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Arizona Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for Arizona. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 7 - 9 - 08 ***
ARIZONA FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
CENTRAL REGION - URBAN LAKES -- The last of eight, every-other-week spring catfish stockings
was the week of June 23-28. With lake temperatures climbing rapidly towards 90 degrees and air
temperatures well above 100, it becomes impractical to haul live fish into Arizona’s Urban lakes. No
fish stockings will be scheduled during July, August and the first half of September.
Fall catfish stockings will resume in mid-September after lake and weather conditions improve
enough to safely transport and stock catfish once again. Anglers can still fish for catfish, bass and
bluegill at Urban waters throughout the summer, but the action is generally slower.
Urban fishing report: Fishing for catfish should still be pretty good, so the urban lakes provide a
good opportunity for anglers who want to avoid high gas prices this holiday weekend.
Anglers are having luck using stink baits or shrimp fished on the bottom. Sunfish continue to bite
well on small worms fished under a bobber. The cool weather is keeping lake temperatures low
allowing fish to be active throughout the day.
TEMPE TOWN LAKE – Don’t forget when fishing Tempe Town Lake the east end of the lake is more
productive and fish near structure. In that lake that means the bridge abutments or piers. I’m not
saying that where all the fish are but your chances are a little better there. A couple fishermen
reported catching bass on drop shots and spinners. Watch for the shad boils.
Worms are enticing the catfish to bite. Another fisherman stopped by in the evening for a half hour
and caught two bass fishing from shore using a green spinner bait.
One angler stopped by Tempe Town Lake for an hour one morning and using corn on the bottom
caught a rainbow trout and a channel catfish.
LAKE PLEASANT – Water elevation is 1,682 feet, which is 78-percent full. Fishermen are reporting
real good early morning striper and white bass fishing. Check out the various coves and flats for
the shad boils. The boils tend to die down after 8:30 – 9 a.m. The topwater lures that people are
having good luck with are the vixens, Rapalas and Rebel Wee R’s.
The stripers are being reported as pretty aggressive. There is no limit on these two species and
they are delicious. You have to remove the blood vein in the stripers and it really helps to bleed
them out for a tasty treat. The prep isn’t quite as important on the whites. If you keep the stripers
the largemouth bass fishermen will sing your praises.
The early morning temperature at Castle Creek is nearly 84 F. A couple anglers did well catching
whites and stripers in the northern coves and the northern shelf areas in the early morning. Swim
baits worked for them and they ended up catching about 16 fish. The biggest stripers and whites
were about 2 pounds.
Another early morning angler had good luck catching stripers with topwater lures in the Aqua Fria.
He caught whites near the shoreline on the west side of the lake on topwater lures as well. The
clear lures are enticing the fish better than the darker colored ones.
One angler mentioned some striper action using small swim baits when shad would boil near his
boat. The boil didn’t last very long so you had to be ready. Several anglers have mentioned that
the stripers are eating lots of small shad.
Two anglers report casting (at boils) or slowly trolling small KastMasters (1/16-ounce) across the
mouths of major coves at first and last light to catch 60 or more stripers.
We have mixed report from night anglers. Some are cleaning up on stripers using frozen anchovies.
Others can’t seem to buy a bite.
Past striper studies have shown that stripers are less prevalent in the large arms of the lake, such
as the Agua Fria and Castle Creek areas, than they are in the more open, deeper, more
oxygenated waters of the main basin, especially in those areas stretching across the major arms or
in front of the major coves. These are natural ambush spots.
ROOSEVELT LAKE – Lake Elevation is 2,147 feet (96-percent full). Tonto Creek runoff is at 17 cfs,
while inflow from the Salt River is at 468 cfs.
Topwater fishing seems to be a little slow. Anglers don’t report seeing all those nice early-morning
boils. Either they aren’t occurring, or they are happening where our reporting anglers don’t go. Let
us know what you see out there.
Curly tail jigs worked pretty well at night, first light and early morning.
The crappie bite seems to be an ephemeral thing. Trolling jigs in and around the submerged trees
works real well when the bite is on. If all else fails fish with some live minnows in and around the
submerged trees and get some largemouth.
An angler fished in the Tonto arm till about 11 a.m. and caught one slot bass on a Senko and trolled
for crappie and caught 7 nice bluegills.
We are hearing rumors of some huge flatheads coming out of Rosey. This is the time of year to fish
for them using small bluegill and carp as bait.
APACHE – Lake elevation is 1910 ft (96% full). Cat fishermen are doing pretty well. Trout are still
being caught near the marina. Bass are jumping and no reports of any additional die-offs.
Be sure to try the points where the substrate drops off where the yellow bass and walleye hang out.
KastMasters is a good lure to use. Catfish, bass and yellow bass will hit worms. Shore fishermen
have pretty good luck with worms or minnows. Get your minnows on the way to the lake since they
are not sold at Apache Lake.
CANYON -- Lake elevation is 1,658 feet, which is 97 percent full. Here is a special report from a well-
known angling correspondent -- Jim Warnecke -- who retired recently as a fisheries biologist with
Game and Fish.
Had to try the 1/8-ounce KastMaster magic at Canyon Lake just to see if the catching patterns held
there like at Saguaro Lake.....short answer.......YES!
I joined friend Paul and buddy Joe yesterday at Canyon and started at 7:30 a.m. and ended fishing
at 3:30 p.m. We caught fish at nearly all of the seven locations we tried, but some better than others
particularly if they were on an outside point or outside shelf.
Best catch areas were Beaver Landing, Teddy Bear Point, a point near the peregrine nest up
channel and Beer Can Point (we were up shallow and not over or into the new habitat, sorry).
Tally for the day was 63 fish as such: yellow bass-41 and kept 9 over 10 1/2 inches (see photo of 12
incher), largemouth bass-seven three of which were 4 inches!, bluegills-12 and kept 3 over 8 inches.
(photo attached), threadfin shad-2 at 3 inches, channel catfish-1 at 16 inches.
Most fish were in 2-6 feet of water and best catching up to 1:30 in afternoon. We had two fish on
that we couldn't even turn once hooked and following with the trolling motor didn't help as we
couldn't catch up to 'em before they simply broke off! I said carps; other two buddies said giant
catfish although we didn't get to see the Mack trucks that took off with our lures!
Water was algae colored like Saguaro, but few dead fish seen except some that failed to survive our
release techniques. The 113F didn't seemed to matter when you're catching fish, AGFD does a
good job of fish management! JW.
SAGUARO -- Lake elevation is 1,524 feet at 92-percent full.
Fishing is great at Saguaro in the mornings, especially for bluegills and yellow bass. One fisherman
reported catching a 3.8-pound largemouth and the total catch from a morning of fishing by two
anglers was about 15 fish. Five were largemouth and the rest were a variety of species, presumably
yellow bass and bluegill.
Fish do tend to be finicky with the color of your lures, so try a variety and figure out the color of the
day. The fish were hitting drop-shot and Carolina-rigged presentations of anchovies or plastic
worms, brush hogs and the like. A couple lures that are working are jerkbaits and old reliable
KastMasters.
BARTLETT – Lake elevation is 1,788 ft, which is 85-percent full.
A couple fishermen caught some largemouth bass using drop-shot method and crankbait, but no
other details revealed except impressive lighting serving up some electrical perturbations. Be
careful and cognizant of your surroundings when you are out there watching Mother Nature’s
lightning shows. Your fishing pole and metal lures make pretty good lightning rods; not to mention
the fact that you are basically sitting in a big pool of highly conductive water.
HORSESHOE – Lake elevation is at 1,993 feet, which is 35-percent full. They are releasing water at
400 cfs.
VERDE RIVER – Verde River flow at Tangle is 80 cubic feet per second. Release from Bartlett Lake
is 400 cfs.
SALT RIVER – Salt River into Roosevelt is 0 cfs, and Salt River Canyon is 312 cfs.
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – Flows are 1,125 cfs from Stewart Mountain Dam.
Trout were last stocked two weeks ago, but it might be possible to catch some. The best fishing for
trout is at first light. However, it's possible to find bass and other warmwater fish in the deeper holes.
Don’t forget your Tonto Pass.
CREEKS – Fly-fishing has slowed some in the streams.
Haigler Creek – Nymphs and leaches are a good bet.
Canyon Creek – Caddis flies and hoppers are working for the fly fishermen.
Christopher Creek -- Try using a dry dropper with a nymph below, not just in Christopher but other
streams as well.
Tonto Creek – Dry flies, Caddis flies, hares ears on droppers are all working pretty well.
East Verde – No reports.
HORSETHIEF BASIN LAKE – Lake level is up, fishing is nominal.
COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST - LAKE POWELL – By Wayne Gustaveson. Stripers are still
slurping in little shad with a vengeance. It is likely that slurping stripers will be seen in every clear
water canyon and channel this week. Catching them may be more difficult than locating them.
Stripers feed lazily when little shad are abundant and slow moving. A group of 10 or more stripers
pop to the surface and gorge on tiny shad. An approaching boat causes the feeding school to turn
in a different direction or to sound only to resurface a safe distance away. Shad are abundant and
wide spread so stripers can feed in any direction. The trick is to get close enough to cast into
slurping stripers without putting the fish down.
Small spoons may be the most effective presentation but don't be afraid to try a surface lure. The
key to both techniques is to work the lures gently. Shad are not swimming much so a fast moving,
erratic presentation is not normal to their feeding image. Reel the topwater lure at a slow to medium
speed with only limited sideways jerks. Do the same with spoons. Work it just fast enough to keep it
in the feeding zone. The real secret is to make long casts with small lures. That takes a good rod
and reel with quality matching line. Present the lure just beyond the leading fish or just past the
entire school. Splashing into the middle of the slurping fish seldom allows success. It will be much
better when shad grow a bit larger and the margin for boating and casting error will increase by one
order of magnitude.
Slurps are now common from dawn until 10 a.m. After that fishing is tough until late afternoon.
During the heat of the day is a good time to play in the water. Fish early and late for maximum
success. Bait fishing is much better in the afternoon when stripers have completed the morning
shad hunt and are in deep water planning their next assault.
Bass fishing is still tough and will remain so until the lake starts to drop. Bass love the fresh green
habitat now abundant in so many different lake locations. It will take lake stabilization and or decline
until bass are able to be caught in a stable summer pattern. Right now they are feeding early in the
morning near the stripers slurps but from the comfort of their newly discovered green brush habitat.
This may be the most difficult warm water time to catch bass. That will soon change as the lake
stabilizes.
Walleye are the bonus fish now and can be caught early and late on the fast falling points that lead
into the main channel. Fish shady pockets in the morning and under mudlines on breezy afternoons
all along the main channel edge for feisty walleye.
Catfish are hot every evening near your camp. Try scraps from dinner right behind the boat for
quick success. My favorite catfish recipe is blackened fillets with Cajun spices. Mmmmm
LEES FERRY – Report by: Ted Welling, Lees Ferry Anglers: CICADAS ARE POPPING, YEAH:
Fishing is on fire!!!!!
Fish are all over the surface sipping midges in the back eddies. They are also at the edge of the
river looking and waiting for that un-lucky cicada to drop in the current.
We have had some very warm and sunny weather and the midge hatches are thick and are
covering the water and the trout are taking advantage of this. You can find these fish under almost
any scum line gorging themselves. Just cast a small dry fly with a tiny dropper and let it gently drift
into the crowd and bingo: FISH ON!
If you are fishing the cicada a plopping presentation will do the trick count to five, and re-cast if you
don’t have a take.
This is some of the most exciting fishing one can experience here at the Ferry. If you have had the
chance to fish the cicada hatch, well then you know what I am talking about. If you have not been
here for this event, it is a must! To hire a guide call us at the shop 1-800-962-9755 you will not be
disappointed. Hope to see you soon!!! T
Walk in: This area is fishing well. Fish are taking dries and droppers alike. The scud, the San Juan
and little midge patterns. The cicadas are buzzing like crazy all over the river, kind-of drives you
crazy but, the fishing is great. I expect it to remain this way for the next couple of months. At
least………. Hope you can make it up!
Spin Fishing: Spin fishing is still great! Stop in and pick up some egg patterns and ask us about the
recommended rig and best areas to fish. The marabou jigs are also working. We do have maps
available in the fly shop as well.
LAKE MEAD – Lake Mead water levels continue to drop as the elevation is currently at around
1,105 feet above msl. Water temperatures are running between 67 and 72 depending where you
are on the lake. Backs of coves are warming up nicely and largemouth bass are in shallow.
Nighttime Striper fishing has been really good again. Anglers using artificial lights were catching as
many 13 to 18-inch stripers as they wanted to clean.
Catfishing under lights was also very productive using anchovies. Artificial lights tend to be most
productive if fished with a new moon.
July 2, 2008 was the new moon so trolling crankbaits during the day may have droped off a little, but
the night bite should be great.
Launching conditions at South Cove have continued to deteriorate with the dropping water. The
new concrete ramp the National Park Service just completed is one lane with buoys marking the
edges. Use caution not to go off the sides of the metal extensions at either side. According to the
Bureau of Reclamation, water levels are projected to be at its lowest levels later this month before
rebounding slightly by October.
LAKE MOHAVE –The fishing for small striper’s has been pretty good. The lake is running high at
643 feet above msl. The stripers seen in the fall were fat and full of shad, with schools of shad being
chased by striped bass. If you can find schools of shad, throw a small crankbait.
Biologists from both Arizona Game and Fish Department and Nevada Division of Wildlife have
continued to install fish habitat in both Carp Cove and Box Cove. The largemouth, bluegill, and
catfish are really utilizing the new structures. Additional habitat will be added at several locations
over the next two years. These structures are fish magnets.
There is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier just south of the main launch ramp at Katherine's
Landing. If you fish Mohave and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can
share your successes with others.
Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and
Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders.
Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine.
Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or
gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at azgfd.gov or
visit http://100thmeridian.org/.
WILLOW BEACH - Trout are stocked every Friday. The fishing for trout has been good from shore
immediately following the stocking. Try using a Jake, Panther Martin, or other spinner’s or spoons.
If that doesn’t work you can always use Power Bait. Look for the striper fishing to really be picking
up. As the water in the basin of Lake Mohave warms, the bigger fish move into the colder water in
the Willow beach area.
Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and
Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders.
Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine.
Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or
gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see. If you fish Willow
beach and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes
with others.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at azgfd.gov or
visit http://100thmeridian.org/.
TOPOCK MARSH –No new reports - Water level is up, but still be careful while launching. The
catfish are biting on night crawlers and anchovies. Bass bite is still not bad. Crappies have shut
down. Try night crawlers or anchovies for catfish.
Game and Fish biologists surveyed the Marsh starting on the week of Jan. 15. The largemouth
bass population was observed to be very healthy, as well as channel catfish. Crappie were also
present, but in smaller numbers.
You can access the marsh by boat at 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
COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM –The striper bite is picking up. Trout were last stocked on
March 24-25. This was the last trout stocking until next winter.
Water levels on the river fluctuate, so be careful. You can check the Bureau of Reclamation Web
site for flow predictions http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html before you go. If you fish the river below
Davis Dam and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your
successes with others.
SOUTHWESTERN REGION - LAKE HAVASU – This Report was provided by John Galbraith of
Anglers Pro Shop, Lake Havasu City: Striped bass fishing is excellent on cut anchovies or sardines
in 35 to 56 feet of water from Copper Canyon south to Standard Wash. Early morning trolling or
casting with Pointer 100s and 128s, chrome/blue Chug Bugs and Pencil Poppers are also producing
some quality stripers off points and reefs throughout the main basin and south near the Bill Williams
River arm.
Largemouth bass fishing is excellent with lots of fish being caught on Senkos, Gitzits and drop-shot
worms around artificial habitats in 8 to 15 feet of water. Flipping brown jigs with orange craw trailers
in cattail rows north in the river also good early before boat traffic pushes the bass deeper into the
cattails.
Smallmouth are being caught on 3/8- or ½-ounce cinnamon brown and green pumpkin jigs
throughout the lake on rocky banks and points in 6 to 18 feet of water.
PARKER STRIP – COLORADO RIVER (PARKER STRIP AREA) – Courtesy June’s Bait Shop in
Parker: Water temps along the strip have been averaging in the upper fifties to low sixties, and it's
only getting hotter!
Important notice: Quagga mussels have been found in Lake Havasu so proper cleaning of all
watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please move to the parking lot,
DRAIN your live-wells and bilge where the water does not return to the lake. Drain all the water you
can from your engine. Also, INSPECT your watercraft 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.
ALALMO LAKE – Report courtesy Mark Knapp with the Alamo Lake State Park. Well folks, in a nut
shell the best time for fishing out here is in the evening, followed by early morning. I talked with
Scott, Austin, and Karri who gave fishing a thumbs up. Scott said they caught 40 crappies at night,
and 25 bass during the early morning throwing topwater and drop-shotting. Austin mumbled
something about Karri "beating them" and Karri made it loud and clear "again." Nice job Karri. The
thrill of victory.
I had a note stuck in the door from some folks from Las Vegas that said they caught 15 crappies, 20
catfish, 2 bass, and 20 bluegills. I talked with them for a while before they went out and told them to
be versatile and move around if they did not see bait fish around the crappie lights. They did and it
paid off.
As far as the other guys I mentioned last week that never moved. They stayed on the lake for 3
days, ended up with dead batteries, and I towed them in. Their total score was 4 catfish. They
never moved the boat once. There batteries went dead from running the crappie lights for three
nights with out charging them. Here's a word to the wise. Don't run trolling motors, crappie lights, or
anything like that off the battery that runs the big motor. That's what the other batteries are for. I
have allot more to say on batteries but we will get there in minute.
Bob and Cheryl from Kingman stayed for a week and got a dose of the evening bite. The last night
they were here they caught 20 crappies, 10 catfish, and 25 bass. Cheryl was throwing some kind of
funky minnow imitation made by Storm, and Bob put the hurts on them throwing a shad colored
deep-diving crankbait. Like the rest of us they found a brushy point right at sunset and started
throwing into the brush.
I've still been averaging 20-plus fish a night throwing a Texas-rigged four-inch lizard. Wolly tailed
brush hogs are working too.
No good reports of shore fishing. I'm sending a picture that shows what one looks like at the end of
the day, but also what one can catch if you can stand the heat. If you want to catch cat fish,
bluegills, and crappie, then minnows and crappie light are the way to go.
If you want in on some killer bass fishing, then sunset till dark using plastics or training wheels
throwing at any brushy point should work.
The heat will drain the water out of batteries in no time. I found this out the other day. I started out
just fine. The boat fired right up. I was up by the dam and went to start it and "click." When I got
home I looked at the battery and there was no water in it. I just got done servicing the batteries at
the beginning of summer. That's how fast the heat can kill a battery. Check water levels about once
a month.
The lake level is at 1123ish with releases of 50 cfs. Both ramps are in operation but bigger boats
are encouraged to use the Cholla ramp. That's all I got
NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS - KAIBAB LAKE -- Campground area is open. Main parking lot and
boat launch open for day use only. Fishing was excellent over the weekend. Stocked last week.
With 2,700 trout plus incentive-size fish. The water temperature was 73 degrees. Expect the best
fishing at first and last light. During the day, try going deeper using slip sinkers and Power Bait or
bouncing small KastMasters off the bottom.
CATARACT LAKE — Campground is open. Lake is open for walk in fishing. Fishing for trout and
catfish was good. Stocked with catfish.
CITY RESERVOIR — Lake is full. Stocked with catfish. Stocked last week with rainbows.
DOGTOWN LAKE — Campground area is open. No Report Some browns are being caught on
lures. Stocked last week with rainbow trout.
JD DAM — Road is open. No reports from anglers.
RUSSEL TANK - Recently stocked.
SANTA FE — Lake is full. Anglers are catching trout and yellow perch. Stocked with channel
catfish.
WHITEHORSE LAKE — Stocked this week with 2,700 rainbows, plus incentives. The water
temperature was 73F. Campground area is open. Lake is full.
FLAGSTAFF LAKES:
LOWER LAKE MARY — There has been a fish kill – there might not be any fish left.
UPPER LAKE MARY — The lake is full. Some nice northern pike are being caught on anchovies.
This lake also has walleye and catfish. Remember, there are no boat motor restrictions on this lake,
so it is a good one to take your bass boat to escape the heat.
ASHURST LAKE — Stocked with 3,601 trout last week. The water temperature was 62 F. The lake is
full. Some larger hold-over trout are being caught. Some trout anglers are catching northern pike.
Steve at the Ashurst Store reports good size fish ranging from1 1/2 to 2 pounds are being caught
on worms at the west and east end of the lake and early morning on the north and south size.
Power Bait was not working this past week.
FRANCIS SHORT POND – A fish kill has occurred caused by a dieoff of an algal bloom which
reduced oxygen levels in the water. Some fish survived the kill, but fishing will be tough until the
lake gets stocked after water quality improves.
KINNIKINICK LAKE — Scheduled to be stocked this week with 2,700 rainbow trout.
FRANCIS SHORT POND – A fish kill has occurred caused by a die-off of an algal bloom which
reduced oxygen levels in the water. Some fish survived the kill, but fishing will be tough until the
lake gets stocked after water quality improves.
MARSHALL LAKE — No recent reports. Had been good for small rainbow and brook trout, along
with grayling.
OAK CREEK — Stocked last week and the water temperatures raged from 59 to 73 F. Scheduled to
be stocked this week with rainbow trout. Fishing is generally slow for browns although some large
ones have been caught recently, but is okay for rainbows. At the lower end of the creek below
Sedona, it is also possible to catch bass and catfish in the deeper pools.
LONG LAKE — Stocked recently with rainbow trout. Some nice fish are being caught near the ditch.
SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — Lakes are open. No report.
BEAVER CREEK — Trout fishing is generally slow, but some anglers are doing okay if they hike a
ways. This area also has some fun smallmouth bass, but don’t expect fish of any size. Ultra lights
and small Crickhoppers work well.
WEST CLEAR CREEK — No report.
STONEMAN LAKE — Low water. NO FISH.
MINGUS LAKE – The seasonal gate across the access road is open. Rainbow trout are being
stocked twice a month. Mingus was stocked on June 16, which was the last scheduled stocking until
September. The best bait has been white Power Bait, fished on the bottom with a treble hook and
an egg sinker. Several 6-fish limits of trout were caught this way. Fishermen using night crawlers
under a bobber are also having some success.
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.
Illegal stockings cost YOU money!
DEAD HORSE STATE PARK –Largemouth bass fishing is fair. Try using small plastic jigs, plastic
worms, or small spinnerbaits near deeper cover. Catfish stocked June 9. The catfish bite has been
pretty good on night crawlers. The time of day that they are biting varies, so you may need to be
patient.
Bluegills are very abundant, but most are small. This is a great opportunity to teach kids how to
fish. Try using a No. 8 hook with a small piece of worm under a bobber and you should have
success. While the crappie numbers are up a little, most are small. Look for the crappie fishing to
be good late this year or next year. Catfish are scheduled to be stocked the week of June 9.
VERDE RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) –Channel catfish action is starting to pick up in the Verde
Valley. Most success on catfish is by using night crawlers and chicken liver after dusk. Look for the
bass to be biting early morning and in the evening.
LYNX LAKE — Catfish were stocked June 9 and again on June 25. Trout are were stocked the
week of June 16. This was the last scheduled stocking until the fall. While fishing has been slow,
these two stockings should help. Try using night crawlers or hot dogs for the catfish. The hot ticket
for the trout is salmon egg scented power bait.
Game and Fish Biologists installed PVC fish structures on Jan. 3. These structures should protect
small fishes from predation. Some 7-inch brook trout were in February and 5-inchers in
September. Game and Fish stocked catfish the week of June 4. There were 200 pounds of bluegill
stocked on March 29. Game and Fish biologists surveyed Lynx in May and found that the brook
trout stocked in September 2006 were still present.
FAIN LAKE — Catfish and sunfish were stocked the week of June 23. Try using night crawlers for
the catfish. The sunfish will bite on meal worms or small worms. Fain lake was last stocked with
rainbow trout the week of June 16th. This is the last trout stocking scheduled until September. For
trout try using spinners or bright colored power bait. Fain lake was stocked with brook trout on Feb.
25.
GOLDWATER LAKE — Trout are scheduled to be stocked this week, the week of July 7. Fishing
success should be good following the stocking. Recently one angler reported catching a 13- and 14-
inch trout in two hours of fishing. While there is no shortage of fish, most people report catching
only one or two fish. Try using KastMasters. If that does not work you may try worms or Power Bait.
Early in the morning and in the evening the bite may be a little better. Some days the fishing seems
to be better than other days as well. The next trout stocking is scheduled for the week of July 21.
The water temperature is 71?F. If the temperature continues to increase we will postpone
scheduled stockings until the spring when the water cools. Bluegills were stocked Feb 25. Game
and Fish biologists weighed a 22-pound channel catfish that was caught at Goldwater in March.
Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Goldwater during the middle of May 2007 and found the trout
and sunfish plentiful. While the number of catfish and bass was low, the quality was exceptional.
One 16-pound catfish was sampled and released. The bass averaged about 3.5 pounds. On March
29, 2007, there were 400 pounds of bluegill stocked. These fish were hand-sized and should be
easily caught. Try using worms or mealworms on a bobber. Small spinners may work as well. If you
fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your
successes with others.
MOGOLLON RIM - CHEVELON LAKE – Fishing is poor to fair for fly and spin anglers. This is a hike-
in lake via a steep slope. There is not a lot of shore access. It is best fished from a float tube,
inflatable or canoe.
The lake is open to artificial lure and flies only, trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be
possessed, and the bag limit is six trout. Try lures such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, spinners, and
Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs,
and other small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.
BEAR CANYON LAKE - Fishing is fair for rainbow trout. The best bite is at first and last light. The
lake was stocked last week with catchable size rainbow trout. The water temperature was 72
degrees last week. The best times are first and last light.
This is a hike-in lake down short but steep and winding paths. There is pretty good shore access.
This deep canyon lake is great for those with float tubes.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas
and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug
bugs, hares ear and pheasant tail nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
BLACK CANYON LAKE –- Fishing is fair. The lake is down about one foot and the boat ramp is
accessible. The water temperature last week was 72 degrees. The best bite is at first and last light.
Boat anglers have been catching trout on green and yellow Power Bait.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, or flies such as peacock ladies, wooly
worms and wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers.
BLUE RIDGE – Fishing is fair to poor. Fish at first and last light. This is a deep canyon lake that is
tough for shore angling, but great for small boats and canoes, or float tubes. In fact, trolling is
probably the most effective method right now
KNOLL LAKE – Fishing is good at first and last light. There is a launch ramp, and fishing from a boat
is best right now, but it's a long, dusty road to get here.
WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE - The fishing is fair to good, with the best bite at first and last light. The
lake is down about two feet and the boat ramp is accessible. Scheduled to be stocked this week with
catchable size rainbow trout. The water temperature last week was 70 degrees. Anglers have been
catching trout using cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the
surface down to 15 feet during early morning and evening hours.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as
peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, and nymphs in black, brown, or
green colors. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.
This lake also has largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and small crappie. The best fishing for these
warmer water species is in the early afternoons after the trout bite typically slows to nothing.
WOODS CANYON – Fishing is fair to good. Stocked weekly. The lake is full. The water temperature
last week was 72 degrees.
Boat anglers are catching trout by trolling KastMasters and Panther Martins. Also try trolling
cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 10 feet
early in the morning and late in the evening.
By the way, this lake has plentiful crayfish -- bring along a bucket and get a passel of crayfish to
augment your trout dinner and turn your camping adventure into a five-star dining experience.
For rainbows, try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, small spoons (Super
Dupers, and Z-rays), and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, Yeager
buggers, Peacock ladies, and nymphs in black, brown, or green colors. The lake is open to electric
trolling motors only.
WHITE MOUNTAIN WATERS - BECKER LAKE -- Fishing is fair to good, but is best at first and last
light. The lake temperature last week was 70 degrees. The lake is a little lower now but the boat
ramp is accessible. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout
limit. Try small lures such as Super Dupers, spinners, and Z-rays. Fly-Fishers have been catching
10- to 18-inch rainbow trout. Try small nymphs such as zebra midges, scuds, pheasant tails, zug
bugs, prince nymphs, wooly worms and wooly buggers, dragon fly patterns, peacock ladies, and
brown Montana stone nymphs. Fish deep and slow.
The water temperature on May 4 was 63 degrees and the pH was 8.8. The lake is open to electric
trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.
BIG LAKE – Fishing is fair to good with the best bite at first and last light. Anglers have been
catching rainbow and brook trout on worms, Power Bait (yellow) and salmon eggs. Boat anglers are
doing well using cowbells with an attached worm, lure or fly.
The store is open and there are boat rentals here. The launch ramps are in the water, but Railroad
Cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats.
By the way, Big Lake is not stocked during spring and summer – it is stocked in the fall with a couple
hundred thousand fingerling trout. The trout you catch here are close to being wild. On any given
day, Big Lake can be the best trout lake in the state. There is a store and boat rentals available and
some of the prettiest scenery in Arizona.
Main access roads are open, including Highway 261 from Eager/Springerville. State Highway 273
from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is completed. Fishing
is good. The lake is up about 3 feet from last year, but still 3.4 feet below spill. All boat ramps
accessible, however, Railroad cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats.
Anglers have been catching rainbow and brook trout on worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs. Also
try lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, spoons, and Rapalas, and flies such as Peacock
ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. The lake
is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors.)
CARNERO LAKE – Fishing is fair for stocker rainbows with the best bite at first and last light.
Carnero Lake experienced a winter kill, however the lake was re-stocked in April and May. The lake
is very weedy. Try fishing open water areas. As summer progresses, weeds will become a problem
for anglers.
The lake is open to lure and flies only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout bag limit. Try small lures
such as spinners and spoons (Super Dupers and Z-rays), and flies such as wooly worms, peacock
ladies, small nymphs such as hares ear, pheasant tails, prince nymphs, zug bugs, damsel fly and
dragon fly nymph patterns, and midge patterns. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow trout
in mid-May. Fishing for warmwater fish such as bass, sunfish and catfish should also be picking up.
The east side boat ramp is accessible and the only ramp to use. The old boat ramp is blocked off
and no longer usable.
Try worms, Power Bait, Salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, Z-rays, crankbaits, and Rapalas,
and flies such as woolly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. There are no motor
restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir.
CONCHO LAKE - Fishing is fair. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake was stocked catchable size
rainbow trout in early April and another load in the first week of May. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon
eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, and Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly
buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to
10hp. gas motors.
CRESCENT LAKE – Fishing is fair for stockers. Crescent Lake experienced a winter kill; however
the lake has been restocked with over 14,000 catchable size brook trout in the last week of April and
first week of May. Crescent was also stocked with almost 5000 catchable rainbow trout in mid-May. .
Highway 261 to Big and Crescent Lakes is open. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache
Indian Reservation is open to Forest road 87 but is closed beyond the 273/87 junction to Crescent
Lake 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, due to continuing road construction.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and flies such
as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, and small nymphs like prince and
zug bugs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. The only boat ramp
accessible is the south boat ramp.
FOOL HOLLOW LAKE – The lake is down about 1-1.5feet and the boat ramps are accessible. The
water clarity is slightly turbid. Fool Hollow Lake has been stocked with sub catchable and catchable
(1.5-2 pound) channel catfish. Anglers have been catching smallmouth and largemouth bass and
walleyes on lures (crankbaits, plastic jigs with attached worms, and Rapalas) at the dam and along
the east arm of the lake. Fish around structure such as rocks, trees, stumps, and fishing piers.
For kids, try fishing one of the fishing piers for bluegills. Use a small piece of night crawler on a
small hook and small weight straight down and fished just above the lake bottom. Kids have been
catching bluegill and crappie using this technique.
Shore anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (chartreuse green and pumpkin
colors) in the southwest area of the lake. Channel catfish are being caught on worms and stink
baits. Bluegills and black crappies have been caught around the fishing piers on worms and small
flies.
GREER LAKES -- Fishing is fair to good. All reservoirs are down. All boat ramps are still
accessible. All three reservoirs were last stocked with catchable size rainbow trout the week of June
23. The water temperature last week at Bunch Reservoir was 68 degrees; Tunnel Reservoir was 66
degrees; and River Reservoir was 68 degrees
Anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (green and yellow) at Bunch, Tunnel,
and River Reservoir.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas,
and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and small nymphs. Bunch and
Tunnel Reservoir are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to electric trolling
motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors.
HULSEY LAKE -Fishing is fair. Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey
Lake is open to electric trolling motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short
hiking trail to the lake. During the hot summer months, try fishing early in the morning and late in the
evening.
Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey Lake is open to electric trolling
motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short hiking trail to the lake.
LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR - The roads to Lee Valley Lake are still closed. Highway 273 from the
Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is still closed due to continuing road construction and is
closed just north of the junction of Highway 273 and Highway 261. Lee Valley Lake probably has
some ice cover, although it should be considered unsafe.
LUNA LAKE - Fishing is fair. The lake is down about 1 foot and the boat ramp is accessible. The
lake has been stocked with catchable size rainbow trout during April and May. Anglers have been
catching some nice sized trout at the dam on worms, lures, and flies. Boat anglers have been
catching trout on Panther Martin spinners and yellow Crickhopper lures. There is an algae bloom
present in the lake.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas,
and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and nymphs. The lake is open to
electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors. The water temperature last week was 50
degrees.
LYMAN LAKE - Fishing is fair to good for catfish. The lake level has come up quite a bit, catching a
lot of water with snowmelt runoff. The water is turbid. Anglers have been catching channel catfish
on worms and stink baits.
Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas. The
Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There
are also some new cabins for rent. There is fish consumption advisory here, so check with the State
Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region 1
Office at 928-367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.
NELSON RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair to good. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow
trout in May. Use the boat ramp near the dam, as the ramp at the upper end of the lake will put
boaters into thick weeds.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, and Rapalas,
and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric
trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water temperature last week was 50 degrees.
NELSON RESERVOIR – Fishing is fair. The lake is down about 1 foot and the main boat ramp by the
dam is accessible. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow trout in May. Use the boat
ramp near the dam, as the ramp at the upper end of the lake will put boaters into thick weeds. Try
worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and Rapalas, and
flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, Prince nymphs, Zug bugs, and peacock ladies. The
lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors. During the hot summer
months, try fishing early in the morning and late in the evening. There is an algae bloom present in
the lake.
RAINBOW LAKE - Improvements to the parking area at the boat ramp are scheduled this summer
and will require a short closure (2-3 days) during the construction. Signs and notices will be posted
when the construction dates are set.
Fishing is fair. Sub catchable and catchable (1.5-2 pound) channel catfish were stocked in early
June. The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, crank baits, and Rapalas, and
flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling
motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water is clear. The water temperature last week was 74
degrees.
SCOTTS RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair to good. The water temperature last week was 73 degrees.
Anglers have been catching trout, bass, and channel catfish on worms. The lake is nearly full and
the boat ramp is accessible.
Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, spinners, and
Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and prince nymphs. The
lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of rainbow trout
(average size, 11 inches), fair number of largemouth bass (average size, 12 inches), and some nice
sized channel catfish (average size, 25 inches). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The
water is clear. The water temperature last week was 73 degrees.
SHOW LOW LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. The lake is about 18 feet to accommodate bridge
construction over Show Low Creek, but the boat ramp is still accessible. Show Low Lake has been
stocked with catchable size rainbow trout and sub catchable size channel catfish.
Boat anglers have been catching trout and walleyes trolling cowbells with and attached worms,
lures, and flies.
Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, rubber lead head jigs, crankbaits,
and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is
open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. Recent surveys revealed good
numbers of large walleyes (average size, 23 inches), including two 12-pounders, good numbers of
rainbow trout (average size 14 inches), largemouth bass (average size 14 inches), and small black
crappie. The water is slightly turbid. The water temperature last week was 52 degrees.
WOODLAND LAKE - Fishing is fair. The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible. Weeds are
present along the shoreline. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners,
Super Dupers, and small spoons, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies,
prince nymphs, zug bugs, and Hares ears nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
Recent surveys revealed nice sized largemouth bass (average size, 14 inches), and 1 channel
catfish (21 inches).
SOUTHERN REGION - URBAN -- LAST STOCKING OF SPRING CATFISH SEASON was JUNE 23-
28. The last of eight, every-other-week spring catfish stockings will take place the week of June 23-
28. With lake temperatures climbing rapidly towards 90 degrees and air temperatures well above
100, it becomes impractical to haul live fish into Arizona’s Urban lakes. No fish stockings will be
scheduled during July, August and the first half of September. Fall catfish stockings will resume in
mid-September after lake and weather conditions improve enough to safely transport and stock
catfish once again. Anglers can still fish for catfish, bass and bluegill at urban waters throughout
the summer, but the action is generally slower.
RIGGS FLAT — Fishing is slow but a few fish are being caught. Due high pH levels the lake will not
be stocked until these values come down.
CLUFF RANCH — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.
ROPER LAKE — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.
DANKWORTH POND — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.
FRYE MESA RESERVIOR – A few fish are being caught in the very early morning and late
evenings.
KEARNY LAKES — The lake remains fishless due to golden algae problems.
ARIVACA — Anglers wanting to catch some trophy sized redear sunfish should definitely visit this
lake. Recent surveys show outstanding numbers of large redear’s at this lake.
A few bass are being caught in shallow water using swim baits. The lake level has a dropped a bit
but launching is not a problem and the aquatic vegetation is not a factor.
Jan. 1 marked a change in the motor restrictions at this lake. Motors 10 horsepower or less are
legal for use at Arivaca.
Anglers are encouraged to please be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other anglers fishing
from other boats and the shore.
Remember that all bass must be immediately released back to the water.
PENA BLANCA – Be aware that the lake will be drained and renovated late this summer to remove
mercury contaminated sediment form the lake bottom. Anglers wishing to comment on the proposed
dredging of this lake should contact the U.S. Forest Service at (520) 281-2296.
The fishing is slow. Aquatic vegetation is becoming a problem. Recent storms have filled the lake
and there should be no problem launching please be aware of debris floating in the lake and use
caution.
The lake now has a 10 HP limit but be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other people fishing
in boats or on shore.
The mercury advisory for all warm water fish is in effect. Bass less than 13 inches long must be
immediately released. The daily bag limit for bass is four. Jan. 1 marks a change in the motor
restrictions at this lake. Motors 10 horsepower or less will now be legal for use at Pena Blanca.
PATAGONIA — The catfishing is doing well using everything from worms to commercial baits for
channels. Smaller ones in the 12-14 inch range are being caught all day and larger ones at night.
Flatheads are biting on rigged live bluegill and red ear mostly in the dark hours. Bass fishing is fair
to good using almost any crank baits or worms. There are lots of bluegill and red ear being caught
on any bait. Most are pretty small but great fun for kids.
PARKER CANYON — Warm water fish are biting in the early a.m. and late p.m. including bluegill and
bass, it seems the later in the morning the deeper you need to fish near the weed lines. Worms
seem to be the best bait for the bluegills, and deep water lures for the bass. Bass at night is better
with top water lures and buzz baits. Trout are very slow, in deep water only.
PICACHO RESERVOIR — No Report at this time.
ROSE CANYON LAKE — The fishing continues to be outstanding and anglers are encouraged to
get up there and try their luck.
Report By: AG&F
ARIZONA FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
CENTRAL REGION - URBAN LAKES -- The last of eight, every-other-week spring catfish stockings
was the week of June 23-28. With lake temperatures climbing rapidly towards 90 degrees and air
temperatures well above 100, it becomes impractical to haul live fish into Arizona’s Urban lakes. No
fish stockings will be scheduled during July, August and the first half of September.
Fall catfish stockings will resume in mid-September after lake and weather conditions improve
enough to safely transport and stock catfish once again. Anglers can still fish for catfish, bass and
bluegill at Urban waters throughout the summer, but the action is generally slower.
Urban fishing report: Fishing for catfish should still be pretty good, so the urban lakes provide a
good opportunity for anglers who want to avoid high gas prices this holiday weekend.
Anglers are having luck using stink baits or shrimp fished on the bottom. Sunfish continue to bite
well on small worms fished under a bobber. The cool weather is keeping lake temperatures low
allowing fish to be active throughout the day.
TEMPE TOWN LAKE – Don’t forget when fishing Tempe Town Lake the east end of the lake is more
productive and fish near structure. In that lake that means the bridge abutments or piers. I’m not
saying that where all the fish are but your chances are a little better there. A couple fishermen
reported catching bass on drop shots and spinners. Watch for the shad boils.
Worms are enticing the catfish to bite. Another fisherman stopped by in the evening for a half hour
and caught two bass fishing from shore using a green spinner bait.
One angler stopped by Tempe Town Lake for an hour one morning and using corn on the bottom
caught a rainbow trout and a channel catfish.
LAKE PLEASANT – Water elevation is 1,682 feet, which is 78-percent full. Fishermen are reporting
real good early morning striper and white bass fishing. Check out the various coves and flats for
the shad boils. The boils tend to die down after 8:30 – 9 a.m. The topwater lures that people are
having good luck with are the vixens, Rapalas and Rebel Wee R’s.
The stripers are being reported as pretty aggressive. There is no limit on these two species and
they are delicious. You have to remove the blood vein in the stripers and it really helps to bleed
them out for a tasty treat. The prep isn’t quite as important on the whites. If you keep the stripers
the largemouth bass fishermen will sing your praises.
The early morning temperature at Castle Creek is nearly 84 F. A couple anglers did well catching
whites and stripers in the northern coves and the northern shelf areas in the early morning. Swim
baits worked for them and they ended up catching about 16 fish. The biggest stripers and whites
were about 2 pounds.
Another early morning angler had good luck catching stripers with topwater lures in the Aqua Fria.
He caught whites near the shoreline on the west side of the lake on topwater lures as well. The
clear lures are enticing the fish better than the darker colored ones.
One angler mentioned some striper action using small swim baits when shad would boil near his
boat. The boil didn’t last very long so you had to be ready. Several anglers have mentioned that
the stripers are eating lots of small shad.
Two anglers report casting (at boils) or slowly trolling small KastMasters (1/16-ounce) across the
mouths of major coves at first and last light to catch 60 or more stripers.
We have mixed report from night anglers. Some are cleaning up on stripers using frozen anchovies.
Others can’t seem to buy a bite.
Past striper studies have shown that stripers are less prevalent in the large arms of the lake, such
as the Agua Fria and Castle Creek areas, than they are in the more open, deeper, more
oxygenated waters of the main basin, especially in those areas stretching across the major arms or
in front of the major coves. These are natural ambush spots.
ROOSEVELT LAKE – Lake Elevation is 2,147 feet (96-percent full). Tonto Creek runoff is at 17 cfs,
while inflow from the Salt River is at 468 cfs.
Topwater fishing seems to be a little slow. Anglers don’t report seeing all those nice early-morning
boils. Either they aren’t occurring, or they are happening where our reporting anglers don’t go. Let
us know what you see out there.
Curly tail jigs worked pretty well at night, first light and early morning.
The crappie bite seems to be an ephemeral thing. Trolling jigs in and around the submerged trees
works real well when the bite is on. If all else fails fish with some live minnows in and around the
submerged trees and get some largemouth.
An angler fished in the Tonto arm till about 11 a.m. and caught one slot bass on a Senko and trolled
for crappie and caught 7 nice bluegills.
We are hearing rumors of some huge flatheads coming out of Rosey. This is the time of year to fish
for them using small bluegill and carp as bait.
APACHE – Lake elevation is 1910 ft (96% full). Cat fishermen are doing pretty well. Trout are still
being caught near the marina. Bass are jumping and no reports of any additional die-offs.
Be sure to try the points where the substrate drops off where the yellow bass and walleye hang out.
KastMasters is a good lure to use. Catfish, bass and yellow bass will hit worms. Shore fishermen
have pretty good luck with worms or minnows. Get your minnows on the way to the lake since they
are not sold at Apache Lake.
CANYON -- Lake elevation is 1,658 feet, which is 97 percent full. Here is a special report from a well-
known angling correspondent -- Jim Warnecke -- who retired recently as a fisheries biologist with
Game and Fish.
Had to try the 1/8-ounce KastMaster magic at Canyon Lake just to see if the catching patterns held
there like at Saguaro Lake.....short answer.......YES!
I joined friend Paul and buddy Joe yesterday at Canyon and started at 7:30 a.m. and ended fishing
at 3:30 p.m. We caught fish at nearly all of the seven locations we tried, but some better than others
particularly if they were on an outside point or outside shelf.
Best catch areas were Beaver Landing, Teddy Bear Point, a point near the peregrine nest up
channel and Beer Can Point (we were up shallow and not over or into the new habitat, sorry).
Tally for the day was 63 fish as such: yellow bass-41 and kept 9 over 10 1/2 inches (see photo of 12
incher), largemouth bass-seven three of which were 4 inches!, bluegills-12 and kept 3 over 8 inches.
(photo attached), threadfin shad-2 at 3 inches, channel catfish-1 at 16 inches.
Most fish were in 2-6 feet of water and best catching up to 1:30 in afternoon. We had two fish on
that we couldn't even turn once hooked and following with the trolling motor didn't help as we
couldn't catch up to 'em before they simply broke off! I said carps; other two buddies said giant
catfish although we didn't get to see the Mack trucks that took off with our lures!
Water was algae colored like Saguaro, but few dead fish seen except some that failed to survive our
release techniques. The 113F didn't seemed to matter when you're catching fish, AGFD does a
good job of fish management! JW.
SAGUARO -- Lake elevation is 1,524 feet at 92-percent full.
Fishing is great at Saguaro in the mornings, especially for bluegills and yellow bass. One fisherman
reported catching a 3.8-pound largemouth and the total catch from a morning of fishing by two
anglers was about 15 fish. Five were largemouth and the rest were a variety of species, presumably
yellow bass and bluegill.
Fish do tend to be finicky with the color of your lures, so try a variety and figure out the color of the
day. The fish were hitting drop-shot and Carolina-rigged presentations of anchovies or plastic
worms, brush hogs and the like. A couple lures that are working are jerkbaits and old reliable
KastMasters.
BARTLETT – Lake elevation is 1,788 ft, which is 85-percent full.
A couple fishermen caught some largemouth bass using drop-shot method and crankbait, but no
other details revealed except impressive lighting serving up some electrical perturbations. Be
careful and cognizant of your surroundings when you are out there watching Mother Nature’s
lightning shows. Your fishing pole and metal lures make pretty good lightning rods; not to mention
the fact that you are basically sitting in a big pool of highly conductive water.
HORSESHOE – Lake elevation is at 1,993 feet, which is 35-percent full. They are releasing water at
400 cfs.
VERDE RIVER – Verde River flow at Tangle is 80 cubic feet per second. Release from Bartlett Lake
is 400 cfs.
SALT RIVER – Salt River into Roosevelt is 0 cfs, and Salt River Canyon is 312 cfs.
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – Flows are 1,125 cfs from Stewart Mountain Dam.
Trout were last stocked two weeks ago, but it might be possible to catch some. The best fishing for
trout is at first light. However, it's possible to find bass and other warmwater fish in the deeper holes.
Don’t forget your Tonto Pass.
CREEKS – Fly-fishing has slowed some in the streams.
Haigler Creek – Nymphs and leaches are a good bet.
Canyon Creek – Caddis flies and hoppers are working for the fly fishermen.
Christopher Creek -- Try using a dry dropper with a nymph below, not just in Christopher but other
streams as well.
Tonto Creek – Dry flies, Caddis flies, hares ears on droppers are all working pretty well.
East Verde – No reports.
HORSETHIEF BASIN LAKE – Lake level is up, fishing is nominal.
COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST - LAKE POWELL – By Wayne Gustaveson. Stripers are still
slurping in little shad with a vengeance. It is likely that slurping stripers will be seen in every clear
water canyon and channel this week. Catching them may be more difficult than locating them.
Stripers feed lazily when little shad are abundant and slow moving. A group of 10 or more stripers
pop to the surface and gorge on tiny shad. An approaching boat causes the feeding school to turn
in a different direction or to sound only to resurface a safe distance away. Shad are abundant and
wide spread so stripers can feed in any direction. The trick is to get close enough to cast into
slurping stripers without putting the fish down.
Small spoons may be the most effective presentation but don't be afraid to try a surface lure. The
key to both techniques is to work the lures gently. Shad are not swimming much so a fast moving,
erratic presentation is not normal to their feeding image. Reel the topwater lure at a slow to medium
speed with only limited sideways jerks. Do the same with spoons. Work it just fast enough to keep it
in the feeding zone. The real secret is to make long casts with small lures. That takes a good rod
and reel with quality matching line. Present the lure just beyond the leading fish or just past the
entire school. Splashing into the middle of the slurping fish seldom allows success. It will be much
better when shad grow a bit larger and the margin for boating and casting error will increase by one
order of magnitude.
Slurps are now common from dawn until 10 a.m. After that fishing is tough until late afternoon.
During the heat of the day is a good time to play in the water. Fish early and late for maximum
success. Bait fishing is much better in the afternoon when stripers have completed the morning
shad hunt and are in deep water planning their next assault.
Bass fishing is still tough and will remain so until the lake starts to drop. Bass love the fresh green
habitat now abundant in so many different lake locations. It will take lake stabilization and or decline
until bass are able to be caught in a stable summer pattern. Right now they are feeding early in the
morning near the stripers slurps but from the comfort of their newly discovered green brush habitat.
This may be the most difficult warm water time to catch bass. That will soon change as the lake
stabilizes.
Walleye are the bonus fish now and can be caught early and late on the fast falling points that lead
into the main channel. Fish shady pockets in the morning and under mudlines on breezy afternoons
all along the main channel edge for feisty walleye.
Catfish are hot every evening near your camp. Try scraps from dinner right behind the boat for
quick success. My favorite catfish recipe is blackened fillets with Cajun spices. Mmmmm
LEES FERRY – Report by: Ted Welling, Lees Ferry Anglers: CICADAS ARE POPPING, YEAH:
Fishing is on fire!!!!!
Fish are all over the surface sipping midges in the back eddies. They are also at the edge of the
river looking and waiting for that un-lucky cicada to drop in the current.
We have had some very warm and sunny weather and the midge hatches are thick and are
covering the water and the trout are taking advantage of this. You can find these fish under almost
any scum line gorging themselves. Just cast a small dry fly with a tiny dropper and let it gently drift
into the crowd and bingo: FISH ON!
If you are fishing the cicada a plopping presentation will do the trick count to five, and re-cast if you
don’t have a take.
This is some of the most exciting fishing one can experience here at the Ferry. If you have had the
chance to fish the cicada hatch, well then you know what I am talking about. If you have not been
here for this event, it is a must! To hire a guide call us at the shop 1-800-962-9755 you will not be
disappointed. Hope to see you soon!!! T
Walk in: This area is fishing well. Fish are taking dries and droppers alike. The scud, the San Juan
and little midge patterns. The cicadas are buzzing like crazy all over the river, kind-of drives you
crazy but, the fishing is great. I expect it to remain this way for the next couple of months. At
least………. Hope you can make it up!
Spin Fishing: Spin fishing is still great! Stop in and pick up some egg patterns and ask us about the
recommended rig and best areas to fish. The marabou jigs are also working. We do have maps
available in the fly shop as well.
LAKE MEAD – Lake Mead water levels continue to drop as the elevation is currently at around
1,105 feet above msl. Water temperatures are running between 67 and 72 depending where you
are on the lake. Backs of coves are warming up nicely and largemouth bass are in shallow.
Nighttime Striper fishing has been really good again. Anglers using artificial lights were catching as
many 13 to 18-inch stripers as they wanted to clean.
Catfishing under lights was also very productive using anchovies. Artificial lights tend to be most
productive if fished with a new moon.
July 2, 2008 was the new moon so trolling crankbaits during the day may have droped off a little, but
the night bite should be great.
Launching conditions at South Cove have continued to deteriorate with the dropping water. The
new concrete ramp the National Park Service just completed is one lane with buoys marking the
edges. Use caution not to go off the sides of the metal extensions at either side. According to the
Bureau of Reclamation, water levels are projected to be at its lowest levels later this month before
rebounding slightly by October.
LAKE MOHAVE –The fishing for small striper’s has been pretty good. The lake is running high at
643 feet above msl. The stripers seen in the fall were fat and full of shad, with schools of shad being
chased by striped bass. If you can find schools of shad, throw a small crankbait.
Biologists from both Arizona Game and Fish Department and Nevada Division of Wildlife have
continued to install fish habitat in both Carp Cove and Box Cove. The largemouth, bluegill, and
catfish are really utilizing the new structures. Additional habitat will be added at several locations
over the next two years. These structures are fish magnets.
There is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier just south of the main launch ramp at Katherine's
Landing. If you fish Mohave and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can
share your successes with others.
Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and
Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders.
Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine.
Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or
gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at azgfd.gov or
visit http://100thmeridian.org/.
WILLOW BEACH - Trout are stocked every Friday. The fishing for trout has been good from shore
immediately following the stocking. Try using a Jake, Panther Martin, or other spinner’s or spoons.
If that doesn’t work you can always use Power Bait. Look for the striper fishing to really be picking
up. As the water in the basin of Lake Mohave warms, the bigger fish move into the colder water in
the Willow beach area.
Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and
Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders.
Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine.
Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or
gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see. If you fish Willow
beach and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes
with others.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department's web pages at azgfd.gov or
visit http://100thmeridian.org/.
TOPOCK MARSH –No new reports - Water level is up, but still be careful while launching. The
catfish are biting on night crawlers and anchovies. Bass bite is still not bad. Crappies have shut
down. Try night crawlers or anchovies for catfish.
Game and Fish biologists surveyed the Marsh starting on the week of Jan. 15. The largemouth
bass population was observed to be very healthy, as well as channel catfish. Crappie were also
present, but in smaller numbers.
You can access the marsh by boat at 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
COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM –The striper bite is picking up. Trout were last stocked on
March 24-25. This was the last trout stocking until next winter.
Water levels on the river fluctuate, so be careful. You can check the Bureau of Reclamation Web
site for flow predictions http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html before you go. If you fish the river below
Davis Dam and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your
successes with others.
SOUTHWESTERN REGION - LAKE HAVASU – This Report was provided by John Galbraith of
Anglers Pro Shop, Lake Havasu City: Striped bass fishing is excellent on cut anchovies or sardines
in 35 to 56 feet of water from Copper Canyon south to Standard Wash. Early morning trolling or
casting with Pointer 100s and 128s, chrome/blue Chug Bugs and Pencil Poppers are also producing
some quality stripers off points and reefs throughout the main basin and south near the Bill Williams
River arm.
Largemouth bass fishing is excellent with lots of fish being caught on Senkos, Gitzits and drop-shot
worms around artificial habitats in 8 to 15 feet of water. Flipping brown jigs with orange craw trailers
in cattail rows north in the river also good early before boat traffic pushes the bass deeper into the
cattails.
Smallmouth are being caught on 3/8- or ½-ounce cinnamon brown and green pumpkin jigs
throughout the lake on rocky banks and points in 6 to 18 feet of water.
PARKER STRIP – COLORADO RIVER (PARKER STRIP AREA) – Courtesy June’s Bait Shop in
Parker: Water temps along the strip have been averaging in the upper fifties to low sixties, and it's
only getting hotter!
Important notice: Quagga mussels have been found in Lake Havasu so proper cleaning of all
watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please move to the parking lot,
DRAIN your live-wells and bilge where the water does not return to the lake. Drain all the water you
can from your engine. Also, INSPECT your watercraft 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.
ALALMO LAKE – Report courtesy Mark Knapp with the Alamo Lake State Park. Well folks, in a nut
shell the best time for fishing out here is in the evening, followed by early morning. I talked with
Scott, Austin, and Karri who gave fishing a thumbs up. Scott said they caught 40 crappies at night,
and 25 bass during the early morning throwing topwater and drop-shotting. Austin mumbled
something about Karri "beating them" and Karri made it loud and clear "again." Nice job Karri. The
thrill of victory.
I had a note stuck in the door from some folks from Las Vegas that said they caught 15 crappies, 20
catfish, 2 bass, and 20 bluegills. I talked with them for a while before they went out and told them to
be versatile and move around if they did not see bait fish around the crappie lights. They did and it
paid off.
As far as the other guys I mentioned last week that never moved. They stayed on the lake for 3
days, ended up with dead batteries, and I towed them in. Their total score was 4 catfish. They
never moved the boat once. There batteries went dead from running the crappie lights for three
nights with out charging them. Here's a word to the wise. Don't run trolling motors, crappie lights, or
anything like that off the battery that runs the big motor. That's what the other batteries are for. I
have allot more to say on batteries but we will get there in minute.
Bob and Cheryl from Kingman stayed for a week and got a dose of the evening bite. The last night
they were here they caught 20 crappies, 10 catfish, and 25 bass. Cheryl was throwing some kind of
funky minnow imitation made by Storm, and Bob put the hurts on them throwing a shad colored
deep-diving crankbait. Like the rest of us they found a brushy point right at sunset and started
throwing into the brush.
I've still been averaging 20-plus fish a night throwing a Texas-rigged four-inch lizard. Wolly tailed
brush hogs are working too.
No good reports of shore fishing. I'm sending a picture that shows what one looks like at the end of
the day, but also what one can catch if you can stand the heat. If you want to catch cat fish,
bluegills, and crappie, then minnows and crappie light are the way to go.
If you want in on some killer bass fishing, then sunset till dark using plastics or training wheels
throwing at any brushy point should work.
The heat will drain the water out of batteries in no time. I found this out the other day. I started out
just fine. The boat fired right up. I was up by the dam and went to start it and "click." When I got
home I looked at the battery and there was no water in it. I just got done servicing the batteries at
the beginning of summer. That's how fast the heat can kill a battery. Check water levels about once
a month.
The lake level is at 1123ish with releases of 50 cfs. Both ramps are in operation but bigger boats
are encouraged to use the Cholla ramp. That's all I got
NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS - KAIBAB LAKE -- Campground area is open. Main parking lot and
boat launch open for day use only. Fishing was excellent over the weekend. Stocked last week.
With 2,700 trout plus incentive-size fish. The water temperature was 73 degrees. Expect the best
fishing at first and last light. During the day, try going deeper using slip sinkers and Power Bait or
bouncing small KastMasters off the bottom.
CATARACT LAKE — Campground is open. Lake is open for walk in fishing. Fishing for trout and
catfish was good. Stocked with catfish.
CITY RESERVOIR — Lake is full. Stocked with catfish. Stocked last week with rainbows.
DOGTOWN LAKE — Campground area is open. No Report Some browns are being caught on
lures. Stocked last week with rainbow trout.
JD DAM — Road is open. No reports from anglers.
RUSSEL TANK - Recently stocked.
SANTA FE — Lake is full. Anglers are catching trout and yellow perch. Stocked with channel
catfish.
WHITEHORSE LAKE — Stocked this week with 2,700 rainbows, plus incentives. The water
temperature was 73F. Campground area is open. Lake is full.
FLAGSTAFF LAKES:
LOWER LAKE MARY — There has been a fish kill – there might not be any fish left.
UPPER LAKE MARY — The lake is full. Some nice northern pike are being caught on anchovies.
This lake also has walleye and catfish. Remember, there are no boat motor restrictions on this lake,
so it is a good one to take your bass boat to escape the heat.
ASHURST LAKE — Stocked with 3,601 trout last week. The water temperature was 62 F. The lake is
full. Some larger hold-over trout are being caught. Some trout anglers are catching northern pike.
Steve at the Ashurst Store reports good size fish ranging from1 1/2 to 2 pounds are being caught
on worms at the west and east end of the lake and early morning on the north and south size.
Power Bait was not working this past week.
FRANCIS SHORT POND – A fish kill has occurred caused by a dieoff of an algal bloom which
reduced oxygen levels in the water. Some fish survived the kill, but fishing will be tough until the
lake gets stocked after water quality improves.
KINNIKINICK LAKE — Scheduled to be stocked this week with 2,700 rainbow trout.
FRANCIS SHORT POND – A fish kill has occurred caused by a die-off of an algal bloom which
reduced oxygen levels in the water. Some fish survived the kill, but fishing will be tough until the
lake gets stocked after water quality improves.
MARSHALL LAKE — No recent reports. Had been good for small rainbow and brook trout, along
with grayling.
OAK CREEK — Stocked last week and the water temperatures raged from 59 to 73 F. Scheduled to
be stocked this week with rainbow trout. Fishing is generally slow for browns although some large
ones have been caught recently, but is okay for rainbows. At the lower end of the creek below
Sedona, it is also possible to catch bass and catfish in the deeper pools.
LONG LAKE — Stocked recently with rainbow trout. Some nice fish are being caught near the ditch.
SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — Lakes are open. No report.
BEAVER CREEK — Trout fishing is generally slow, but some anglers are doing okay if they hike a
ways. This area also has some fun smallmouth bass, but don’t expect fish of any size. Ultra lights
and small Crickhoppers work well.
WEST CLEAR CREEK — No report.
STONEMAN LAKE — Low water. NO FISH.
MINGUS LAKE – The seasonal gate across the access road is open. Rainbow trout are being
stocked twice a month. Mingus was stocked on June 16, which was the last scheduled stocking until
September. The best bait has been white Power Bait, fished on the bottom with a treble hook and
an egg sinker. Several 6-fish limits of trout were caught this way. Fishermen using night crawlers
under a bobber are also having some success.
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.
Illegal stockings cost YOU money!
DEAD HORSE STATE PARK –Largemouth bass fishing is fair. Try using small plastic jigs, plastic
worms, or small spinnerbaits near deeper cover. Catfish stocked June 9. The catfish bite has been
pretty good on night crawlers. The time of day that they are biting varies, so you may need to be
patient.
Bluegills are very abundant, but most are small. This is a great opportunity to teach kids how to
fish. Try using a No. 8 hook with a small piece of worm under a bobber and you should have
success. While the crappie numbers are up a little, most are small. Look for the crappie fishing to
be good late this year or next year. Catfish are scheduled to be stocked the week of June 9.
VERDE RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) –Channel catfish action is starting to pick up in the Verde
Valley. Most success on catfish is by using night crawlers and chicken liver after dusk. Look for the
bass to be biting early morning and in the evening.
LYNX LAKE — Catfish were stocked June 9 and again on June 25. Trout are were stocked the
week of June 16. This was the last scheduled stocking until the fall. While fishing has been slow,
these two stockings should help. Try using night crawlers or hot dogs for the catfish. The hot ticket
for the trout is salmon egg scented power bait.
Game and Fish Biologists installed PVC fish structures on Jan. 3. These structures should protect
small fishes from predation. Some 7-inch brook trout were in February and 5-inchers in
September. Game and Fish stocked catfish the week of June 4. There were 200 pounds of bluegill
stocked on March 29. Game and Fish biologists surveyed Lynx in May and found that the brook
trout stocked in September 2006 were still present.
FAIN LAKE — Catfish and sunfish were stocked the week of June 23. Try using night crawlers for
the catfish. The sunfish will bite on meal worms or small worms. Fain lake was last stocked with
rainbow trout the week of June 16th. This is the last trout stocking scheduled until September. For
trout try using spinners or bright colored power bait. Fain lake was stocked with brook trout on Feb.
25.
GOLDWATER LAKE — Trout are scheduled to be stocked this week, the week of July 7. Fishing
success should be good following the stocking. Recently one angler reported catching a 13- and 14-
inch trout in two hours of fishing. While there is no shortage of fish, most people report catching
only one or two fish. Try using KastMasters. If that does not work you may try worms or Power Bait.
Early in the morning and in the evening the bite may be a little better. Some days the fishing seems
to be better than other days as well. The next trout stocking is scheduled for the week of July 21.
The water temperature is 71?F. If the temperature continues to increase we will postpone
scheduled stockings until the spring when the water cools. Bluegills were stocked Feb 25. Game
and Fish biologists weighed a 22-pound channel catfish that was caught at Goldwater in March.
Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Goldwater during the middle of May 2007 and found the trout
and sunfish plentiful. While the number of catfish and bass was low, the quality was exceptional.
One 16-pound catfish was sampled and released. The bass averaged about 3.5 pounds. On March
29, 2007, there were 400 pounds of bluegill stocked. These fish were hand-sized and should be
easily caught. Try using worms or mealworms on a bobber. Small spinners may work as well. If you
fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your
successes with others.
MOGOLLON RIM - CHEVELON LAKE – Fishing is poor to fair for fly and spin anglers. This is a hike-
in lake via a steep slope. There is not a lot of shore access. It is best fished from a float tube,
inflatable or canoe.
The lake is open to artificial lure and flies only, trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be
possessed, and the bag limit is six trout. Try lures such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, spinners, and
Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs,
and other small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.
BEAR CANYON LAKE - Fishing is fair for rainbow trout. The best bite is at first and last light. The
lake was stocked last week with catchable size rainbow trout. The water temperature was 72
degrees last week. The best times are first and last light.
This is a hike-in lake down short but steep and winding paths. There is pretty good shore access.
This deep canyon lake is great for those with float tubes.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas
and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug
bugs, hares ear and pheasant tail nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
BLACK CANYON LAKE –- Fishing is fair. The lake is down about one foot and the boat ramp is
accessible. The water temperature last week was 72 degrees. The best bite is at first and last light.
Boat anglers have been catching trout on green and yellow Power Bait.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, or flies such as peacock ladies, wooly
worms and wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers.
BLUE RIDGE – Fishing is fair to poor. Fish at first and last light. This is a deep canyon lake that is
tough for shore angling, but great for small boats and canoes, or float tubes. In fact, trolling is
probably the most effective method right now
KNOLL LAKE – Fishing is good at first and last light. There is a launch ramp, and fishing from a boat
is best right now, but it's a long, dusty road to get here.
WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE - The fishing is fair to good, with the best bite at first and last light. The
lake is down about two feet and the boat ramp is accessible. Scheduled to be stocked this week with
catchable size rainbow trout. The water temperature last week was 70 degrees. Anglers have been
catching trout using cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the
surface down to 15 feet during early morning and evening hours.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as
peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, and nymphs in black, brown, or
green colors. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.
This lake also has largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and small crappie. The best fishing for these
warmer water species is in the early afternoons after the trout bite typically slows to nothing.
WOODS CANYON – Fishing is fair to good. Stocked weekly. The lake is full. The water temperature
last week was 72 degrees.
Boat anglers are catching trout by trolling KastMasters and Panther Martins. Also try trolling
cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 10 feet
early in the morning and late in the evening.
By the way, this lake has plentiful crayfish -- bring along a bucket and get a passel of crayfish to
augment your trout dinner and turn your camping adventure into a five-star dining experience.
For rainbows, try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, small spoons (Super
Dupers, and Z-rays), and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, Yeager
buggers, Peacock ladies, and nymphs in black, brown, or green colors. The lake is open to electric
trolling motors only.
WHITE MOUNTAIN WATERS - BECKER LAKE -- Fishing is fair to good, but is best at first and last
light. The lake temperature last week was 70 degrees. The lake is a little lower now but the boat
ramp is accessible. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout
limit. Try small lures such as Super Dupers, spinners, and Z-rays. Fly-Fishers have been catching
10- to 18-inch rainbow trout. Try small nymphs such as zebra midges, scuds, pheasant tails, zug
bugs, prince nymphs, wooly worms and wooly buggers, dragon fly patterns, peacock ladies, and
brown Montana stone nymphs. Fish deep and slow.
The water temperature on May 4 was 63 degrees and the pH was 8.8. The lake is open to electric
trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.
BIG LAKE – Fishing is fair to good with the best bite at first and last light. Anglers have been
catching rainbow and brook trout on worms, Power Bait (yellow) and salmon eggs. Boat anglers are
doing well using cowbells with an attached worm, lure or fly.
The store is open and there are boat rentals here. The launch ramps are in the water, but Railroad
Cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats.
By the way, Big Lake is not stocked during spring and summer – it is stocked in the fall with a couple
hundred thousand fingerling trout. The trout you catch here are close to being wild. On any given
day, Big Lake can be the best trout lake in the state. There is a store and boat rentals available and
some of the prettiest scenery in Arizona.
Main access roads are open, including Highway 261 from Eager/Springerville. State Highway 273
from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is completed. Fishing
is good. The lake is up about 3 feet from last year, but still 3.4 feet below spill. All boat ramps
accessible, however, Railroad cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats.
Anglers have been catching rainbow and brook trout on worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs. Also
try lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, spoons, and Rapalas, and flies such as Peacock
ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. The lake
is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors.)
CARNERO LAKE – Fishing is fair for stocker rainbows with the best bite at first and last light.
Carnero Lake experienced a winter kill, however the lake was re-stocked in April and May. The lake
is very weedy. Try fishing open water areas. As summer progresses, weeds will become a problem
for anglers.
The lake is open to lure and flies only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout bag limit. Try small lures
such as spinners and spoons (Super Dupers and Z-rays), and flies such as wooly worms, peacock
ladies, small nymphs such as hares ear, pheasant tails, prince nymphs, zug bugs, damsel fly and
dragon fly nymph patterns, and midge patterns. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow trout
in mid-May. Fishing for warmwater fish such as bass, sunfish and catfish should also be picking up.
The east side boat ramp is accessible and the only ramp to use. The old boat ramp is blocked off
and no longer usable.
Try worms, Power Bait, Salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, Z-rays, crankbaits, and Rapalas,
and flies such as woolly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. There are no motor
restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir.
CONCHO LAKE - Fishing is fair. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake was stocked catchable size
rainbow trout in early April and another load in the first week of May. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon
eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, and Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly
buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to
10hp. gas motors.
CRESCENT LAKE – Fishing is fair for stockers. Crescent Lake experienced a winter kill; however
the lake has been restocked with over 14,000 catchable size brook trout in the last week of April and
first week of May. Crescent was also stocked with almost 5000 catchable rainbow trout in mid-May. .
Highway 261 to Big and Crescent Lakes is open. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache
Indian Reservation is open to Forest road 87 but is closed beyond the 273/87 junction to Crescent
Lake 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, due to continuing road construction.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and flies such
as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, and small nymphs like prince and
zug bugs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. The only boat ramp
accessible is the south boat ramp.
FOOL HOLLOW LAKE – The lake is down about 1-1.5feet and the boat ramps are accessible. The
water clarity is slightly turbid. Fool Hollow Lake has been stocked with sub catchable and catchable
(1.5-2 pound) channel catfish. Anglers have been catching smallmouth and largemouth bass and
walleyes on lures (crankbaits, plastic jigs with attached worms, and Rapalas) at the dam and along
the east arm of the lake. Fish around structure such as rocks, trees, stumps, and fishing piers.
For kids, try fishing one of the fishing piers for bluegills. Use a small piece of night crawler on a
small hook and small weight straight down and fished just above the lake bottom. Kids have been
catching bluegill and crappie using this technique.
Shore anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (chartreuse green and pumpkin
colors) in the southwest area of the lake. Channel catfish are being caught on worms and stink
baits. Bluegills and black crappies have been caught around the fishing piers on worms and small
flies.
GREER LAKES -- Fishing is fair to good. All reservoirs are down. All boat ramps are still
accessible. All three reservoirs were last stocked with catchable size rainbow trout the week of June
23. The water temperature last week at Bunch Reservoir was 68 degrees; Tunnel Reservoir was 66
degrees; and River Reservoir was 68 degrees
Anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (green and yellow) at Bunch, Tunnel,
and River Reservoir.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas,
and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and small nymphs. Bunch and
Tunnel Reservoir are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to electric trolling
motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors.
HULSEY LAKE -Fishing is fair. Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey
Lake is open to electric trolling motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short
hiking trail to the lake. During the hot summer months, try fishing early in the morning and late in the
evening.
Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey Lake is open to electric trolling
motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short hiking trail to the lake.
LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR - The roads to Lee Valley Lake are still closed. Highway 273 from the
Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is still closed due to continuing road construction and is
closed just north of the junction of Highway 273 and Highway 261. Lee Valley Lake probably has
some ice cover, although it should be considered unsafe.
LUNA LAKE - Fishing is fair. The lake is down about 1 foot and the boat ramp is accessible. The
lake has been stocked with catchable size rainbow trout during April and May. Anglers have been
catching some nice sized trout at the dam on worms, lures, and flies. Boat anglers have been
catching trout on Panther Martin spinners and yellow Crickhopper lures. There is an algae bloom
present in the lake.
Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas,
and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and nymphs. The lake is open to
electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors. The water temperature last week was 50
degrees.
LYMAN LAKE - Fishing is fair to good for catfish. The lake level has come up quite a bit, catching a
lot of water with snowmelt runoff. The water is turbid. Anglers have been catching channel catfish
on worms and stink baits.
Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas. The
Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There
are also some new cabins for rent. There is fish consumption advisory here, so check with the State
Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region 1
Office at 928-367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.
NELSON RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair to good. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow
trout in May. Use the boat ramp near the dam, as the ramp at the upper end of the lake will put
boaters into thick weeds.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, and Rapalas,
and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric
trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water temperature last week was 50 degrees.
NELSON RESERVOIR – Fishing is fair. The lake is down about 1 foot and the main boat ramp by the
dam is accessible. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow trout in May. Use the boat
ramp near the dam, as the ramp at the upper end of the lake will put boaters into thick weeds. Try
worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and Rapalas, and
flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, Prince nymphs, Zug bugs, and peacock ladies. The
lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors. During the hot summer
months, try fishing early in the morning and late in the evening. There is an algae bloom present in
the lake.
RAINBOW LAKE - Improvements to the parking area at the boat ramp are scheduled this summer
and will require a short closure (2-3 days) during the construction. Signs and notices will be posted
when the construction dates are set.
Fishing is fair. Sub catchable and catchable (1.5-2 pound) channel catfish were stocked in early
June. The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, crank baits, and Rapalas, and
flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling
motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water is clear. The water temperature last week was 74
degrees.
SCOTTS RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair to good. The water temperature last week was 73 degrees.
Anglers have been catching trout, bass, and channel catfish on worms. The lake is nearly full and
the boat ramp is accessible.
Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, spinners, and
Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and prince nymphs. The
lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of rainbow trout
(average size, 11 inches), fair number of largemouth bass (average size, 12 inches), and some nice
sized channel catfish (average size, 25 inches). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The
water is clear. The water temperature last week was 73 degrees.
SHOW LOW LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. The lake is about 18 feet to accommodate bridge
construction over Show Low Creek, but the boat ramp is still accessible. Show Low Lake has been
stocked with catchable size rainbow trout and sub catchable size channel catfish.
Boat anglers have been catching trout and walleyes trolling cowbells with and attached worms,
lures, and flies.
Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, rubber lead head jigs, crankbaits,
and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is
open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. Recent surveys revealed good
numbers of large walleyes (average size, 23 inches), including two 12-pounders, good numbers of
rainbow trout (average size 14 inches), largemouth bass (average size 14 inches), and small black
crappie. The water is slightly turbid. The water temperature last week was 52 degrees.
WOODLAND LAKE - Fishing is fair. The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible. Weeds are
present along the shoreline. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners,
Super Dupers, and small spoons, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies,
prince nymphs, zug bugs, and Hares ears nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
Recent surveys revealed nice sized largemouth bass (average size, 14 inches), and 1 channel
catfish (21 inches).
SOUTHERN REGION - URBAN -- LAST STOCKING OF SPRING CATFISH SEASON was JUNE 23-
28. The last of eight, every-other-week spring catfish stockings will take place the week of June 23-
28. With lake temperatures climbing rapidly towards 90 degrees and air temperatures well above
100, it becomes impractical to haul live fish into Arizona’s Urban lakes. No fish stockings will be
scheduled during July, August and the first half of September. Fall catfish stockings will resume in
mid-September after lake and weather conditions improve enough to safely transport and stock
catfish once again. Anglers can still fish for catfish, bass and bluegill at urban waters throughout
the summer, but the action is generally slower.
RIGGS FLAT — Fishing is slow but a few fish are being caught. Due high pH levels the lake will not
be stocked until these values come down.
CLUFF RANCH — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.
ROPER LAKE — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.
DANKWORTH POND — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.
FRYE MESA RESERVIOR – A few fish are being caught in the very early morning and late
evenings.
KEARNY LAKES — The lake remains fishless due to golden algae problems.
ARIVACA — Anglers wanting to catch some trophy sized redear sunfish should definitely visit this
lake. Recent surveys show outstanding numbers of large redear’s at this lake.
A few bass are being caught in shallow water using swim baits. The lake level has a dropped a bit
but launching is not a problem and the aquatic vegetation is not a factor.
Jan. 1 marked a change in the motor restrictions at this lake. Motors 10 horsepower or less are
legal for use at Arivaca.
Anglers are encouraged to please be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other anglers fishing
from other boats and the shore.
Remember that all bass must be immediately released back to the water.
PENA BLANCA – Be aware that the lake will be drained and renovated late this summer to remove
mercury contaminated sediment form the lake bottom. Anglers wishing to comment on the proposed
dredging of this lake should contact the U.S. Forest Service at (520) 281-2296.
The fishing is slow. Aquatic vegetation is becoming a problem. Recent storms have filled the lake
and there should be no problem launching please be aware of debris floating in the lake and use
caution.
The lake now has a 10 HP limit but be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other people fishing
in boats or on shore.
The mercury advisory for all warm water fish is in effect. Bass less than 13 inches long must be
immediately released. The daily bag limit for bass is four. Jan. 1 marks a change in the motor
restrictions at this lake. Motors 10 horsepower or less will now be legal for use at Pena Blanca.
PATAGONIA — The catfishing is doing well using everything from worms to commercial baits for
channels. Smaller ones in the 12-14 inch range are being caught all day and larger ones at night.
Flatheads are biting on rigged live bluegill and red ear mostly in the dark hours. Bass fishing is fair
to good using almost any crank baits or worms. There are lots of bluegill and red ear being caught
on any bait. Most are pretty small but great fun for kids.
PARKER CANYON — Warm water fish are biting in the early a.m. and late p.m. including bluegill and
bass, it seems the later in the morning the deeper you need to fish near the weed lines. Worms
seem to be the best bait for the bluegills, and deep water lures for the bass. Bass at night is better
with top water lures and buzz baits. Trout are very slow, in deep water only.
PICACHO RESERVOIR — No Report at this time.
ROSE CANYON LAKE — The fishing continues to be outstanding and anglers are encouraged to
get up there and try their luck.
Report By: AG&F
