CENTRAL WATERS Note: If you have a fishing report or good fishing pictures to share (JPEG), send them to raikens@aszgfd.gov. Rory can also be reached at (623) 236-7214. URBAN LAKES -- The final spring stocking of catfish will take place the week of June 11-16. At Green Valley Lakes (Payson), fishing for trout is slowing down since stockings wrapped up on May 11. However, fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie is good. Anglers using worms and meal worms under a small bobber are enjoying plenty of action. Also try small plastic or marabou jigs, plastic worms, and dark-colored nymphs or streamers. TEMPE TOWN LAKE – Fishing is fair to good, with the best bite at first and last light for bass and sunfish. This is a good time to try for channel catfish and carp using corn or dough baits after dark. Keep in mind that although this fishery in in the city, it is not part of the Urban Fishing Program, but you will need the regular state fishing license. LAKE PLEASANT - Striper fishing is still going great guns in the main basin using frozen anchovies as bait. Use little or no weight. Keep in mind there is no limit on stripers at Lake Pleasant and you are encouraged to catch and keep all you can to help the aquatic environment. Fishing is also very good for bluegill and good for channel catfish. Haven't had many reports recently of the largemouth bass fishing, but it should be good as well. You might even encounter bass chasing shad at the surface, especially in the northern coves at first light. Typically, once the sun comes up, try the main points, islands and reefs in the large basin of the main lake for topwater action. You might even find some striped bass and white bass while working topwater. This is a good time to fish for bluegills in the backs of more rocky coves. Try meal worms or night crawlers two or three below bobbers. It's a lot of fun for kids. Don't ignore the plentiful channel catfish. You should be able to load up on channel fishing any of the major lake points or flats using stink bait. Hot dogs, chicken liver and corn can all work well. If fishing from shore, consider using dough bait for the plentiful carp.
Hi Rory, Your Friend Bass and crappie fishing has become more sporadic, but is still rated as good. Expect a decent topwater bite at first light, and then off-and-on throughout the day. This is the leading edge of the great catfish angling for both channel catfish and huge flatheads. For channels, think sink bait. For flatheads, live bait such as bluegills or small carp work best. APACHE - Lake elevation is 1,907 feet (93 percent full). Bass fishing is good. You might also find bass chasing shad at the surface, especially at first light. Try working the major points using soft plastic crayfish like lures worked along the bottom. Crankbaits can also work well at times. A few good sized smallies are being caught -- please practice catch-and-release on these fish, which are in the comeback mode. Walleye fishing should be decent at first and last light using night crawler rigs, or jigs tipped with worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails. Catfishing should be good. Carp fishing is very good. You might even catch one of the monster buffalo fish (see picture from Canyon Lake). CANYON - Lake elevation is 1,657 feet, which is 95 percent full. While Canyon is the land of the lunkers, it can be tough to fish, especially for novice anglers. Catch rates are typically low and even veteran anglers get skunked here. But the possibility of catching a hawg keeps many anglers coming back time and again.. This is a pretty good lake for bluegill and yellow bass. Try small crappie-like lures, such as 2-inch curly tails, along the rocky shoreline. Shore fishing for channel catfish and carp can also be viable both day and night right now. As the season progresses, the better fishing for bottom dwellers will transition to the nighttime hours.
The bite is a little more sporadic right now. Keep an eye out for surface boils -- it's topwater time. Recreational boating congestion is also increasing significantly -- get on the water at first light, or fishing at night. As you will see in the angler report below, this is a good time to load up on spawning bluegill. Saguaro is also a quality channel catfish lake. Try stink baits, hot dogs, chicken livers and the like. Also try chumming with corn. Fishing is generally good for 1- to 2-pound largemouth bass and is also doing well for crappie at times. Square-billed crankbaits are working well, or anything that resembles a crayfish from soft plastics to small crankbaits. The night fishing for crappie is decent at times, and should pick up with the waning moon. Although most crappie are small, there are just enough slabbers to keep it interesting. Try live minnows fished under submersible lights. It's also possible to catch crappie during the day, especially at first light. This is the leading edge of the really good flathead catfish bite. Try live bluegill or small carp as bait. Look for the deeper holes, especially uplake where there is a little current. Bluegills are spawning. Try the backs of rocky coves using night crawlers or meal worms on light tackle.
Rory: Thanks, Buck J. Yee
HORSESHOE - Lake is empty. Trout fishing should still be decent at first light on night crawlers, small spinners, casting spoons such as KastMasters and flies. This is a unique desert river trout fishery in the Upper Sonoran Desert. It's a great place to catch some excellent memories. The following creeks are being stocked weekly right now: *Tonto Creek *Haigler Creek *East Verde River Don't forget we have a new interactive 2012 trout stocking schedule that actually shows the locations we stock along the creeks. LAKE MEAD – The current elevation is 1119 ft msl. The water level will continue to drop approximately one foot per week. Be careful boating because structure previously submerged may be at the surface and watch for floating debris. There seems to be an abundance of shad currently which may be the reason for the lack of bite. Cut anchovies are still the bait of choice. Check the moon phase before fishing at night -- the best night fishing using lights is during the dark of the moon. The next new moon will be June 19. Fishing for stripers in 50 plus feet of water will normally find the larger fish. Jigging in 50-60 feet deep has been doing well on Mead. If you can locate the shad, the stripers are not far behind. Trolling usually works best in areas were shad are found and best done in the early mornings and evenings. The bite for largemouth and smallmouth was reported good using plastic worms and crawdads with purple and browns in them. Several fishermen said that top water lures were working for them. All the fishermen contacted were hopeful for the coming years with rising water conditions and the abundance of baitfish they have seen this year. Launching conditions at South Cove have improved as the water level has gone up. There are currently four lanes. As the water raises logs and other debris can become hazards, so be careful boating. Important notice: With the 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 has maintained about 642 feet above msl. The black bass are hitting soft baits when worked slowly especially on grass beds in 20 to 30 feet deep. Trolling with anchovies in 30-50ft has been producing some stripers, while catfish are on the bottom. While the number of stripers in Mohave has been decreasing, the quality of the fish caught has increased. Steve and Bear caught a nice striper on the lake near the dam using anchovy from shore. Thanks for the report. Submersible lights fished during the new moon are an effective way to catch stripers. Next new moon is June 19th. Cut anchovies usually work the best. 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, Shoshone, and Arrowhead. Fish habitat consists of PVC structures, wood pallet structures, tamarisk bundles, and some Christmas trees. The largemouth, smallmouth, 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 gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others. Important notice: With the 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 – Willow Beach is stocked every Friday with 3,000 13-inch rainbow trout. Rainbow, peach, garlic and yellow Power Baits and Power Worms were being used most for trout. Jakes original and Jakes Juniors, Panther Martin and Rooster Tails are also usually effective. Fishing is usually best near the fishing pier after the Friday stocking. Most of the nice stripers and trout are seem to be caught between river mile 49 and 53. A picture of a large striper was sent in and was caught around mile 52. Willow Beach can be hit or miss bait fishing. Try different baits including swim baits when nobody seems to be hooking anything. Important notice: With the 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 gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others. COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM – Trout continue to bite in the casino area with some larger fish in the deep holes. Several folks have called and spoke of very large trout being caught in the Laughlin area. Rusty from Riviera Marina sent a picture of a nice 5-plus pound channel catfish and some pictures of trout some folks caught near the Rotary Park area. Overall the fishing is great on the river with large rainbow trout still being caught. Topock Gorge- Most bass are being taken on minnows and night crawlers. Smallmouths have ranged from 2 – 5 pounds, and sunfish up to 1.5 pounds. A 5.5 beauty was the largest so far this year. Stripers have started to move up river with some quality sizes worth the wait. Anchovies are still the bait of choice for the stripers. Rainbow trout are stocked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service monthly during the winter. The fish are normally stocked in two locations; Davis Camp and near The Riverside. Stocking at Rotary Park has made another access point to the river for fishing and has made many people happy. Trout fishing at the stocking sites is great immediately following the stockings, then the fish move out and you need to find them. Rainbow trout are located throughout the river below Davis dam, but anglers typically report catching trout on the Arizona side across from the Riverside, off the shore of Davis Camp and in the big bend area. This year we have received multiple reports of larger holdover trout being caught. Remember to fish for trout, you need a trout stamp on Class A and Lifetime fishing licenses. TOPOCK MARSH – The action at Topock Marsh has been steadily improving. Night crawlers and live minnows have been tempting catfish from North Dyke. Bass can be hit and miss but live bait has been reported to work the best now. Stripers appear abundant from the February AZGFD survey. Small crappies are being taken throughout the marsh. 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 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/. Note: If you would like more information on southwestern waters, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/where_fish_southwest.shtml. Our Yuma Regional office has recently updated all the information to provide you more insight into these fisheries. For more information, visit the updated "Where to Fish" pages at http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/where_fish_southwest.shtml. If you have a fishing report or good fishing pictures to share (JPEG), send them to raikens@aszgfd.gov. Rory can also be reached at (623) 236-7214. Largemouth bass hitting buzzbaits, poppers and frogs during the first two hours in the morning and then again during the last 2 hours of light in the evening. Midday bite good around shady pockets in cattails and tulles using slow fall plastics like Senkos, Gitzits and brush hogs. Green pumpkin, watermelon red and cinnamon purple have been productive colors. ALAMO LAKE -- Fishing Report courtesy Mark Knapp at Alamo Lake State Park. 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 fishing is always fair in this section of the Colorado River. Below the dam, striper fishing should also be fair, using live shad or anchovies. Largemouth bass are abundant, especially in the downstream portions of the Parker Strip. Channel and flathead catfish fishing will be fair to good in this section of the Colorado River as the weather warms up. Take precautions to make sure your boat and equipment are clean before leaving the water to make sure you don’t spread quagga mussels to other water by accident. COLORADO RIVER (Picacho State Park to Imperial Dam, including backwaters and Martinez Lake) Largemouth bass fishing is generally best in the backwaters or near the mouth of the backwaters. There are many different techniques used for largemouth bass. As a general rule, most people will use topwater lures such as buzzbaits or spinnerbaits in the early morning and then switch to jigs, crankbaits, or swimbaits as the day progresses. Using plastic baits that resemble worms, crawdads, frogs, or lizards often work well. It is generally best to fish around structure such as weedbeds, emergent vegetation, tree stumps, brush, or boat docks. Fishing picks up as the water temperatures warm up in the spring and summer but largemouth can be taken any time of the year. Flathead fishing is generally best in slack water areas, deep holes, or near overhanging vegetation along the main channel of the river. Flatheads prefer live bait such as bluegill or small carp and fishing is best at night during the summer months. Channel catfish are wide spread in the main river channel and backwaters and will bite on night crawlers, chicken liver, stinkbait, or about any other “smelly” bait. They can be caught year-round but probably bite best at night. Bluegill are also widespread but are most likely to be found around structure in the backwaters or slackwater areas. Bluegill will bite on meal worms, night crawlers or small crappie jigs. MITTRY LAKE -- Mittry Lake is located just above Laguna Dam, and supports a good population of largemouth bass and channel catfish, and even some good-sized flathead catfish. There are shoreline fishing opportunities at this lake in the form of about a dozen rock jetties, but you’ll probably have the best success in a small boat. Mittry Lake can be frustrating, as the bite seems to be real variable, but the fish are there. It is just a question of getting them to respond to your presentation. The water tends to be very murky most of the year, except for the upper end of Teal Alley where the lake inflow comes in, so play to the fish’s sense of hearing and smell, rather than sight. There are also crappie and sunfish to be caught, although they tend to average relatively small in size. Mittry Lake is well-known locally for the quality largemouth bass it produces, and fishing during the spring spawn will increase your chances of success. YUMA AREA PONDS -- The Department has stepped up efforts to encourage the recruitment of new anglers, and retention of existing ones. To this end, the Department has increased stocking efforts in a few ponds in the Yuma area that are easily accessed without a boat, within a short distance of the urban center. Those ponds are the Yuma West Wetlands pond, located in the City Park, and Redondo and Fortuna ponds, located about 10 miles northeast of Yuma. Access to Redondo Pond was recently improved with the addition of an ADA-compliant fishing pier, and thick cattail growth was removed at Fortuna Pond this summer, improving shoreline access by many orders of magnitude. All of these waters received multiple stockings of rainbow trout in the winter months; Redondo Pond will be stocked with channel catfish during the spring, and the Yuma West Wetlands pond will receive channel catfish and bluegills. We may be able to stock Fortuna Pond with channel catfish in the future, pending the outcome of the statewide sport-fish stocking consultation with the USFWS that is hopefully nearing completion. Depending on available funding, we hope to continue regular stockings into all three of these shoreline-accessible waters, and perhaps add additional waters to our stocking schedule. These ponds provide an ideal place to take the family. All three waters now are provided with restroom and trash facilities. Special regulations on fish limits are in effect for these waters, so be sure to consult the Regulations before you take fish. REGIONAL HOT SPOTS -- Alamo Lake will continue to be a hot spot for plentiful largemouth bass and channel catfish, although trophy-sized fish will be uncommon. Lake Havasu is probably currently the premier lake in our Region (and perhaps the State) for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and redear sunfish. Numbers caught will likely be lower, but the quality of the fish much higher. The Parker Strip should remain excellent for smallmouth bass and redear sunfish, and the Colorado River below Walter’s Camp down to Imperial Dam the best bet for large and plentiful flathead catfish. Our spring surveys indicate that there is a very impressive population of flathead catfish in the lower Imperial Division between Picacho State Park and Imperial Dam. Expect many in the 5- to 10-pound size class, but we know of at least one state record lurking in those waters. Backwaters in the Imperial Division above Imperial Dam will continue to yield impressive largemouth bass, up to and exceeding 10 pounds. If you need any additional information or assistance, don't hesitate to contact the Yuma Regional office at (928) 342-0091, and we will be happy to give you whatever information we have. A very good resource for local fishing information in the Yuma area is the website and forum at http://www.yumabassman.com/. Note: The summer trout stocking schedule can be accessed at http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/fishing/stocking/2012SumTroutStockSchedule.pdf CATARACT LAKE — Campground is open. Fishing was slow last week. A few bass and crappie were caught. Please try to leave the larger bass in the lake to spawn. Stocked last week. CITY RESERVOIR — Closed due to Fire Danger JD DAM — fishing was good in the evening. Remember the lake is managed as a catch and release fishery. RUSSELL TANK - The lake is to shallow to stock. SANTA FE — Closed due to Fire Danger WHITEHORSE LAKE — Campground is open. Fly fishermen were catching a lot of small crappie over the weekend on bead head prince nymphs. With the warm water temperatures trout fishing will be best early in the morning or late in the evening. Probably won’t be stocked this week because of warm water temperatures. FLAGSTAFF LAKES: UPPER LAKE MARY — Had a report to the office of a large black crappie, a 20 lb channel catfish and a 15 lb northern being caught in the last couple of weeks. ASHURST LAKE — No report but the road is open. The lake was sampled a couple of weeks ago and lots of holdover rainbow trout were caught. Smaller pike were also common in our nets, please remove all of the pike you catch. Has been heavily stocked. Scheduled to be stocked this week. With the warm water temperatures trout fishing will be best early in the morning or late in the evening FRANCIS SHORT POND – Fishing was good last week. Scheduled to be stocked this week. Incentive fish were stocked last week along with catfish. Catfish were being caught on hotdogs. Trout were being caught on green powerbait. KINNIKINICK LAKE — Road is open. No report. A lot of nice Brown trout and channel catfish were caught during fish sampling. With the warm water temperatures trout fishing will be best early in the morning or late in the evening MARSHALL LAKE — No report low water OAK CREEK — No report. Stocked last week. LONG LAKE — No report. SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — No report
LONG LAKE — There have been some reports of huge pike caught out of this remote lake, but wind can make it tough to fish at times.
Rory, Just wanted to share a picture of the 37-inch pike my wife landed last night (Friday). Windy conditions but we have seen a few hauled in by anglers on boats. Went to Soldiers Annex around noon and caught a few catfish. Thanks for the reports. Mike Street
DEAD HORSE STATE PARK – Catfish were last stocked Friday for the Free Fishing event. Trout were last stocked the week of March 19th. The catfish and largemouth bite has been fair. Catfish are still being caught on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and stinkbait. The bass are being caught on small plastic worms and Gitzit-type plastic grubs, bounced slowly along the bottom. Sunfish have been doing well on worms, salmon eggs, or small piece of Powerbait under a bobber. They bite best in the early morning hours and the evening. VERDE RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) – Trout were last stocked the week of March 26th. Carp fishing has been good using corn or dough baits. Always check your regulations before fishing this area with live bait. Game and Fish Commission Rule requires anglers to only use live bait that has been caught in the river. No transporting of live baitfish or crayfish is allowed. Prescott Area FAIN LAKE — The last scheduled stocking was the week of May 28th. The reports from regulars at the lake say the trout are biting, but the morning bite is the best. Anglers are having luck throughout the day using Power Bait and Berkley Gulp. Rainbow and yellow seem to be the popular colors. Fishermen using their fly rod gear are having the best luck. Brown trout and rainbows are hitting the flies very well with one fisherman catching 47 fish (all browns) off the same fly. Flies are less likely to get swallowed so releasing the fish is much easier. GOLDWATER LAKE — The lake is open again and if you have fished Goldwater send me a report of how you did. Trout are scheduled to be stocked for the Free Fishing Event on June 9th. Game and Fish has been trying to boost the some of the warm water species in Goldwater. Bass and catfish have been stocked three times over the last four years. The bass are being stocked to give a boost to a dwindling population in the lake and to reduce the excessive number of crayfish. Please practice catch and release with the bass, while the population gets re-established. Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Goldwater on Sept. 15, 2009 and found bass and catfish populations to be much improved over last year. The number of green sunfish was greatly reduced. The bass had a successful spawn last year. If you fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail me at gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others. GRANITE BASIN LAKE – The bass are biting now. Michael sent in a report of catching 4 largemouth in two hours with the biggest 3.5 pounds. He was using a rubber trout with a spinner tip and a rainbow trout spinner. Thanks for the report Michael! If you fish Granite Basin and are having luck, please e-mail me at gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others. Ed had four good strikes but could not bring in a fish. LYNX LAKE –Rainbow trout were last stocked the week of May 14th. Cut anchovies, night crawlers or hot dog are your best bet for catfish. Lynx also can be an exciting place to fish for carp. Common carp are very strong fighters and will provide an excellent table fair. A quick search on the internet will produce tasty recipes for these robust fish. Corn and an assortment of other baits will attract these fish. Lynx can be difficult to fish, if you are not catching anything try moving to a new spot. There are some good spots on the north end of the lake that don’t get fished as heavily as the south end does. MINGUS LAKE – The last stocking was scheduled for the week of May 28th. For trout the best bait is usually orange, pink, or white Power Bait, fished on the bottom with a treble hook and an egg sinker. Fishing can be really good at times, because angler use is lower than other lakes in the area. This lake is more remote than the other Prescott area lakes and not very big. The lake is open as weather permits. Forest Road 104 is relatively impassable when wet. The lake is still open to foot traffic. 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 – The last trout stocking was the week of Feb. 13. Folks have caught 16- to 17-inch holdover trout from the shore near the new boat launch. Peter, fishing from a kayak caught a 17-inch bass weighing approximately 3 pounds using a live worm. He saw several other large bass but could not get any others to take his bait. The Wildlife Manager for the Watson area sent me a picture of some nice trout an angler caught from shore. Both of these fish looked like they had been in the lake for a period of time because of the size and condition of the fish. If you have fished Watson Lake please send me a report of your trip to share with folks. Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Watson recent and found the bass, sunfish, and bullhead to be plentiful. Crappies were 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 gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others. WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR – The fishing should be slow until the water warms up I the spring. WHITE MOUNTAINS AND RIM LAKES Woods Canyon Lake-3,000 rainbow trout MOGOLLON RIM LAKES BEAR CANYON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good for stocked trout. Bear Canyon Lake was stocked last week with rainbow trout. The lake is full. The lake is full. BLACK CANYON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. The lake has been stocked with rainbow trout in the last several weeks. The water level is very low. Launching a boat will be difficult. CHEVELON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. The lake is full, but no longer spilling. WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE – Fishing is good to excellent for trout and smallmouth bass. Willow Springs Lake was stocked heavily two weeks ago and will be stocked heavily again this week with 4,624 The lake was stocked last week with 3,038 rainbow trout. The lake is full. The boat dock was damaged by ice over the winter and is not accessible part of the dock is usable at this time, but it is still okay to launch boats. WOODS CANYON LAKE – Fishing is good to excellent. The lake was stocked heavily two weeks ago and will be stocked heavily again this week with 7,452 The lake will be stocked this week with 3,000 rainbow trout. Some large rainbow trout, up to five pounds, have also been were stocked in May. The lake is full. The store is open and boat rentals are available. BIG LAKE – Fishing is fair to good excellent. Anglers are catching fish all over the lake, including a 22-inch rainbow trout caught recently. The store is open and boat rentals are available. Big Lake was not impacted by the Wallow Fire last year. Anglers are catching trout on by trolling cowbells with worms, Power Bait, lures (Crickhoppers and Z-Rays) and flies in 10-15 feet of water. CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR – Fishing is fair. The lake will be has been stocked this week with rainbow trout. Some anglers are catching a few trout and bass. CONCHO LAKE – Fishing is good. The lake is almost full. The lake It was has been stocked two weeks ago in May with rainbow trout. CRESCENT LAKE – Fishing is fair. Anglers have been catching some brook trout and a few large rainbow trout. The lake was stocked last week with 2,122 rainbow trout. One angler reported catching a 3 pound rainbow trout at Crescent Lake and weghed it at the Big Lake store memorial weekend. and t he lake will be stocked this week with 1,300 rainbow trout. FOOL HOLLOW LAKE – Fishing is good for trout, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish.The lake will be stocked this week with 1,500 rainbow trout. The lake was recently stocked with 1,000 large, one-pound rainbow trout and has been stocked with 1,500 stocker rainbows. Anglers are catching the large stocked trout with nightcrawlers and Powerbait in 10 to 15 feet of water near the fishing piers on the southwest side of the lake. Bluegills are starting to congregate around the fishing piers. GREER LAKES – Fishing is fair to good. River, Bunch and Tunnel Reservoirs are very low. Boats can’t be launched at Bunch and River Reservoirs. Bunch Reservoir will be stocked this week with 2,430 rainbow trout. Fish with lures (1/8 to ¼-ounce Kastmasters, Rapalas or Panther Martin spinners) or with bait on the bottom (nightcrawlers or Power Bait) for these large trout. Flyfishers are catching trout at Bunch and River on woolly buggers and peacock ladies.
Angler Report: Greer Lakes are extremely low. Water line is below River boat lauch pad concret stop. All Greer Lakes are shallow to begin with. River has to be down 10-feet as are Tunnel and Bunch. Wind is a major problem for shore fishing and fly fishing is impossible. What fish I saw being caught were from boats and the trout were 15-20 inche Rainbow...didn't see any Browns. Paul R. Jones, Phoenix
HULSEY LAKE – The lake was drained immediately following the Wallow Fire to help reduce expected flooding off Escudilla Mountain and will not be stocked this year. LEE VALLEY LAKE – Fishing is good to excellent. Anglers are catching recently stocked Apache trout on lures and flies. . Lee Valley Lake was not impacted by the Wallow Fire last year and also survived through the winter. Fish population surveys conducted recentlyin late April found some Apache trout up to 16 inches and some Arctic grayling up to 14 inches. Some Arctic grayling have also been stocked , but they are fingerling size and won’t be catchable until next year. The lake level is low. LUNA LAKE – Fishing is good to excellent. Luna Lake was stocked heavily in May with 5,440 rainbow trout several weeks ago. Fish population surveys also found carry-over rainbow trout that had survived through the winter. The lake is full. LYMAN LAKE – Lyman Lake State Park is currently closed to public entry, but will re-open for the summer on June 15 through September 17. NELSON RESERVOIR – Fishing is good to excellent. The lake is full and was heavily stocked with rainbow trout over the last couple weeks in May. SCOTT RESERVOIR – Fishing is fair for channel catfish and stocked trout. The lake was stocked recently with rainbow trout. The lake will be stocked this week with 1,250 rainbow trout. Two anglers recently caught six catfish on nightcrawlers and another angler caught a four-pound largemouth bass. Anglers are catching A a few rainbow trout were caught last weekend. The lake is nearly full. SHOW LOW LAKE – Fishing is good for stocked trout. The lake was stocked recently in May with 1,000 large, one-pound trout. O One angler recently caught 3 nice walleyes on a Rapala. The lake will be stocked this week with 2,500 rainbow trout. Recent fish surveys in Show Low Lake found numerous smallmouth bass, averaging about 1.5 pounds. Fish for these bass with nightcrawlers or lures anywhere there is a rocky shoreline. The lake is about six feet low, but the boat ramp is still usable. The fishing pier located across the dam is now accessible. Boat rentals are available and the campgrounds are open.
Note: Trout stocking in the streams began last week and will continue every week through early September, as long as water conditions are suitable. All main Forest Roads are open, including Highways 273 and 261. The final pieces of construction on Hwy 273 were completed last fall, so the road is now paved all the way to Big Lake and is in beautiful condition. EAST FORK of the BLACK RIVER – Fishing is fair to good for wild brown trout and good for stocked Apache trout. The East Fork survived the Wallow Fire of 2011 much better than expected and is currently holding many wild brown trout throughout the river. Apache trout will be stocked this week all along Forest Road 276. The road and campgrounds along the East Fork will be opened by Memorial Day weekend. WEST FORK of the BLACK RIVER – Fishing is fair in the lower reaches. The Wallow Fire caused a partial fish kill on wild brown trout in the lower reaches, but hatchery Apache trout are being stocked weekly at the Forest Road 68 crossing. Fishing in the middle and upper reaches is fair to good for wild trout, where the fire had little impact. Access is open at the FR 25 bridge, FR 68 crossing, and FR 116. The West Fork campground will be closed through the year due to safety reasons. The middle and upper reaches of the West Fork Black are open to catch-and-release artificial lure and fly only, while the lower end is open to bait fishing with a six-trout bag limit. BLACK RIVER – Fishing is poor. The mainstem of the Black River was heavily impacted by the Wallow Fire last year. Very few fish were found during intensive surveys last fall. LITTLE COLORADO RIVER IN GREER – Fishing is fair for wild brown trout and good for stocked Apache trout. The mainstem Little Colorado River and West Fork LCR (Government Springs) in Greer were not impacted by the Wallow Fire last year. Stream surveys in the fall of 2011 found numerous wild brown trout. Hatchery Apache trout will be stocked weekly in Greer. 8001,250 trout per week will be split between Government Springs (90%) and in front of Rendezvous Café (10%). SHEEPS CROSSING – Fishing is good. Apache trout will be stocked weekly at Sheeps Crossing. Sheeps Crossing was not affected by the Wallow Fire last year. Fishing is fair to good for wild Apache trout in the wilderness portions of the West Fork Little Colorado River. SILVER CREEK – Fishing is good. Apache trout are being stocked weekly. Silver Creek is currently open to bait and a bag/possession limit of six trout (April 1 through September 30). The upper section is now closed to angling, which is well signed. Warm temperatures are getting hot and so is the fishing action! Anglers will need to concentrate their efforts to the cooler times of day as the temperatures continue to rise. Summer trout stocking will begin soon at Rose Canyon Lake and Riggs Flat provided water quality parameters are favorable. The summer stocking schedule for the entire state can be found here: 2012 Summer Stocking Schedule . This schedule is updated as changes occur so check back often! Need ideas on where to go fishing? Try the Departments new interactive Fish and Boat Map: Fish and Boat Arizona RIGGS FLAT — The lake is open for the summer. Fishing has been good for both rainbow and browns. Check the stocking schedule here: 2012 Summer Stocking Schedule for summer stocking dates. The department will be stocking white amur in this lake this week in an effort to reduce aquatic vegetation and control water quality problems that have prevented stocking in the past. Anglers are being asked to immediately release unharmed all amurs they catch. ROPER LAKE — No recent reports of success. For lake information (928) 428-6760. FRYE MESA RESERVIOR –Anglers continue to report success in catching Gila trout. Remember that the daily bag and possession limit for this species is 1 fish. Frye Creek above the reservoir remains closed to fishing. ARIVACA — Open to anglers, water levels are severely low and the lake continues to drop. It is extremely difficult to launch boats at this time. If you decide to try and launch your boat use caution and common sense. Boaters using gas motors are asked to be courteous and not create wake problems for others boaters. Sporadic success is being reported with fish being caught in the early mornings and late evenings. PENA BLANCA – Some anglers are still reporting trout being caught. No reports on warm water fishing have been received since the stocking of warm water fish at the lake although angler use is increasing. The Department has planned additional stockings of channel catfish and sunfish in the coming weeks. Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be immediately released alive. Additionally all mercury advisories against the eating of warmwater fish caught at Pena Blanca Lake remains in effect. Future testing will determine if and when these advisories will be lifted. Boaters using gas motors are asked to be courteous and not create wake problems for others boaters. Fishing for trout is been hot down at Pena Blanca Lake. Fish avg 12 - 17 inches. Flies of Choice: CH Black Crystal Woolly Bugger size 8 and Flashback Hares Ear size 16. Did not get much chance to go after bass, too much action on Trout... when the trout slow down I will report on the Bass Fishing PATAGONIA — Fishing continues to pick up with bass anglers having success working the shorelines in shallower water. Recent surveys at the lake show outstanding numbers of large healthy largemouth bass and redear sunfish. Don’t forget that the lake supports a very healthy flathead catfish population as well that can provide some exciting opportunities for anglers. PARKER CANYON — Fishing remains fair for all species. The Department is currently working to establish a breeding population of channel catfish at the lake and is asking anglers to please limit the harvest of catfish at this time to allow larger members of the population the opportunity to spawn. Contact the Parker Canyon Lake Store for up to date information on lake levels and fishing activity at www.parkercanyonlake.com or by phone at (520)455-5847. ROSE CANYON LAKE — The lake is open to vehicle traffic and it has been stocked. Anglers are reporting success in the early mornings and late evenings. The summer trout stocking schedule can be found here: 2012 Summer Stocking Schedule.
Fishing is good to excellent for anglers using worms, stink baits, or shrimp fished on the bottom. If you want to use bobbers, rig up a slip bobber and fish 8-12 feet deep.
Catfish are biting irregularly throughout the day, but are more active when the sun goes down. Most catfish are from 13-16 inches, but some lunkers over 3 pounds are being hauled out of the lakes.
Bluegill fishing is good for anglers using worms and mealworms fished under a small bobber in 3- to 6-foot depths. Action for largemouth bass is fair, with the best baits being finesse plastics fished in the early morning hours. 
Angler Report:
I went to Lake Pleasant Sunday morning to go striper fishing. I was all the way up the Agaua Fria arm of the lake. I was using an anchovy for bait in almost 10 feet of water. My rod bent over, and I started reeling my line in. I was amazed at what I caught. This turtle was bigger than my net. The hook got stuck in its mouth. I tried to retrieve it and got bit on my left thumb and had a large blood blister. After talking to my wife and a friend, I learned turtles have salmonella. I made a doctor's appointment and am on an antibiotic. This is the biggest turtle I have ever seen in Arizona. I let the turtle go and it swam off.
Gary
ROOSEVELT LAKE - Lake elevation is 2,116 feet and the lake level is 61 percent.
SAGUARO - Lake elevation is 1,524 feet at 92 percent full. Largemouth bass fishing is good.
BARTLETT – Lake elevation 1,755 feet, 47 percent full.
Angler reports
My sons Benjamin (12 yr.) and Christopher (9 yr.) posing with their catch over the Memorial Day weekend at Bartlett.
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – They are releasing from 1,200 cfs out of Stewart Mountain Dam from Saguaro. Stocked last week.
Creeks Below the Mogollon Rim
*Christopher Creek
COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at www.azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.
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 gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.
SOUTHWESTERN WATERS
LAKE HAVASU -- Report courtesy John Galbraith of BassTackleMaster.com, Lake Havasu City, Az.
Lake Havasu Fishing Report. Lake Level 449.27
Stripers hitting cast and trolled topwater lures like Chug Bugs, pencil poppers and Super Spooks in bone, white and chrome colors in the morning hours from 5 to 8 a.m.
Fishing Cut bait (anchovies/Sardines) has been productive at the entrance to the river north to Blankenship Bend.
Redear panfish hitting good on crappie tubes and night crawlers on shallow reefs and flats where they spawn.
Nightime catfish bite excellent on cut mackerel and 3- to 6-inch live bluegillls. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. has been the best time to target "BIG" cats
PARKER STRIP -- No recent reports. Should be decent smallmouth bass fishing just below Parker Dam.
COLORADO RIVER (PARKER STRIP AREA) -- Fishing for smallmouth bass over two pounds in size is expected to be good to excellent. In addition, redear sunfish should also be good in the pound-plus sizes.
This stretch of the river is best known for its trophy-sized flathead catfish, with some over 70 pounds and largemouth bass, with some over 10 pounds. However, it can also be good for channel catfish, sunfish and carp and to a lesser extent striped bass, crappie and tilapia.
CENTRAL MOUNTAINS
WILLIAMS LAKES:
KAIBAB LAKE — Campground is open. According to our creel clerk some bass, crappie and bluegill were being caught fishing for trout was slow. With the warm water temperatures trout fishing will be best early in the morning or late in the evening. Fish for other species later in the day.
DOGTOWN LAKE — Campground is open. Crappie fishing was excellent over the weekend.
LOWER LAKE MARY — very low water No report
BEAVER CREEK – Has been Stocked
WEST CLEAR CREEK-. Has been Stocked
STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.
BLUE RIDGE — Fishing has been good.
KNOLL LAKE —Fishing has been good. 
Angler reports:
VERDE VALLEY
Yellow bullhead catfish are active and easy to catch with nightcrawlers on the bottom.
If you fish Willow and are having luck, please e-mail me at gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.
Recommended Waters to Fish
Fishing for hold-over trout is fair to goodexcellent at Big Lake. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout is excellent at Nelson Reservoir, Willow Springs Lake, and Woods Canyon Lake, and fishing is good at Bear Canyon Lake, Bunch Reservoir, Tunnel Reservoir, River Reservoir, Rainbow Lake, and Woodland Lake. Fishing is good for stocked Apache trout at Lee Valley Lake, Silver Creek, and the Little Colorado River in Greer. For fly anglers, Becker Lake is good, with reports of 24-inch rainbow trout. Anglers are catching 1510-19 17 inch rainbow trout at Rainbow, Show Low, and Fool Hollow lakes.
Week of June 4-8
Little Colorado River at Greer-1250 Apache trout
Sheeps Crossing/West Fork LCR-500 Apache Trout
East Fork Black River-1,400 Apache trout
West Fork Black River-500 Apache trout
Silver Creek-750 Apache trout
Woodland Lake-2,000 rainbow trout
Fool Hollow Lake-1,500 rainbow trout
Scotts Reservoir-1,250 rainbow trout
Show Low Lake-2,500 rainbow trout
Show Low Creek-540 rainbow trout
Bunch Reservoir-2,430 rainbow trout
Note: All Forest Roads are open, including the Rim Road.
WHITE MOUNTAINS LAKES
Note: All Forest Roads are open, including Highways 273 and 261. The final pieces of construction on Hwy 273 were completed last fall, so the road is now paved all the way to Big Lake.
BECKER LAKE – Fishing is good to excellent. Some fly fishermen are catching trout on nymphs, including zebra midges (black and red) and red chironomids, and wooly buggers. Anglers have been consistently catching rainbows over 20 inches, with reports of trout up to 24 inches. Becker Lake is catch-and-release only, with artificial lures and flies only with single barbless hook.
CARNERO LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. Carnero will be has been stocked with 2,000 rainbow trout this week. The lake level is about 1.5 feet down.
All three lakes have been recently stocked. Bunch Reservoir was stocked with 350 super-catchable and show pond size rainbow trout. These fish are big, averaging 1.6 pounds each; with some up to six pounds.
RAINBOW LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. The lake was recently stocked with large, one-pound rainbow trout and with regular stockers. The lake is nearly full. The weeds have not shown up yet, so boating is good.Anglers are catching trout, bass, sunfish, and bullheads.
WHITE MOUNTAINS STREAMS
WOODLAND LAKE – Fishing is good to excellent. The lake has been stocked recently with rainbow trout. The lake will be stocked this week with 2,000 rainbow trout. Anglers are catching trout on the bottom with bait and with small spinners/lures or flies when they are rising at the surface. The lake is full. The trout bag and possession limit is four trout.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Please send me your fishing reports from Southern Arizona! Fishing reports can be sent to Don Mitchell, Regional Fish Program Manager by email at dmitchell@azgfd.gov. These reports will then be complied and reported in our weekly fishing reports.
CLUFF RANCH —No recent reports of success. The pond is full and there should be no problems with boat launching. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.
DANKWORTH POND — Remains closed to access during renovation. All renovation work has been completed and State Parks has begun refilling the lake. At this time the reopening of the lake is still unknown but that day is getting closer!