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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
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Christopher Creek off the Mogollon Rim. A small stocked and wild-brown creek through the community of Christopher Creek. The river tops out around 4 ft. Contours on this water are modeled from its actual shoreline and max depth. Good for finding likely water, never for navigation. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
The drawn water covers 43 acres wrapped in 13.1 miles of bank. A development index of 14.3 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. Nothing on this chart breaks 15 ft, which makes the whole surface littoral: weeds, bait and ambush cover everywhere. Tip to tip the water measures near 4.1 mi with a 2.2-mi widest point. Gila County claims this one. Its nearest charted neighbour, Tonto Creek, is 3 mi to the west.
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 1 to 4 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 1 to 4 ft, winter 1 to 4 ft. Start at Outside-bend hole (mile 0.3). It's a creek channel holding about 3 ft of water and rates prime come summer. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon rigged through the warm months.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 2.3) (3 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 0.3) (3 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 2.3) (3 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Outside-bend hole (mile 0.3) (3 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: brown trout in 1 to 4 ft. The depth story barely changes: 1 to 4 ft through summer, 1 to 4 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Riffle & run (mile 2.3), a rock pile in the 3 ft range, prime in fall. Time it for after dark and early morning. Summer baits: a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 2.3) (3 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | night & dawn | Riffle & run (mile 2.3) (3 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Riffle & run (mile 2.3) (3 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 4 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 35 ft | dawn | open water | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
4 pieces of structure are mapped here — Outside-bend hole (mile 0.3), around 3 ft, is the deepest of them.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Arizona waters are set by the Arizona Game & Fish Department — and special regulations can apply to Christopher Creek specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Arizona fishing regulations →
Christopher Creek is about 4 ft (1 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target rainbow trout, brown trout on Christopher Creek.
Outside-bend hole (mile 0.3) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Christopher Creek is regulated by the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Check the official Arizona regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Tonto Creek 3 mi · Bear Canyon Lake 5 mi · Woods Canyon Lake 5 mi · Knoll Lake 7 mi · Haigler Creek 9 mi · Willow Springs Lake 10 mi · Chevelon Canyon Lake 16 mi · C.C. Cragin Reservoir (Blue Ridge Reservoir) 18 mi · East Clear Creek 18 mi · Webber Creek 19 mi · Black Canyon Lake 19 mi · Chevelon Creek 21 mi
See how Christopher Creek stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Arizona · best brown trout lakes in Arizona
More water nearby: Gila County fishing maps (10 charts). Browse all Arizona fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.