Arizona
Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam
Current River Rating
Poor · 38
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Cloud cover is favorable for daytime trout fishing.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 636 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.18 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09502000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Partly cloudy
Temperature
88°F
Feels like
88°F
Wind
4 mph SW
Wind gust
14 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 1 AM
Overcast
Temp 88°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 5 AM
Clear
Temp 83°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 9 AM
Clear
Temp 92°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 1 PM
Overcast
Temp 101°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 5 PM
Overcast
Temp 101°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 9 PM
Clear
Temp 91°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 102°F / Low 82°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 104°F / Low 81°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 103°F / Low 87°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 104°F / Low 88°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam, Arizona. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 09502000 (live discharge and stage; air-derived river-trout thermal path). Distinct from Priest Drive 09512165.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Salt River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Lower Salt below Stewart Mountain Dam is Phoenix’s public urban river between Saguaro Lake and Granite Reef. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 09502000 (live discharge and stage). No current live 00010; thermal path is the accepted air-derived river-trout path. AZGFD stocks rainbow trout in the cool season. Rainbow trout are the selector species; bass and catfish are year-round. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only. Flow Context remains default-deny. Distinct from the dry Priest Drive channel, upper Salt / reservation water, and Wyoming Salt River.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
AZGFD Lower Salt: rainbow trout are stocked in the cool season below Stewart Mountain Dam. USGS 09502000. Distinct from Priest Drive 09512165 and from Wyoming Salt River.
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
AZGFD Lower Salt: smallmouth and largemouth bass are year-round sport fish. This ID remains a winter-trout-capable urban river.
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Regulated Salt River tailwater below Stewart Mountain Dam / Saguaro Lake through the Tonto National Forest recreation corridor, Maricopa County.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by AZGFD Lower Salt listings and Tonto National Forest recreation sites (Coon Bluff, Phon D. Sutton, and related day-use). Catalog coordinates are the USGS dam point, not a tube-float pin. Posted closures immediately below Mormon Flat / Horse Mesa / Roosevelt dams are the reservoir chain, not this ID. New Zealand mudsnails are confirmed from the Verde confluence to Granite Reef.
Stocking information
AZGFD stocks rainbow trout in the Lower Salt in the cool season. Confirm current official stocking. Do not invent a calendar.
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Arizona Game and Fish Department
Official sources
AZGFD statewide freshwater rules apply on the public Lower Salt. Posted dam closures apply at the Salt River chain reservoirs, not as a substitute identity for this tailwater. Distinct from Priest Drive 09512165, Roosevelt 09498500, Chrysotile 09497500, and Wyoming Salt River. Fort Apache / San Carlos upper Salt is a separate permit system. Confirm current AZGFD maps.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Maricopa, Arizona
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Maricopa
Management Category
Urban tailwater trout and mixed river
Regulation Scope
Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam / Lower Salt Phoenix
Regulation Summary
Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam: AZGFD Lower Salt public rules. Confirm current Commission Order 40.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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