Greer, Arizona packs more trout water into a 30-mile radius than almost anywhere else in the state. That's a lot of water to sort through. There's also tons of online info scattered across forum posts and outdated articles, making it hard to figure out where to actually go, how to get there, and what you need to bring.
This page breaks it down for you easy-peasy. You'll find the best fishing spots near Greer, access directions, seasonal timing, gear recommendations, and Arizona licensing requirements. Everything in one place so you can spend less time researching and more time on the water.
Good? Alright, let's start with the lakes just north of town.
Greer Lakes: Tunnel, Bunch, and River Reservoirs
The Greer Lakes sit about 5 minutes north of town in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Three reservoirs make up the complex, each with its own personality, and you can fish all in a single morning if you're motivated.
One thing you must know about lake fishing in Greer: shore anglers catch fish, but float tubers consistently outperform them. The trout hold in deeper water during midday, and getting off the bank puts you over them. If you're serious about the lakes, bring a float tube or small kayak.
That said, each lake fishes a little differently.
Tunnel Reservoir
Tunnel is the smallest of the three and often the quietest. You might have the whole lake to yourself on a weekday morning. Shore fishing works here, though don't expect trophy fish. It's a pleasant spot to cast without pressure and get a feel for the area.
Bunch Reservoir
Bunch is a bit larger with some cliff shoreline that makes fly casting tricky in spots. Small rainbows cruise the shallows, and wildlife tracks line the water's edge. Elk and deer water here regularly, so keep your eyes open between casts.
River Reservoir
River Reservoir is the largest and most interesting to fish. It has a canyon-lake feel with a 30-40 foot rock dam holding back the water. The Little Colorado River continues on the backside through some gorgeous terrain. Stocked rainbow and brown trout swim here alongside bass. Yes, bass. They hit poppers in the shallows during summer mornings.
If you prefer moving water over still water, you don't have to drive anywhere.
Fishing the Little Colorado River in Town
The Little Colorado River runs right through the center of the town of Greer. This is the easiest fishing access you'll find anywhere in the area. Most cabins and lodges sit within walking distance of fishable water (approximately 5 minutes), so you can wet a line without ever starting your car.
Arizona Game and Fish stocks this stretch during summer months. The river isn't large here. You're looking at a small stream winding past cabins and local landmarks. But stocked fish don't care about scenery. They eat flies.
The Greer Village Walkway follows the river through town and provides multiple access points. You can walk the path, spot a likely run, and start casting within minutes of leaving your cabin. If you need a break or want to grab lunch between sessions, Molly Butler Lodge is just two minutes away. Wet your line in the morning, eat a burger, fish the evening hatch. Not a bad way to spend a day.
Now, let's talk parking. When driving to the location with your car, you can't park or fish from the bridge where the Little Colorado crosses under the main road. The bridge area is narrow, and stopping there creates traffic issues in a town with limited road space. Local enforcement takes this seriously, so don't risk it.
Instead, use the small pullout area just north of the bridge on the west side of the road. This spot fits a few vehicles for short-term parking while you fish the nearby stretch. If it's full, park at your cabin and walk. Most lodging in Greer sits close enough that driving isn't necessary anyway.
Once you've settled in, you'll realize that this water is also perfect for practicing your fundamentals. Work on casting with a fly rod in a low-pressure environment before heading to more technical streams.
Once you're comfortable with in-town fishing, the forks upstream offer more challenge and more solitude.
West Fork of the Little Colorado: Apache Trout Recovery Water
The West Fork of the Little Colorado is designated Apache Trout recovery water. This is one of the few places in Arizona where you can target the state's only native trout species in its historic habitat. If catching an Apache Trout is on your list, this is where to do it.
Why Apache Trout Matter
Apache Trout nearly disappeared in the 20th century. Habitat loss and competition from non-native species pushed them to the edge. Recovery efforts, including the streams around Greer, have brought populations back. The Wallow Fire in 2011 damaged the East Fork population severely, but the West Fork fish survived with minimal impact. Today, Arizona Game and Fish stocks Apache Trout here regularly during warmer months.
Catching one means you're holding a piece of Arizona's fishing history. That's worth something.
How to Access the West Fork
Access the stream at Government Springs Trailhead where Highway 373 dead-ends at the edge of town. The trailhead has parking and a bathroom. From there, a trail follows the river upstream for over 5 miles through ponderosa terrain to Sheeps Crossing. You can fish the whole stretch or hike to a favorite spot and settle in.
How to Fish the West Fork
The water runs clear and shallow in many sections. Stealth matters more than distance here. These trout spook easily, and a clumsy approach ruins the pool before you make a cast. Stay low, move slowly, and make short accurate casts to deeper pockets and riffles. Upstream presentations work best.
Honestly, this might be my favorite water around Greer even when the fishing is slow. The trail is beautiful. The forest is quiet. And when you do hook an Apache Trout, you're catching something special.
Speaking of catching, match the hatch with trout flies in smaller sizes. Our page on selecting the right fly can help if you're unsure what patterns to carry.
For anglers who want even more technical water, the East Fork of the Black River sits about 30 minutes south.
East Fork of the Black River: Technical Water 30 Minutes from Greer
The East Fork of the Black River offers 10-12 miles of fishable water along Forest Road 276. This is technical fishing on a narrow freestone stream that rewards skill and punishes sloppy presentations. If the in-town water feels too easy, this is your answer.
How to Access the East Fork
The drive takes about 25-30 minutes from Greer. Once you're on FR 276, the river parallels the road. The whole stretch runs through national forest land with minimal private property concerns.
Getting there:
- Drive south from Greer on State Highway 261
- Take Three Forks Road southeast
- Continue to Forest Road 81 (becomes FR 276)
- Pull off anywhere along the river and start fishing
What to Expect on the Water
The stream averages 30-40 feet wide with classic freestone character: riffles, small pools, eddies, and cut banks. Brown, rainbow, brook, and Apache Trout all swim here. The fish aren't huge, but they're wild and wary. Expect to work for them.
How to Fish the East Fork
A dry-dropper rig works well here. Tie on a hopper or Chubby Chernobyl as your indicator fly with a size 16 Prince Nymph trailing 18 inches below. Cast upstream, make one mend, and let the rig drift through likely holding water. Focus on the seams along current breaks, the cushion behind boulders, and the heads of pools.
If the dry-dropper isn't producing after 10-15 casts, move upstream and try again. Or switch tactics entirely. Rip a Woolly Bugger through the deeper pools. Brown trout in the 14-18 inch range hold in those spots during fall, and they respond well to an aggressive streamer stripped fast across their faces.
For more detail on subsurface techniques, check out our pages on fishing with nymphs and fishing with streamers.
Those are the main fishing spots around Greer. Now let's talk timing, because when you visit affects what you'll find on the water.
Best Time of Year to Fish Greer, Arizona
Spring post-runoff and fall monsoon season produce the most consistent fishing in Greer. But each season has something to offer if you know what to expect. Here's a breakdown of each season, the conditions of the waters, and which flies work.
| Season | Months | Conditions | What Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Late April - May | Post-runoff, rising temps | Nymphs, streamers |
| Summer | June - August | Low water possible, fish early/late | Dry flies at dawn/dusk |
| Fall | September - October | Best overall, aggressive fish | Everything |
| Winter | November - March | Cold, limited access | Midges in deep pools |
Spring fishing turns on once snowmelt runoff settles, usually by late April. Fish feed aggressively after cold months, and nymphs or streamers produce well. Once summer hits, smaller streams can run low and trout get picky. Your best bet is early morning or late evening sessions.
But if you can wait until fall, do it. Monsoon rains replenish flows, temperatures drop, and browns get aggressive before spawn. If you can only make one trip to Greer, book it for late September or early October, as these months are the sweet spot.
Winter fishing is possible but limited. Ice forms on lakes, and access to remote streams becomes difficult. Stick to open water and fish midges slowly in deep pools.
Note: While being aware of seasonal patterns helps, reading water on any given day matters just as much. Conditions change weekly during monsoon season, so check reports before you go.
Now, before you hit any of these waters, make sure your paperwork is sorted.
Arizona Fishing License and Regulations
Nobody loves paperwork, but this part matters. Arizona Game and Fish requires a fishing license for all anglers 10 years and older. If you're 14 or older and fishing for trout, you also need a trout stamp. No exceptions on public water.
Purchase your license online at azgfd.com before your trip or pick one up at sporting goods stores in Show Low or Pinetop on your way to Greer. Options in town are limited, so don't count on buying a license after you arrive.
If you plan to fish on the White Mountain Apache reservation, you need a separate tribal license. The reservation boundary sits south and east of Greer, and some popular waters fall within tribal land. Purchase tribal licenses at convenience stores, gas stations, and sports shops in the area. They're not available online.
Regulations to Know
- Live bait is prohibited on many trout waters around Greer
- Some Apache Trout streams are catch-and-release only with artificial flies and lures required
- Certain stretches of the Little Colorado River have special regulations posted on-site
- Private property exists along some streams, so watch for posted signs
Check current regulations on the AZGFD website before your trip. Rules change, and ignorance isn't a valid excuse if a game warden checks your license.
With regulations covered, let's talk about what to pack.
Recommended Gear for Greer
You don't need a truck full of gear to fish Greer effectively. A few smart choices cover most situations you'll encounter.
Rods
A 5-weight fly rod in the 8-9 foot range handles 90% of Greer fishing. The 8-foot length works better on tight streams like the East Fork where brush limits your backcast. The 9-foot length helps on open water and lakes where longer casts matter.
For the East Fork specifically, a 5-weight 8-foot fly fishing kit handles the tight quarters without sacrificing casting distance.
Check out our 5-weight fly fishing kits if you need a complete setup, or browse individual fly rods if you're building a custom rig.
Leaders and Tippet
Leaders and tippet are where most beginners cut corners, but they matter more than you'd think. Bring a few 7.5-foot tapered leaders in 3x and 4x for dry-dropper rigs. Carry tippet in 4x and 5x to extend your leader or rebuild after break-offs. For streamers, step up to a 9-foot leader in 1x or 2x to turn over heavier flies.
Flies That Produce in Greer
Now for the fun part. Stock your box with these proven patterns:
Dry flies:
- Hoppers
- Chubby Chernobyls
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Parachute Adams
Browse our dry fly collection for the full selection.
Nymphs:
- Prince Nymph
- Pheasant Tail
- Hare's Ear
- Copper John
Stock up from our nymph patterns.
Streamers:
- Woolly Buggers (black, olive, brown)
- Crayfish patterns for bass in the lakes
Find them in our streamer collection.
For the East Fork dry-dropper rig mentioned earlier, pair a parachute hopper with a Prince Nymph. When surface action slows, strip a Woolly Bugger assortment through the deep pools.
One more thing: pack more nymphs than you think you need. The fish eat subsurface most of the time, and you'll lose flies to rocks and snags on every trip.
Greer AZ Fishing FAQ
Can beginners fish in Greer successfully?
Yes. The stocked Greer Lakes and private ponds around town offer accessible fishing for first-time anglers. Rainbow trout in these waters aren't picky, and you'll get bites. Start there to build confidence before tackling technical stream fishing on the East Fork or West Fork where presentation matters more.
Do I need a float tube for lake fishing?
Not required, but highly recommended. Shore anglers catch fish at the Greer Lakes, especially early and late in the day when trout cruise the shallows. But float tubers consistently hook more and larger fish because they can reach deeper water where trout hold during midday. If you're planning multiple lake sessions, a float tube pays for itself in fish caught.
What if I only have a few hours to fish?
Fish the Little Colorado River in the town of Greer. It's walking distance from most cabins, stocked regularly by Arizona Game and Fish, and offers quality fishing without driving anywhere. You can wet a line for an hour before dinner and still catch trout.
Where can I buy flies and gear near Greer?
Limited options exist in Greer itself. Stock up in Show Low or Pinetop on your way in. Both towns have sporting goods stores with basic fly fishing supplies. For a better selection, order from Wild Water before your trip and arrive prepared with the right flies and leaders for Greer's waters.
Start Planning Your Greer Fishing Trip
Greer puts more trout water within reach of a single mountain town than almost anywhere else in Arizona. Whether you spend an afternoon on the Little Colorado in town or a full week working the East Fork of the Black River, you'll find unpressured fish in beautiful high-country terrain.
Greer Lodge and Antler Ridge Resort put you walking distance from the best fishing spots. Book early for fall weekends when the fishing peaks and cabins fill up fast.
New to fly fishing? Start with our complete beginner's guide to fly fishing to learn the fundamentals before your trip. Then grab a fly fishing kit that includes everything you need to hit the water in Greer.
