Rory’s tips;

What gorgeous weather.

Hey, here’s a news flash. I just found out that we are going to have pound to pound-and-a-half trout for the Kids Fishing tank at the International Sportsmen’s Exposition. They are much larger than we normally have for such events, which creates some challenges, but offer the kids a great opportunity to catch some quality ‘bows. It ought to be exciting to watch as well. Come on down. . .

It looks like some snow melt has started in the Verde Watershed and it looks like the Salt is finally getting some increased runoff as well. The Verde River flows went up, and then back down, then back up again big time. It’s Yo-Yo time for weather and runoff in Arizona. What a year.

The irony is that just a week ago there was too much snow for us to stock Goldwater Lake just above Prescott. Now it is spring-like weather again. Each day, the daylight is around two minutes longer and the sun is edging toward the spring equinox.

We did stock the Lower Salt River this week because the flows dropped back to 1,100 cfs, even though flows last week were 2,500 cfs. Fish it now – once the big pulses of snow melt surge down the Salt, Salt River Project will likely up the flows significantly and we might not be able to stock as readily.

If you have a hankering for a early season mountain expedition, try Fool Hollow and Show Low Lake in Show Low, or Silver Creek. Both lakes only have okay trout fishing, but they are open, ice free and fishable – that’s saying something for February. Silver Creek is fishable all winter, but this weather makes it an exceptional outing right now for native Apache trout and rainbows.

I fully expect to hear about bass on beds or at least staging for the spawn at places like Alamo, Martinez, Saguaro or Havasu any time now. As the weather heats up, so should the fishing.

It sounds like some of the lakes in southern Arizona are starting to wake up and could be providing good fishing by the time you read this. Parker Canyon is a good place for trout, but try Arivaca and Patagonia for warmwater fish – especially bass.

Lake Pleasant has been an enigma, except for those walking into fish the area where the Agua Fria River enters the lake. I have reports of spawning white bass, but they seem to be tough for shore anglers to catch, but a couple of guys who packed in their float tubes hit the bonanza (they asked me to keep it quiet, I told them no way, that is like asking the wind not to not ruffle the leaves; sorry guys).

However, I wouldn’t be surprised to find some largemouth bass in the shallow northern coves either staging for the spawn, or getting active in late morning after the water warms up in sheltered spots. So don’t just fish deep, check the shallows as well, especially behind submerged bushes. If you find some bedding bass, let me know at raikens@azgfd.gov).

This is a great time to work Roosevelt for bass and crappie. Rosey is tip-top full but there are vast acres of submerged vegetation and trees for the fish to hide. The spring snow melt in the White Mountains has not started in earnest yet, so there are only moderate flows down the Salt so far, although the Tonto sure picked up flows this week. Be sure to experience this lake when it is full – you never know what roll of the dice Mother Nature might have in the future – dry times are the norm, not the exception.

With the outflows creating a current near the raised Roosevelt Dam, it would seem an irristible place for active smallmouth bass along the rocky areas.

Recent inflows and outflows seemed to have slowed down the bite at Alamo, but with this warmer weather, it should turn back on any time -- it's worth a visit.  Don't forget the Alamo Lake clean up there on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. (Cholla Ramp). The watershed for Alamo Lake got some precipitation from the storm late last week, causing increased flows for Burro Creek and the Santa Maria River. The added nutrients will likely help this fishery’s productivity this year even though they slowed down the bite temporarily (I hope). We are expecting great things from Alamo this year.

Be sure to read the story in the news section below. What a superb father-and-son adventure, but all of us can have fishing and other outdoor adventures on just about any weekend.

In fact, come on down to the ISE show this week at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale to catch a fish, shoot a bow, shoot an air rifle, see live wildlife and maybe even shoot the breeze with us. I’ll be doing talks on Friday and Saturday about our terrific fishing outlook for this year.

Last week, I was privileged for fish Lees Ferry once again. Sitting in the boat with the towering red sandstone cliffs of Marble Canyon Gorge reflected in the water where crimson-sided wild rainbows waited in ambush, I couldn’t help reflecting that the Ferry is truly a remarkable cathedral for trout fishing in the West. It is a sublime experience. Catching fish is a bonus.

We had a good meeting with a lot of the fishing guides up there. The fishing outlook is one of the best in years, even if the nation’s economic outlook is bleak. It is a ways to travel, but the Ferry is worth it (especially at these gas prices).

One of the items discussed is that currently the Ferry fishes a little differently than it has in years past, which can translate into some dedicated Ferry anglers not catching trout as easily as in past years, especially the much sought after larger trout. There was a consensus that better information for the anglers is one of the keys, so some of the guides will be providing more detailed how-to tips on their Web sites and for this weekly fishing report. So stay tuned.

So go catch some memories. Maybe I’ll see you out there (or at ISE).

Fishing News
Angler roundtable meetings set for Tucson and Sierra Vista
The Tucson and Sierra Vista Angler roundtable meetings are set for:
* Tucson – 7-9 p.m., March 18, AZGFD Regional Office, 555 N. Greasewood Rd.
* Sierra Vista, 7-9 p.m. March 19, Fry Fire District, Station #2, 4817 S. Apache Ave.

Topics include:
* Results of last years fish surveys
* Upcoming improvements to boat ramps at Patagonia and Arivaca (yes help is finally on the way!)
* Pena Blanca Lake sediment removal project update with lots to report!
* Pena Blanca Lake fish habitat project update; It’s time to get started and we need volunteers!
* And anything else you anglers want to talk about

International Sportsmen’s Expo set for this weekend.
The INTERNATIONAL SPORTSMEN’S EXPO is Feb. 27 - March 1 (Friday to Sunday).  Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale (Glendale Avenue and Hwy 101).

The 9th annual International Sportsmen’s Exposition is Arizona’s largest fishing, hunting and outdoor travel event. General admission is $15 for adults, $7 for teens and free for children 12 years and under. Parking is free with paid admission.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will once again fill the Youth Outdoors area with fun and interesting things to do. There will be a kid’s fishing tank, archery classes, live wildlife, air-gun trailer, and plenty of department experts to talk about everything from condors to quagga mussels.

Don’t miss your once-a-year chance to celebrate the outdoors with family and friends, capture show-priced bargains, and meet with guides, outfitters and experts from nearby and around the world.

See the newest hunting, fishing and outdoor equipment, find out about places to hunt and fish, hear from many outdoor experts during seminars throughout each day, and watch the experts test their skills in competitions.

For more information, go to www.sportsexpos.com

A Fishing Trip for the Ages
Father and son fishing 50 trophy waters in 50 days
By Matthew Coffin
(freelance writer)

Adventure has become a word seldom heard outside of movie trailers and Disney
commercials. It has lost the regality it once evoked in books such as Robinson Crusoe and the works of Jules Verne. Lack of time seems to be a significant reason why people take fewer and fewer real adventures in life; it is always at a premium.

This realization is precisely the case for Jeff Turner and his son Taylor and the adventure they are planning to undertake. This father and son duo is planning an audacious fishing trip that will take them to 50 trophy waters in 50 states in 50 consecutive days, including Lees Ferry in northern Arizona during July.

Jeff, the chief technology officer of SAIC's Geospatial Technologies Division, realizes
that with college quickly approaching for Taylor, this may be one of the few opportunities they have to create a lifelong memory. Together in a recreational vehicle, they will traverse 15,000 miles by land, travel 500 water miles by boat and a final 6,000 miles by air to Alaska and Hawaii. This fishing odyssey starts on June 13 on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania and finishes in Hawaii on the Kona Coast in the Pacific Ocean.

Jeff hopes their trip will inspire fathers and sons everywhere to reconnect and look for their long lost adventure, before time catches up with them.

If you would like to read more about their adventure or follow their daily updated expedition, please visit their website at
www.fish5050.com.

 

CENTRAL WATERS

URBAN LAKES --   Trout were stocked last week. Trout fishing continues to be the best at Urban Program waters with conditions good to excellent.  Most trout are falling for Power Bait fished 15 to 25 inches off the bottom.

Other baits that are producing good catches are worms, corn and salmon eggs.  Anglers using 4-pound and lighter line and paying special attention to the finer details of leader length, covering up small hooks with bait, and using small sinkers have experienced the best catch rates for trout.  Lures such a Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and KastMasters also work well when fished 5-10 feet deep.

Trout seem to bite on their own schedule, so anglers that remain patient for a couple hours will be rewarded.  Not much happening for catfish, bass or bluegill, with warming temperatures, action for these species will be picking up quickly over the next couple weeks.  Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, corn and worms working best.  Local anglers are enjoying some terrific fishing for 14-16 inchers.  Also, try small, flashy lures to attract the trout.

Angler reports:

Hello,
 
My name is Daniel. My 3-year-old daughter (Tori) hooked this fat monster fish. It was super fat and healthy. It weighed over 20 pounds. I had to assist land this thing but she did fight it for a bit. We caught it at Kiwanis Lake. I've caught these in the past but really don't know what kind of fish it is. Can you please let me know what kind of fish this is?  We ended up hooking 4 of these big fish but only landed the one. We were using #10 hooks and #10 line so I'm surprised we even landed one without snapping the line. I had one that was even bigger than this but it broke my line as I tried to get it over the concrete banking. We also caught 11 rainbows, 10 bluegills and 2 bass. We tossed them all back except 2 nice rainbows.  I also caught a 2-pound rainbow out of the same lake a week before. Corn, worms, salmon eggs and meal worms are the ticket. 8am-10am then 11:30am till 12:30 and then again 3:30 till dark are the times to fish at this lake. The times between are slow so thank goodness for the slides for the kids.
 
Thanks,
 
Daniel and Tori

Daniel,

Thanks for the e-mail and congrats on the fish. Your daughter did an excellent job landing that fish on 10lb line! The fish is most likely a carp, as indicated by the barbels on the corners of the mouth. Goldfish will not have those. Also, because of the scale pattern, it is likely an Israeli carp. They are still the same species as common carp, Cyprinus carpio, but these were specially bred to have fewer scales. The color, however, is indicative more of a Koi or a goldfish than an Israeli carp, and there is a  possibility that what you have is a cross breed between an Israeli carp and a goldfish, as they can hybridize in nature. Regardless of what it was, I’m sure it put up a heck of a fight.

Dave Weedman
Arizona Game and Fish Department

Where:gilbert water ranch
When:02/24/09
Caught:Nothing
Technique:Went just before sunset. Used lures and power bait. Fish were not biting.
Comments:How do you report fishing rule violations? Today at Water Ranch the trout were running very close to shore. They were so close that after sunset several people gave up angling and started to net the fish out. One individual caught a trout by hand and was still trying when I left.

Editor’s note: Call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700 to report any wildlife violations. Help us protect your wildlife resources.

Where:surprise
When:02/22/09
Caught:1 rainbow trout
Technique:blue and silver kastmaster.
Comments:trout are extremely hard to land lost 2 at shoreline and when my friend arrived on his first cast he brought one to the shoreline and that one also escaped.
Name:Brandon Ryer

 

Where:Chaparral Lake
When:02/16/09
Caught:Nothing!
Technique:Power bait, worms, night crawlers, bacon
Comments:Had a good time with my best fishing buddy: Walt Babinski

Where:Chaparral Lake - Scottsdale
When:02/10/09
Caught:Two Rainbow Trout / One Bass
Technique:Shore Fishing for trout - w/ Power Bait (white) <--this stuff is hot right now. Caught one around 8:15ish...then another at 10:52 A.M. Caught a little bass a little after on a spinnerbait, orange/yellow/green in color.
Comments:Fish typically bite between 7-8:30...then again at 11:00.
Name:Alex McBride

 

Where:Surprise
When:02/14/09
Caught:2 rainbow trout one was12 inches and the other was 15
Technique:small blue and silver KastMaster and a worm blown up with a needle and a syringe
Comments:
I caught the 15 incher on the KastMaster and my dad caught the other
Name:Brandon Ryer

 

Where: Surprise Urban Lake
When:02/16/09
Caught:Rainbow Trout
Technique:Snell length leader attached to swivel. Red Salmon Eggs
Comments:Caught on east side of pond near water pump
Name:Gilbert

 

Where:Red Mountain
When:02/15/09
Caught:13 in rainbow trout
Technique:dough ball
Comments:Really pleased with urban program. I am just learning to fish and having access to stocked ponds close by makes it easy. I am over 40 years old and this is the first trout I've ever caught.
Name:David

 

TEMPE TOWN LAKE – With the decent flows down the normally dry Salt River bed into Tempe Town Lake, it’s tough to predict the fishing action right now. This lake has not been stocked recently due to the flows. However, with the warmer days, bass fishing could be picking up.

This fishery has trout, yellow bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, sunfish and just about any or all the fish found at the lakes upstream.

You can try the usual methods for the rainbows (baits like Power Bait, night crawlers, mealworms or try spinners and spoons such as Panther Martins, KastMasters…)  Remember no gas motors are allowed (electric trolling motors are) and you must have a boating permit, which can be obtained at the Town Lake operations center.

Where:Tempe town lake
When:02/22/09
Caught:Large Crappie
Technique:I was using a rainbow Panther Mantin fishing around the pillars under the Rural Bridge.
Comments:That was the only fish I caught. I was out there for 2 hours. That big fish made it all worth it. I threw it back so another can catch it.
Name:Curt

Where:tempe town lake
When:02/24/09
Caught:1 largemouth
Technique:Sinking/countdown Rapala...rainbow trout pattern cd-7...yearling largemouth about 11am yo-yo lure off the bottom bout 10ft from wall then bite was slow, talk w/ a guy with a big carp on corn also east of Scottsdale Rd east of ASU stadium...not bad but no trout .
Name:eric ''yeti'' b

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:02/24/09
Caught:Nothing
Technique:Berkley worms, Berkley gulp minnows, various jigs and crankbaits.
Comments:Nothing was biting on my line. Was fishin from about 4PM to 7PM. Didnt see anyone around me reeling anything in either.
Name:Hopper

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:02/10/09
Caught:Caught a limit of Rainbows
Technique:No.8 egg style hook on a short leader w/sliding sinker. Lemon or Lime Twist/Power Bait.
Comments:Cooler weather = There biting fast, so keep an eye on your line boys and girls. Also, try a 4" Texas rigged worm for a little Bass action.
Name:Blue

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:02/15/09
Caught:Carp
Technique:Worms off the bottom
Comments:Caught one carp in two and a half hours length was 27 inches put up a good fight well worth the wait.
Name:DK

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:01/30/09
Caught:2 Carp, wanted trout though.
Technique:Corn w/ slip sinker.
Comments:One carp was 24 inches long; the other was a little smaller. They were caught on the south side of the lake east of Scottsdale Road. The fun part; I caught them on a 4 pound test ultra lite rig.
Name:Paul

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:01/19/09
Caught:one trout
Technique:Everything in my bag of tricks!!!
Comments:Lots of algae!!! Water very dark.

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:01/28/09
Caught:Nothing but a nice nap!!!
Technique:Power bait, many different lures, and red worms
Comments:But still had fun fishing with my best buddy: Walt Babnski
Name:Paul

LAKE PLEASANT – Fishing in the main body of the lake has been a little slow. The modest flows down the Agua Fria River have prompted the white bass to spawn (possibly the stripers as well by the time you read this), but angler access is by foot only – the gate into the eastern side of Pleasant off Table Mesa Road is closed. You can park and walk in. Two anglers who carried in their float tubes reported doing very well on whites, stripers and even some crappies using spinning and fly-fishing gear.

With the warmer weather, you might find bass in the shallows in sheltered spots in the northern coves after the water warms up, possibly late morning or early afternoon. If water temperatures warm enough, you might even find some bass staging for the spawn.
Drop shots are the way to fish for largemouth right now although shad impersonators will catch some attention in the northern coves. 

By the way,  the Lake Pleasant Regional Park will be hosting the annual Honeywell Company Employee Campout from Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22. This event closes the north entry and four-lane boat ramp of Lake Pleasant at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 and reopens to the public at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. Park visitors are encouraged to use the 10-lane boat ramp on South Park Road accessed through the main entrance of Lake Pleasant Regional Park.

For more information, contact Lake Pleasant Regional Park directly at (602) 372-7460 or Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department at (602) 506-2930.

Where:Lake Pleasant, Humbug Creek Area
When:02/17/09
Caught:striped bass
Technique:Fly fishing with green & white streamers between 25 and 30 ft
Name:Brian

Where:Lake Pleasant
When:02/13/09
Caught:3 largemouth
Technique:worms, light-tackle, no weight
Comments:I went to ASU for a debate tournament (I run the NAU debate team). On our way, I stopped with my son and daughter at Lake Pleasant for about 2 1/2 hours. We threw unweighted worms at visible trees on the west end of the lake (in the backs of the coves) from shore and did well. I reeled in a 3-pound largemouth on the first cast and my 3 ½-year-old son, Darrigan, reeled in his first largemouth - a 2-pound fish! Daddy was proud! A fast bass boat left a mean wake, however, and our stringer got carried out when we weren't looking. Is a 200 hp engine really necessary? I got my boots off and swam out about 10 feet to retrieve the fish and got back my son's fish (only). The water might not be Flagstaff cold but it was less than "pleasant" in Pleasant right now !) On the way out, we stopped one last time on our lucky log and I landed a 1-pound fish. The "debate trip" also included picking up a 3.5 hp outboard from the phx craigslist (much more extensive than the flagstaff one) from a man who was fishing the Lower Salt River and bringing my kids to fisherman's Disneyland (bass pro shops). I lost my son 3x in the store due to his roaming eyes and all the fun!
Name:danny iberri-shea

 

ROOSEVELT LAKE - Lake Elevation is 2,150 ft – 100-percent full. Tonto Creek runoff is at 611 cfs while inflow from the Salt River has now increased (as of Feb. 25) to 1,510 cfs. 

We haven’t heard much from the crappie flotillas this past week, but there is a good possibility that the unseasonably warm weather has turned on the bite, but increased inflows could be a factor as well.

With all the hiding cover for bass right now, even in some deeper water, you can either hit the jack pot or draw a blank. One angler reported seeing some shad being chased at the surface, but couldn’t catch anything so didn’t know what was doing the chasing.

With water being released, the current near the dam could make it a fishing hot spot at times for smallmouth bass in the rocky areas.

Anglers have catching some largemouth using spinnerbaits and drop shots. Crappies were taking jigs and grubs. Try fishing the rocky areas near the dam for smallmouth bass. With the water releases and associated current, this could be a hot area for catching bronzebacks. Try crayfish imitating plastics or crankbaits.

All boaters take heed anglers have witnessed the big dirt wall in Why cove sloughing off into the water.  That wall is unstable and could swamp your boat or worse if you have the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

 

Where:Roosevelt
When:01/28/09
Caught:1 bass, multiple trees
Technique:Everything. Crankbait finally did it
Comments:There from sunup to sundown. Rough day for catching fish.
Name:gb

Where:Roosevelt
When:01/26/09
Caught:6 largemouth 1 smallmouth
Technique:I’ve fished Pleasant, Bartlett, and Roosevelt.  Roosevelt is the place to use ROBOWORMS on a "Carolina Rig"; you can’t go wrong.  I just sat with a beer and flipped it every few minutes don’t reel it in just let it sit and remember fish are slow this time of year....good luck
Comments:Went to Pleasant the other day and no results but Bartlett is not bad. The best lake to fish is Roosevelt, just go and let the bass prove it.
Name:Ryan

Where:Roosevelt Lake
When:01/24/09
Caught:2 Crappie 3 Largemouth
Technique:Both crappie and one bass were caught slow trolling minnows. The other two bass were caught on white and chartreuse spinnerbaits.
Comments:The bass caught on a minnow was under the slot and the two caught on spinner baits were in the slot. Saw a good bass caught on another boat with a red Senko on a drop shot.
Name:Joe Freye

Where:Roosevelt
When:01/30/09
Caught:10 crappies 1.5 to 2.75 lbs.
Technique:Trolling 1/8 oz. jigs in 30 to 40 feet of water.
Comments:
Weather was windy, had to troll with the wind. fished from 11:00am to 6:00pm
Name: David L. Taylor

A couple anglers fished the Tonto end and caught 3 largemouth bass on spinnerbaits and plastic worms.

 

APACHE - Lake elevation is 1,911 ft (98-percent full).

With the inflows from Roosevelt, it might be worth a try to fish Burnt Corral area where predatory fish might be actively feeding in the current.

An angler caught a real nice bass using a chatterbait.  No indication where he was fishing but the bass like to hang out near overhanging vegetation and they will be looking for critters being washed into the lake by the runoff.

With the inflows from Roosevelt and the outflows into Canyon, the fishing dynamics at this lake have probably changed significantly. Even though the current might not always be noticeable, most back will face toward the current to feed (especially at ambush spots), so you will want to adjust your presentations accordingly.

 

CANYON LAKE – Lake elevation is 1,658 ft, which is 97-percent full. With the lake experiencing routine inflows and outflows, fishing could pick up as predatory fish feed more actively due to the current, especially in the narrow or riverine portion of the lake. Try working the rocky points or rocky protrusions, keep in mind that most predatory fish will face into the current to actively feed or ambush prey.
This might a good place to catch a lunker bass using a swim bait – but don’t expect high catch rates, or for that matter, any catch rates. If you can catch one or two behemoths a day, count yourself lucky.
However, this might be a good place to catch rainbow trout, yellow bass, or possibly channel catfish.

Where:Canyon
When:02/19/09
Caught:Bass 4 overs 2 unders 1 slot, cat, bluegill and striper
Technique:Carolina rigged live night crawlers with tail blown up
Name:Steve Wiz

Where:Canyon Lake
When:02/15/09
Caught:largemouth bass 3 lbs
Technique:crankbait - Rapala - behind last boat dock - up cove
Comments:thought it was a catfish
Name:nate & ryan albery

Persistence paid off for one angler who reeled in a couple three pound largemouth bass.  The fish finder proved to be instrumental in finding where the fish were hanging; the angler couldn’t get any action with swim baits, but bouncing a 1-ounce American lipless Shad off the bottom was what got their attention.  Pretty darn well for 3 hours of fishing on Canyon when you consider the time necessary to find the fish in the first place, determine what bait or lures piqued their interest and fighting the wind. 
Another couple anglers did throw large swim baits and realized the fish weren’t real interested in them, although one angler did manage to get one bite.  When the swim bait action didn’t pan out, they tried flipping in the reeds around the lake and hooked into 4 largemouths deep in the reeds, but the largemouth won the battles and would not allow the anglers to boat them.  These anglers were also nice enough to provide another tid-bit of information by talking to a water quality biologist who mentioned the DO was a little low.  Colder water holds more oxygen, so perhaps try fishing a bit deeper – use the fish finders.

Where:Canyon
When:02/02/09
Caught:15 trout kept 4
Technique:trolling
Comments:Tolled the whole length of the lake. It took a while. Trout hanging out in the shadows near points approx 5-10 feet deep.

Where:Canyon Lake
When:01/28/09
Caught:2 Catfish 5lbs. each (channels)
Technique:Generic processed cheese.
Comments:We forgot our net, so we had to bring them up on the boat with our hands (thankfully we had gloves)
Name:Adam Combs

Where:Canyon
When:01/08/09
Caught:One teeny weeny bass
Technique:Robo worm (green) tough day on the lake, no-one we talked to had any luck at all. The lake remains beautiful with lots of debris on the surface.
Comments:Thing are going to improve soon.
Name:Charles Greco

SAGUARO LAKE – Lake elevation 1527 feet at 97-percent full. Outflows are currently 1,100 cfs, and due to outflows at the top of the chain, Saguaro should have routine inflows as well. This should create a dynamic current situation. Expect predatory fish to face into the current to feed or ambush prey, so fish accordingly. 
Some anglers this past week reported difficulty catching fish, while others did extremely well. If there is a current, make it work for you.

Angler reports:

I fished Saguaro Sunday the 15th. Caught 22 trout. The trick to trout fishing in AZ I have found in lakes is not to troll a long ways down the lake or up the lake, but instead go across or diagonally. I watched two boats go right by me caught nothing they went long ways. Then I continued to go across and bam, kept catching fish. Just used inline Mepps spinners; no big secret there. Two were 19 inchers the rest were all the same, 13 inches. Head up the river till you see the current moving, then find the shad on your graph and you’ve found the spots. They are eating shad like crazy; almost everyone I got I had to remove shad from there mouth.

Great day on the water. By the way I released all but two so someone else can enjoy. Al

Where:Saguaro Lake
When:02/21/09
Caught:1 Rainbow Trout
Technique:My friend and I fished all types of lures for the first few hours with now luck. my buddy brought out the fly rod and got himself a rainbow in no time. Besides that nothing else was caught.
Comments:Fished from 10AM to 2PM and only caught the 1 fish from the dock. Fished from many different sides of the lake with no luck. maybe ill rent boat next time.
Name:Hopper

Where:Saguaro Lake
When:02/13/09
Caught:1 Rainbow Trout
Technique:Size 8 hook, worms.
Comments:This time Neal didn't knock the fish back in with the net. :)
Name:Catherine

A couple anglers fished up river below the hazard buoys with a white diving crankbait and pulled in a largemouth shy of 2 pounds.  The wind was howling due to the front coming in so they didn’t stay in the area too long but graphed quite a few fish.  Jerk bait was also catching their attention. 
Anglers seem to be happy with the fish coming back at Saguaro.  There are some real nice decent sized largemouth, but don’t forget the new slot limit where you can keep one largemouth in the 13 to 16 inch slot, and big bluegill are readily taking worms and the yellow bass bite is good as well.   Catfish are a bit lethargic but not impossible to catch.
One angler reported water temperature of 56 degrees with 3-4 foot visibility.  He caught 5 largemouth bass in four hours using skirted jigs, and c-rigged plastic worms.  Fish were 12 to 14 feet in depth along cliffs in the main lake. 

Where:Saguaro
When:02/24/09
Caught:Nothing
Technique:Everything, tried live and artificial
Comments:What and where is everyone fishing on the lake? I have barely even gotten a bite!
Name:Ryan

Where:Saguaro
When:02/16/09
Caught:Three BAss
Technique:Fat Rap green deep-diver produced one 2 1/4 lb largemouth bass. 2 other little guys on the good ole drop shot with a purple 4-inch Robo Worm
Comments:The lake is past full and murky water from runoff is in the western portion of the lake making things difficult for anglers.
Name:CJ Greco

 

Where:Saguaro Lake
When:02/05/09
Caught:1 Rainbow Trout
Technique:Worms, Size 8 hooks.
Comments:I would have kept the trout, but my friend Neal knocked it back in the water with the net instead of netting it. Thanks, Neal.
Name:Catherine

Name:CJ Greco

BARTLETT LAKE – Lake elevation is 1,780 feet, which is 72-percent full and rising. The Verde River was flowing at 4,280 cfs on Feb. 25 (lots of snow melt), which should rapidly fill Horseshoe just upstream. Horseshoe is still releasing 400 cfs into Bartlett and Bartlett is releasing 100 cfs downstream.   This sets up that excellent sibling-lake relationship that will pay off big time for anglers again this season. Horseshoe will be slowly drained to keep Bartlett full this fishing season, which means it will also act as a huge nursery for sport-fish and forage fish.
Salt River Project expects this lake to fill this season and based on the flows right now, it might not take all that long.

We haven’t received any angler reports recently, but the unseasonably warm weather and the current from inflows-outflows has likely turned on this productive reservoir, or will shortly. Recent runoff means increased turbidity, making this an excellent place to slow-roll spinnerbaits with trailers, slowly bounce the bottom along major points, islands or rocky strata while using crayfish-like crankbaits slowly bumping the bottom. Spider jigs, possibly jig-n-pigs, might work as well.

Crappie fishing might be a little more hit-and-miss right now, but try along the Yellow Cliffs using small jigs or live minnows. With the slight current, crappie might also hold on the downstream side of major structures, such as islands and reefs and actively feed on the edge of the current.

This is likely the leading edge of the flathead catfish season, but with the inflows, you’ll likely find huge flats holding in deeper holes and feeding on any delectable morsels the current brings them. Channel catfish might be active at times as well, especially places like Bartlett flats. Try stink bait fished on the bottom.

An angler caught 9 largemouth bass and all but one was good sized.  No specifics given but try fishing near the jojoba boat ramp under the no wake line.  The bass like to hang by the submerged yellow pipe.  Also, look for the warmer water and start by trying chartreuse plastic worms.

Where:Bartlett Lake
When:01/31/09
Caught:nothing
Technique:spinners and plastics
Comments:Didn't see any fish but did see what appeared as a fairly large otter; it got within just a few feet of my line. Another shore angler said his dog chased it a bit earlier.
Name:Tony

Where:BARTLETT
When:01/24/09
Caught:2 LARGEMOUTHS
Technique:WORM 2-3 FT UNDER A SLIP BOBBER OFF A ROCKY POINT IN RATTLESNAKE COVE. ALSO USED A SPINNERBAIT
Comments:
LATE AFTERNOON BITE WAS DECENT. WATCH FOR SHAD BOILS AND THE BASS ARE CHASING RIGHT BEHIND THEM IN THE LATE AFTERNOON.
Name:LEWIS HUNT

 

Where:Bartlett
When:01/21/09
Caught:1 blue gill,2 small bass,1 catfish and 1 crappie
Technique:1/64th ounce jig that I tie myself w/ a minnow trolling
Comments:very tough fishing at Bartlett
Name:Brian Davis

Where:bartlett
When:01/19/09
Caught:nothing but rock, stick & moss
Technique:everything but dynamite& shock therapy
Comments:nice day, but everyone on the lake said & had the same resaults

Where:bartlett
When:01/21/09
Caught:1 bluegill,2 small bass,1 catfish and 1 crappie
Technique:1/64th ounce jig that i tie myself w/ a minnow trolling
Comments:very tough fishing at Bartlett
Name:Brian Davis

HORSESHOE LAKE -- Lake elevation is at 1,998 feet, 44-percent full.  The Verde River at Tangle Creek was flowing at 4,280 cfs on Feb. 25. They are releasing water at 400 cfs. This lake is expected to fill this season, but will eventually be used to keep Bartlett full. Once again this year, it could act like a sport-fish and bait-fish nursery for Bartlett, just like last year and back in 2005. This might be the year to get that annual Tonto permit and avoid the hassles with daily ones.

VERDE RIVER – Verde River flow at Tangle is 4,280 cubic feet per second.  Releases from Horseshoe are 400 cfs and releases from Bartlett Lake are 100 cfs.

LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake)  -- Flows are up around 1,100 from Stewart Mountain Dam (Saguaro). We stocked both the Water Users and Blue Point Bridge on Tuesday, so fishing should be pretty good. Salt River Project will likely increase the flows soon to match the Roosevelt inflows – the system is pretty full right now. We might not be able to get in another stocking before the increasing flows make it less advisable to stock. In other words, fish now while you can. With any luck and the creeks don’t rise too much, the increasing flows won’t inhibit our trout stockings, but don’t count on it.

Salt River Project expects to keep the flows going at around this rate for the duration of the runoff season, providing super conditions for fishing, kayaking and canoeing (these flows might not be the best for inexperienced river runners).

According to AZ Fly Fishing, fly fishermen are having good luck using egg patterns, San Juan worms, green weenies and nymph patterns. There are also some mayfly hatches in midday, so try mayflies in the afternoons. 
For spin anglers, try night crawlers or meal worms with little or no weight cast slightly upstream into the riffles, then let the worm float naturally downstream, mending your line as it moves. Also, small spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tails and Vibrex) cast slightly downstream can work well. Some anglers are adept at catching trout in the river using Power Bait, but most find it difficult to use. Plus, Power Bait might not get you action from bass and other sport fish.

Because of the overly-abundant food supply (lots of insect larvae etc.), the trout will grow super fast here. The hold-over trout not readily caught will look like small footballs in a month or so, so keep this fishery close to Phoenix on you’re a-list.

Where:Lower Salt- Water Users
When:02/14/09
Caught:2 Rainbows
Technique:Drifted night crawlers with a bobber and 3-4ft of depth
Comments:Had to use my waders and get out into the river a bit, but managed to get two rainbows, one was 13in and the other 11in.
Name:Nathan

 

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:02/15/09
Caught:One Trout
Technique:Extra Scented Power Bait/Caught around 10:00am

 

Where:Lower Salt River
When:02/02/09
Caught:Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout
Technique:Fly fishing from personal pontoon & wading. Drifting nymphs & wooly-buggers.
Comments:Fished 2/2-2/4 from Water Users down to Granite Reef. Beautiful trip, but the fishing was VERY slow. Saw lots of "fishy" looking spots, but saw no fish! I tried just about everything over the course of 3 solid days and only caught one tiny rainbow and two tinier bass. Ran into several other fishermen that seemed equally frustrated. If you've had recent success here, please share it!
Name:Chris

Where:Lower salt river
When:02/05/09
Caught:caught and released 8 rainbows
Technique:black yellow Roostertail- Best luck drifting from rapids to slower water
Comments:all decent size(12inches)
Name:Larry

Where:Lower Salt River - Water Users
When:02/01/09
Caught:3 Trout
Technique:Fished a Panther Martin where the current meets calmer water.
Comments:Got nothing to bite on any flies but saw another fly fisherman catch at least 3 on stoneflies.
Name:Joe Freye

Where:Lower Salt River - water users area
When:01/23/09
Caught:1 rainbow trout
Technique:Fly fishing with an olive wooly booger.
Comments:Had a second fish hooked on the wooly booger but failed to land it. I tried a caddis fly but had no bites. Before dusk I moved to Blue Point and had no luck.
Name:Joe Freye

Where:Lower Salt
When:01/23/09
Caught:4 rainbows
Technique:I used a small wet fly, a "spider" with gold body that resembled a nymph when wet. 4wt TFO fly rod. Largest trout 11.5"
Name:Steve Rubicam

Where:Salt River - main bridge area just below Lake Saguaro
When:01/24/09
Caught:1 (very) small largemouth bass
Technique:x5 fly line setup w/ size 2 ghost silver/red minnow pattern w/ medium tempo stip.
Comments:Fished 6:45-2:30 with only one other hit. Used every imaginable technique, pattern, etc... Saw many fish jumping up approx 1mi from the main area. Not a big fish catching day, but none less beautiful day to be on out in the amazing Arizona outdoors!
Name:Brandon

CREEKS – Runoff is underway, making fishing a little challenging right now because there might be increased turbidity. If you decide to go anyway, let us know how you do.

COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST
LAKE POWELL -- By Wayne Gustaveson, Utah Division of Wildlife: The yearly summary is very bright. Shad made a tremendous comeback in 2008. They fed the rising generation of game fish left over after the old generation passed out of the picture in shad-poor 2007. Young stripers grew rapidly, doubling in weight from 1.5 to 3 pounds from spring to fall. Some trophy stripers remain and continue to pack on pounds but the bulk of the population weighs in at 3-4 pounds and is primed to produce a bumper crop of stripers in 2009.
 
Striped bass hatched in 2009 will survive on plankton early in the year and may eat some shad in summer and fall if shad are abundant. The main predatory impact of the new striped bass overpopulation will not be felt until 2010. Striped bass fishing in 2009 will be great for large numbers of 4-pound fish. If shad are scarce, bait fishing will be excellent. If shad are abundant in 2009, then stripers will grow to 6-pounds before the predation induced forage crash occurs in 2010.

LEES FERRY – Fishing report courtesy Lees Ferry Anglers.
Fishing Synopsis and Forecast by Terry Gunn 2/18/09: Come by and see us at the ISE Outdoor Show, Cardinal Stadium, Feb 27-Mar 1.

RECENT FISHING CONDITIONS: Spring has arrived at Lees Ferry, I have always considered Feb. 15 to be our first day of spring, not only is the weather warming but the sun is moving higher in the sky and once again flooding the canyon corridor with sunlight. As usual, the midges are responding to the arrival of the sun and the hatches are beginning in earnest and the trout have just this week begun to move into the riffles to feed on the emerging midge pupae.

The last few days I have been drifting a worm and a midge in the deep tail-out of the riffles and 90-percent of the trout have been eating the midge.

The spawn is just trickling along; it started with a bang in early December and has been slowly increasing in intensity the last few weeks. I get the feeling that the fish are currently staging for a major push into a full blown spawn within the next couple of weeks. Although it is important to keep in mind that spawn of the past 2 years has been off the charts in intensity and survivability so the fish may take a break this year.

The current water flows are perfect wading and drifting flows for fishing Lees Ferry and these same flows will continue for the next several months. I expect the fishing this spring to be a banner year and likely better than the last several years.

The average size of the fish is the largest of this decade; most of the fish that I put in my net are 16 to 17-in with many that are larger. I recently had a father and son get a double hookup and both landed fish in excess of 20-inches at the same time. It has been more than 20 years since I have seen this happen.

A few days before, a client landed a substantial 24-in long fish and I’m seeing a bunch of big fish in the river. We are also starting to catch some of the “little guys” that were part of the mass spawn of last year and the year before, these 12-in fish are growing fast and I always remind everyone that it takes small fish to make big fish. 

Is this a peak before another down turn in the fishery? No, this is the beginning of a trend that is set to continue for at least a couple of years, and if nature cooperates and gives us moisture in the Rocky Mountains, and Lake Powell continues to rise, this trend of healthy trout populations and good fishing will continue for the next several years.

The turning point and the beginning for the recovery of the Lees Ferry fishery occurred in 2005 when Lake Powell had the first above normal snow-pack and runoff year since 1997.

Last year we had almost exactly the same conditions. The above normal winter snow pack and runoff into Lake Powell in 2007-08, stirred up a tremendous amount of nutrient laden sediment that had accumulated at the lake mouths of the Colorado River, San Juan River, and the Green River. Lake Powell elevation increased 43-ft. and the rivers flowing into the lake mixed the sediment and nutrients into the lake water. It usually takes several months before we see this mixing affect the nutrient load in the water that enters the river from Glen Canyon dam. The increased nutrient load in the lake and river will be evident this coming spring by the enormous and dramatic increase in aquatic vegetation and aquatic organisms throughout the river.

For those of you that remember what the fishing was like in 1999 and 2000…you should be as excited as I am about the current conditions and what the increased nutrient load should do for the fishing at Lees Ferry.

Lots of stuff happening at the Ferry and it is all good!

RECENT FISHING: With the water flows once again fluctuating and lower flows; we have been fishing from the boat as well as wading the riffles. The best fishing technique has been using a “heavy nymph rig” which is a 9 to 12-ft leader, strike indicator, split shot, and dual fly rig. I have been using 6X fluorocarbon tippet and feel that the lighter tippet results in a much higher success rate than say 5X. Anglers might argue that they break fish off on such light tippet but my argument is that in order to break a fish off, you first have to first get a fish to eat your fly and you are going to get more eaters with lighter tippet than heaver tippet.

When wading the riffles you need long dead drifts. There are 2 types of drifts; perfect dead drifts and all other drifts. Perfect dead drifts catch fish at Lees Ferry; all other drifts don’t catch fish here. You get a dead drift by mending the line, then throwing slack line on the water. If your line is straight from your rod tip to your indicator or you move your indicator during the drift, then your drift is not perfect and will not catch fish. The key to success is to stay over fish, get the flies down to the bottom, and get a long, perfect dead drift.

Word has it that the “walk-in’ is fishing very well. There are times in the spring that this area actually fishes better than upriver. Look for this area to continue fishing well until the summer high water arrives.

The high flow experiment, 4/08, was basically a non event as far as the fishery is concerned. It came and went with few visible changes to the river or the fishery. For more details and to see my complete comments go here: http://coloradoriverconservancy.org/
The experimental steady flows that occurred in September and October 2008 (12,000 constant) were beneficial to the river and are scheduled again for 2009.

In years past, the flows in September and October have been the lowest flows of the year and have reset the “green line” to the 5,000-cfs level from the 12,000-cfs level of the summer flows. This has effectively reduced the food supply in the river by a significant amount. Then the higher flows of November and December arrive; but because of the declining sun angle and the shade of the cliffs, photosynthesis and aquatic production in the river declines and the areas of the river that were desiccated by the low flows do not regenerate until the following spring. This did not happen this year because of the steady flows in September and October the green line stayed high. The current fluctuating flows (7,500-cfs to 13,000-cfs) are continuing to keep the green line higher than in years past. There have been prolific midge and black-fly hatches every day and it appears as though the scud population has a higher density than any time since 2004.

For details on Lake Powell conditions and snow-pack, go here: http://lakepowell.water-data.com/
For a real time graphic view of water releases and ramp rates go here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/uv?09380000

New guides at Lees Ferry Anglers: The last couple of years we have had several long time guide staff move on to bigger and hopefully better things. Last year we had 3 new guides join our team, though new to our organization they are not new to guiding. Luke Blaser, Tom Jones, and JD Miller have joined our team. They bring with them a couple of decades of combined guiding experience on various waters around the world, college degrees, and an enthusiasm for guiding that is contagious. I’m proud to introduce these fellows and I’m sure that you will agree that they are a great addition to our team.  

The AZ Game and Fish Department has detected whirling disease in a very small percentage of Lees Ferry trout that were collected for a random sampling. A more recent sampling turned up no sign of the disease, which may mean that it was a “one time” exposure, where the disease was not established or that the disease is present but at a very low prevalence.  Anglers should still use caution in cleaning their equipment both before and after they have fished here or in other waters. For more information visit: http://www.whirling-disease.org   
   

LAKE MEAD – No new reports- Lake Mead water levels are fairly stable at around 1,111 feet above msl.  Fishing remains on the slow side from Temple Bar up through Greggs Basin.  An occasional striper is being caught down below 40-feet on anchovies. 

Launching conditions at South Cove have remained nearly the same for the last three months.  The new concrete ramp the National Park Service just completed is two lanes with cones marking the edges. Use caution not to go off the sides of the metal extensions at either side. National Park Service is working to keep the ramp open. 

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders.  Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

LAKE MOHAVE –  The lake level is around 642 feet above msl is the current elevation.  Fishing for stripers seems to be pretty good in the southern portion of the lake. One angler reported catching a limit of 20” stripers in 5 hrs.  The fish cleaning station at Katherine’s landing is not working.  National Park service is repairing it, but it will be several weeks before it is up and running.  Lots of bass and bluegill located on fish habitat in 10-15 ft.  As the aquatic vegetation has died off, the fish have consolidated around submerged trees and brush. 

Biologists from both Arizona Game and Fish Department and Nevada Division of Wildlife with the help of volunteers, National Park Service and Bureau of Reclamation personnel have continued to install fish habitat in Carp Cove, Box Cove and now Shoshone.  Fish habitat consists of PVC structures, wood pallet structures, Tamarisk bundles, and some Christmas trees. The largemouth, bluegill and catfish are really utilizing the new structures.  Additional habitat will be added at several locations over the next two years.  These structures are fish magnets.

There is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier just south of the main launch ramp at Katherine's Landing. If you fish Mohave and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at www.azgfd.gov  or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

WILLOW BEACH - Trout are stocked every Friday.  Fishing has been pretty good for trout.    Most of the success has been coming from or around the new pier. Try using green Power Worms, or salmon eggs. 

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see. If you fish Willow beach and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at www.azgfd.gov  or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

TOPOCK MARSH – Water level should be down for the winter, so be careful while launching.  The fishing has been slow. 
Golden shores and Game and Fish held a kids fishing clinic at five mile landing on Saturday  October  11th.  This is the second year this event has been held.  The kids had fun.  Some catfish and bass were caught.

Game and Fish biologists surveyed the Marsh starting on the week of Jan. 15.  The largemouth bass population was observed to be very healthy, as well as channel catfish.  Crappie were also present, but in smaller numbers.

You can access the marsh by boat at the North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. All three also provide plenty of area for shoreline fishing too. For more information on the marsh, contact the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge at (760) 326-3853 or go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/havasu/index.html.

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at www.azgfd.gov  or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM –The striper bite has been slow.    Trout are stocked once a month at both Davis camp and the Riverside.  Look for the trout fishing to be good immediately following the stocking.
 
Water levels on the river fluctuate, so be careful. You can check the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for flow predictions http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html before you go. If you fish the river below Davis Dam and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Web pages at www.azgfd.gov  or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

 

SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA

LAKE HAVASU -- Lake Level 448.24

Report courtesy John Galbraith of Anglers Pro Shop
Lake Havasu City

Striped bass bite is fair with limits of medium size stripers coming on trolled cut anchovies rigged on a 2/0 hook, 3-4 ft. leader and a 1.5 to 3-ounce banana sinker or fish seeker used to keep the anchovy skipping on the bottom.  Bottom bouncers work well too.  Still some action during the dark hours of the morning using Stump Jumpers, Pointers and glow Sassy Shads around Thompson bay and south at Havasu Springs.

Smallmouth bass hitting red craw colored crankbaits and drop shotted curly-tail Robo Worms in oxblood or red craw colors fished in 8 to 20 feet of water.

Fishing report for courtesy Karen Coats, Sandpoint Bait and Tackle Shop: A few small–and I stress small–catfish are being taken at North Dyke in the Topock Marsh. Fishing news from the Topock Gorge is light. Striper action may be off, but the smallmouth and largemouth bass bite remains solid.

The smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn and expected to hit their stride soon. But alas, another chill befell our area which sent the water back down to 50 degrees. It isn’t as cold, so bass aficionados expect the temperature to be back up in no time.

Some anglers have been power fishing with white and chartreuse spinnerbaits and others have been using white swim baits. Still others prefer finesse fishing with motor oil colored plastic worms. Both techniques have been producing fish up to 4-pounds.

ALAMO LAKE – Don't forget that the Alamo Lake clean up is this weekend -- meet 8 a.m. Saturday at the Cholla Launch Ramp.

Report courtesy Mark Knapp, Alamo Lake State Park. Well folks, a lot changes in a couple of days.  Last week fishing as pretty good.  Since then the lake has come up, the CORP"S started releasing water, and fishing is  bad for the most part.  Anglers are averaging  3 to 6 bass a day.  It's a toss up between crankbaits and plastics.

One angler reported that he was catching bass throwing a white colored bomber at secondary structure and fished shallow.  I'm still holding my own throwing plastics and working points and flipping brush.

The upper end of the lake resembles a slight chocolate milkshake and is slowly working towards the dam.  Crappie fishing has really slowed down.  Anglers came in grumbling that they only caught 2 to 5 crappies all day. We're going into the 80's for the rest of the week and that should bring the water temp up, which will help the fish turn active. Both bass and crappie are full of eggs.

Since no mini flood is scheduled this year it should be an excellent spawn.   One thing to keep in mind is that every weekend in March and April are booked with bass tournemants.  There's even a few booked during the week. So you might want to give us a call before coming out if your not into crowds and crowed ramps.

As I write this there raising the releases from 240 to 500 cfs.  This should really mess things up for the next week or so. Cat fishing is really good in the upper end of the lake. Go all the way up to the river channel and toss out a hot dog or night crawler.  Anglers are catching 20 to 25 cats a day.  The lake level is at 1125.5.  Both ramps are in operation at this time.   That's all I got.

Angler reports:

Where:lake alamo
When:02/07/09
Caught:large mouth bass
Technique:4''- SENKOS SMOKE WITH RED FLAKE RIGGED WACKY STYLE- ASO ORANGE COLORED CRAKS SHALLOW RUNNERS
Comments:ARRIVED LATE SATURDAY NITE STARTED FISHING AROUND 0730 SUNDAY POINTS AND INSIDE COVES WEST SIDE OF LAKE TOTAL FISH COUNT FOR TWO DAYS 83 BASS BIGGEST BASS 4LBS
Name:gary shanley

Where:Alamo Lake state park
When:02/04/09
Caught:largemouth bass
Technique:Texas-rigged watermelon red baby brush hogs, black and shad colored lizards, spinner baits and buzz baits
Comments:Jaime Zachea and Dave Newsom of Las Vegas fished Wednesday the 4th and Thursday the 5th. Great weather before the front moved in. Caught 20 on Wednesday between them and 12 more for half a day on Thursday. Top water bite at dusk on Wednesday in the back of coves on white/silver buzz bait. All cookie cutters in the 1 to 2 pound range with a couple a little larger. Good winter fishing!
Name:Jaime Zachea

SOUTHWESTERN WATERS (Winter Outlook 2008-2009):

Winter Outlook 2009:

Alamo Lake:

The lake level rose six feet in December due to tremendous runoff that also filled the lake with nutrients. The lake elevation continues to be good, at 1120-1125 feet, and both the main and Cholla ramps will be usable.

Largemouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be good to excellent throughout the winter.  Fall surveys showed a significant number of bass growing out of the slot, and there are many smaller fish below the slot.  Apparently we have had very good spawns the past two years, as there are plenty of young bass in the population.

Crappies are also doing OK and should be good throughout the winter.

There are an impressive number of channel catfish in Alamo Lake, especially in the upper portion of the lake.  Many of these are on the small side, but there are significant numbers in the 2 to 3-pound size range, as well as occasional individuals of 7 to 8 pounds, and larger.

There are other fish present such as bluegill, redear sunfish, tilapia and carp that are a lot of fun to catch.  During the fall surveys we noted an abundance of decent-sized redear sunfish, up to a pound. This species commonly reaches sizes of over two pounds, although we have not yet observed redear sunfish of this size in Alamo Lake. 

All types of bait, plastics, spinnerbaits and topwater lures should work.  As the weather cools off, try slowly working plastics in deeper water for bass.  For channel catfish any of the prepared catfish baits will work, as well as chicken livers or your own secret concoctions. 

Although the store at Alamo Lake is still closed at this point, the Alamo Lake State Park is planning on having it open by the first of the calendar year.  The store will be operated by the Park.

Gas, bait, ice and limited supplies and tackle will be available.  You should plan on bringing with you any supplies you will need, in case the store does not open as planned, or does not carry what you need.  If you run short of anything, you might be able to pick it up at the Wayside Inn in Wayside, or in Wenden. The certified scale is presently located at the Alamo Lake State Park office, but will likely be moved to the store (which is located in the same location as the old store), once that facility is open.

Lake Havasu & Topock Gorge:

Fishing for largemouth bass, as well as smallmouth bass, is expected to be fair. The size will range from 13 inches and up with an occasional fish greater than 4 pounds.  Striped bass will continue to be excellent for small fish (12-18 inches) with occasional fish over 8 pounds.

The lake is also full of smaller stripers, which will make it challenging to catch the larger fish.

Channel catfish as well as bluegill & redear sunfish will be fair to good. Flathead catfish fishing should be fair at the lower end of the lake (Bill Williams River Arm) through the fall. Sizes of flathead catfish can reach as high as 40 pounds. When fishing for them select the interior points in the coves and the areas where artificial structure has been placed.

The cooler weather causes the bite to slow down so it is important to work your lures more slowly and in deeper water.  Put away your topwater lures and switch to plastics, crank baits, spinner baits, jigs, cut fish, live shad, etc.  

Colorado River (Parker Strip Area):

Smallmouth bass with fish over two pounds in size are expected to be fair this winter.  In addition, redear sunfish should also be fair in the pound plus sizes.   The Parker Strip is well known for its smallmouth bass fishing, especially in the area from the dam to several miles downstream.

The Parker Strip is also home to some really impressive, dinner-plate sized redear sunfish of two pounds or larger.  Channel and flathead catfish are always fair in this section of the Colorado River.  Below the dam, striper fishing should also be fair, using live shad or anchovies this winter.

This stretch of the river will be low during the month of January so access will be limited.  The good news is that the fish will be concentrated during that time period.

Colorado River (between Palo Verde Diversion Dam and Walter's Camp):

This area should be fair for both smallmouth bass (in the channel) and largemouth bass (in the backwaters) throughout the entire area. Channel and flathead catfish are always fair to good in this section of the Colorado River. Most of the flathead catfish will be in the 2 to 5 pound size range with an occasional fish over 30 pounds. The time for fishing for both species of catfish is in the evening to midnight.  

Colorado River (between Walter's Camp and Picacho State Park):

This section of the Colorado River is relatively remote and can only be accessed by boat from either end. Fishing is expected to be fair to good for flathead catfish with sizes over 40 pounds. The best time for fishing for both species of catfish will be in the evening to midnight.  Largemouth bass and bluegill are also present in the various backwaters and slack water areas. Other species available in the main river are smallmouth bass and striped bass.

Colorado River (between Picacho State Park and Imperial Dam):

This area is expected to be fair to good for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Bass and channel catfish in excess of 5 pounds are present along with flathead catfish as large as 40 pounds. Bluegill are also present in the various backwaters and an occasional striped bass will be caught in the main river channel.

Colorado River (between Laguna and Morelos dams):

This area will be fair for largemouth bass and flathead catfish. Bass in excess of 5 pounds are common and flathead catfish over 20 pounds are a good bet. In this area accessibility to the river is dependent on the amount of water being released. Usually shallow draft boats work the best. The lower end has had some dredging work done and larger boats may be able to get on the river in that area.

With the increase in border issues and illegal activity on the lower end of this stretch, we recommend exercising extreme caution, avoiding nighttime use, or even staying away from the area altogether (Pilot Knob to Moreles Dam).

Regional Hot Spots:

Alamo Lake will be the hot spot for largemouth bass and channel catfish.  There are many fish in the lake at the present time (especially channel catfish), and keeping some to eat will not impact the population in the slightest, and will perhaps even enhance it.  Next choice would be Lake Havasu for striped bass, Lake Havasu and the Parker Strip for smallmouth bass, and Martinez Lake and Imperial Division backwaters for largemouth bass.   For the die-hard flathead catfish angler, large catfish can still be caught from Walter’s Camp down to Imperial Dam, although fishing likely won’t be as effective as in the warmer months.

If you need any additional information or assistance don't hesitate to contact the Yuma Regional office at (928) 341-4052 and we will be happy to give you whatever information we have.

 

CENTRAL MOUNTAINS
Note:  Always check on road conditions before venturing afield.

Williams Lakes:  

KAIBAB LAKE —  Lake is accessible via four-wheel drive vehicles, and the lake is only half-covered with ice (as of last weekend), and the fishing was decent. These early season trout will sometimes readily gulp down delectable items they haven’t seen for some time, like wiggling night crawlers or meal worms.

CATARACT LAKE — Campgrounds are closed. Must walk in to fish 

CITY RESERVOIR — No report.  

DOGTOWN LAKE — Campground area is closed.

JD DAM — No reports. 

RUSSEL TANK - No reports.

SANTA FE — Lake is full. No reports     

WHITEHORSE LAKE — Campgrounds are closed. No reports.
Flagstaff Lakes:

LOWER LAKE MARY — Dry, but with more precipitation, might fill again this coming season.

UPPER LAKE MARY — The lake is full but expect ice cover.
 
ASHURST LAKE — The lake is full. Access is apparently closed. Probably ice covered.

FRANCIS SHORT POND – No report. Likely ice covered.

KINNIKINICK LAKE — Access conditions unknown.  Road is likely closed.

MARSHALL LAKE — Access conditions unknown.  Road is likely closed.

LONG LAKE — Lake is open but access may be questionable.  Water level is good.  Lake has been stocked.  This lake was producing some nice trout and pike last fall, so might be worth a try this spring.

Where:
Long Lake, Lake Mary, Ashurst
When:
01/20/09
Caught:
Not fishable
Technique:
Imagination!!
Comments:
Forest Service said the road to long lake was closed. Lake Mary is frozen over and Ashurst road is closed and snow covered. Good thing we live in Sedona.
Name:
Chuck

SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — No reports.

BEAVER CREEK — No report. Scheduled for stocking the week of March 9. It is possible to pick up some holdover trout in the creek well upstream from the crossing.

WEST CLEAR CREEK — No report. Was last stocked in the fall and won’t be stocked again until the week of March 9. However, this stream can have some nice holdover fish in the deeper pools upstream in the rugged canyon..

STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.

 

Verde Valley

 

DEAD HORSE STATE PARK – Fishing in general has been very good.  It is not uncommon for  anglers to report catching their limit in as little as 1 hour.  If you are willing to fish all day you should be able to get a limit.  Trout were  stocked the week of February 9th and are scheduled to be stocked again this week (the week of Feb 23rd.)  3,600 rainbow trout are split between the lower and middle lagoons each stocking.  The stockings have been so frequent that any day is a good day to fish, even the day before the stockings.  Try using white PowerBait, homemade dough baits, flies or small spinners.    If you’re not catching anything you may want to try a different bait or the other lagoon.  It is not uncommon for the anglers at one lagoon to do better than the anglers at the other lagoon.

 

Catfish were last stocked on September 17th in both the middle and lower lagoons.  Verde River day festivities on September  27th  were a success with around 300 people attending.  As the water temperature continues to cool, the bass, bluegill and catfish become less active. 

 

VERDE RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) –Trout were stocked last week, the week of Feb 16th.  2,400 rainbows will be stocked into all four sites.  Those sites are Tuzigoot Bridge, just down from the Deadhorse Bridge or “Jacks”, Bignotti Beach or the Thousand Trails site, and the bridge out of Camp Verde.   The next stocking is scheduled for next week (week of March 2nd.) 

 

Prescott Area

 

FAIN LAKE — The Town of Prescott Valley is closing the lake temporarily on Thursday, March 5 to do some burning. Trout were last stocked the week of Feb 23 with1,325 rainbow trout.   Anglers targeting trout were successful. Trout fishing is best immediately following the stocking.  For trout try using spinners or bright colored Power Bait. 

Catfish and sunfish were stocked the week of June 23.  

 

GOLDWATER LAKE —The trout stocking scheduled for the week of Feb. 16  was cancelled due to bad weather.  The next scheduled stocking is for the week of March 16.  While the lake cannot be stocked, anglers can still walk down to fish the lake.  Some anglers are having limited success on worms and night crawlers.  If that does not work, you may want to try using KastMasters.  When the weather is cold, the bite may not pick up until 10 or 11. 

 

Catfish and bass were stocked the week of Sept. 15.  Game and Fish biologists weighed a 22-pound channel catfish that was caught at Goldwater in March.  On July 11, a 26-pound catfish was caught on a hotdog and an 11-pound catfish was caught since then.

 

Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Goldwater on September 16th, 2008  and found the trout and sunfish plentiful. While the number of catfish was low, the quality was exceptional. One 19lbs and a 14lbs catfish was sampled and released. No bass were sampled this year. If you fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

 

Granite Basin - Bluegill and bass are plentiful in this lake.  The aquatic vegetation has not been bad this year making fishing this lake easier than normal. The bite should be pretty slow all winter.  If you fish Granite Basin and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

 

 

LYNX LAKE — Rainbow trout were stocked the week of Feb. 2.  The fishing has picked up following the stocking, but angler use has remained low.  The next stocking is scheduled for the week of March 9th.  Sub-catchable brook trout were stocked on Sept. 24.  Try using chartreuse Power Bait on the bottom for these pretty little fish.  Catfish were stocked June 9 and again on June 25.  Try using night crawlers or hot dogs for the catfish. 

 

Game and Fish Biologists installed PVC fish structures on Jan. 3.  These structures should protect small fishes from predation.  Some 7-inch brook trout were in February and 5-inchers in September. Game and Fish stocked catfish the week of June 4. There were 200 pounds of bluegill stocked on March 29. Game and Fish biologists surveyed Lynx in May and found that the brook trout stocked in September 2006 were still present.

 

MINGUS LAKE – Mingus was stocked the week of Oct. 20.  This was the last scheduled stocking until spring.  The best bait has been orange or pink Power Bait, fished on the bottom with a treble hook and an egg sinker. The gate is still closed.

 

Someone illegally stocked yellow bullhead into Mingus several years ago.  These fish compete directly with the trout and keep growth rates very low.  If you witness anyone, anywhere, moving fish like bass, bluegill, catfish and stocking them, please report it to our Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700.  Illegal stockings cost YOU money!

 

WATSON – NO NEW REPORTS: Bass, Bluegill and catfish are common in this lake. One angler reported seeing several 5lb catfish recently.  Another angler reported catching 3-8 nice bass per evening on green or chartreuse “woolly bugers.”  As the water begins to cool this will slow, so get them while you can.  Crappies are found in low numbers. Bullheads are easily caught using a small piece of worm. 

 

Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Watson on Sept. 17, 2008  and found the bass,  sunfish, and bullhead to be plentiful.  Crappie are also doing well.  Look for the crappie fishing to pick up in a year or two. If you fish Watson and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

 

 

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR – NO NEW REPORTS: Bass, bluegill, and bullhead are plentiful.  Most of the bluegills are on the small side, but the bullhead are thick.  If you fish Willow and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

 

MOGOLLON RIM LAKES
RIM LAKES: Lakes are ice-covered. Ice should be considered unsafe when warm weather days persist. Check ice thickness before venturing out on lakes. The gates on Interior roads are closed for the winter. Access is by snowmobile only. Contact the US Forest Service’s Black Mesa Ranger District office at (928) 535-7300 for up-to-date information about forest and road conditions.   

CHEVELON LAKE —The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake.  Forest roads from the south are closed. Forest road 169 north is snow packed to Forest road 169B and Forest road 169B to the lake is snow packed and inaccessible to vehicles, except snowmobiles due to a recent snow storm.

BEAR CANYON LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake.  The lake is inaccessible by motor vehicle, except snowmobiles.  Forest Road 300 is closed.  

BLACK CANYON LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake. The lake is inaccessible by vehicle, except for snowmobiles.  Forest Road 300 is closed.   
  
WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake. The lake is inaccessible by vehicle, except for snowmobiles.  Forest Road 149 is closed. 

WOODS CANYON LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake.  The lake is inaccessible by vehicle, except for snowmobiles.  Forest Road 300 is closed. The store is still closed for winter.

 

WHITE MOUNTAIN LAKES

High mountain lakes as well as streams are ice covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on lakes. Forest roads are snow packed.

State Highway 261 is closed to vehicles accessing Big Lake and Crescent Lake. Snowmobile access is permitted. State Highway 273 on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is undergoing reconstruction and realignment and the following closures are in effect. State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary is closed to Crescent Lake, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is complete.

Most interior Forest Roads are closed and/or inaccessible to vehicles. Snowmobile access is permitted.
BECKER LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. The lake remains ice-free, but when the weather is colder, you will find some ice around the edges of the lake (rimming ice).

The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks only, and a two-trout limit. Try small lures such as Super Dupers, spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster tail, and Mepps), Kast Masters (gold or silver), and Z- Rays.  Try small nymphs such as Zebra midges, scuds, pheasant tails, hares ear, zug bugs, prince nymphs, wooly worms and wooly buggers, brown and gray semi-seal leeches. Also try dragon fly patterns, peacock ladies, and brown Montana stone nymphs.

Fish off the bottom along weed beds and retrieve your fly slowly. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors. There is a new fishing pier with a handicap walkway located at the northwestern part of the lake
   
BIG LAKE — Ice fishing is fair to good. Accessible by snowmobile only. The lake is ice-covered. The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake.  Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, and lures such as small spoons and jigs. State Highway 261 from Eager/Springerville is closed to vehicles but open to snowmobiles.  State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is completed. Snowmobile access is permitted. The store is closed for the winter. 
 

CARNERO LAKE -- The lake is ice-covered Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake.  Forest roads to the lake are inaccessible by vehicle, except for snowmobiles.       .     

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR —  Fishing is poor. The lake is ice-free. Try fishing with a bobber, split shot and worms near rocky shoreline areas for sunfish and bass.  The old boat ramp has been re-opened. The new boat ramp near the dam is blocked off because of very low water levels and thick weeds near this ramp. Try worms, Power Bait, Salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster tail, and Mepps), Z-Rays, crank baits, spinner baits, and Rapalas, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, Yeager buggers, and peacock ladies. There are no motor restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir. The gate on the north side of the lake is usually closed during the winter months, while the road on the south side of the lake is open.

CONCHO LAKE — Fishing is poor. The lake is ice-free, the water level low and it is weedy. There is practically no water at the boat ramp. If you choose to fish at Concho Lake, target the small areas of open water between the weeds off the dam. The rest of the lake is not fishable. 

CRESCENT LAKE —  Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake.

State Highway 261 from Eager/Springerville to Crescent-Big Lakes is closed to vehicles but open to snowmobiles. State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation to Crescent Lake is closed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, due to continuing road construction. Snowmobile access is permitted
    
FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — Fishing is fair. The lake is ice-free, full and spilling. Boat ramps are usable. Anglers have been catching a few small trout and bass on worms. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, spoons, lead head jigs, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers. Try fishing off rocky areas and around fishing piers. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors.

GREER LAKES — The Greer lakes are ice-covered. Unsafe ice conditions.    
     
HULSEY LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Unsafe ice conditions.
 
LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — An angler recently asked about possible access – via foot – to Lee Valley this spring. Other anglers might find the answer valuable.

If you have a snowmobile, you can access Lee Valley Lake right now, but it is iced over.  Our limnological surveys through the ice this winter show that Lee Valley Lake will likely NOT winterkill, but we still have at least a couple months of ice cover to go.  We will be checking Lee Valley, Crescent and Carnero lakes weekly as part of a winterkill study we are doing, hopefully to gather information that will help us reduce the occurrence of winterkill in the future.
 
There have not been many grayling in Lee Valley Lake because they are so difficult to come by, we have to drive a hatchery truck to Wyoming to pick them up. However, we did stock several thousand subcatchable size grayling in Lee Valley in May 2008. They should be doing okay and put on some size by the time the lake opens in the spring.

Normally I would recommend fishing near the creek inlet in late April and May because they will often congregate there in an attempt to spawn in the creek, but these fish will likely not be reproductively active yet, so they could be anywhere in the lake.

However, we have surveyed some very large Apache trout over the last few years during the road closure, up to 4.5 pounds. We caught them all in one net at the creek inlet one year, then right off the dam the next year. Go figure.
 
The road from Sunrise was officially open this last summer up to the junction with Forest Road 87 (back road to Greer), then closed from there to Crescent Lake. The Forest had set up a temporary trailhead at that junction that tied into the west baldy trail.  Some anglers would take this trail to the West Baldy Trail, then take the crossover trail towards the East Baldy Trail.

This crossover trail crosses Lee Valley Creek about 1/2 mile upstream of Lee Valley Lake.  Folks were not allowed to bike or hike along the closed road because of safety reasons, plus the Forest had an official closure on the road and the Sheep's Crossing area (eliminating hiking access from Greer).  Technically folks could not set foot into this closure without permission from the National Highways folks.

Anglers/hikers could also reach the crossover trail from another temporary trailhead that accessed the East Baldy Trail from the Burro Mountain area, but I did not know the details of how to get there (I found it once on the Apache-Sitgreaves Forest web-site).
 
As of today, the road is still officially closed, mostly for winter conditions, as they are not doing construction on it right now.  It is open to snowmobiles though. The road will still be closed initially when things thaw out in the spring.

However, they tell us they are mostly complete, they just need to add a sealant.I don't yet know when the Forest's closure will be lifted. As long as that closure is in place, folks will not be able to step foot onto the closed road (the exception is for snowmobiles this winter).

As we get closer to spring, we will coordinate with the Forest and provide information to anglers as we get it.  Then the road should be open for good sometime in early summer.
 
Keep checking back with us and we'll pass on that information when we get it.  Whatever happens though, you should be able to hike into the lake via the crossover trail from the West Baldy Trail.
 
Mike Lopez

The roads to Lee Valley Lake are closed.  The lake is ice-covered. State Highway 261 from Eager/Springerville to Crescent-Big Lakes is closed. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation to Forest road 87 is open but is closed beyond the Forest road 273/87 junction road to Crescent Lake 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, due to continuing road construction but is open to snowmobiles.

LUNA LAKE —The lake is ice-covered.  Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake. Roads are open to the lake. Anglers have been catching rainbow trout on worms off the dam. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, and small spoons. The store is closed for the winter

LYMAN LAKE — The lake is ice-free. The lake has some ice-cover along the shoreline areas.  No reports from anglers. Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster tail, and Mepps), crankbaits, and Rapalas. The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available.  The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also some new cabins for rent. There is fish consumption advisory here, so check with the State Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region 1 Office at (928) 367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake. The store is closed for the winter.    
 
NELSON RESERVOIR — Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-free. The lake is full and spilling. The lake is full and spilling. Fishing bag limits are now unlimited for rainbow and brown trout from September 1 through March 31. The water temperature two weeks ago was 38 degrees. 

RAINBOW LAKE — Fishing is poor. The lake is ice-free due to warm weather days, but on cold weather days expect thin, unsafe ice conditions. The lake is full. The boat ramp is usable.

SCOTTS RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair. The lake is ice-free, especially during warm weather days but on cold weather days expect thin, unsafe ice conditions. The lake is full and spilling..

SHOW LOW LAKE — Fishing is fair. The lake is ice-free, due to warm weather days, but on cold weather days expect thin, unsafe ice conditions. The lake is full and spilling. The fishing piers are not accessible from the shoreline because of rising water levels. The boat ramp is usable. Anglers are catching 12- to 14-inch rainbow trout on flies. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster tail, and Mepps), spoons such as Super Dupers, lead head jigs, Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, prince nymphs, peacock ladies and brown Montana stones.

The road to the dam has water flowing over it so use caution when driving to the dam. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors. The store is closed.

WOODLAND LAKE — Fishing is poor. The boat ramp is not usable. The fishing pier is on the boat ramp for repairs. The lake is ice-free due to warm weather days, but on cold weather days expect thin, unsafe ice conditions. The lake is full and spilling.

Try worms. Power Bait, spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster tail, and Mepps), spoons such as Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. The fishing pier is closed to public use because of safety concerns. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.      
       
White Mountain Streams: 

Streams are ice-covered.  Forest Roads are snow packed and closed and/or inaccessible to vehicles except snowmobiles.

WEST FORK BLACK RIVER — Forest roads are closed to the Black River.  Ice is present on the stream. The stocking season has ended and no trout are being stocked.   

EAST FORK BLACK RIVER — Forest roads are closed to the Black River.  Ice is present on the stream. The stocking season has ended and no trout are being stocked.   

SHEEP’S CROSSING — Highway 273 is closed for the year due to road construction and an area closure is still in effect around Sheep Crossing, 24 hours and 7 days a week.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER GREER — The stream has some ice, along the shoreline areas during morning hours, but may open up on warm weather days. The stocking season has ended and no trout are being stocked.  

SILVER CREEK — Fishing is fair. Silver creek does not ice over during the winter because it is a spring creek with a more constant water temperature.  Nice sized Apache and rainbow trout were stocked in October at Silver Creek. Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is currently open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and catch-and-release only. The upper section is open to fishing.  The catch-and-release season is from Oct. 1 through March 31. Try small lures such as Mepps, Rooster tails, and Panther Martin spinners. Fly-fishers may want to try wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, Zug bugs, shrimp patterns, midge patterns, and small bead head nymphs. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge and caddis fly patterns.

 

 

SOUTHERN WATERS

Note: The Tucson and Sierra Vista Angler roundtable meetings are:
* Tucson – 7-9 p.m., March 18, AZGFD Regional Office, 555 N. Greasewood Rd.
* Sierra Vista, 7-9 p.m. March 19, Fry Fire District, Station #2, 4817 S. Apache Ave.

Topics:
* Results of last years fish surveys
* Upcoming improvements to boat ramps at Patagonia and Arivaca (yes help is finally on the way!)
* Pena Blanca Lake sediment removal project update with lots to report!
* Pena Blanca Lake fish habitat project update; It’s time to get started and we need volunteers!
* And anything else you anglers want to talk about

TUCSON URBAN —All Urban waters received incentive stockings the week of Jan. 5-10.  These fish include many trout from 13-18 inches, some even over 4 pounds.  On average one in every four trout were over 13 inches with the remaining fish ranging from 11-12 inches.

Fishing is good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or corn.  Small spinners such as Rooster Tails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as KastMasters and Super Dupers work well for trout in the early morning.

Fishing for catfish, bass and bluegill is poor due to colder water temperatures that slow down the

Where:
Lakeside
When:
02/07/09
Caught:
18.25", 2.25 # Rainbow Trout
Technique:
Trolling with misc. lures
Comments:
First time trolling Breaking in a friends new boat !!! Thanks, to Terry for buying a boat !!
Name:
mark Metcalf

RIGGS FLAT — The lake is closed for the winter.  

CLUFF RANCH — The lake was stocked last week.  No recent reports of success.  A new fishing pier has been installed which should provide a large increase in access for shore anglers.  For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — The lake was stocked last week.  No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — No recent reports of success. Due to the lack of open water and poor angler access the Department has decided not to stock this lake until conditions can be improved.  For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

FRYE MESA RESERVIOR – Poor road conditions are preventing any further stockings.  Plans are underway to get the road repaired.  Although the lake has been stocked, no reports of success have been received.  Early morning and late evenings should produce fish though.  

KEARNY LAKES — Conditions at this lake have taken a turn for the worse and golden algae has caused a fish kill.  The Department and the town of Kearny continue to work on the problem.
 
ARIVACA — Please use caution on the sides of the ramp. Erosion has caused some problems and we are working to repair it as quickly as possible. The fishing remains slow but a few anglers are catching some bass on crankbaits.  Anglers are asked to please be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other anglers fishing from other boats and the shore.  Remember that all bass must be immediately released back to the water.

Where:
Arivaca
When:
02/22/09
Caught:
1 Largemouth Bass and a few other bites missed
Technique:
Artificial Worms and Spinners
Comments:
Water still very cold, low, and a lot of algae on top of the water but nice fishing with few snags and others anglers were having some success as well
Name:
Mike

 

PENA BLANCA – Pena Blanca Lake is closed.
 
PATAGONIA —No reports of angler success have been received.  Warmwater species are slow but anglers are reporting a few bass on plastic worms.  Some anglers are catching bass as well while flipping the cattails.

Where:
Patagonia
When:
02/22/09
Caught:
2 Bass
Technique:
Crank Baits, Plastics Worms
Comments:
Caught the bass after 2 days, one was 3.10 pounds the other was about .7oz. No other fish all weekend.
Name:
James Sorensen

  

PARKER CANYON — The store at Parker Canyon is closed.  Anglers needing a license will need to purchase that prior to arriving at the lake.  The fishing has been fair with some angler success coming in the early morning just after sunrise. Anglers are reporting that worms and Power Bait are working the best currently.
 
Where:
parker canyon lake
When:
02/24/09
Caught:
limit on rainbows
Technique:
powerbait all colors on bottom 18-20in
Comments:
patience, patience is the key
Name:
Donald Pieper

 
ROSE CANYON LAKE — Fishing is reported to be slow with a few fish being caught on spinners.  The road is closed for the winter and anglers wishing to fish this lake will have to hike in.