Can you fish at Chaparral Park? Yes. Chaparral Lake, in Chaparral Park at 5401 N. Hayden Road, is an Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Community Fishing Program water. The City of Scottsdale says it's stocked about every two weeks with channel catfish from April through May and mid-September through October, and with rainbow trout from December through February.
What's next on the calendar? As of Oct. 26, 2026, the AZStocker tracker lists catfish the week of Nov. 2, then trout the weeks of Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. Anglers 10 and older need an Arizona fishing license; children 9 and under don't.
Data note: Stocking months, limits, license and boating rules come from the City of Scottsdale Fishing & Boating page and AZGFD. Upcoming dates come from AZStocker, a tracker built on the AZGFD schedule, and can change. Always confirm with AZGFD before a trip.
The Stocking Calendar
What Gets Stocked, and When
- Channel catfish: about every two weeks, April-May and mid-September-October (City of Scottsdale)
- Rainbow trout: about every two weeks, December-February
- Summer: stocking stops in the heat; AZGFD makes no Community Fishing stockings June 25 through Sept. 15
- AZGFD stocks Community waters with catfish of 13-18 inches in spring and fall, trout of 10-13 inches in winter and bluegill of 5-7 inches once in spring
Upcoming Chaparral Lake Stockings (as of Oct. 26, 2026)
- Week of Nov. 2: catfish
- Week of Nov. 30: rainbow trout
- Week of Dec. 14: rainbow trout
- Fall 2026 catfish already went in the weeks of Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19
Reading the Schedule
- AZGFD lists the Monday of each stocking week
- The truck can arrive any day Monday through Saturday that week
- Weather, water conditions and hatchery supply can shift dates
Daily Limits at Chaparral Lake
Scottsdale posts these daily limits for its lakes:
- Rainbow trout: 4 per person
- Channel catfish: 4 per person
- Largemouth bass: 2 per person, 13-inch minimum
- Sunfish: 10 per person
- White amur (grass carp): 1 per person, 30-inch minimum
AZGFD also notes that the trout it stocks test well below the mercury standard, with no meal limits advised.
Licenses and Fees
Who Needs a License
- Age 9 and under: no license needed
- Age 10 and older: a General Fishing or Combination Hunt and Fish license (City of Scottsdale)
- Buy online through AZ Game and Fish or at sporting goods stores
What It Costs
Per the AZGFD fee schedule in the Arizona Administrative Code (R12-4-102):
- Resident General Fishing: $37
- Nonresident General Fishing: $55
- Community Fishing License: $24 (valid only at designated Community waters)
If Chaparral Lake and other city ponds are your only fishing spots, the Community license is the lower-cost option. If you also fish Saguaro Lake or the Verde River, the General license covers you.
Boating, Park Hours and the Rest of the Park
Paddling Rules
- Boating is allowed only at Chaparral Lake and McKellips Lake in Scottsdale
- Allowed: canoes, rowboats (including kayaks), electric-motor boats, sailboats
- Not allowed: inflatable rafts or gas-powered boats
- A Coast Guard-approved flotation device must be in the boat for each person
Around the Lake
- Park hours: sunrise to 10:30 p.m.
- Dog park: 3 acres of grass, closed for maintenance Tuesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon
- An inclusive playground and a connection to the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt path
- City Fishing & Boating line: 480-312-7275
For more on the park itself, see our complete guide to Chaparral Park and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt.
Tips for a Better Morning at the Lake
- Go early in stocking week. Fish are freshly stocked and the shoreline is quieter before work hours.
- Match the season. Catfish rigs on the bottom through early November, then lighter trout tackle after Thanksgiving.
- Bring a measuring tape if you're keeping bass or grass carp; both have minimum lengths.
- Share the path. The lakeside path is busy with walkers, runners and dog park visitors on weekends.
“Chaparral Lake is one of those everyday amenities that shows up in how people actually use this neighborhood. Fishing poles at sunrise, kayaks on a Saturday, a walk around the water after dinner. When I show homes near the park, I always suggest a lap around the lake first, because it tells you more about daily life here than any listing photo.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
FAQ: Fishing at Chaparral Lake
Can you fish at Chaparral Park in Scottsdale?
Yes. Chaparral Lake is an AZGFD Community Fishing water, stocked with catfish in spring and fall and trout in winter.
When is Chaparral Lake stocked next?
Catfish the week of Nov. 2, then trout the weeks of Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, per AZStocker as of Oct. 26, 2026.
Do you need a fishing license at Chaparral Lake?
Anglers 10 and older do. Children 9 and under fish free.
Can you kayak on Chaparral Lake?
Yes. Kayaks, canoes, electric-motor boats and sailboats are allowed; no inflatables or gas motors.
Curious About Homes Near Chaparral Lake?
I'll show you which streets put the lake, the greenbelt and the dog park within an easy walk, and what those homes are trading for right now.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Chaparral Park Resident & 85250 Real Estate Expert
Start My 85250 Home Search · Call or text 602-885-7752
Sources: City of Scottsdale: Fishing & Boating · City of Scottsdale: Chaparral Park · AZGFD: Community Fishing Program · AZGFD: Fish stocking schedule · AZStocker: Chaparral Lake stocking schedule · AZGFD: Licenses, tags and permits
Disclaimer: Stocking dates, limits, fees and rules can change; confirm current regulations with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the City of Scottsdale before fishing or boating. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
