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Fishing Verde River: what the data says
Camp Verde to Childs. desert canyon smallmouth and flathead water. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Verde River
Spring smallmouth bass on Verde River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 20.4), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Channel Catfish fishing at Verde River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Verde River
Spring flathead catfish on Verde River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6), a creek channel in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for flathead catfish in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 20.4): current seam, around 4 ft
Common questions
How deep is Verde River?
Verde River is about 8 ft 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.
What fish are in Verde River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish on Verde River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Verde River?
Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Verde River?
For smallmouth bass, 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.
Nearby waters
Horseshoe Reservoir · C.C. Cragin Reservoir (Blue Ridge Reservoir) · Bartlett Lake · Watson Lake · Upper Lake Mary · Ashurst Lake
See how Verde River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Arizona · best channel catfish lakes in Arizona · best flathead catfish lakes in Arizona
Browse all Arizona fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.