Rory’s tips:
Thanks for all the rainbows so close to home and finally some cool weather for catching them.

We stocked 3,500 rainbow trout into Tempe Town Lake on Monday, and then splashed in another thousand or so on Tuesday, Nov. 20 during the Welcome Back the Trout celebration.

Trout have been stocked in all the participating Urban Program lakes. Rainbows can readily be caught in the Lower Salt River (Phon D. Sutton and Granite Reef recreation areas) just a short drive from downtown Mesa and Tempe.

Trout have also been stocked into Canyon Lake along the Apache Trail. For a super Thanksgiving thrill, visit Apache Lake – trout have been stocked there as well to compliment the good yellow bass, largemouth bass and walleye fishing.

In the nearby Verde Valley, trout have been stocked in the Verde River between Camp Verde and Cottonwood, and in the easy-to-access lagoons at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Don’t forget about Oak Creek, Beaver Creek and Clear Creek – they have all been stocked recently.

Then in the Prescott area, Lynx Lake, Fain Lake and Goldwater Lake have all been stocked.

In southern Arizona, Parker Canyon, Patagonia and Pena Blanca have all been stocked with feisty trout.

It’s time to get out and work off some of the wonderful turkey-day table fare, while catching the ultimate great tasting diet food – rainbow trout.

By the latest reports, it sounds like Big Lake in the White Mountains is still a fishing hot spot. With the weather finally turning colder, ice-up may not be far away. This may be the last chance to get big rainbows, brook trout and cutthroat trout at this spectacular fishery near Mt. Baldy in the White Mountains. Take a warm coat.

Good luck. Maybe I’ll see you out there.

CENTRAL ARIZONA
URBAN LAKES – Rainbow trout were stocked for the first time this season on Nov.15 at all Urban Fishing Program waters. Fishing should be good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or small trout lures.

Trout stockings are scheduled for next week, Nov. 26 – Dec. 1 in the Phoenix and Tucson Urban Lakes. Rainbows will range from 10 to 12 inches and will be stocked at rates of 80 -100 fish per lake surface acre for Urban Lakes and at lower rates for urban ponds. Trout stockings will continue at two-week intervals throughout the winter.  Over 100,000 trout from Colorado have been ordered for delivery to the Urban Fishing Program lakes during the four month stocking season.
All lakes were recently stocked with bluegill and action is good for these feisty fighters. Try mealworms, corn or dough balls fished below a small bobber for the best action. Catfish action is fair now that the fall stockings are over. An eight-pound catfish was recently caught from Silverbell Lake in Tucson. Trout fishing is good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson now that rainbow trout stockings are underway. Best baits for trout include Power Bait, salmon eggs, worms and small spinners.

A light weight pole with 4- to 6-pound test line is optimum. The lighter the line, the better the sensitivity and the trout won’t see the line as easily. Another FYI for trout fishing in general, the more flexible rod you have the least likely you are to rip the lip of the trout.  This is a function of the low test line and the rod “giving” as opposed to the trout’s lip ripping. Setting the hook real hard isn’t a real good idea with trout; you end up loosing your fish.  

Don’t forget the 2007 Class U Urban fishing licenses will be available at half price for $9.25 for the period from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.  License dealers may be unfamiliar with this so bring your fishing regulations if they need verification.

TEMPE TOWN LAKE – Rainbow trout were stocked on Monday and Tuesday this week, so the fishing should be terrific. Try worms, scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), and small spinners.

This lake is also full of feisty yellow bass that love small spinners and meal worms. This has also become a quality bass fishery as well. Try Texas-rigged worms or drop shotted-worms worked along the bottom, especially along the shade lines from the bridges. Small bottom-bouncing crankbaits can also be effective at times.

Let us know how you do!

Remember no gas motors are allowed (trolling motors are) and you must have a boating permit, which can be obtained at the Town Lake operations center. 
  
LAKE PLEASANT – Water elevation is 1,648 ft which is 46-percent full.
The bite was off this last weekend.  That is typical with cooler weather and changing water temperatures.  Keep trying, it will pick up again as soon as they adjust.  Keep an eye on the weather, high pressure is usually when they bite. . as long as the water temps are stable. 

ROOSEVELT LAKE – Lake Elevation is 2099 ft (45-percent full)
One report mentioned trolling proved to be successful for crappie on the Tonto end of the lake in about 15-20 feet of water. 

Jim and Donna Lindquist used buzzbaits on the shallow main lake points and landed a 5-pound largemouth, but said the fishing was slow although the weather was perfect.

Mark Dornbusch fished here for two days in early November using Rat-L-Traps worked before sun up and buzzbait at sunrise. He suggests following the baitfish! “Look for the birds perched along the shallows and you will find the baitfish and the bass. No birds - move on! The bite then died an hour after sunrise. Bass have been feeding during periods of moonlight. With the new moon things will improve during the day.”

Another angler named Boyer also said the fishing was slow, the water temperature is 69 degrees at Windy Hill and 70 degrees in the main lake, and the fish have now gone deep.

Steve and Amber Owens from Flagstaff fished for two days and finally found the bass in the back of the coves at about 2 feet of water. “We picked up some bass with pumpkin-colored spider jigs. We then went out to deeper water, finding no fish until about 20 feet deep off of the steeper rocky shores. We then had another great bite on deep-diving crankbaits. My Wife landed an 18-inch largemouth, 3-plus pounder!! Weather was great and we caught a total of 24 Bass.”
 

APACHE – Lake elevation is 1,909 feet, which is 94-percent full. Just a reminder, thousands of rainbow trout were stocked at the main launch and at Burnt Coral Nov. 6-8t, from Canyon Creek Hatchery and Tonto Hatchery.  The water temperature at the time of stocking was 60oF and the pH was 8.  The trout averaged around 6.5 – 7.5 inches from Canyon Creek but were a little smaller from Tonto.  Although the trout are a little small for the frying pan, I’m sure they are getting the bass and walleye a little excited. Try throwing out some “trout looking lures” to nab the big ones. Also don’t forget the yellow bass in Apache . . . they like to hang near the drop offs at the points.  Try KastMasters and spoons.    

CANYON – Closed to boaters – lake elevation is 1604 which is 29-percent full. Drawdown started Sept. 29 and will last until Jan. 26, 2008. 

Our first weekend of installing fish habitat at Canyon went well. Volunteers helped move block and pallets to Teddy Bear Point and Beaver Landing.  I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped; we couldn’t have done it without you.  There won’t be any work done on the Thanksgiving weekend, but our next work weekend will be Dec. 1 and 2.  If you are interested in helping, please call Natalie Robb at (480) 324-3541 or Curt Gill at (480) 324-3545.  Just a little reminder, December work days are Dec. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, and 16.  If we don’t get enough volunteers, that work day will be cancelled.

Work duties will involve moving construction materials, tree limbs, cement blocks and pallets from a fenced storage yard to the lakeshore nearby, then transport of these materials across the lake to the pre-selected habitat development sites.  Items will then be off loaded lakeside and materials will need to be moved to the exact location for actual construction.  There will be some light-duty machinery available for moving materials to and from the shoreline, but a majority of items will need to be moved by hand due to the proximity and loading weight of the pontoon boats/barges involved. 

We moved quite a bit of materials last weekend to two of the three sites and will soon be constructing the “Pisces pyramids,” which will involve stacking three pallets together to form tee-pee shaped structures on the dry lakebed. Cement blocks will be added as weight to the center of the tee-pee and finally trees and or tree limbs will be affixed to the sides of the pyramids.  All materials will be attached together using 2-3 foot zip-tie straps and structures will be secured to the lake bottom using duckbill anchors and galvanized cable to ensure that the pyramids will not float off site once the lake rises.   

Work hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Volunteers are asked to bring their own beverages, meals and appropriate clothes to suit the weather.  Game and Fish will have gloves available at the work site in addition to bottled water. 

Your volunteer time and effort not only helps build new habitat for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and channel catfish but also counts as “match” for the Department to receive more Federal Sportfish Restoration dollars.  

SAGUARO – Lake elevation 1526 feet at 94 percent full.

 Jim Howell and his buddy, Bruce, fished from sunup to 2 p.m. and caught fish all day (around 50) in the Butcher Jones area and al the fish were very healthy and were released unharmed.
 I have some avid fishermen at Saguaro Lake that fished from 10:30 a.m. last Wednesday to about 2:30p.m.  They used 1/8-ounce silver and blue KastMasters and caught about 66 fish; 20 were bluegill, 16 were keeper size, 10 largemouth bass 6-8 inches and the rest were yellow bass, many were in the 6-inch range but about half of them were 9 inches and one whopper was at 12 inches.  They fished at the buoy line at the snags and off two points in that general vicinity, most fish were in 15-20 feet of water.

BARTLETT – Lake elevation is 1,749 ft which is 41-percent full. Mixed reports. Some anglers said the fishing is terrible. Others are really hooking into the crappie and bass. Sounds like you can do well if you hit the right spot at the right time.

James Rogers caught a 17-pound and a 14-pound flathead using pieces of carp as bait. He also caught a bunch of carp on the morning, and then the bite just shut off.

Skeeter Schneider caught his limit of bass two days in a row using a blue Rapala worked close to the shore along the Yellow Cliffs.

Another angler, who did not give his name, said fishing was terrible – he only caught one bluegill all day using night crawlers.

For crappies, try small jigs and live minnows. For bass, try Texas-rigged worms or crankbaits along the rock stringers.

HORSESHOE LAKE – Water elevation is 1,954 ft, which is 3-percent full (no pool). No reports from anglers. Not even sure if this area will produce any decent duck hunting this year.

VERDE RIVER – No reports. Verde River flow at Tangle is 168 cubic feet per second (CFS) and it’s 53 CFS at Camp Verde.
 
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – Trout are being stocked at Phon D Sutton and Granite Reef. 

Lori Firestone wrote that she used night crawlers with a small weight and let them float downstream and although she did not catch any trout, she caught seven catfish, with two over 3 pounds, and three small bass. “The catfish were biting all day. Would have liked to see some trout, though!”

Try some Power Bait or worms.  Fishermen are also reporting successful largemouth bass fishing in the slower, deeper water using night crawlers or jerk baits. Crappie jigs are producing some results in the faster water.

In the upper reaches (below Saguaro Lake), it is still possible to catch bass, catfish and bluegills in the deeper holes. Live bait such as worms or flashy lures, such as inline spinners, are best. On angler caught a 3-pound bass on Monday morning.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE, PAYSON – This is an urban program lake has been stocked with rainbow trout. This is a great lake for the kids – give it a try.

HORSETHIEF BASIN LAKE – Mike Parks said the only thing he caught was a sunburn, but the weather was so perfect it was worth it. “Saw several largemouths. Lake is real low, lots of deer and javelina in the area.”

This tiny lake can be found up in the Bradshaw Mountains near Crown King. The lake sits in the pines and is good for a canoe or car topper. There are also improved campsites near the lake. During a recent survey, lots of largemouth bass averaging a pound and red ear sunfish nice pan size were observed. Redears love mealworms and night crawlers. No recent angler reports.

CREEKS – Haigler, Canyon, Tonto, East Verde and Workman are not currently being stocked, but they have plenty of fish and are still worth visiting. Browns should be staging for the spawn and there are plenty of rainbows to catch. Try Pheasant tail nymphs, copper Johns, big wooly buggers and semi-seal leaches. Spin anglers should try night crawlers or salmon eggs.

COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST

LEES FERRY – Today’s Fly Fishing: Most everybody did well today on the river. There was a report that the water came up slow in the afternoon and didn’t get as high as yesterday. Therefore the fishing lat this afternoon was slower than yesterday and Friday. It was a mix of flies today. The San Juans and midges in the morning. Toward the afternoon, zebra midges are the ticket. Cover your water and when haven’t had any strikes, switch up you rig. Sometimes it is just a matter of showing them something new, provided you have a drag free drift. Carry scuds and egg patterns as well.

Walk-in fishing: No real ideal how the walk in fished today, as I only spoke with a couple of anglers that fished at the walk in late this afternoon. 

Spin fishing tips: This week end was reported as good for those that were working the channel. Big pink glo bugs were a sure fire way to catch fish. Some anglers fished the rubber worm bouncing off the bottom and did well.

Fishing Synopsis and Forecast by Terry Gunn 11/08/07. The recent fall weather has been almost perfect with most days in the 70s which is warmer than normal. The ramp rates in November have been considerably different than those we saw in October. The water has been quickly rising in the morning and peaking at a higher rate than last month; around 11:30 a.m. the water is dropping like a rock, then rising again late in the afternoon. You have to pay close attention to the boat or you can end up high and dry.

The water-flow will increase in December and we will be moving back into the boat to drift nymphs. For a real time graphic view of water releases and ramp rates go here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/uv?09380000

The trout have been moving into the riffles to feed on the small (size 28) midges that are hatching most days. The riffles are easily wadeable once the water begins to drop.
The fish continue to look good and are strong and in great physical shape and the overall size has increased from last year. We are seeing a tremendous number of fingerling trout in the river as a result of the terrific spawn that we saw this past spring which bodes well for the future…the downside is that these fish will not be of catchable size until after next summer.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department recently detected whirling disease in a small percentage of Lees Ferry trout that were collected for a random sampling. For those of you who are not familiar with whirling disease; this disease only affects fingerling trout and limits their survival. Adult trout can harbor the disease but in all respects appear healthy and normal. The arrival of whirling disease at Lees Ferry isn’t good news nor is it necessarily terrible news. Whirling Disease has infected many of the Western State’s fabled trout streams with greater and lesser affects depending on the watershed. The Madison comes to mind as one river that was severely impacted while the San Juan suffered no noticeable impact from Whirling Disease. Lees Ferry has more in common with the San Juan than the Madison…both Lees Ferry and the San Juan are Tail-Water rivers with clear, cold water which is a consistent temperature year-around. Consistent cold water temperatures are believed by most experts on the disease to keep the spread and severity of the disease in check. I’ll be sure to keep you informed as more data becomes available. In the mean time when you do come to Lees Ferry be sure to clean your wading gear thoroughly before you leave to prevent the spread of Whirling Disease. For more information visit: http://www.whirling-disease.org           
Spin Fishing: Egg patterns are still producing down deep when drifting. Make sure that you have the proper weight on so that the flies are bouncing the bottom and not dragging bottom. Consider a scud dropped below the glo bug about a foot and a half. KastMasters and Rapalas are also productive while back trolling.

Projected River Flows:
Glen Canyon Dam Operations
Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in November 2007 will average 10,000
cubic feet per second (cfs) with a total of 600,000 acre-feet
scheduled to be released for the month.

On Mondays through Fridays in November, daily release fluctuations due to load following will likely vary between a low of 7,000 cfs (during late evening and early
morning off-peak hours) to a high of 13,000 cfs during daylight and early evening on-peak hours.

On Saturdays, release fluctuations will likely vary between a low of
7,000 cfs to a high of 12,500 cfs.  On Sundays, release fluctuations
will likely vary between a low of 7,000 cfs to a high of 12,000 cfs.

Releases in December 2007 are scheduled to be higher than
November.  The current schedule shows 800,000 acre-feet of release in
December 2007, which corresponds to an average flow of 13,000 cfs.

LAKE MEAD – The striper fishing at Lake Mead has slowed a little, but is still pretty good. Trolling crankbaits along steep shorelines in Greggs Basin was yielding stripers.  Catfish have been biting all day and night on anchovies and liver.  The ramp is open at South Cove, but it is a gravel ramp. Be careful when launching here.  The lake elevation remains fairly steady around 1,111 feet.  State and federal biologists sampled fish populations in Lake Mead during October and for the first time, found gizzard shad in Lake Mead.  This is not a surprise since they have been found in Powell since 2000.

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

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

LAKE MOHAVE –The striper bite has been good in spots.  I have received multiple reports of fat stripers full of shad and schools of shad being chased by striped bass.  If the shad are making a comeback, we may see more mid-size stripers in the basin.  If you can find schools of shad throw a small crankbait.  I’ve also received reports of largemouth being caught in 25 to 35 feet of water on drop-shots. 

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.  As the water temperature falls in the basin, some of the stripers will return to the open water, but many of the big stripers remain in the vicinity of Willow Beach year round.  The water level has begun to drop for the winter. Look for the surface elevation to drop to around 12 feet below full.

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 – Water level is down, so be careful launching.  The bass are in the vegetation outside the channel.  Try using quick movements to trigger strikes through the thick vegetation. Catfish have been excellent. Try using mackerel, anchovies, worms or shrimp in the early morning or night.

Kenne Probst caught 25 catfish, with most in the one-pound range, using frozen anchovies. He said one angler caught a 15-pound striper.

On Oct 13, 45 kids participated in a fishing clinic at Five Mile landing that produced carp, bass, channel catfish, and one green sunfish.  One little girl caught a 10-pound carp her first time fishing. 

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.

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/.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM – Trout stocking resumed in October.  Fishing has been good below Davis Dam, but look for it to be even better following immediately following the trout stockings.  Fish and Wildlife Service stocks once a month in this area. 
The fish are stocked in two locations; Davis Camp and near The Riverside.

Kenne Probst said he found fishing a little slow but did manage to catch some catfish float-fishing from Davis Camp along Casino Row.  Water levels on the river fluctuate, so be careful. You can check the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for flow predictions http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html before you go. If you fish the river below Davis Dam and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

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

SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA

LAKE HAVASU – Striped bass boils continue to be sighted in the middle of coves, scattered in the basin of the lake and the shorelines near Windsor Beach. These fish are primarily staying in the main lake basin and down south as far as Skiers Island. Quantities of small bass can be caught on cut anchovies and the larger striped bass are being caught in early mid-morning and late afternoon. If fishing the boils, the R2S Rover 128 in Okie Shad, Chrome black or chartreuse shad are working well as is the bone-colored Vixen, and the Okie shad and bone-colored Zara Spooks.  From the shore use Rat-L-Trap type baits like the R2S tungsten vibe in chartreuse shad, chrome/black or similar crankbaits in chrome/blue that can be ripped and retrieved quickly through the grass beds. If using bait, try using anchovies in the deeper water.
 
Smallmouth and largemouth bass are being caught through out the day with the early morning bite being the best.  The larger fish tend to feed early in the morning and topwater baits are working quite well right now to get these bigger fish. They are hitting bone-colored Vixens, bone-colored Zara Spooks, or small Storm Chug Bugs in chrome blue and phantom chartreuse.  After the early morning, switch to smaller plastic baits.  The slip-shotting and drop-shotting methods tend to be working very well right now in and on the outside edges of weed beds near the deeper water or along the rocky points in the main basin in 15- 20 feet.  Use a 4-inch straight tail Robo Worm in bold blue gill. If drop-shot rigging, wacky style works great!  The 4- to 6-inch bold blue gill curly tail works well if split-shotting it through the weeds and out deep on rocky points.

FORTUNA POND – The water level at Fortuna Pond is low at the due to construction on the outlet structure and the well.  Exactly how long this condition will exist is not known.  As for the fishing, it has been excellent for channel catfish.  If you go to Fortuna Pond there are several special regulations in effect there.  The limit for trout is four trout (first stocking will be in December); the limit is two bass, minimum size 13 inches; the limit four catfish in any combination; the limit is 10 sunfish.

ALAMO LAKE – Our normal report provide, Mark Knapp, is recovering from neck surgery (get well soon). The trickle of reports from anglers still indicates that his is one of the better places for fall action on bass and crappie. Let us know how you do. Fishing should be great due to this mild weather.

PARKER STRIP – Tony Calabrese caught 15- to 17-inch smallmouth bass, stripers to 7 pounds and catfish from 6 to 12 pounds by drifting anchovies through the deeper holes along the strip.

Parker Strip (Colorado River):  Water releases from Parker dam have dropped off along with the daytime temperatures and boat traffic.  Fishing has picked up over the past month as local species start bulking up for the colder winter months.  The smallmouth bite has been good.  Local anglers report that crank baits with shad colors (black and white) are working well.  Smallmouth can be found throughout the Parker strip and down river but prefer the rockier shorelines. 

Look for largemouth to be actively feeding in the morning hours. 

Catfish have slowed down with the cooler weather, but the bite may be coming earlier in the evening or right around first light.  Night crawlers and goldfish are always good bets, but sunfish make good live bait too. 

You will find sunfish near shore in the weedy habitat.  As aquatic vegetation thins out this fall, anglers should look for redears or bluegills around brush piles or docks.  Dinner plate size redear-hybrids are not that uncommon on the Parker Strip.  Small earthworms work well as do live crickets are good bait.

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.

Fall Outlook (2007)

Alamo Lake:

The lake elevation has dropped to 1,111.67 msl.  Largemouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be excellent this fall.  Crappie fishing is expected to be fair to good throughout the fall and winter.  Channel catfish continue to look good and fishing should be good also. There are other fish present such as bluegill, redear sunfish and carp that are a lot of fun to catch this fall.  All types of bait should work right now and as the weather cools off a shift to slowly working plastics in deeper water for bass could improve your catch.  For channel catfish any of the prepared catfish baits as well as chicken livers and anything else you can think of should work. 

In addition to the good to excellent fishing, both of the boat ramps are useable at this lake elevation.

The store at the lake has closed so you need to bring everything with you. If you run short of anything you might be able to pick it up at the Wayside Inn or in Wenden. The certified scale that was located at the store is now located at the Alamo State Park Office and the park office also has live bait for the crappie fishermen.

Lake Havasu & Topock Gorge:

Largemouth bass, as well as smallmouth bass are expected to be good to excellent. The size will range from 13 inches and up with an occasional fish greater than 4 pounds. Striped bass will continue to be excellent for small fish (12-18 inches) with occasional fish over 8 pounds. Channel catfish as well as bluegill and redear sunfish will be fair to good. Flathead catfish fishing should be fair at the lower end of the lake (Bill Williams River Arm) through the fall. Sizes of flathead catfish can reach as high as 40 pounds. When fishing for them, select the interior points in the coves and the areas where artificial structure has been placed.

The cooler weather causes the bite to slow down so it is important to work your lures slower and in deeper water. Put away your topwater lures and switch to plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs. 

Colorado River (Parker Strip Area):

Smallmouth bass with fish over two pounds are expected to be good this fall.  In addition, redear sunfish should also be good in the pound-plus sizes. Channel and flathead catfish are always fair in this section of the Colorado River.  Below the dam, striper fishing should also be fair using anchovies this fall.

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

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

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

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

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

Colorado River (between Laguna and Morelos dams):

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

With the increase in border issues and illegal activity on the lower end of this area I would away from that area (Pilot Knob to Moreles Dam).

Regional Hot Spots:

Alamo Lake will be the hot spot for Largemouth bass and channel catfish.

Lake Havasu and Parker Strip will be good for striped bass, smallmouth bass, and redear sunfish.

Colorado River below Walter’s Camp will be fair for flathead catfish, channel catfish in the main river channel, and largemouth bass in the backwater areas.

For those looking for a tremendous watchable wildlife opportunity this winter, try a visit to the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge where you might see thousands of geese and hundreds of sandhill cranes.  

If you need any additional information or additional don't hesitate to contact the Yuma Regional office at (928) 341-4051 and I will be happy to accommodate you.

NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS
Channel Catfish were stocked into Stone Dam, Santa Fe, City and Kaibab lakes.  Remember that the catfish limit on Stone dam, Santa Fe and City Lakes is four catfish per day.  The trout limit on City Reservoir is also four trout.  Trout fishing is improving as the weather cools.
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WILLIAMS LAKES:  
KAIBAB LAKE — An angler reported catching-and-releasing 33 trout, including one brown, trolling gold-colored spinners and Pistol Petes.

Campground area is closed.  Main parking lot and boat launch open for day use only.  Fishing was good to excellent using any color Power Bait. 

CATARACT LAKE — Campground is closed.  Stocked last week. Lake is open for walk in fishing.  Fishing was good to excellent using any color Power Bait. The water level has increased to near the spillway.

CITY RESERVOIR —  Open. Fishing was good last week. Any bait that will float off the bottom seemed to work well. Water level is good. 

DOGTOWN LAKE — Jared Pensinger caught-and-released 50 rainbow and brown trout using Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and Power Bait.

The picnic area, main parking lot and boat launch are open for day use only.  Fishing is good to excellent using any color Power Bait. Some browns are being caught on lures. 

JD DAM — Anglers are catching brown trout fly-fishing. 

RUSSEL TANK -  No reports.

SANTA FE — Fishing was good to excellent using any color Power Bait..

WHITEHORSE LAKE — No report from anglers.  Campground is closed. Lake is open for walk in fishing.  Because of low water levels the lake will not be stocked anymore this year.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY —The lake is dry.

UPPER LAKE MARY — The lake is 17-percent full.  No report from anglers, but this lake has walleye and northern pike.

ASHURST LAKE — No report. This lake has plenty of rainbows and pike.

FRANCIS SHORT POND – No reports.

KINNIKINICK LAKE — No reports.

MARSHALL LAKE — Low water.  Has not been stocked since spring.

OAK CREEK — Fishing is slow. A few small rainbow trout are being caught on flies.

LONG LAKE — Lake is open.  Water level is very low.

SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — Lake is open. No report.

BEAVER CREEK — Has been stocked recently. Fishing is good using night crawlers. 

WEST CLEAR CREEK — Has been stocked recently. Fishing is good using night crawlers.

STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.

MINGUS LAKE –Trout were stocked last on the week of Oct 15.  This is the last scheduled stocking for the year.  The Forest Service gate is open. Try bright-colored Power Bait like chartreuse, salmon eggs, or various spinners.  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 – Trout are scheduled to be stocked this week (Nov.19).  Look for the fishing to be good to excellent following the stocking.  Try using small spinners, worms, or Power Bait.

Catfish were stocked the week of Sept. 24, for Verde River Days festivities.  Several largemouth bass, including a 10-plus pounder have been caught this summer in the middle lagoon. In-line spinners, plastic grubs, and small crankbaits have been the ticket. The bluegill fishing has been good using a salmon egg or small worm on a small bait hook below a bobber. The bluegills are plentiful in both the middle and lower lagoons, so between trout and catfish stockings try your luck with the bluegill. 

VERDE RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) – Trout are scheduled to be stocked this week (Nov. 19). Trout will be stocked at all five sites.  Stocking sites are at Tuzigoot Bridge outside of Clarkdale, the bridge that leads to the Dead Horse State Park, at Dead Horse State Parks access point called the Jacks, at the White Bridge in Camp Verde, and at Bignotti Beach.  The department stocks trout in these waters from November through March, when the water temperature can support a trout fishery. Cold winter water temperatures keep the other game fish fairly inactive until about mid-March.

Tuzigoot Bridge (leading to Tuzigoot National Monument) has decent rainbow trout fishing early and late in the day. Most fishermen concentrate near the bridge, but the pools and currents downstream within 300 yards of the bridge hold lots of trout and do not see much fishing pressure. Small spoons such as Z-rays, Mepps and Panther Martin spinners, and Power Bait all work well.

Fly-fishermen seem to prefer fishing the Verde River between Riverfront Park and Dead Horse Ranch State Park in the town of Cottonwood. The trout aren’t too fussy about the type of fly/lure or presentation. The best success here has been first thing in the morning until about 10 a.m.

Bignotti Beach (between Cottonwood and Camp Verde, near Thousand Trails RV Park) has had decent fishing as well. Anglers tossing in-line spinners, small spoons, or fly-fishing with dark, gold-bead nymphs are doing best during mid-day, while fly-fishermen floating a variety of dry flies are having good success early and late in the day.

The White Bridge in Camp Verde (Highway 260 bridge over the Verde River) is an under-utilized trout fishery. A U.S. Forest Service picnic area above the river provides convenient parking and a short walk to the Verde River. Try fishing the riffles and pools upstream of the bridge. Mepps in-line spinners, small KastMaster spoons, and bright-colored Power Bait (fished on a treble hook above a sliding egg-sinker) have been the most productive offerings.

LYNX LAKE — Rainbows were last stocked the week of Nov. 5.  This was the last scheduled stocking until the spring.  Trout fishing should be good following the stocking.  Brook trout were stocked in September.  The brooks were in the 5-inch range, but hopefully they will be catchable size for the fishing in the spring. 

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 — Rainbows were last stocked the week of Nov. 5.  Prescott Valley Parks and Recreation held the annual Gold Fever Days at Fain Lake in mid October, were nearly all of the kids that participated in the fishing clinic caught fish.  Five-inch brook trout were stocked in Sept. 24 and rainbows were stocked Oct. 12 & 15.  Rainbows are scheduled to be stocked again the week of Dec 3.  Catfish were stocked on June 4.  There were 150 pounds of bluegill stocked on March 29. These fish were hand-sized and should be easily caught. Try using worms or mealworms on a bobber. Small spinners may work as well.

GOLDWATER LAKE — Trout were stocked the week of Nov. 12.   Spinners and night crawlers appear to be the hot ticket.  People are limiting in a couple hours. In addition to spinners, try using jigs, worms and rainbow Power Bait.  

An angler named Deb said the fishing has been decent during October while fishing in the early afternoon, and the best bite is from 4:30 to dark. “I limit out almost every trip. Fish on!”

Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Goldwater during the middle of May 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, 400 pounds of bluegill were 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 CANYON LAKE — The lake is full but not spilling. Fishing is fair. Anglers are catching a few rainbow trout on lures and flies. Keep in mind that brown trout spawn in the fall, so this may set the stage for good fishing in a month or two for the big bruisers. Some anglers are catching trout on dry flies.

This is a hike-in lake (the trail is steep) and is best fished with float tubes or other inflatables. Chevelon Lake is open to artificial lure and flies only, with a six-trout bag and possession limit. Trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be possessed and any trout kept outside this slot must be killed immediately and retained as part of the bag limit. Try lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or buggers, semi-seal leeches, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. Some fly-fishermen are catching trout on dry flies. Try dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, humpies, and royal wulff. Chevelon Lake is a remote hike-in lake with difficult access. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.   

BEAR CANYON LAKE — Fishing is fair to good and the lake is nearly full (down about 1 to 1.5 feet).

This is a walk-in lake. There is a short but very steep hike down to the lake (and back up), but there is plentiful shoreline access and some pretty nice hiking trails. This lake is very popular with float tube anglers. You might even hear elk bugling. This is in prime squirrel hunting territory.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or buggers, semi-seal leeches, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. If trout are taking insects on the surface try dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, and midge patterns.

The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Bear Canyon Lake is a steep hike in lake with moderate (north side and south side trail) to difficult (west side trail) access.  

BLACK CANYON LAKE — The lake is down approximately 6-7 feet and the boat ramp is very low, so use caution when launching a boat. Fishing is fair. Try fishing with worms off rocky areas for bass and sunfish. The most recent water temperature was 77 degrees. 

Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms or wooly buggers, prince nymphs and zug bugs. The lake is open to electric motors only. Try fishing with worms off rocky areas for bass and sunfish.

BLUE RIDGE — Fishing is best from a boat. There is limited shoreline access. Fishing from a boat or float tube is the best way to go using small crayfish imitating plugs and black spinners.  Shore fishing was slow and shore access is limited.

Dan Goodwin and his wife took two or their grandchildren fishing for the third time in their lives and the nine-year-old, Vicky, caught a 19.5-inch rainbow weighing around 4 pounds using worms.

There are some large brown trout is this reservoir and browns spawn in the fall. Once the water temperatures drop some, expect the brown trout to start staging for the spawn.

Mark Miconi hooked and lost three rainbows on Sept. 8 during the first hour of daylight, but the bite seemed to die after that. He did see lots of small fry in the water along the shore, but his depth finder showed the water temperature stratified (thermocline) and the surface temperature was 73 degrees.

Mike and Nancy said they trolled using small red and silver “dime-a-dot” lures and caught 10 trout in 5.5 hours, with the largest measuring 11.5 inches. “Nice day of fishing in such a beautiful lake.”

KNOLL LAKE — A father and two sons report catching-and-releasing 60 trout in three days of fishing, while also harvesting lots of tree squirrels, seeing elk, and watching wild turkey.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — Lori and John Firestone caught trout and small bass even though it was “very, very cold” in the morning and they had no trouble catching a limit. “At the boat ramp we ran into fishing host Johnny Johnston who was extremely friendly and posed for pictures. What a great day!”

Fishing is fair to good, depending on the day. Two large rainbow trout, weighing 6.4 and 8.2 pounds, were caught near the dam in July on yellow Power Bait and worms. The lake is down 2 feet and the boat ramp is accessible.

Anglers report catching limits of trout, including some larger fish up to eight pounds.

Gabe Hill fished the dam area along with a couple of friends and caught 10 to 15 rainbows. “All Power Bait was working but mostly the green stuff. Let it float 3- to 4-feet off the bottom. Great day!”

Two large rainbow trout weighing 6.4 and 8.2 pounds were caught near the dam on yellow Power Bait and worms in July. This is a good time to hook into some larger fish as the nights get longer, the days get shorter, and the fish become more active.

This lake does have some brown trout. Browns spawn in the fall. Let us know if you catch any.

Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, black or brown semi-seal leeches, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. This lake also has largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie.      

WOODS CANYON LAKE — Arnold S. and his two sons caught-and-released 61 trout in about six hours fishing shallow rocky areas two weekends ago. Most were small but a few in the 14-inch range. “First light before the sun hits the water is prime; 17 fish between the three of us in about 45 minutes on Saturday. Once the sun hit the water it was like someone flipping a switch. We had to head to the other side of the lake where it was deeper and had more shade. Plus, then came the wind, horrible, horrible wind. Sunday the kids stayed in the truck because it was too darn cold and windy. I fished from about 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and landed 9 rainbows. One of them was a 23-inch 4 pounder. It was awesome. Biggest trout I ever caught.”

This lake has received bonus stockings of rainbow trout this summer. Fishing is good. The lake is nearly full.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, wooly worms or wooly buggers. Try trolling cowbells, lures, or flies with worms. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The store is open and boat rentals are available.    
 
NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA (White Mountains)

ACCESS (with some recent changes): State Highway 261 is open to Big Lake and Crescent Lake.

State Highway 273 on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is undergoing reconstruction and realignment and the following closures are in effect.

State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Gabaldon Campground is closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will remain closed until the road construction project is complete.

The southern part of State Highway 273 from Crescent Lake to Gabaldon Campground is closed each week beginning Mondays at 6 a.m. through Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Access from Crescent Lake to Gabaldon Campground will only be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There is no longer any access to Lee Valley Lake.

BECKER LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is fair. Anglers have been catching 10-13 inch rainbow trout with an occasional fish over 15 inches. Recent netting surveys on Oct. 15, produced rainbow trout over 15 inches. Trout ranged in size from 10.25 inches to 19.1 inches, averaging 14.4 inches in length. Try lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, and Z-rays, flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, Hares ear nymphs, dragonfly imitations, midge imitations, and brown Montana stone nymphs. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly with barbless hooks only, with a two trout bag and possession limit.  No bait fishing is allowed. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. 

BIG LAKE — One angler did well trolling pink and orange Z-rays on the east end of the lake between the dam and the store in the evening, and then night fishing with worms. “The evening was beautiful and tolling was working well, but the night fishing was spectacular; couldn’t keep them off the hook! Heard elk bugling in the evening and saw lots of the on the road out at night – be careful!”

Joe Guin said the brooks are not anywhere close to spawn yet. Fished all day, did not catch single brook, which is very unusual for us at Big Lake. Got there at 9 a.m., started by store for two hours, not one nibble. Moved to far south cove of lake and from 12:30 to about 3 p.m., could not keep a worm in the water. Best part was my son caught two 18-inch rainbows that were around 1.5-2-pound range. The rest were about 8-12 inches, and all of them were very fat. Store operator also said brooks are not spawning yet, weather was too mild, that they haven t even started coloring yet. Overall caught limit of 9 (my son is 13), released a lot more, over 20 fish caught in that span. Also saw bald eagle right in front of us catch his lunch. Truly incredible day.

Robert Spikes and his wife caught-and-released around 30 trout, including a 19-inch, 3-pound one, using salmon eggs fished from the bank at South Cove. “The fish were striking before it would hit bottom. Everybody seemed to be doing well at South Cove.”

Tracy Vincent Long used red, white and blue rainbow Power Bait and pretty much caught a fish with every cast. “Best trout fishing trip in a long time.”

Fishing is good for 10-12 inch trout. Fishing is picking up. A 3 1/2 pound rainbow trout was caught last month on worms.

Try worms, meal worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and brown Montana stone nymphs. Boat anglers may want to try trolling worms on lures, flies or behind cowbells. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp gas motors.   

ACCESS: State Highway 261 is open from Eager. State Highway 273 will be closed throughout the year for road construction. State Highway 273 from Crescent Lake to Gabaldon Campground will be closed each week from Mondays at 6 a.m. through Thursdays at 6 p.m. Access from Crescent Lake to Gabaldon Campground will only be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The boat ramps are low, but still usable. 

CARNERO LAKE — The lake is weedy. Fishing is fair to good. Recent netting surveys on Oct. 17 produced lots of 12-14 inch trout. Trout ranged in size from 11.3 inches to 15.7 inches, averaging 13.5 inches. Try small spinners, jigs and spoons, and flies such as wooly worms, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and small brown, black or green nymphs. Carnero is open to artificial lure and fly only with barbless hooks and a two-trout limit. No bait fishing is allowed. This lake doesn’t have a boat ramp, so most float tubers launch at the fence line. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair for bullheads and sunfish, fair for bass, and poor for trout. Try fishing off the bottom with worms. Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (spinners, Z-rays, and spoons, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and peacock ladies). The northeast boat ramps are usable but the middle boat ramp is steep and has soft sand. There is also an old concrete dam structure across from the middle boat ramp so use caution when motoring on the lake. There are no motor restrictions on the lake when using larger watercraft. Clear Creek Reservoir has largemouth bass, sunfish, black bullheads, and channel catfish.  

CONCHO LAKE— The lake is low and weedy. The boat ramp is very low. Fishing is poor. Try worms, meal worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, spoons, Super Dupers, Z-rays, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and hares ear nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors.    

CRESCENT LAKE — Fishing is fair. Fish netting surveys on Oct.17 resulted in fair numbers of good sized rainbow trout. Trout ranged in size from 14.6 inches to 19 inches, averaging 16.5 inches. No brook trout were caught. Fishing is poor to fair.  The lake is down about 8 feet. The boat ramps are low but accessible except the north boat ramp, which is very low and muddy. Access to the north and west boat ramp is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The south boat ramp is open seven days a week. The Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, brown Montana stone nymphs. 

ACCESS: Highway 261 is open from Eager. Highway 273 will be closed for the year for road construction.  State Highway 273 from Crescent Lake to Gabaldon Campground is closed from 6 a.m. Mondays through 6 p.m. Thursdays, but will only be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The lake is open to 10 hp motors.  The store is closed.  
  
FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — The lake is down about one foot.  All boat ramps are accessible. Fishing has been fair.  Anglers have been catching trout, smallmouth bass, crappies, and sunfish.  Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Mister Twister worms (chartreuse green, brown or gray with silver specks) on ¼-ounce lead head jigs, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers and semi-seal leeches. Boat anglers may want to try trolling lures or flies with an attached worm. Fish near structure such as rocks, trees, weed beds, and fishing piers.  Fool Hollow State Park has excellent camping facilities. Anglers wishing to fish the lake for free must use the southwest side boat ramp and parking area. A fee is charged for use of the other facilities including the east side boat ramp. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. 

GREER LAKES — All reservoirs are very low. Bunch and River Reservoir boat ramps are not usable. Tunnel Reservoir’s boat ramp is usable but very low. Please use caution when launching a boat. Canoes or float tubes are recommended. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners and spoons, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. Bunch and Tunnel Reservoirs are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to 10 hp. gas motors.   

HULSEY LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. Anglers have been catching trout on night crawlers. Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners and spoons, and flies such as woolly worms, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. During the summertime, weed growth is present along the shoreline areas. The lake is a short hike (moderately steep) in fishery.

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — The lake is inaccessible until further notice, due to road construction.       

Access: State Highway 273 from Sunrise Lake to Gabaldon Campground is closed for the year for road construction. 

LUNA LAKE — Fishing is fair. The lake is nearly full. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, small spoons, Z-rays, or flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and other small nymphs in brown, green or black.  The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to10 hp gas motors.

LYMAN LAKE —The left boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is fair. Anglers have been catching channel catfish on hot dogs, chicken livers, and prepared baits. Try worms, meal worms, and catfish prepared baits. 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 a fish consumption advisory here. Consult the fishing regulations or contact the Arizona Game and Fish Regional office in Pinetop for more information. The lake has no motor restrictions.

NELSON RESERVOIR — The bag limit for rainbow and brown trout is unlimited at Nelson Reservoir from Sept. 1 through March 31, Statewide fishing gear restrictions still apply. The lake is down about 2 feet. The boat ramp at the dam is recommended. The upper boat ramp is usable but weedy. The middle boat ramp and road is closed. Fishing is fair.  Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners and Z-rays, flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and other small brown, green, or black nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to10 hp gas motors. 
                
RAINBOW LAKE — The lake is weedy and down about 6 feet. The fishing pier is being disassembled. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, semi-seal leeches, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and brown Montana stone nymphs.   We are encouraging anglers to keep all northern pike that are caught. Northern pike are not desirable in Rainbow Lake because they eat stocked rainbow trout and small bass and we want them removed. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to10 hp. gas motors.          

SCOTT'S RESERVOIR — The reservoir is down about 8 feet.  The boat ramp is now usable due to gravel placement from the concrete boat ramp to the water’s edge. The water is slightly murky. Fishing is fair to good. Boat and shore anglers are catching a few trout, bass and sunfish on lures, flies, and worms. One northern pike was caught during spring gill net surveys. Please report anybody that is moving fish from one location to another. It is illegal to stock any fish in public or private waters without a proper stocking permit. This illegal activity spoils angling opportunities for most other anglers. Try worms, meal worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, brown Montana stone nymphs, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. The lake is open to electric motors only. Recent gill net surveys produced lots of largemouth bass, trout, and a few channel catfish and sunfish.     

SHOW LOW LAKE —The lake is down about 7-8 feet. The boat ramp is usable. Fishing is fair.  Try worms, salmon eggs, mealworms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, ¼-ounce lead head jigs (chartreuse green, and brown, or gray with silver specks), Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and semi seal leeches for trout.  Shore anglers have been catching trout and walleyes on Rapala’s and night crawlers. Walleyes, trout, and smallmouth bass are being caught by anglers trolling Rapalas and casting jigs with an attached night crawler along rocky shoreline areas early in the morning and in the evening. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. The store is open. Boat rentals are available.   
  
SILVER CREEK — Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is now open to catch-and-release fishing, artificial lure and fly only and barbless hooks only from Oct. 1 through March 31.  The upper section (big fence boundary) is open to fishing. Fishing is good. Try small lures such as Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin spinners. Fish upstream or downstream.

Fly-fishing anglers may want to try peacock ladies, beadhead black or green wooly buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, bead head nymphs, mayfly and caddis fly nymph imitations, and shrimp patterns. Fish your flies upstream and dead drift them downstream or cast your fly downstream and retrieve the fly slowly upstream. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge imitations, and caddis fly patterns in sizes #16 or #18 or # 20. Night crawlers, Power Bait, and mealworms work well. The stream was stocked the first week in October. 

WOODLAND LAKE — The boat ramp is usable but weedy. The lake is down about 6 feet.  The lake is weedy. The water is slightly murky.  Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is experiencing high pH levels.  Fish early in the morning when water temperatures and pH are low.  Try worms, salmon eggs, meal worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, small spoons, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and other small nymphs. Anglers have been catching largemouth bass off the fishing pier on lures. Woodland Lake is a city park with picnic tables, Veranda’s, restrooms, volleyball and softball courts, hiking trails, boat ramp, and a fishing pier.  The lake is open to electric motors only.     

WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS:

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER –The stream was last stocked with catchable size Apache trout just before Labor Day. Try worms, meal worms, and salmon eggs, lures such as small spinners and spoons, and flies such as wooly worms, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and small black, brown or green nymphs.

EAST FORK OF BLACK RIVER –The stream was last stocked with catchable size apache trout just before Labor Day. Try worms, meal worms, and salmon eggs, lures such as small spinners and spoons, and flies such as wooly worms, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and small black, brown or green nymphs.

SHEEPS  CROSSING – Not accessible. Highway 273 is closed for the year due to road construction.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – GREER –The stream was last stocked with catchable size Apache trout just before Labor Day. Try worms, meal worms, and salmon eggs, small lures such as spinners and spoons, and flies such as wooly worms, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and small black, brown or green nymphs.

SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA
TUCSON URBAN — Channel catfish are being stocked this week.

RIGGS FLAT — The road to the lake has been closed for the season. 

CLUFF RANCH — The lake has been stocked with trout.  Fishing for warmwater species slow with a few reports of largemouth bass being caught. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — The lake has been stocked with trout.  Fishing for all warmwater species is slow with early morning and late evening being the best opportunity. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — No reports on success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

FRYE MESA RESERVIOR – The fishing should begin to pick up with cooler temperatures.  The road to Frye Mesa is in fair condition and is currently passable with a two-wheel drive vehicle. Use caution because the road is steep and narrow in places.

KEARNY LAKES — This lake remains fishless due to golden algae.
 
ARIVACA — G. Canady said most bass are being caught near the trees and stickups. He caught two bass using a brush hog and a white spinnerbait.

The water levels remain high while the aquatic vegetation remains absent.  The fishing has been good to excellent. The Department is aware of the algae bloom and will monitor water quality.  Remember, powerboats on Arivaca Lake are restricted to the use of a single electric motor only, and all bass must be immediately released back to the water.

The mercury advisory for all fish is still in effect. Also, be aware of the boating regulations, specifically those pertaining to personal flotation devices.  If you are not in compliance, you are subject to receiving a citation and being ordered off of the water until the problem is corrected. 

PENA BLANCA – Yosh Packard said the lake is still very weedy until getting past the concrete walkway by the old resort and shore anglers are still very limited for access. “The trout fishing was slow for most, but I was above to get consistent bites throughout the day” and found a camp full of garbage near the dam.

The lake has been stocked with trout.  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.  Also, be advised that Pena Blanca is not an urban lake; therefore an urban fishing license is invalid to fish at this lake. 

PATAGONIA — Fishing for largemouth has generally been slow but some anglers report doing well.  The lake is full.  The lake has been stocked with trout recently.

Karl Reinartz used soft plastics to catch 10 bass between four and six pounds adding, “The bite was subtle but the bigger fish were biting. All fish were weighed. Saw a guy that was pulling in crappie.”

PARKER CANYON — The lake is full.  The department is aware of the algae bloom occurring at the lake and will monitor water quality. The lake has been stocked but fishing has been slow.  

PICACHO RESERVOIR — No Report.

ROSE CANYON LAKE —  The access road is now closed for the season.  Anglers can still access the lake by walking in. The lake was stocked last week. Anglers have been catching fish with power bait of various colors. Fly anglers are also having success in the early morning and late afternoon as fish feed at the surface.  In addition to the normal catchable rainbow trout, the lake was also stocked with some smaller brown trout during this last stocking. It is expected that these fish will over-winter and be of larger size next fishing season.