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Tonto Creek is a 72.5-mile-long (116.7 km) stream located in the Mogollon Rim area of the state of Arizona on the north edge of the Tonto National Forest. The closest town, Payson, is 18 miles (29 km) away.

Tonto Creek Fish Species

The best place to fish this creek is hidden pools at higher elevations where the water is cooler and the trout are larger. The access to these areas requires hiking so someone physically fit is recommended to find the daring spots. Flies and salmon eggs are recommended fishing baits.

Area Status: Open

Horton Spring Trail offers excellent views.

Horton Creek Trail is a 8.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Payson, Arizona that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking and is best used from May until October.

Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery produces and stocks about 165,000 catchable rainbow trout and 400,000 brook and cutthroat trout each year, plus about 150,000 of Arizona's state fish-the Apache trout. Hatchery grounds include the hatchery operation itself, as well as surrounding wetlands and streams.

Christopher Creek is a census-designated place in northern Gila County in the U.S. state of Arizona. Situated at the base of the Mogollon Rim, the community lies at an elevation of 5,961 feet (1,817 m), and is located approximately 23.5 miles (37.82 km) northeast of Payson, just off SR 260.

Canyon Creek located in the Mogollon Rim area is one of the best Arizona trout streams. The upper portion of the Canyon Creek lies in the Tonto National Forest but most of the fifty mile stream flows through the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. Canyon Creek is popular among anglers fishing for rainbow trout.

If you prefer to fish Oak Creek Canyon, drive north out of Sedona on SR 89A heading towards Flagstaff. Start at Grass- hopper Point and continue north to Cave Springs. Fishing is along this entire route. There are many trailheads, picnic, day use areas, and public campgrounds along the way.

Tonto National Forest - Horton Creek Trail 285. District Ranger offices are open to the public for in person transactions. Tonto Passes can be purchased at a district office or from a local retailer.