KMZs and other files showing the distribution of wild trout in AZ are available from the download system.

Arizona is a largely arid state with relatively limited trout habitat.  However, wherever the elevation climbs around 5,000 feet or higher, there's a shot at cold water habitat that can support wild trout.

Source:  Google Earth image with data provided by AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality via US EPA WATERS database (turquoise), TU CSI (basins), and US Fish and Wildlife Service (magenta).

We have just begun coverage of the western US.  Already, AZ is receiving substantial coverage.

In the image above, turquoise lines mark stream segments designated as cold water habitat by the AZ DEQ.   It, roughly speaking, defines the areas where it is possible to locate wild trout.  Cold water habitat within Indian Reservations is NOT coded in this file, so a subtantial amount of trout habitat is missing here.

The Magenta streams show the range of Apache Trout, as do the basins. These do show streams on indian land. Fishing on reservations is regulated by each tribe.  You do not need an AZ license to fish on a reservation, but you will need a tribal permit, and many areas are closed to angling. Generally speaking Apache Trout not found on Indian reservations can be legally caught.

Note that it is not legal to fish for wild Gila Trout within the State of AZ (it is, in a few streams, in NM).  Keep in mind that cold water habitat which doesn't hold natives is likely to hold "exotics" like brook, rainbow, and brown trout. 

All of these datasets are currently available for download.  Check out the "Natives" page of the downloads tab, and the Arizona category in the "Streams" section of the "download" page.  We'll be adding more content to Arizona as we find the time. 

If you'd like more information about Arizona, please register and post a comment.  The areas which get the most interest from our users tend to receive the highest priority when we decide what to do next.  Registering will also put you on our email list, and updates on what's new 4-6 times a year. We share our list with no one else.