As of Jan. 1, 2023, the catch-and-release section on Oak Creek has been
expanded to include Oak Creek from the Highway 89A bridge at Slide Rock State Park
upstream to the Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery property boundary including the West Fork
Oak Creek. This section will be catch and release only for trout, artificial fly and lure only,
barbless hooks only. Stream flow is at base flow with a recent reading of 33.6 cfs on 1/30/2025 @ 10:45 a.m. Cave Springs Campground was closed during the 2024 season for repairs. The Banjo Bill picnic area is closed for repairs. Targeting the upper creek from Grasshopper Point upstream is best in the afternoon as the early morning in the canyon can be extremely cold and ice may be present in some places. Anglers are still finding success on inline spinners and flies. Hellgrammite, Simi-seal leech, midges, elk hair caddis, hoppers, and mayfly patterns are a good bet. We received recent reports of anglers catching Gila trout as far down as Grasshopper Point and this is a great time to target the brown trout in Oak Creek.