The Black River has sections that are subject to catch-and-release regulations. A tribal permit is required in order to visit, fish or recreate on this river.  It's important to know that the north side of the Black River is Fort Apache White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands and the south side is San Carlos Apache Tribal Lands. Be sure to purchase a permit for the side you will be driving in through and camping on. Both tribes are very strict on the permits. They are out there checking, so be sure and read the San Carlos and White Mountains Rules and Regulations. There are different bag limits on each side. The guide book has information including permit vendors as well.  Below is the San Carlos Recreation Information.

• Check for latest permit costs at the Recreation & Wildlife Department in San Carlos

• Permit required for fishing, hunting, or special-use

• Family permits include parents and children 18 and under

• Visitors to the Black and Salt Rivers or Bear Wallow Creek must have a special permit

• No permit is needed for driving through on US 60, US 70, Road 800 to San Carlos, or Road 500 to Coolidge Dam

• Black and Salt River permit may be used for fishing in those rivers or Bear Wallow Creek; special permit fees per day for ages 12 and up

• Boat permits are issued on a daily or per calendar year basis; a combined fishing and boat permit can be purchased for a full calendar year

• Water-skiing/personal watercraft permits are also available for annual access; free if under age 12 with a permit-holding adult

One-day permits are good for 24 hours, from midnight to midnight.

For More Info

San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department
PO Box 97
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2343

Fly fishing is one of the most successful ways to catch trout on the river along with small spinner and spoons. 

The information listed below is provided by Ted Standage, author of The Lower Black River: An Outdoor Guide

Crawfish are the most sought after food in the river and make up a majority of the fish’s diet. Over 50% of the intake of a smallmouth Bass is crawfish. This means that the fish are probably always keeping an eye out for this tasty treat. Although, this could also mean that they see other forms of food as commodities and may be more inclined to attack them. Other forms of food for these fish are small fish, worms, lizards, frogs, hellgrammites, and other aquatic bugs/invertebrates.

Smallmouth Bass are famous for being very aggressive fish- so basically anything you throw out there that imitates something the fish eat will probably do pretty well. Even something that's just shiny is often enough to incentive for the fish to strike. **The top water action at the Black River can be amazing at times. Never used top water lures before? Well you need to - it can be some of the most exciting fishing you'll ever experience

When are the best times to go?

The best times to go to the Black River are really dependent on the water level, water temperature, and water clarity. The best times are usually from early May, after most of the runoff has come through, until early July, before the rain really starts to kick in during Arizona’s Monsoon Season. Another good time to head up to the Black is when the Monsoon Season starts to slow down, usually around the end of August or beginning of September, until it starts cooling way down in late October or November.