Arizona Lake Fishing

Fishing Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Dead Horse Ranch State Park boasts of 423 acres of outdoor opportunities for fishing, hiking, camping and several other outdoor actives. The Verde River runs through the park and forms large lagoons which are called Dead Horse Lake by some. There are 80 miles of fish able water in the park and the lagoons are stocked regularly by the AZ game & fish.

Dead Horse Ranch is a great place for both spin anglers and fly fishing. Spinners focus on using spinners, worms and power bait.
Fly fishing is best along the Verde River between the River Front Park and Dead Horse State Park.
Dead Horse Ranch Fish

• Rainbow trout
• sunfish
• Channel Catfish
• Largemouth bass

Dead Horse Ranch Rules

• No Amplified Music and PA systems
• No Swimming in lagoons
• No Firewood gathering
• No Generators
• No Rowboats and float tubes are only permitted in lower lagoons

Small boats are permitted along with float tubes but restrictions do apply.

Dead Horse Ranch Amenities

These amenities are at Fain Lake.

• Handicap access is available including cabin rental with accessible showers and restrooms near camp site.
• Bathrooms & Showers (with hot water)
• Picnic area (covered Ramadas)
• BBQ grills
• Playground
• Camp Sites
• Hiking Trails
• Visitor Center (open 8 am to 5 pm)

Getting to Dead Horse Ranch State Park

The easiest way to get to Dead Horse Ranch is to take the I-17 towards Cottonwood. Then Exit on Highway 260 for Cottonwood. Stay on Main Street (Hwy 260) and follow the signs to Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

Map To Dead Horse Ranch State Park, AZ

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Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Dead Horse Ranch State Park is on 423 acres of land, includes the Verde River and 80 miles of fishing opportunity.  Located near Cottonwood, Arizona on highway 260.

The Dead Horse Ranch lagoons are pooled bodies of water created by the Verde River and are regularly stocked by the AZ game & fish.

Fishing Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Fishing continues to be good and is a wonderful spot for family day and a picnic. Rainbow trout, sunfish (bluegill and crappie), Channel Catfish and Largemouth bass are all available to be caught.The lagoons have been recently stocked with over 3,000 rainbows.

Results are best for spinner and fly fishing. Spin anglers use powerbait, worms or small spinners. Fly anglers love to fish the Verde River and the state park.

Pay attention to bag limits

The bag limits at Dead Horse Ranch are different than other state parks. So keep them in mind when fishing.

• 4 catfish
• 4 trout
• 2 largemouth bass with a 13 inch minimum length
• 10 sunfish

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Trout fishing has slowed some. The best bet is to use corm kernels on a split shot sinker with about 3 feet under the bobber. Power bait is also working fished off the bottom with an egg sinker.

Largemouth bass fishing is fair but has picked up a little. Try small plastic jigs or worms. Small spinners are also working in deep cover.

Bluegills are hot right now but they are small. Same with the crappie. So it’s a good opportunity to get your kids out and teach them a few fishing techniques.

For the smaller fish try a #8 hook with a small piece of worm under a bobber about 2 – 3 feet.

Catfish will be stocked again in first week of June.

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Stocked with catfish just 2 weeks ago, fishing is looking good.

Also largemouth bass, bluegill, and trout fishing are doing well.

Try the middle lagoon for the largemouth bass. A few 10 pounders were caught there over the summer. Use in-line spinners, plastic grubs, and small crank baits.

For bluegill try both the middle and lower lagoons with salmon eggs or small worms on a small bait hook (size 10) and a bobber.

Trout stocking will resume in November.

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