Rory's tips:
After more than 22 years and 1,200-plus weeks of producing the weekly fishing report, this is my last one. I retire at the end of this week.
I am truly blessed for having had such a superb readership. And such an interactive one. I truly appreciated all the e-mails and phone calls with tips and questions. It was also gratifying to meet so many of you on the lakes, at events, or in some cases, even places like the local super market.
Being just an old small town newspaper editor, I have always looked at all of you as being my home-town audience.
However, I am not quite fading into the sunset. I'll still be contributing articles to Arizona Wildlife Views magazines and a variety of other publications. I just finished writing one for the January-February edition on swim baits and will follow up with an article on umbrella rigs for the March-April edition.
In addition, I'll still be doing book signings in conjunction with Arizona Highways Magazine, which published Arizona's Offical Fishing Guide in collaboration with the Game and Fish Department. I was privileged to be the author.
You can also visit my on Facebook site (under my name) and share your great fish catches or stories.
Okay, on to fishing tips.
Monday Oct. 1 is the opening day of the seasonal trout fishery at Silver Creek and they will be stocking lots of rainbow and Apache trout in the 3-plus-pound category. Wish I could be there, but with a 12-year-old boy at home I don't have the luxury of traveling far on a school day.
The striped bass bite at Pleasant is going bonkers. Mike McFarland, a guide at Pleasant, just had a client catch a nice 22-pounder (see the picture). It's mostly a topwater bite. Striped bass and largemouth bass are chasing shad at the surface.
Mike said the bite is pretty much lake-wide and you might find striped bass, white bass and black bass all chasing shad
The dream fishing right now is at Lake Powell. Check out Wayne's Words below. The weather is near perfect and you might have the fishing trip of a lifetime with lots of stripers, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. I have had some awesome autumn fishing trips to Powell over the years. It can be topwater heaven. We once caught more than 60 largemouth bass in an hour fishing a narrow side canyon off the San Juan Arm. They bass acted like they had never seen a topwater lure before.
Also Lees Ferry is a dream this time of year. The weather is pleasant, it's the off-season so you can often find the best gravel bars all to yourself, and the autumn angle of the sun brings out the subtle hues of the sandstone, making it an Arizona Highways photo special.
For the high country, this is prime time for the elk rut. So there are lots of opportunities to fish and hear elk bugling. One of my favorites for this is Knoll Lake on the Mogollon Rim. Not only have I routinely heard elk bugles while fishing in autumn, but have heard the clash of antlers as well with two bulls fighting, and then watched as the local osprey dives into the water and catches a trout.
It's a special time in the forest during autumn.
A few year ago we were fishing the upper end of Lake Mary for some pike and saw a herd of elk come down to water, and some of them actually went into the water and swam while two young herd bulls were sparring. Pretty neat stuff to see.
For those of you who want to submit fishing reports, fishing tales, photos or what have you, please send them to our "Bee Fishing" mail box at BFishing@azgfd.gov.
Go catch a bunch of great memories and maybe I'll see you out there from time to time.
Fishing News
Golden alga caused fish kill confirmed at Roosevelt
PHOENIX – Fish kills from golden alga have been confirmed at Roosevelt Lake and biologists are continuing to monitor the situation, advised Arizona Game and Fish Department officials.
“Golden alga can produce a toxin that affects gill breathing organisms,” said Marc Dahlberg, acting Fisheries Branch chief. “This toxin is not known to be a health threat to humans.”
This most recent fish kill follows on the heels of a golden alga caused fish kill on approximately 20 miles of the Salt River just upstream from Roosevelt Lake during July.
The current fish die off at Roosevelt appears to be lake wide, affecting primarily gizzard shad, a species that is sensitive to the golden alga toxin. Approximately 30 to 40 large (13- to 15-inch) dead gizzard shad in various stages of decay can be found throughout the lake on a regular basis.
“We suspect that threadfin shad, a fish that is also very sensitive to golden alga toxin, are also being impacted,” Dahlberg said. “However, because threadfin are so much smaller they are probably being rapidly consumed by birds and are not as readily observed as the larger bodied gizzard shad.”
Although golden alga fish kills have occurred in a number of states, scientists are still not sure what environmental conditions actually result in golden alga producing toxins.
Game and Fish biologists said that if environmental conditions do not improve there is a possibility that the golden alga kills could extend to other fish species on Roosevelt and possibly downstream to other lakes as well.
CENTRAL WATERS
Note: If you have a fishing report or good fishing pictures to share (JPEG), send them to our "Been Fishing" site at BFishing@azgfd.gov.
URBAN LAKES-- Catfish stockings in the Phoenix and Tucson urban lakes resumed last week.
Fishing has been decent 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.
At Green Valley Lakes (Payson), fishing for trout has slowed 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. Trout stockings will resume in October.
TEMPE TOWN LAKE– Fishing has really picked up lately, especially for largemouth bass. 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, so you will need the regular state fishing license to fish here.
LAKE PLEASANT- Lake level 1,647, 50 percent full with approximately 6,747 surface acres.
Mike McFarland, a fishing guide with Hook Up Outfitters, said the topwater action has now spread lake wide and you might find bass chasing shad just about anywhere in the lake, especially at first and last light, then periodically throughout the day.
Try using topwater lures, swim baits, Alabama rigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits or jerkbaits.
Nighttime fishing for catfish, especially from shore, should be good using stink abit. This is prime catfish time. Try stink baits such as chicken liver. Corn can also work for both catfish and carp. Frozen anchovies fished on the bottom are another good choice -- you might even catch a striped bass.
ROOSEVELT LAKE - Lake elevation is 2,100 feet and the lake level is 47 percent.
Fishing has been sporadic lately. Expect to find some topwater action, especially at first and last light, but be prepared to fish a little deeper off the points if there are not active fish at the top of the water column.
This is still a good time to try for channel catfish using sink bait. For flatheads, live bait such as bluegills or small carp work best. For channel catfish, try any stinkbait. Although you can catch channels during the day, the prime bite has likely shifted to the nighttime hours.
Still not hearing much on the crappie front.
APACHE LAKE - Lake elevation is 1,907 feet (93 percent full). No recent reports. Apache is typically a good fall producer.
CANYON LAKE - Lake elevation is still holding at around 1,658 feet, which is 96 percent full. No recent angler reports.
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.
SAGUARO LAKE - Lake elevation is 1,524 feet at 92 percent full. This is a fishing hot spot, especially for yellow bass. Mike McFarland, a guide with Hook Up Outfitters, said it's possible to catch up to 100 yellow bass in a day ranging up to 2 pounds using gold KastMasters or Lake Fork flutter-down spoons. He said you can also catch largemouth bass on the bottom using those same lures -- if you can get them past all the yellows.
This is also a hot spot for good sized largemouth bass -- Mike caught 10 bass over 4 pounds in a single day. He said the bite really takes off when Salt River Project is doing a pump back (releasing water and then pumping it back for hydroelectric power), which creates a current. At those times, there is a tremendous topwater bite.
He also suggests working the edges of the grass in 10 feet of water using drop shots for bucketmouths.
BARTLETT LAKE – Lake elevation has been holding at 1,758 feet, 50 percent full. Should be good topwater action for bass off-and-on throughout the day night now. Try working the main lake points, islands and reefs, but don't ignore the deeper coves, especially in the morning. Sometimes you can find bass feeding on large schools of shad in the coves.
This is the tail end of the prime flathead catfish season, but there are anglers who fish Bartlett all winter long for these huge voracious fish. Try live bluegill or small carp as bait. Look for the deeper holes, especially uplake where there is a little current.
For bluegills, try the backs of rocky coves using night crawlers or meal worms on light tackle. Also look for large rafts of bluegill, especially up in the narrows. When you find them, small spinners, crappie jigs and worms can get you lots of fish to fry.
HORSESHOE LAKE - One-percent full. Salt River Project tends to use Horseshoe as a flood retention reservoir, but steadily releases the water downstream into Bartlett Lake.
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – Releases were 936 cfs out of Stewart Mountain Dam from Saguaro. You might be able to catch some bass or sunfish in the deeper holes.
Creeks Below the Mogollon Rim
Weekly stockings into the trout streams have ended for most streams.
Don't forget we have a new interactive 2012 trout stocking schedule that actually shows the locations we stock along the creeks.
COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST
Note: If you have a fishing report or good fishing pictures to share (JPEG), send them to our "Been Fishing" site at BFishing@azgfd.gov.
LAKE POWELL -- From By: Wayne Gustaveson
http://www.wayneswords.com.
Lake Powell Fish Report – Sept. 21, 2012. Lake elevation: 3,622. Water Temperature 75-78 F
Lake level decline has slowed and weather is similar to that imagined for a dream vacation to a tropical island. It’s warm in the day time and delightfully cool at night with only a gentle breeze occasionally breaking up the flat calm reflecting pool of Lake Powell. Yes it’s really nice down here right now.
Fishing patterns are essentially the same with some subtle differences discovered during the past week. Early each morning and evening small shad schools (100 fish) venture out to eat plankton. There will be an occasional quick bass or striper boil as the sun hits the water in the morning or goes behind the canyon wall at night. None of this surface action is large or long lived but it provides an indication that fish are in the area and can be caught.
An added bonus is that shad schools randomly show up during the day in shallow water along shore. Shad are trying to find new hiding places after being evicted from their summer homes by falling lake levels. Shad schools have been seen in unusual places like the Stateline Ramp, Wahweap fishing dock, and in many small coves over the length of lake. Casting near these active shad schools insures that fish will be caught. The only unknown is whether bass or stripers will be working near the cornered shad school.
Two patterns prevail. Bass can be caught on surface lures, both hard plastic poppers and soft plastic flukes, fished in the few remaining brush thickets. It is easy to cruise the main channel and see a brushy pocket near shore. Virtually all of these remaining thickets will hold many bass and some stripers. Cast into the brush near shore for quick action.
Stripers are roving the canyons and bays in large schools that can be seen on the surface occasionally but on the graph consistently. Graph a school and drop spoons, bait or troll the area to catch a cooler full of fish. Some recent dependable fishing spots have been vacated as stripers move in pursuit of shad that have left for safer venues.
New destinations to try now include main Warm Creek Bay half way between the floating restroom and Crosby Canyon. Gunsight Canyon is another spot with a big striper school now in residence. Last Chance, Rock Creek, Dove and Dungeon provide some very good opportunities to get a big school going right under the boat. Graph where bottom depth quickly falls from 30 to 60 feet for best results.
In the vicinity of Bullfrog a few boils have been seen at Hobie Cat beach and at the back of Bullfrog Bay. Again the best catching has come on bait and spoons in Moki Canyon, and Halls Creek (near the pass that leads to Bullfrog Bay at higher water).
Good Hope Bay is the center of north lake action. Look for suspended fish in open water holding near the thermocline. We found a large school on the main channel side of Blue Notch near the last large main channel island when leaving Blue Notch to run further uplake.
Our largest striper school of the week was found at the mouth of Piute Canyon on the San Juan. We were able to fill the cooler 3 different times with 3-5 pound stripers. Fish were filleted as the cooler ran out of space and then we returned for another battle. At the end of the day we had spent a total of 4 hours fishing and caught 115 large stripers.
Striper fishing is really good right now but schools tend to move often. Troll deep to find a new school but drop spoons when a hooked fish comes to the boat and the school is seen on the graph to maximize catch. Another trick is to chum an area with anchovies and return later in the day to find stripers cruising that area to find more bait.
Fishing is excellent and will hold up through October. We hope you can make one more trip to help us save some shad and harvest striped bass. Thanks for your efforts to improve the Lake Powell fishery.
LEES FERRY -- Report By: Terry Gunn
Fly Fishing Up-River:
This is a great time of year here at the Ferry. Afternoon monsoons provide us with cooler weather and even cooler nights. Because of the monsoons in the area, the Paria River has flashed a few more times so if you notice a murky colored Colorado River as you cross over Navajo Bridge, don’t be surprised. It is still running clear above the Paria, though, so these flashes haven’t affected anything above it too drastically. Starting at the end of August, the fishing has been tremendous. Glen Canyon Dam has dropped the flows to a steady 8,000 cfs. The flows had been previously fluctuating between 10,000 and 18,000 cfs so they have dropped significantly. If you are taking a boat up river just be aware of the gravel bars and very aware of your prop. These low flows are so far great for fishing. Dropping the volume of water likely condenses the fish into smaller areas of water. As with the previous months, we are definitely seeing an increase in the amount of large fish being caught. The fish are longer, fatter and in general just healthier. It is not unusual to catch more than a handful of 18-20 inch fish a day, however, there are days when the larger fish just don’t want to eat and every small fish in the river appears ravenous. The low flows also provide us with more wading spots, which is one of the most effective ways to fish the Colorado River. To get up to date information on the fishing up river, I have interviewed a couple of our guides that make daily trips up-river and have the inside information on the river: These guides are coming into the shop at the end of every trip and giving the shop staff the low down on exactly what is working up river, so make sure you stop on in so that we can pass that information on to you. It changes daily and we are more than happy to let you know what is working. Fly Fishing at the Walk-In: The walk-in has seen some of the best fishing this year. With the lower flows, the larger fish have moved back into the shallows. The lower flows have changed the terrain of the walk in slightly so you have to walk farther out to reach the water but it is shallower and thus easier to reach the fish. If you are up for some slightly harder wading, try the upper boulder field. There is some pocket water that works well with nymphing but use lighter split shot so you are not scraping bottom the whole time. Like Jared says, less weight and longer line is the way to be. If you are fishing from the big rock down, follow Skips advice and fish your way out. In the seam water you never know how close in those fish may be so better your odds by fishing the whole way out. A streamer or two is always worth a try from the big rock down to the Paria River. Although fishing near the confluence of the Paria River is usually extremely good fishing, we recommend staying away from this area if you are not a confident wader. There is a lot of silt and sediment coming in and it can a lot like quick sand so be careful. If you stop in the shop, we can review a map of the walk in and show you exactly where to go and what to use to increase your odds of catching those elusive rainbows. It always helps to know the water before you fish it and our enigmatic shop staff is always happy to help. Spin Fishing up River: Even though the flows are lower, fishing up river has been incredible. Spin fishing has been producing both number and high quality, sizeable rainbows. Over the Labor Day weekend we had numerous clients taking their boats up river and coming back with great reports and even better fish stories, which by the way we absolutely love hearing in the shop. Nothing makes us happier than a satisfied fisherman. Anyways here are some tips as to what to do straight from a guide: • Kevin Campbell says, “What has been working well for me is gold lures over big, expansive flats and jigs adjacent to the grass line”. Guides have also been drifting large glo-bugs with the lead and tubing technique. I would recommend trying some different things out there, like Kevin says. If one thing isn’t working, switch it up. The fish are always there you just have to make sure to get the lures in their face to make sure they have the opportunity to hit it. Spin Fishing at the Walk-In: Because of the Paria River running so muddy, we recommend staying away from that area of the walk in because the fishing just hasn’t been that great down there. The area from the big rock down to just above the Paria has been pretty good. Look for the deep seams to pinpoint where the fish are. Also try anywhere from below the boat ramp to the upper boulder field and if you are comfortable with wading and spin fishing, give it a try. In this section it is effective to walk out to the fish if you are not catching them from the shore line. Everyone has been fishing the lower sections of this area so there has been smaller traffic through here. Dean Windham, an associate in the shop, recommends gold lures especially those with flash tape. You can also try using glo-bugs to change things up. If you have any spin fishing questions, Dean is our go to guy and you can often him out on the water learning new things about these Colorado River trout. Whirling disease detected for 2nd time at Lees Ferry
This is the 2nd time that WD has been detected at Lees Ferry. The first detection was in 2007; this was the year that Lake Powell dropped to its lowest level and as a result, the discharge temperatures from the dam were more than 60 degrees. This past year the discharge temperatures increased again, this time it was a result of the huge inflows into the lake which caused another 60 degree discharge. There has always been the thought that it was our cold water that prevented Lees Ferry from being infected with WD and I find it an interesting coincidence that both detections were made during periods of warm water. Water temps returned to normal (48 degrees) last December.
Like the Green and San Juan, I’m not expecting this WD detection to have an impact on the Lees Ferry fishery. The one thing that it should impact is our awareness to make sure that we all take the necessary steps to clean our gear so that WD is not spread to other waters in AZ or elsewhere.
Here is some great info: http://www.tu.org/whirling-disease
LAKE MEAD – The current elevation has maintained at 1,116 feet above msl for several weeks, possibly due to the runoff from the storms that have came through. The water level will normally continue to drop approximately one foot to six inches 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 phases before you go –last new moon was Sept. 15. The next new moon will be Monday, Oct. 15. Dark nights work best when fishing under light. Fishing for stripers in 50 plus feet of water will normally find the larger fish. If they are not taking the anchovies try swimming baits and see if you can get them to bite. 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 642 feet above msl for several weeks. 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. Vicki caught a nice 4.74 pound striper at 24 ¾ inches fishing in coves near the power lines. Just beyond the power lines Courtney caught a nice 6 pound, 24 inch striper. While the number of stripers in Mohave has been decreasing, the quality of the fish caught has increased. Reports of good bluegill action off the structures mentioned in the paragraph below.
Submersible lights fished during the new moon are an effective way to catch stripers. Next new moon is Monday, October 15th. 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 Powerworms 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.
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 – 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 the monster catch of Lensey P. of very large bluegills caught in the Laughlin Bay area on night crawlers. Dale from Paramount, California boated two nice channel catfish (5.68 lbs. and 5.5 lbs.) in the Needles area using anchovies. The Big Bend area produced a large striper that I would estimate at over 36 inches. Unfortunately know information was provided except for the pictures.
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.
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.
Topock Gorge - Most bass are being taken on minnows and night crawlers. Smallmouths are ranging from 2 – 5 pounds, and sunfish up to 1.5 pounds. A 5.5 beauty was the largest black bass so far this year. Stripers caught in May averaged between 2-5 pounds but have dropped to 1-2 pounds recently. Catfish have been harder to catch. A beautiful 7.42 pound channel was recently caught on anchovies by Rex while fishing for stripers. Sunfish are in the river and being taken on plastics like small worms, curly tails, and 4 inch Robo Worms. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action has been outstanding. Derek landed a nice 2.9 pound largemouth using a spinner a little ways up river.
TOPOCK MARSH – The action at Topock Marsh has been steadily improving. Night crawlers and live minnows have been tempting catfish from North Dyke. Dayton sent a picture of one of his largemouth and reports that the bass and sunfish are moving off their nests. 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. Robert and Dennis had a great day on the marsh and came home with a stringer of 11 largemouths, 1 very nice catfish and a striper. Remember the minimum of 13 inches for largemouth bass in 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/.
SOUTHWESTERN WATERS
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.
If you have a fishing report or good fishing pictures to share (JPEG), send them to our "Been Fishing" site at BFishing@azgfd.gov.
For more information, visit the updated "Where to Fish" pages at http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/where_fish_southwest.shtml.
LAKE HAVASU -- Report courtesy John Galbraith of BassTackleMaster.com, Lake Havasu City, Az.
Striped Bass action good with boils of stripers chasing shad in the morning and late afternoon hours. Trolling Super Spooks, Sassy Shads and Rat-L-Traps in white or chrome/blue working best. Black Rock cove north to the entrance to the river has been the best place to search for the "boils".
Channel Catfish bite is excellent with numerous cats being caught on cut markerel and squid off deeper points and coves in 15 to 35 feet of water.
Smallmouth bass biting good on Hula grubs in smoke sparkle or cinnamon w/purple glitter rigged on 3/8 oz football jigs fished around rocky points and gravel shorelines in 6 to 15 feet of water. Topwater poppers, Sammys and buzzbaits also working well for smallmouth and largemouth over gravel flats and submerged weedbeds in the morning and late afternoon hours.
ALAMO LAKE -- Report courtesy Mark Knapp, Alamo Lake State Park.
Well folks, in a nut shell your not missing anything out here. Junior and I have been going out every evening and have been averaging 4 to 6 bass a night. That's lousy compared of what this lake is capable of producing. I have thrown training wheels of all colors, spinnerbaits of all sorts, and every thing else I can think of. It all comes back to throwing a watermellon colored brush hog right before dark. The bite lasts about 30 minutes and it's done. We have been taking my 8 year old grandson with us and getting him involved with fishing. The other night he was sitting in the boat. Junior and I were fishing out one side and he was looking out the other. All of a sudden he said, " Hey grandpa, look at this snake!" We looked over just in time to stop a 3-foot western diamond back from crawling into the boat and in his lap. I still have visions of sitting in a hospital with him. Junior was quick to react and managed to fling him back out in the lake with his fishing pole. The snake took off to the nearest shore line.
Clyde just stopped by and said they did really well yesterday morning throwing topwater. They quit counting at 15. He said anything small that matched the color of the dragon flies worked well. No good reports on crappie or cat fishing. The lake level is at 1198ish with releases of 25 cfs. Cholla ramp, to my surprise, is still in operation at this time. The old rental boat road works well for smaller boats. Some of you may or may not know that Rory is retiring very soon.
Mark
COLORADO RIVER (PARKER STRIP AREA) -- Fishing for smallmouth bass over 2 pounds in size is expected to be good to excellent. In addition, redear sunfish should also be good 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 2 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)
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.
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 widespread 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 -- The topwater bite should still be going here.
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. 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 indicated 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/.
CENTRAL MOUNTAINS
Note: The summer trout stocking schedule can be accessed at http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/fishing/stocking/2012SumTroutStockSchedule.pdf
Fire restrictions have been lifted on the Kaibab and Coconino national forests.
Note: If you have a fishing report or good fishing pictures to share (JPEG), send them to our "Been Fishing" site at BFishing@azgfd.gov.
Upper Lake Mary was stocked with trout. Fossil Creek is closed to fishing.
WILLIAMS LAKES:
Upper Lake Mary was stocked with trout. Fossil Creek is closed to fishing.
WILLIAMS LAKES:
KAIBAB LAKE — Campground is open. Fishing has been good, especiall yon rainbow Power Bait. Crappie and bass were being caught on small jigs. Please try to leave the larger bass in the lake to spawn.
CATARACT LAKE — Please try to leave the larger bass in the lake to spawn. Some large channel catfish are being caught on garlic hot dogs.
CITY RESERVOIR — No report
DOGTOWN LAKE — Campground is open. Fish along the shore on the opposite side of the lake from the boat ramp.
JD DAM — No report. Remember the lake is managed as a catch-and-release fishery.
RUSSELL TANK - The lake is to shallow to stock.
SANTA FE — No report
WHITEHORSE LAKE — Campground is open. Trout fishing will be best early in the morning or late in the evening.
FLAGSTAFF LAKES:
LOWER LAKE MARY — Almost dry.
UPPER LAKE MARY — Upper Lake Mary was stocked with catchable trout. Water quality problems at many of our trout lakes has led to us stocking Upper Lake Mary. Water levels are dropping and larger boats can only be launched at the second boat ramp. Boat anglers are doing well fishing for northern pike and walleye. Fishing is slow from the shore,.
ASHURST LAKE — Fishing was good during the week on green Power Bait and worms. Stocked Last Week
FRANCIS SHORT POND – No report.
KINNIKINICK LAKE — Road is open. No report. A lot of nice brown trout and channel catfish were caught during fish sampling.
LONG LAKE — We have had a few reports that the pike fishing has been good on Long Lake.
STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.
VERDE VALLEY
DEAD HORSE STATE PARK – Catfish were last stocked 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 night crawlers, 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 Power Bait under a bobber. They bite best in the early morning hours and the evening.
OAK CREEK--Has been stocked recently. No angler reports.
VERDE RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) – Trout were last stocked the week of March 26. 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.
WEST CLEAR CREEK -- Trout stockings will resume soon.
WET BEAVER CREEK -- Trout stockings will resume soon.
Prescott Area
FAIN LAKE — Rainbow trout were stocked last week.
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. Flies are less likely to get swallowed so releasing the fish is much easier.
GOLDWATER LAKE — Trout were stocked the week of Sept. 10.
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 – Robert and Michelle fished from the boat launch at around 10 o’clock and caught fish non-stop for 2 -2 ½ hours. They were using a bobber with worms and caught 23 bluegills and a black bass. Robert tried a popper and had a strike but was unsuccessful in landing the fish. Thanks for your report Robert and Michelle! 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.
LYNX LAKE – Recently stocked.
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 – Rainbow trout were stocked last week.
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.
Yellow bullhead catfish are active and easy to catch with nightcrawlers on the bottom.
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 recently 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 challenge with this lake is finding access to the shore and fighting the aquatic vegetation. If you fish Willow and are having luck, please e-mail me at gcummins@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.
WHITE MOUNTAINS AND RIM LAKES
Recommended Waters to Fish
Fishing is fair to good for rainbow trout at Big Lake, Good to excellent for stocked rainbow trout at Show Low Creek, good for catfish at Fool Hollow Lake,good for rainbow trout and walleyes by trolling deep at Show Low Lake.
For fly anglers, the fishing at Becker Lake is improving with cooler water temperatures. Several Rim Lakes (Willow Springs, Woods Canyon, and Bear Canyon lakes) will be stocked this week to end the regular stocking season.
Note: If you have a fishing report or good fishing pictures to share (JPEG), send them to our "Been Fishing" site at BFishing@azgfd.gov.
Trout Stocking Schedule
Week of Sept. 17-21
Fool Hollow Lake – 500 rainbow trout
Scotts Reservoir – 500 rainbow trout
Show Low Lake – 625 rainbow trout
Willow Springs Lake – 2,000 rainbow trout
Woods Canyon Lake – 3,500 rainbow trout
Week of Sept. 24-28
Bear Canyon Lake - 2,000 rainbow trout
Willow Springs Lake - 4,000 rainbow trout
Woods Canyon Lake - 1,467 rainbow trout
MOGOLLON RIM LAKES
Note: This week marks the end of the regular trout stocking season with the last scheduled stocking at several Rim Lakes.
BEAR CANYON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good for stocked trout. The lake will be stocked this week with rainbow trout.
BLACK CANYON LAKE – Fishing is poor to fair. Anglers have been catching a few trout, sunfish and bass on worms. The water level is very low, and launching a boat will be difficult.
BLUE RIDGE RESERVOIR (CC CRAGIN) --No recent reports.
CHEVELON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. Anglers are catching trout on spinners (Panther Martin and Rooster tails), Z-rays and KastMaster spoons. Trout usually are active in the evening, so fly fishermen should try dry flies such as Parachute Adams, Adams and caddis patterns in sizes 16-18.
KNOLL LAKE -- No recent reports, this is typically a great fall producer for hold-over rainbow trout.
WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE – Fishing is fair for shore anglers and fair to good for boat anglers. The lake will be stocked this week with 4,000 rainbow trout. Anglers are catching trout near the lake bottom on nightcrawlers.
WOODS CANYON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. The lake will be stocked this week with 1,467 rainbow trout. Anglers have been catching trout on orange and rainbow-colored PowerBait in deep water. Boat anglers should try trolling slowly with cowbells with an attached nightcrawler, fly or small lure. The store is open, and boat rentals are available.
WHITE MOUNTAINS LAKES
Note: Regular trout stocking has ended for the season.
BECKER LAKE – Fishing is fair. Shorter days and colder night temperatures are bringing the water temperatures down, and thus improving the fishing. Becker Lake is catch-and-release only, with artificial lures and flies only with single, barbless hook.
BIG LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. Boat anglers are catching some trout by trolling cowbells with worms or drifting slowly with night crawlers, lures (Crickhoppers and Z-rays) and flies. Shore anglers should try fishing in deep water off rocky points with worms or orange, rainbow or purple Power Bait. Rainbow trout are being caught at depths of 10-15 feet. The store is open, and boat rentals are available.
CARNERO LAKE – Fishing is fair to good for stocked rainbow trout. Fish open water areas near the northeastern section of the lake. The lake is very weedy. Fly fishermen are catching trout on small nymphs and dry flies such as caddis patterns and Parachute Adams.
CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR – Fishing is poor for trout and fair for warm water species. Some anglers are catching a few bass.
CONCHO LAKE – Fishing is poor. The lake is very low, muddy and weed-covered.
CRESCENT LAKE – Fishing is fair. Anglers have been catching some nice brook trout and a few large rainbow trout in the deeper parts of the lake. The lake is weedy. The store is closed.
FOOL HOLLOW LAKE – Fishing is poor for trout and fair to good for warm water species. Sunfish are being caught off the fishing piers. Anglers are catching bass in the evening hours before sunset. Channel catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers, catfish-prepared baits, chicken livers and hot dogs at night.
GREER LAKES – Fishing is fair at Bunch and River reservoirs, and poor at Tunnel Reservoir. All three reservoirs are very low. The water levels are down below the ramps at Bunch and River Reservoirs, and launching boats there will be very difficult. A recent angler report indicated that there was a fish kill at Tunnel Reservoir.
HULSEY LAKE – The lake was drained immediately following the Wallow Fire to help reduce expected flooding on Escudilla Mountain and will not be stocked this year.
LEE VALLEY LAKE – Fishing is poor to fair. The lake level is low. Fly fishermen have been catching a few Apache trout and grayling on dry flies during the late evening hours.
LUNA LAKE – Fishing is poor. There is a heavy algae bloom present in the lake, causing high pH levels. The weed harvester has been operating at Luna Lake last week to remove excessive aquatic weeds.
LYMAN LAKE – Lyman Lake State Park is closed for the season.
NELSON RESERVOIR – Fishing is fair to good. Try bright-colored PowerBaits or nightcrawlers.
RAINBOW LAKE – Fishing is poor for trout, but fair for sunfish, small bass, and bullheads. Parts of the lake are very weedy, but the weeds in much of the main body of the lake are senescing and sinking to the bottom, resulting in quite a bit of open water for boating in the middle of the lake. Some shorelines and most of the south end of the lake are extremely weedy.
SCOTT RESERVOIR – Fishing is poor to fair for trout, and fair for channel catfish, bass and sunfish.
SHOW LOW LAKE – Fishing is fair for stocked trout and fair to good for bass and walleye. Boat anglers are catching a few trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye on cowbells with worms, flies and lures. Boat anglers should troll slowly. Shore anglers are catching a few walleye and trout on nightcrawlers off the fishing piers. Boat rentals are available, and the campgrounds are open.
WOODLAND LAKE – Fishing is poor for trout and fair for largemouth bass and catfish. The lake is weedy and low. Anglers are catching a few catfish on the bottom with bait. Largemouth bass are being caught in the early morning and late evening hours. The trout bag and possession limit here is four trout.
WHITE MOUNTAINS STREAMS
Note: Regular trout stocking in the streams has ended for the year.
EAST FORK of the BLACK RIVER – Fishing for wild brown trout and hold-over stocked Apache trout is fair. Forest Road (FR) 276 and associated campgrounds on the East Fork Black River are now open. Trout stockings in the East Fork have ended for the year.
WEST FORK of the BLACK RIVER – Fishing is fair in the lower reaches. Access is open at the FR 25 bridge, FR 68 crossing and FR 116. The West Fork campground will be closed through the year for safety reasons. Regular trout stocking at the FR 68 crossing has ended for the year. Fishing in the middle and upper reaches is fair to good for wild trout, where the fire had little impact. Fly fishermen have been catching small Apache trout on dry flies and small nymphs in the upper section. 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 this past summer.
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER IN GREER – Fishing is fair for wild brown trout and hold-over stocked rainbow trout. Trout stocking has ended for the year.
SHEEPS CROSSING – Fishing is fair for hold-over stocked Apache trout at the Sheeps Crossing bridge. Regular trout stocking has ended for the year. Fishing is fair to good for wild Apache trout in the wilderness portions of the West Fork Little Colorado River.
SHOW LOW CREEK – Fishing is good to excellent in the large pool immediately below the outlet of Show Low Lake dam. Anglers are catching trout on worms and spinners. Please do not park on the dam, which is a one lane road with insufficient pullouts. Park at either end of the dam where there is dedicated parking.
SILVER CREEK – The grand opening of the catch-and-release fishery is Monday, Oct. 1.
Fishing is fair. Silver Creek is currently open to bait and a bag/possession limit of six trout through this week (April 1 through September 30), then will open to catch and release, artificial lure and fly only fishing from October 1 through March 31. The upper section is currently closed to angling, but will open during the catch and release season.
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
Need ideas on where to go fishing? Try the Departments new interactive Fish and Boat Map: Fish and Boat Arizona
URBAN LAKES -- Catfish stockings resumed the week of Sept. 17-22.
Don,
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Please send me your fishing reports from
RIGGS FLAT — No recent reports. Anglers are being asked to immediately release unharmed all amurs they catch to aid in the removal of the aquatic vegetation and improved fishing conditions. Check the stocking schedule here: 2012 Summer Stocking Schedule for summer stocking dates.
CLUFF RANCH —No recent reports of success. The pond is full and there should be no problems with boat launching. Visitors are reminded that it is illegal to obstruct the use of the boat ramp by anglers trying to launch the boats. No parking, standing, sitting, swimming or fishing is allowed on the boat ramp. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.
ROPER LAKE — No recent reports of success. For lake information (928) 428-6760.
DANKWORTH POND — Remains closed to access during renovation. The pond should be ready for fishing during November. Look for a grand re-opening ceremony then.
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 continue to be severely low and the lake continues to drop. It is extremely difficult to impossible to launch boats at this time. All boat launching is at the risk of the owner. 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 reports of channel catfish being caught. Sunfish continue to bite well on worms just off the shoreline where the water gets deeper. 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.
PATAGONIA — The lake is nearly full. Fishing continues to be good 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 cutting and harvesting the aquatic vegetation and anglers should find improved conditions in the coming weeks. 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 — Anglers continue to report success in the early mornings and late evenings. The summer trout stocking schedule can be found here: 2012 Summer Stocking Schedule.