Green Valley Lake AZ

Green Valley Lake, located in Green Valley Park in the heart of Payson, AZ, is a popular urban fishery comprising three small, interconnected ponds stocked regularly with rainbow trout, and home to bass, bluegill, and catfish during warmer months. The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks trout weekly from March through May and again from September through November. Rainbow trout are targeted using PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs. Spinners and small jigs are also productive, especially near the fishing piers and deeper pockets. The fish are particularly active in the mornings following a recent stocking. In summer, warmwater species become more prominent. Largemouth bass and bluegill are caught on soft plastics, live worms, and small jigs, especially near structure. Channel catfish are stocked occasionally and are most active in the evenings, especially in the lower pond. Green Valley Lake is entirely bank-accessible, with paved walking trails, ADA-accessible piers, and nearby restrooms. Boating is prohibited, reinforcing the park’s quiet, family-friendly environment. The park setting also includes shaded picnic areas and educational displays, making it ideal for casual outings or community events. Due to its regular stocking schedule, ease of access, and scenic surroundings, Green Valley Lake stands out as a top-tier urban fishery in Arizona’s Rim Country.