Walnut Creek

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 2
Species: 6

Walnut Creek flows through Coconino County as an intermittent tributary to San Francisco Wash in northern Arizona's Verde River watershed. This medium-priority conservation water forms the pair of Lake Mary reservoirs southeast of Flagstaff, where the creek is impounded upstream from Walnut Canyon. The Walnut Creek Complex represents an important native aquatic habitat managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department in cooperation with Coconino National Forest, which maintains recreational facilities in the area. The creek and its associated waters support a mix of native and sport fish species within a high-desert environment characterized by seasonal flow variations.

Arizona licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Walnut Creek and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Walnut Creek. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Upper Lake Mary Dam Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Walnut Creek

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Arizona licenses and regulations

Arizona Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Arizona Fishing License

A valid Arizona fishing license is required for Arizona resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in Arizona. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona. Check the Arizona Fishing Regulations for additional information.

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Arizona Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Arizona Steam Access Laws

Determined by the Arizona Navigable Stream Adjudication Commission. ANSAC says for a waterway to be navigable, it must have been capable of commercial trade and travel at the time of statehood (1912). The waterway must also be wet, with water from more than just precipitation. As of 2016, ANSAC only defines the Colorado River as navigable, though decisions are pending for other streams. The federal government and private owners control all other streambeds The extent to which the public has rights in non-navigable watercourses depends upon the ownership of the streambed. For example, if the federal government has retained ownership, the public likely enjoys rights to boat, fish, wade, recreate, and portage. If, on the other hand, the streambed is privately owned, then the public may not boat, fish, or otherwise access the watercourse without the owner's permission.

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Take Walnut Creek with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Walnut Creek to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Walnut Creek to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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