About Us

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Catching Crawdads at the San Pedro River

We like to take our kids down to the Charleston Bridge on the San Pedro River to play in the water and run around.  It's one of their favorite places to go.  Usually we'll bring a picnic and eat it on the banks, then go wade in the water.  The kids have some small nets so they like to catch little minnows, crawdads, and tadpoles.  We'll look at them for a little while, then dump them back in the river.  It's a relaxing place to enjoy an evening. 
Sometimes we bring some chicken on a string to catch bigger crawdads.  We've never caught enough to have a crawfish boil, but it's still fun to go.  One time we had a turtle that was eating the chicken until we started to pull him in.  I know someone with a crawdad trap that has caught a lot more, enough to bring home and eat.  She's caught a few small catfish in the trap as well.  I might need to bring my fishing pole down sometime to see what I can catch!  There's not many places to go fishing here in Sierra Vista, so it's always great to hear of a new place to go.  (A lot of locals say to go to Parker Canyon Lake or Patagonia Lake, but they're both an hour away and I'd rather go somewhere close so I can spend a longer time fishing).

Nearest City: Sierra Vista or Tombstone, AZ
Location: N° W°
Time Needed: varies
Difficulty: One steep part from the parking area down to the riverbed
Kid Friendly: yes
Additional Info:  You need an Arizona fishing license to fish for crawdads

6 comments:

  1. Where did you fish exactly and is it open to the public?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brandon,
    Crawdads are all along the river but most accessible at the Charleston Bridge between Sierra Vista and Tombstone.

    Fish can be found in the river as well. Its public land so you can wander anywhere. Look for the deep holes and good luck! Your best chance in the river is before monsoon season starts in July.

    The Kingfisher Pond has some fish in it. Park at the San Pedro House (east of town on Fry Blvd) then follow the trail down. Its open to the public too.

    Another spot is the Officers Club pond on Ft Huachuca. You would need ID to get on post. Then follow the road straight, avoid the right lane, follow until you climb the small hill with the hotel at the top. The pond is down through the parking lot.

    Other then that, Parker Canyon and Patagonia are both 45 minutes away. Parker Canyon is free. Patagonia has an entrance fee.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you are interested in traping these Yummy mud bugs come join our facebook group Arizona crawdad hunters https://www.facebook.com/groups/364375951098100/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just joined the page. Any luck around here?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a few in the San Pedro, but there's not as many as other places. Good luck!

      Delete
  5. I just joined the page. Any luck around here???

    ReplyDelete