and operated by the city of Prescott. See the list below for clarification.



There are plenty of places to fish in the Prescott. You can expect to catch a variety of bass, catfish and some of Prescott’s stocked lakes hold trout. A few of the Prescott area lakes including Watson and Willow are surrounded by unique granite mountains you will not find anywhere else in the state so be sure and take a camera.

Lakes in Prescott

• Lynx Lake
  This is a popular trout fishing spot that is regularly stocked.
• Verde River
  The Verde River has warm water species such as bass and catfish.

Owned by the city of Prescott

• Watson Lake
  This lake has warm water species and is occasionally stocked with trout. This is a very scenic lake right in the middle of the Granite Dells Mountains.
• Willow Lake
  This is also a warm water lake
• Granite Basin Lake
• Goldwater Lake

Fore more information visit the Prescott National Forest Web Site