Rory's tips:
Even though each night is two minutes longer, the nighttime temperatures still remain in the upper 80s, so our larger desert impoundments are experiencing a slow cool down this season so far.
However, in the high country the nights are into the 50s or cooler, so the transition to fall conditions will be more pronounced and the fish should be getting increasingly active.
This is really a transition time of year from summer to autumn conditions. As the water cools, the different predatory fish species get more active in part to improve their body condition before winter conditions arrive.
What we can expect to see is high country trout fishing start getting better -- trout should be moving into the shallows and getting more active any time.
The same is true of the desert impoundments. When our nighttime temperatures drop into the 70s and below, the lake cooling effect will accelerate and the fish should get correspondingly more aggressive in their feeding patterns. So, watch those nighttime temperatures for an indication of what is likely happening at the lakes.
The cool-down effect of storms can also help.
This week we are resuming our stocking of rainbows into Lynx, Fain and Goldwater lakes near Prescott, so it might be a good time to make that Prescott fishing connection.
According to my old friend Wayne Gustaveson with the Utah Division of Wildlife, the fishing in the San Juan and Escalante arms of Lake Powell is "off the charts."
Sounds like a decent topwater bite for stripers at Havasu is underway -- and should just keep getting better as we flip through the calendar pages of September. The recreational boating hordes have likely left, so you shouldn't see congestion on the water.
Be sure to put Monday, Oct. 1 on your fishing calendar. That is the opening of the seasonal catch-and-release fishery at Silver Creek (see picture above) in the White Mountains on our Silver Creek Hatchery property just outside Show Low (not far from the airport). You can even watch as many of the fish -- rainbows and Apache trout -- are stocked that opening day. There will be some nice 3-plus-pounders to catch.
This has really become a mini-event for anglers. Also once again this year, the Wounded Warriors from Ft. Huachuca will be there. It will be my first day of retirement, but I'll try to make it as well.
Speaking of Wounded Warriors, the White Mountain Fly Fishing Club, Troops First and the Wounded Warriors Foundation will host five former Iraq and Afghanistan wounded warriors from around the U.S. on a guided fly-fishing trip to the San Juan River in New Mexico during October.
The Fly Fishing Club is seeking tax deductible donations to offset the expenses of this wonderful healing experience for the troops.
To assist in the funding for this trip, Torreon Country Club is hosting a special event fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m.
To make a reservation for the event, donate a raffle item, or make a cash donation to these worthwhile endeavors, contact Michael Smith at (602) 316-0948 or Barry Curseaden at (623) 398-5242 or email azsunrise47@yahoo.com. The WMFFC website address is: www.wmflyfishing.com.
Being a Viet Nam vet myself, it's especially gratifying to see these types of activities to support our troops.
Good luck and good fishing, maybe I'll see you out there.
Fossil Creek temporary closure to remove non-native fish
VERDE VALLEY – Fossil Creek will be closed Sept. 11-28 so the stream can be renovated to remove nonnative smallmouth bass from a portion of the creek.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are cooperatively removing nonnative smallmouth bass, resulting in a temporary three-week closure starting Sept. 11 that is anticipated to last through Sept. 28, or until removal of the bass is complete.
The smallmouth bass will be removed using rotenone, a naturally occurring chemical that has been used for decades as a piscicide. The purpose of the closure is for public safety, and to allow for agency personnel to complete their job and monitor conditions.
During 2004, a large multi-agency effort involving many stakeholders successfully removed all nonnative fish from this unique travertine stream. Prior to the original renovation, nonnative predatory and competitive fishes such as smallmouth bass were one of the primary causes for the decline of native fish and other aquatic species in Fossil Creek.
Nonnative bass reinvaded a portion of the stream in 2011 when an unusually large storm deposited rocks and boulders below the fish barrier, giving the bass an avenue to get up and over the barrier. The rock debris was removed this summer, restoring the function of the fish barrier.
Fossil Creek is part of the Verde River drainage and lies on the border between the Tonto and Coconino National Forests. The proposed treatment area lies within a portion of the Mazatzal Wilderness. Fossil Creek is a national treasure for its many unique qualities, including its native fish and other natural resources.
If you need information on the status of this closure, please call the Fossil Creek hotline at (928) 226-4611, Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 203-2900, or go to www.coconinoforest.us.
New high school bass tournament is Saturday
The WON Bass Arizona Division is starting a new high school tournament series with a tournament on Saturday at Roosevelt Lake out of the Cholla Launch Ramp.
This new series offers an alternative to other high school programs. The WON Bass Arizona tournaments allow anglers (students ages 14-20) and coaches (anyone age 14 or older) to fish as a team, no solo fishing allowed.
Interested high school anglers can enter online at www.wonbass-az.com or Saturday morning before 5:30 a.m., or call Tracy Purtee at (928) 978-3659.
Each team must have at least one student age 14-20. The WON Bass Arizona high school tournaments give high school anglers the chance to experience the sport of competitive bass fishing. The entry fee is a very reasonable $100 per team and all of the popular options are included.
The goal of the WON Bass Arizona high school tournament series is to offer as many students as possible the opportunity to fish, and to keep it affordable. The high school tournaments are held in conjunction with the WON Bass Arizona Avid Angler tournaments, so the high school anglers feel like they're fishing in a much larger event which generates lots more excitement!
Boat ramp at Blue Ridge to close temporarily
FLAGSTAFF – The Blue Ridge Reservoir boat ramp will be closed temporarily in order to protect the public from falling rocks landing on the ramp, which is believed to have been caused by extensive rains.
No vehicles or pedestrians will be allowed on the ramp as engineers with the Coconino National Forest work with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to resolve this safety issue.
“Knowing that the boat ramp is the only feasible access to the reservoir for boaters and that using the reservoir for water-based recreation is very popular with the public, we hope to take care of the hazards in the next few days,” said Mogollon Rim District Ranger Brian Dykstra. “However, it may take several days or a few weeks, depending on the extent of the hazards and the availability of needed personnel.”
Several foot trails provide access to the reservoir for hikers, and more information about the reservoir can be found online at http://tinyurl.com/8eqr9t8. The Mogollon Rim Ranger Station can be reached by contacting (928) 477-2255.
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 took place the week of June 11-16. The Urban Fishing Program does not stock fish from June 25 through mid-September. Catfish stockings in the Phoenix and Tucson urban lakes will resume the week of Sept. 17-22.
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 is fair, 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 1,675, 70 percent full with 8,073 surface acres. Full moon this weekend, so fishing under lights won't be as viable.
Mike McFarland, a guide with HookUp Outfitters, said that since the major storms brought water and nutrients to the lake two weeks ago, the bite has been slow -- but that may change by this weekend.
The best bet is to be versatile -- go prepared for topwater, but be ready with drop shots and other deeper water techniques. For striped bass, anchovies are typically a good choice. The depth may vary for active fish though, so experiment.
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 2,103 feet and the lake level is 50 percent. Roosevelt did get some nice inflows last week from the Salt River and Tonto Creek due to heavy rainfall in the drainage. However, the bite has been slow or at best, sporadic since then. That may change any day.
There is a full moon this week for Labor Day, which will make it more difficult to fish at night using submersible lights.
Be versatile and go prepared with everything from topwater to drop shots, then see what works best.
This is definitely prime catfish season. For channels, think 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.
Not hearing much on the crappie front, but the speckled beauties should be congregated in larger schools, mostly over open water. Once you find them, live minnows and mini-jigs can do the trick.
APACHE LAKE - Lake elevation is 1,906 feet (92 percent full). Only have a couple of reports, but those are very good for a mixed bag of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and buffalo fish.
Both anglers who left messages also saw bighorns on the uplands toward the dam.
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 worms. 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 - Lake elevation is still holding at around 1,659 feet, which is 98 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.
SAGUARO LAKE - Lake elevation is 1,526 feet at 95 percent full. This has been a fishing hot spot, especially during the week, but recreational boating can make it a challenge on busy weekends.
Largemouth bass fishing is fair to good when the recreational boating pressure is lower, especially at night
With a full moon this weekend, fishing under submersible lights won't be as effective. A good tip might for Labor Day might be to get on the lake before first light and then get off before the hordes of recreational boaters arrive.
This is also a great place to take the youngsters at night for some sunfish action on one of the many fishing piers. Try meal worms or night crawlers under a bobber.
BARTLETT LAKE – Lake elevation 1,756 feet, 44 percent full. This is probably the most consistent lake for 1- t0 2-pound bass, with good action throughout most of the day, including some nice topwater action at times..
Haven't heard much for crappie anglers here, but the speckled beauties should be congregating in larger schools suspended in deeper water, quite often off extended underwater points or along the Yellow Cliffs.
Look for a first-light topwater bass bite. Sometimes it is sporadic to non-existent. But if you hit it right, you might be able to get some good action. This bite should continue getting better and better as the season progresses. There might also be a topwater bite right before monsoon-generated storms hit. But be sure to get off the water of there is lightning.
This is the prime flathead catfish season. 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.
HORSESHOE LAKE - Lake is empty.
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – Releases have dropped to 525 cfs cfs out of Stewart Mountain Dam from Saguaro. You might be able to catch some bass or sunfish in the deeper holes. Good time for tubing the Salt -- take along a fishing rod.
Creeks Below the Mogollon Rim
The following creeks are being stocked weekly right now. but that will end soon:
* Tonto Creek
* Christopher 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.
COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST
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.
LAKE POWELL -- From By: Wayne Gustaveson
http://www.wayneswords.com.
Lake elevation: 3,624. Water temperature 78-83 F
Lake Powell water level has declined another foot this week leaving 16 feet of water in Castle Rock Cut. Falling lake level and a slight dip in water temperature may have jacked up fishing success another notch. Sporadic catches of stripers early in the month have given way to dependable results every morning and evening.
Finding stripers is easy and dependable. First thing in the morning, cruise along the shoreline looking for a few random splashes. When close enough to the splash ring cast a surface lure right at the ring. If that doesn’t work, drop a spoon to the bottom, jig it a few times and then speed reel it back to the boat. Check the graph to see any fish activity. If there are fish on the bottom continue to work the spoon. If no fish are seen, move on looking for more splashes.
At some point the surface lure or spoon will hook up. Hopefully the active school will follow the hooked fish to the boat. Then all that cast spoons, swimbaits, shallow crankbaits or plastic grubs near the hooked fish could hook up with trailing fish. Put as many stripers in the boat as possible before the school moves on. Save picture taking and deck cleaning until the school departs. Then move on to graph more schools or find more surface action. These close encounters with striper schools may result in 10-30 fish in very short order when the school stays in range for 15 minutes.
The majority of fish caught near the surface are 14-inch stripers but larger fish are caught more often in deeper water under the school of small stripers. Wahweap Bay holds a ton of 14-inch fish with a few 2-3 pounders in the mix. There have been good early morning boils near Lone Rock and Castle Rock recently. Best time is from dawn until 8 AM.
Navajo Canyon has the biggest stripers in the lower lake with many 4-7 pounders caught recently.
The same pattern holds up the main channel through Padre Bay and beyond.
Reports from the San Juan and Escalante are off the charts. I can’t write how good it actually is because no one would believe it! Piute Bay and canyon is loaded with 4-7 pound stripers eager to hit top water, trolled lures or spoons. The Escalante near the Indian Ruin offers the same banquet with big fish being caught on top and at depth.
Bullfrog is more like the main lake with the report being “really good”. Good Hope bay is off the charts in the northern lake. The only spot underperforming right now is Hite. Fish in Good Hope now and save Hite until next month.
That about covers fishing success for the first 3 hours each day – but there is more. Remember each spot where fish were caught and return there after 9 AM. Schools regroup and rest in deeper water. Now they can be caught on bait. Anchor or tie up near the best early morning action and chum with anchovies for the opportunity to catch more and larger fish. Stripers are not ranging very far and often return to the same bay or channel location each day. Find a good spot one day and return the next to duplicate previous fishing success.
My heart is racing just writing about this. Labor Day weekend should be a really good time to fish the lake despite the looming full moon. Fishing is quite good now because stripers have found shad. That should overcome the negative effect of full moon. The only downside to bright nights is that morning fishing success may decline and evening success will increase.
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: • Skip Dixon’s advice was, “Don’t walk through the fish.” He is basically saying that the fish can be in very close and even though the water is low to fish your way out. Start working from the bank out and don’t just walk out to where you may think they will be. Fish all the way out to where you feel comfortable. • Jared Nelson says, “I’m using a dry dropper a lot… If I am nymphing, I’m using a lot of zebra midges and scuds and I make sure that I don’t have very much weight on because the water is low and you can always add more weight if you need it …Also, I find that at the walk-in that longer line with less weight is the way to be.” 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 – the next new moon will be Saturday, Sept. 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 dropped to 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.
Vicki caught a nice 4.74 pound striper at 24 ¾ inches fishing in coves near the power lines. 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 Sept. 15. 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 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/.
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.
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.
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.
LAKE HAVASU -- Report courtesy John Galbraith of BassTackleMaster.com, Lake Havasu City, Az.
Lake Level 449.11. 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, for those of you that want the short version -- bass fishing is decent. Junior and I have been holding our own throwing plastics in the evening. We're starting to see boils, which are always one cast out of reach each time you throw. I'm learning to hold on when I'm in the back of the boat because he likes to put the trolling motor on warp drive and chase them all over the lake. I have tried to explain to him more than once that I have run down many batteries chasing the boils around the lake, and if you stay put, they will come back towards you. In one ear and out the other, and off we go. Reminds me of me, a few years ago.
Moving on, B.J. from Phoenix called me today and said he did very well crappie fishing around the cliffs up by the dam a couple of nights ago. The bite started around 11 p.m. and ended around 4 a.m. He was using crappies lights, minnows, and said 13 to 15 feet of water was the hot ticket. The night bite is on.
Cat fishing is good. You can throw hot dogs, worms, or stink bait and catch your fair share of cats. For the best results, head to the upper end of the lake and fish in about 4 feet of water.
Shore fishing is o.k.
To answer the number one question we get every day, with all the monsoons we did get 3 inches of water. The lake level is currently at 1098-ish with a little inflow still coming in. The dam releases are at 25 cfs. Cholla ramp is still in operation at this time. We are still using the old rental boat road as the main ramp, and it's a matter of time that this will become the only ramp we have. Monsoons have never done much in the 10 years I have been out here, and now we wait to see what the winter rains have to offer. When all else fails, I will drag out the old portable boat ramp and we will have something to launch off of. There is no way to sugar coat the news I have next, so here goes.
As of October 1, our agency, the Arizona State Parks Board, has decided to reinstate the second vehicle fee. Here's how it works. If you camp at a state park and the second vehicle is registered to the same household, then it's considered one vehicle. If you tow it in, same thing. For a lot of you that come out with a fifth wheel, and your friend comes in towing the bass boat, be prepared to pay the $15 dollar second vehicle fee. We're going back to the way we did business a couple of years ago. On that note I'm asking that you please do not yell, curse or throw things at us. We're here to make sure you have a good time and keep the place and clean. We're just following orders from the powers above. Also, starting Sept. 15, a construction company will be starting work on pouring a high water boat ramp just above the main ramp. Here's how this came to be: Back in 2007, before the funding crunch, there were funds put away that could only be used for a specified project. In our case, and for those of you that remember when the main road was all buckled up past the turnoff to Cholla, ADOT had the funds put away not only to fix the road but to also build this ramp. This is an a ADOT project, not a State Parks project. So for the next three months, be prepared for delays at whatever ramp we have open and give us a call before coming out. If you have questions, feel free to give me a call at (928) 669-2088, or come out and see me.
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 raikens@aszgfd.gov. Rory can also be reached at (623) 236-7214.
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 was good over the weekend with trout being caught on rainbow powerbait. Crappie and bass were being caught on small jigs. Please try to leave the larger bass in the lake to spawn.
CATARACT LAKE — Campground is open. Please try to leave the larger bass in the lake to spawn. Some large channel catfish are being caught on garlic hotdogs.
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. With the warm water temperatures 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.
BEAVER CREEK – Has not been stocked since last spring.
WEST CLEAR CREEK- Has not been stocked since last spring.
STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.
VERDE VALLEY
DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK – Catfish were last stocked for the Free Fishing event. Trout were last stocked the week of March 19. The catfish and largemouth bite has been fair.
Catfish are still being caught on night crawlers, chicken liver, and stink bait. 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.
OAK CREEK — Stocked last week.
Angler report:
Rory:
My name is Barry and I fished with my 6-year-old daughter over the long weekend at Oak Creek Canyon. We both caught and released about 15 rainbows & 5 browns in a couple hours of fishing. We could see 50+ fish in different areas of the creek.
Weather was 78 degress and the scenery was awesome as always. They were going for small gold spinners (Mepps) I tried other colors but they didn't seem as interested for some reason. Thought I would share the tip. Picture attached also. :)
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.
Prescott Area
FAIN LAKE — The last stocking was the week of June 11th. Stocking is scheduled to resume this week, the week of Sept. 4.
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 for the Free Fishing Event on June 9, and most of the kids at the event caught trout and had a great time. Stocking is scheduled to resume this week, the week of Sept. 4.
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 –Rainbow trout were last stocked the week of June 11. Stocking is scheduled to resume this week, the week of Sept. 4.
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 June 11th. Stocking is scheduled to resume this week, the week of Sept. 4.
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 for boat anglers at Big Lake. Fishing is good at Silver Creek, the Little Colorado River in Greer, Sheeps Crossing.
Trout Stocking Schedule
Week of Aug. 27-31
Little Colorado River at Greer – 700 rainbow trout
Sheeps Crossing – 700 Apache trout
West Fork Black River bridge – 200 Apache trout
Silver Creek – 600 rainbow trout
Woods Canyon Lake – 3,584 rainbow trout
Week of Sept. 4-7
Woods Canyon Lake – 3,000 rainbow trout
MOGOLLON RIM LAKES
Note: Days are still fairly hot, so fish early in the morning and late in the day.
BEAR CANYON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good for stocked trout.
BLACK CANYON LAKE – Fishing is poor. 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 -- The launch ramp is closed for due to falling rocks. Since there is very little shoreline access at this steep canyon lake, fishing it will be fairly challenging unitl the launch ramp opens again.
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. Expect trout to come out of their summertime deep holding patterns soon, if they haven't already. In the next several weeks, elk should enter the rut and this is a great place to fish in the fall while listening to elk bugling in the forest.
WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE – Fishing is fair for shore anglers and fair to good for boat anglers. Anglers are catching trout near the lake bottom on night crawlers.
WOODS CANYON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. Anglers have been catching trout on orange and rainbow-colored Power Bait in deep water. Boat anglers should try trolling slowly with cowbells with an attached night crawler, fly or small lure. The lake will be stocked this week with 3,000 rainbow trout. The store is open, and boat rentals are available.
WHITE MOUNTAINS LAKES
Note: Water temperatures are warm, so fish early in the morning or late in the day. Be cautious of lightning during afternoon thunderstorms.
BECKER LAKE – Fishing is fair. Fish early morning before 7 a.m. or late in afternoon to hit the coolest water temperatures and minimize stress on trout. Also, bring hooked fish in quickly and release them without taking them out of the water. Taking photos of your catch at this time of year may lead to delayed mortality of that fish. Becker Lake is catch-and-release only, with artificial lures and flies only with single, barbless hook.
BIG LAKE – Fishing is fair. 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. The store is open, and boat rentals are available.
CARNERO LAKE – Fishing is fair to good for stocked rainbow trout. Fish open water areas. 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 fair for warmwater 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 warmwater 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 night crawlers, catfish-prepared baits, chicken livers and hot dogs at night in deep water.
GREER LAKES – Fishing is fair. River, Bunch and Tunnel 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.
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.
LYMAN LAKE – Lyman Lake State Park is open through Sept. 17. Fishing is fair for channel catfish, bass, carp and walleye. Try night crawlers, chicken livers, hot dogs and stink baits for catfish at night.
NELSON RESERVOIR – Fishing is fair. Try green chartreuse and red Power Bait and night crawlers. There is an algae bloom present in the lake.
RAINBOW LAKE – Fishing is poor for trout, but fair for sunfish and bullheads. The lake is weedy.
SCOTT RESERVOIR – Fishing is poor for trout, but fair for channel catfish, bass and sunfish during the evening hours.
SHOW LOW LAKE – Fishing is poor to fair for stocked trout. Boat anglers are catching a few trout on cowbells with worms, flies and lures. Boat anglers should troll slowly. Shore anglers are catching a few smallmouth bass, sunfish and trout on nightcrawlers off the fishing piers and rocky shorelines. 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 last fall and this summer.
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER IN GREER – Fishing is fair for wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. Trout stocking has ended for the year.
SHEEPS CROSSING – Fishing is fair 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 fair in the large pool immediately below the outlet of Show Low Lake dam. 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 – Fishing is fair to good. Silver Creek was stocked last week and is currently open to bait and a bag/possession limit of six trout (April 1 through Sept. 30). The upper section is closed to angling, which is well signed, but will open Monday, Oct. 1.
Angler report:
Wow - fishing was better than great at Silver Creek at the very end of August. What an awesome creek to fish at - so many little corners and holes to choose from. Attached is our catch after about 3 hours of fishing multiple areas of the creek.
Peggy Allison
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 -- The final spring stocking of catfish took place the week of June 11-16. The Urban Fishing Program does not stock fish from June 25 through mid-September. Catfish stockings in the Phoenix and Tucson urban lakes will resume the week of Sept. 17-22.
Don,
RIGGS FLAT — The lake is open for the summer. Stocking has been suspended at this time due to high Ph levels and stocking will not resume until there is reduced pH levels. Fishing has been decent for both rainbow and browns. 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.
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
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
Angler report:
Made my first trip down since the drain, refill and re stock. Awesome ramp and nice docks for people to fish off of. We put in around 8am and worked most of the shoreline until 4pm. Far and few between on the fish as expected but at least there are some there. Saw a few nailing dragon flys in the big cove. We boated 3 bass and one catfish. Largest bass only 1.5 the cat went 2. Lost 2 other bass one probably would have neared 2 lbs.All fish including cat on senkos. Tried the frog and had one swipe. Mainly threw senkos but did toss other baits with no bites.
PATAGONIA — The lake has come up and is nearly full. Be cautious of floating debris. 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 lake level has come up a couple of feet. 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.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Please send me your fishing reports from