rancho tonto catch-a-trout

I took my son there when he was small and he loved it. I am wanting to take my little nephew, I know he would love it as well.

We spent the day here with grandpa, grandma, aunt, uncles, and cousins.It was a perfect day to spend with the kids and everyone had some good old relaxation. We caught fish and barbecued them right up afterward. It was a great experience for the kids.This is a beautiful and clean place with charm around every corner. We had a perfect quiet day laying on the fresh clean grass (no dogs=clean grass), listening to the rushing water, eating fresh picked blackberries, barbecuing under a large ramada, and watching the wildlife. Tons of trees and shade, hills with beautiful grass, a brick bridge, woodpeckers, bluebirds, squirrels, a pond surrounded by berry bushes, a red barn, and very friendly owners. We paid $44 for four large trout, cleaned and ready to BBQ, poles, nets, buckets, and bait. With that and a day to relax at a clean beautiful place it was $44 well spent!

We happened to see the sign for this private fishing ranch and stopped in. The grounds were beautiful with a nice store/visitor center, a WELL stocked artificial pond, a large cabin that is rented out and my favorite-an old barn down in the draw.

Kids have to catch a fish if you want them to keep at it...and my four year old grandson is no different, but this place was overpriced and a little sad. Not much attempt was made at making it feel natural. The shallow cement pond looked like exactly that. Fish were overcrowded and seemed starved. No need for bait since they fight to bite your bare hook. .75 per inch for fish caught, 1.00 per pole, and .50 per fish for cleaning. There were many rules as well. You must use their old cane poles, not your own, they dont allow dogs...I mean really? Its outside, in the mountains! My grandson wanted to use his Mikey Mouse pole but nope. What does it matter if I'm paying per fish how the little ones catch em??Tell them to save the nasty bait ball and just use your bare hook..it works better. He caught 5 fish in 5 minutes, time to go = $52.00, one pole w cleaning. Save your money and go elsewhere...or just buy your trout in the store and stick on your kids line...easier and just about as fun and alot cheaper.

I took my kids and had a blast. We fished, the guy that cleaned the fish for us was really nice and interactive with my boys, he showed them how to clean a fish, showed them the heart and all the other guts. (To have them clean the fish for you cost $1) The landscape is worth the trip, we had a nice time hanging around, taking pictures, and they have gas BBQs to use.

1- As noted, you keep what you catch, and you'll catch a fish every time the line hits the water. Pace yourselves.2- The owners have been friendly and helpful every time over years of enjoying their property/business with our young sons. We in fact stopped in (03-30-14) after a tour of the hatchery, and while they really don't open until April, she welcomed us and set the boys right up to begin their fishing. Then, the two or three families we told about Rancho Tonto at the hatchery showed up, and were also welcomed and shown around. Not one of the kids/people yanking fish out of the pond looked like they were having a bad time. 3- The grounds are immaculate, and this operation is clearly a labor of love. Fish are cleaned, bagged, and iced too. Plan to grill 'em at a picnic ramada onsite if you have time also. Enjoy the weather, and views.4- Dogs not allowed.

We did not fish but it was a lot of fun watching the little kids fish and catch them. We had been out for a weekend drive and picnic and decided to check it out. The looks on the faces of the kids was well worth the stop.

Great for kids to catch trout and then go to the fish hatchery near-by. Nice scenery in the area. While there, stop at Kohl's Ranch about 1 mile east on 260..

Don’t go! Don’t go! That is the first thing I can tell you.I have taken my grandchildren there in the past and have paid the outrageous cost of $10 per fish, just to give them the experience…but no more!The last straw was when I took my 80 year old mother there, that she could just see the grounds, (which are well kept). We were just there less than one minute, when one of the owners (angry white male) bolted out from nowhere and asked us, if he could help us. I explained to him, that I had been there numerous times and just wanted to show my mom the grounds. At that same moment, my mother asked him what kind of “nuts” were below the pine trees, the owner said, it was elk sh_t (he could of said poop, but he used the word “sh_t”))and if she wanted some. We were shocked what just came out of his mouth. It was so disrespectful, rude and inappropriate, especially to talk like that to an elderly woman. We will never go back and we will share our experience with anybody headed that direction. Apparently, other people have bad experiences there as well. See other comments on various reviews.I wonder how this jerk, would feel, if someone talked like to his mother.Go the trout farm in Sedona….they are much friendly there.But If you still decide to go and to get ripped off, just don’t take any kids or grandparents there!

Our family recently spent an afternoon fishing at Rancho Tonto and had a marvelous time. We caught several fish and used their facility to picnic and grill our fish. The fish were delicious! We had a terrific time and will defintely be revisiting soon.

For every one who didn't like Rancho Tonto just what do you expect? Expensive fish? Yes, but you are not paying for a fish you are paying for the experienceIt is there for you to catch fish it is made easy for the kids My granddaughter caught her 3 fish in about 45 minutes (took my time setting her up after every fish she caught) There were kids having fun fishing what more can you ask for. If you want cheap fish go to the supper market. As far as the middle-aged blonde she was wonderful, a couple of toddlers were throwing pebbles in to the pond she came out and gave them fish food pellets to throw instead of the pebbles. Just remember there is no free lunch these are hatchery/farm breed fish they will cost more then the creek, for the size and the guarantee of Kid catching a fish or two or three it can't be beat.

Expensive fish...literally takes a few minutes to catch fish in a fake pond. Go fishing in the creek nearby for a real experience!

If you looking for a fun fishing experience it’s worth it, as you are guaranteed to catch a fish. You do not have to be a fishing pro nor need to have any prior experience. The ranch is on a large well-maintained property with a picnic area including a grill, available to all guests. Just remember, what you catch you must pay for. The cost goes by the size of the fish. The owners/staff are very friendly and assist you with any questions if needed. Cleaning of the fish is also available for a cost.

This is a really neat place, but it's very expensive. The fish are really easy to catch, but be careful because they charge by the inch. Two or three fish can set you back $30+.

This is not a catch and release place. They charge you by the fish. My boys caught a fish in 30 seconds. Which is Great...until you realize that its $8-10 per fish! Regardless, the boys caught a fish and their faces were priceless. $\