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Rivers of Arizona

Tick Flat Lower Black River

Rivers of Arizona item created by HookedAZ, Oct 15, 2016

  • This is often the spot that people automatically think of when someone refers to the Black River. The 4x4 road is rough, but the fishing makes it well worth it. There are good camping spots near the river and there is great fishing both up and downstream. When this place gets crowded, the best thing to do is to just hike a ways upstream, past where you think most people will venture, and start fishing from there.


    Access: White Mountain side, turn left off of R9 a ways after crossing the White River, 4x4 needed after turnoff from road R9 - Ted Standage from the essential travel handbook The Lower Black River: An Outdoor Guide
HookedAZ, Oct 15, 2016

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  1. Tinman
    I am looking forward in fishing this area. I could really use this guide.... Thanks
    Tinman, Oct 25, 2016
  2. Koltin
    np best of luck. Bring a big bag of hula grubs.
    Koltin, Oct 25, 2016
  3. chris schmitz
    Quoting jim:Does this area typically open up in may?
    This the best fsihing there is in the state, i have tried many different types of bate but always end up going back to the 3' yamamto cinco watermelon with black flake, they go crazy over it! also at night we catfish and the catfish are clean and very tasty!
    chris schmitz, Oct 25, 2016
    1. HookedAZ
      I kill it at the Black river with Yamamotos as well. I had green and black hula grubs the last time and the black did better. Seems like the darker colors work better out there. I've had people vouch for dark olive as well.
      HookedAZ, Oct 25, 2016
  4. jim
    Does this area typically open up in may?
    jim, Oct 25, 2016
    1. HookedAZ
      Quoting jim:
      Does this area typically open up in may?

      I think the Black River might be closed on the San Carlos res. I'll try and get an update from them. Closed from the Wallow Fire.
      HookedAZ, Oct 25, 2016
  5. HookedAZ
    So I guess it's still open then huh? Yeah thats too bad about the fires effect.

    Quoting Doug:Hate to be the one to tell you but I was at Tick flat last weekend (been going there for 15 years) The wallow fire realy messed up the river. The full of silt and there is some kind of white algie growing on every thing. The PH of the water is all out of wack. All of the plants (Sea weed) that were in the slow shallow pools are gone. The water is very hazy. The fishing wasn't to bad, caught more blue gill than bass which is unususal. This was my favorite spot in az, hope it recovers quickly.
    HookedAZ, Oct 25, 2016
  6. Doug
    Hate to be the one to tell you but I was at Tick flat last weekend (been going there for 15 years) The wallow fire realy messed up the river. The full of silt and there is some kind of white algie growing on every thing. The PH of the water is all out of wack. All of the plants (Sea weed) that were in the slow shallow pools are gone. The water is very hazy. The fishing wasn't to bad, caught more blue gill than bass which is unususal. This was my favorite spot in az, hope it recovers quickly.
    Doug, Oct 25, 2016
    1. Ken
      I was there back in May 2009 at tick Flats. I thought the fishing was great! Caught my biggest small mouth bass at that location. The aquadic plants growning good. Had some dear come down across the river eating up the plants. Weather was great too. I will be there next week end of September. Should be good then too.
      Ken, Oct 25, 2016
    2. Ken
      Sorry, meant I was there May 2012. Happy Fishing!
      Ken, Oct 25, 2016
  7. Tony
    Quoting Mike:Just returned from the Black at Military Crossing and yes the river is in bad shape, very hazy, high levels of silt, and flow appears way down for this time of the year. Fishing surprisingly good despite what appears to be extremely poor water quality.


    But fishable and campable SP?

    Thanks
    Tony, Oct 25, 2016
    1. HookedAZ
      Quoting Mike:
      Just returned from the Black at Military Crossing and yes the river is in bad shape, very hazy, high levels of silt, and flow appears way down for this time of the year. Fishing surprisingly good despite what appears to be extremely poor water quality.


      Thanks for the update Mike. Hopefully it clears up.
      HookedAZ, Oct 25, 2016
  8. mike
    Just returned from the Black at Military Crossing and yes the river is in bad shape, very hazy, high levels of silt, and flow appears way down for this time of the year. Fishing surprisingly good despite what appears to be extremely poor water quality.
    mike, Oct 25, 2016
  9. Danyel Shriver
    So has anyone fished recently at tick flats at Black River?
    Danyel Shriver, Oct 25, 2016
    1. Jason Nickerson
      Can anyone tell me how to get to Ticks Flat landing on the lower black river from Gilbert, AZ?
      Jason Nickerson, Oct 25, 2016
    2. Evan S
      Just went. Vegitation very dry and water down about 1 foot from last year. Still able to catch 1 catfish and 4 small mouth bass. Released all.
      Evan S, Oct 25, 2016
  10. cheznut
    I used to go fishing at the Black River when I was about 11. 27 years later I now want to take my son there. Problem is I only remember it as generally Black River. There was a dirt road that stopped at a parking lot and then required 4x4 over large river rocks to get to a campsite at one of the bends in the river. Anyone know where that could possibly be? Thanks for your assistance!
    cheznut, Oct 25, 2016
  11. Christopher Robinson
    caught an 9 pound bass just the other day
    Christopher Robinson, Oct 25, 2016
    1. Justin Dupuis
      So you caught the state record and beat the previous record by 2 pounds? And didn't tell anyone but post it on here? Lol yeah right
      Justin Dupuis, Oct 25, 2016
    2. Justin Dupuis
      Oh so you're saying you caught the state record by 2 pounds that has been in place since 88'?
      Justin Dupuis, Oct 25, 2016
    3. ChrisW
      How was the river running? going beck for the first time in 3 years next month.
      ChrisW, Oct 25, 2016
  12. Jgunther
    headed up to tick flats on 23rd of this month. Hope 9 pounders are still there!! Lol. Any one been up there recently? Bait advice? Going to bring my fly rod as well.
    Jgunther, Oct 25, 2016