Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish and Catfish can all be found in the waters of the Salt River below Saguaro Lake. Take advantage of this year-round trout fishery in the summer when the air temperatures are 100°F and the water is 65°F.
People Also Ask
You can swim in the Salt River, but be aware that the water is not as clean as your typical swimming pool because of all the folks and animals who use the river daily.
The river was used for irrigation by the pre-Columbian Hohokam culture, by later Native Americans, and by early Euro-American settlers in the 19th century. It currently provides a major source of irrigation and drinking water for Phoenix and surrounding communities through the Salt River Project.
Recreation Permits are required to utilize the Tribal lands and waters of those portions of the Salt River Canyon which are within the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. These permits are required 365 days a year. Permits may be obtained at the Salt River Trading Post near the Highway 60 Bridge.
Children must be at least eight (8) years old AND four (4) feet tall to go tubing. SRT policy requires children ages 8-12 to wear life jackets. These can be purchased at our Snack Bar for $15.
Lower Salt River: A surprisingly short drive from downtown Phoenix reaches the Salt River, where runoff from the distant mountains waters the desert. Here you can swim, float, and paddle among huge cacti, towering cliffs, and a herd of wild horses.
One of my favorite annual trips to lead is a moonlight paddle down the Lower Salt River east of Phoenix. The Salt River is a great little trip either early in the morning, or long after the tubers have gone home—it's serene, has some nice scenery, is convenient to the metro Phoenix area, and offers easy logistics.