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Fishing Report, Fishing Report, The Reel Deal, Uncategorized

Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

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Now’s the time make a strategic plan to set that state record. See where we think the next AZ state record might come from.

Snow melt is still finding its way into lakes such as Bartlett Lake, where on Wednesday surface water temperatures ranged from 49-51 degrees — too cold even for crappie to move in shallow.

Waters are muddied and stained at Bartlett Lake. Waters temperatures Monday were 49-51 degrees. The lake is 75% full.
Waters are muddied and stained at Bartlett Lake. Waters temperatures Monday were 49-51 degrees. The lake is 75% full.

But we are on the cusp of some great fishing. Lakes such as Alamo and Bartlett remain stained and muddied, but with a week or two of sunny, calm weather, rods will be bending.

Crappie anglers might have to wait a couple more weeks until action picks up for these panfish delights – they remain deep at most lakes and mostly inactive. Similar deal with bass.

Meanwhile, it’s still trout time in Community waters. Some big trout have been hooked (and hopefully cooked) the past few weeks. Hot spots seem to be Desert Breeze Lake in Chandler, Tempe Kiwanis and Surprise Lake.

Silver Creek in the White Mountains is fishing great for big trout if you can stand the beard-frosting cold and can find the right holes:

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See a winter trout stocking schedule, maybe grab a fishing license online — you can get them 24/7 — and go “Fish AZ.” Your purchases support wildlife conservation (we do not receive state tax dollars) — so thanks!

Catch of the Week

(Send your Angler Reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov – one will be featured as Catch of the Week)

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Karrie R. caught this 22-pound flathead catfish from shore at Lake Pleasant on Thursday, Jan. 26 using a dropshot rig with a worm. “It was definitely cold,” she said, “but worth the catch! Also caught an 8-pound carp and 3-pound channel catfish.”

See all the Angler Reports

Free public fishing events

At free fishing clinics, loaner rods are provided, bait is free, and no license is required to those who register during event hours.

Saturday, Feb. 4 — Youth Family Fishing Day, 9 a.m. – noon, Anthem Community Park (41703, N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy.)

See the full schedule

Nets and waders: Working for you

This new section will periodically show what our fisheries biologists have been doing in the field to improve fishing in Arizona.

Our fish biologists conserve wildlife, provide sport-fish opportunities — and sometimes snowmobile! This video shows Jan. 25 surveys to Big, Crescent and Lee Valley lakes in the White Mountains.

Biologists checked dissolved oxygen levels under the ice at Lee Valley and Crescent to predict a fish die-off due to low oxygen. Ice conditions were checked on all lakes, and ice was unsafe, especially at Big Lake.

Stocking report

Rainbow trout
Thursday, Jan. 26 and Friday, Jan. 27 — Canyon Lake,  Saguaro Lake, all “core” waters except Rio Vista, as well as Patterson Ponds, and Green Valley lakes. Tuesday, Jan. 24 — Pena Blanca Lake, Council Ave. Pond, Yuma West Wetlands Pond. Monday, Jan. 23 — Lower Salt River, Verde River (middle).

Next week: We’re scheduled to stock Deadhorse Lakes, Goldwater Lake, Canyon Lake, Cluff Pond, Dankworth Pond, Pena Blanca Lake, Fortuna Pond and Redondo Pond.

See the full schedules.

READ THE FULL REPORT

Angler Reports, Fishing Report, Uncategorized

Weekend roundup: Angler Reports

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Send your fishing reports and pictures to BFishing@AZGFD.gov — one that includes a photo will be featured as Catch of the Week

Here’s the latest from your fellow anglers (click on the water for directions):

Lake Pleasant

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Karrie R.: I thought I’d share this flathead catfish I caught from shore at Pleasant today: 22 pounds on a dropshot with a worm. It was definitely cold, but worth the catch! 🙂 Also caught an 8-pound carp and 3-pound channel catfish. Tight lines!

Silver Creek

SIlverCrkTrout.jpg

Max W.: The upper portion of Silver Creek fished great over the weekend. People were doing really well on egg patterns and small midges. One of my buddies even managed to pull out this big guy on a Tenkara Rod– not bad for his first fish on the fly!

Gila River

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Ramon: I caught a 14-inch largemouth bass with a worm at Gila River under the bridge side on Friday, Jan. 27 at 3  p.m.! Gave a good fight! Used 8-pound test line.

Desert Breeze Lake (Chandler)

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Nicholas J.: Decided to spend the day outside at Desert Breeze since it was such an amazing Arizona winter day. All three of the kids caught a fish of their own. (Zac, Nikyah, and Mason Jaurigue).

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Pretty sure all three were “incentive” trout. We got out there about 10 a.m., however we didn’t get our first fish until almost 2 p.m. Then all of a sudden the other two fish were caught. All three within 30 minutes of time.

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The yellow corn/garlic mixed PowerBait is what finally caught them their first fish — after trying all the others we had in our box. Hope everyone else had as good of a weekend.

See more about fishing in Arizona

Fishing Report, The Reel Deal, Uncategorized

Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

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Meanwhile in Arizona … we’re still fishing. And we’re off to a great start this year with this heavy precipitation — hope the wet stuff keeps falling.  Let’s get right into the winter highlights:

  • Hot spots this week will be the “core” Community Fishing Program waters where we just stocked some monster rainbow trout. See the schedule of what’s been stocked.
  • The 2017-18 fishing regulations are available online and as booklets at AZGFD offices as well as license dealers.
  • The Yellow Cliffs boat launch is once again open at Bartlett Lake. As of Thursday there was 17 feet of water depth at the launch.
  • Rainbow trout from the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery have been stocked into Colorado River waters downstream of Las Vegas after a 3-year hiatus. Read more from our Fish AZ blog.

 

Catch of the Week

Send your Angler Reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov –one will be featured as Catch of the Week

Photo credit: Lazy Trout Motel and Cabins
Photo credit: Lazy Trout Motel and Cabins

This young man caught this 4-pound brown trout Jan. 9 out of Tunnel Reservoir. This time of year, bunny leeches, simi seal leeches and woolly buggers work well in all of the Greer lakes when there is open water. We consider all ice unsafe.

See all the Angler Reports

 

High country updates: Greer, Becker lakes

Cinda Howard of Fly Fish Arizona … and Beyond (www.flyfisharizona.com)  had this Thursday, Jan. 12 report from the Greer lakes and Becker Lake:

Currently the Greer Lakes are ice-free and they are finally full again. On Jan. 9, there was a young man who caught a 21″, 4 lb brown out of Tunnel (pictured above). This time of year, bunny leeches, simi seal leeches and woolly buggers work well in all of the Greer Lakes. For bait, try worms.

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A nice Becker Lake rainbow trout caught recently from a pier.

Becker Lake is also ice-free and has been fishing very well. I have done well fishing from the pier but if you have a boat, casting to the banks has been very productive. Fish seem to be sitting really close to the bank. My best flies are bunny leeches in white, black and tan.

Public fishing events

Free fishing clinics, loaner rods are provided, bait is free, and no license is required to those who register during event hours.

Saturday, Jan. 14 — City of Maricopa Youth Fishing Day, 8 a.m. — noon, Copper Sky Lake (45345 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Maricopa).

The lake will be stocked prior to the event with 420 pounds of trout.

SEE A PRINTABLE EVENT FLYER

View the full schedule

Nets and waders: Working for you

This new section will periodically show what our fisheries biologists have been doing in the field to improve fishing in Arizona.


In December, another 80 Juniper trees were sunk in Dogtown Lake as part of the Dogtown Fish Habitat Project.  Since the project started in 2014, more than an acre of fish habitat made of Juniper trees has been added to the 80-year-old reservoir.  This project is a cooperative effort between the AZGFD, Kaibab National Forest, Northern Arizona Flycasters and Trout Unlimited.

Stocking report

Rainbow trout

Thursday, Jan. 12 — Colorado River (Willow Beach). Read more. Wednesday, Jan. 11 and Thursday, Jan. 12 — All Community waters scheduled to be stocked with trout this week (marked with a “T” on the schedule) were stocked with larger-than-average trout. Thursday, Jan. 5 — Dankworth Ponds, Roper Lake, Cluff Reservoir # 3. Wednesday, Jan. 4 — Parker Canyon Lake.

See the full schedule.

READ THE FULL REPORT

Fishing Report, Fishing Report, The Reel Deal

Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

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Water temperatures across the state have dropped to their winter standards, and snow and ice has slowed or stalled driving in the high country — but no precipitation is predicted for the high country this weekend.

See a slide show of pictures from our Fish AZ blog showing recent lake conditions.

Be sure to check the Arizona Department of Transportation website for the latest road conditions. Also, some new fishing regulations are in effect.

First, anglers can pick species to target, grab a license 24/7 online (if needed) then figure out where you’ll go and how you’ll fish ’em.

Here are some updates and a few popular species to target:

Rainbow trout: some incentive

Trout fishing in Arizona is at its best in the Community Fishing Program waters, where larger-than-average trout are being stocked the week of Jan. 9-14.
Trout fishing in Arizona is at its best in the Community Fishing Program waters, where larger-than-average trout are being stocked the week of Jan. 9-14.

Trout is probably the best winter option for putting dinner on the table or bragging to buddies about high catch rates.. Next week we’re going to stock “incentive” trout into many Community Fishing Program waters — see the “core” waters for the week of Jan. 9-14 for a list where they’re being stocked.

Some will be as heavy as 5 pounds.

Bass

 

Bass fishing can be good during the winter in the lower Salt River.
Bass fishing can be good during the winter in the lower Salt River.

Know your winter tactics — it’s not an easy time to catch bass. With typical wintertime water temperatures (surface temperatures at desert impoundments tend to be in the low-50s this time of year) a largemouth bass becomes lethargic and may feed once at first light and be satisfied for a couple days.

This isn’t to say avoid bass fishing. Just be prepared. And fish slowly.

Some tips:

  • Creep a dropshot-rigged Roboworm (bass are eating a lot of orange and red colors, such as Salt River craw) along the bottom. Wait for a possible, subtle bite as the bait is falling. This is where bite-feeling techniques such as holding or thumbing your line as the bait is falling can be critical to catching a bass.
  • Use better gear such as fluorocarbon line and sensitive rod tips. Check online about the advantages of having tungsten weights.
  • Consider that about 10 percent of largemouth bass in our lakes will be staying shallow, or within the first 10 feet of the bank, throughout the day. As the sun comes up, many will travel deep where they might settle into a comfortable 66 degrees (say, 25 feet down.) This also is where the shad has been. The deeper the water, the more plentiful the bait.
  • Target points, humps, reefs and islands.

Crappie

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Crappie fishing in Arizona can be excellent during the season of freeze.

Crappie are heading deep and grouping into larger schools near large pods of baitfish, as they tend to do during the winter.

See a Fish AZ blog article about how to hook them.

So there you go! See our Fish&Boat Arizona map for directions to our state’s primary fisheries.

Catch of the Week

Send your Angler Reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov –
one will be featured as Catch of the Week

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This 16-inch rainbow trout was Allison R.’s only bite of the day — and now it’s Catch of the Week. She caught it Dec. 30 at East Clear Creek.

See all the Angler Reports

 

Free public fishing events

Free fishing clinics, loaner rods are provided, bait is free, and no license is required to those who register during event hours.

Saturday, Jan. 14 — City of Maricopa Youth Fishing Day, 8 a.m. — noon, Copper Sky Lake (45345 W. Martin Luther Kind Blvd., Maricopa).

See the full schedule

Stocking report

Rainbow trout

Thursday, Dec. 29 — Community waters: Green Valley Lake (No. 1, 2 and 3), Alvord Lake, Desert West Lake, Pioneer Lake, Surprise Lake, Rio Vista Pond, Cortez Lake, Encanto Lake, Steele Indian School, Papago Ponds, Evelyn Hallman Pond, Red Mountain Lake, Chaparral Lake, Riverview Lake, Kiwanis Lake, Desert Breeze Lake, Veterans Oasis Lake, Copper Sky Lake, Lakeside Lake, Sahuarita Lake, Kennedy Lake, Silverbell Lake.

See the full report

Thank you, anglers!

Arizona fishing opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It was created through the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act) and the Wallop-Breaux amendments of 1984. Through a federal excise tax paid by manufacturers on fishing gear and motorboat fuels, it provides funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education.

SEE THE FULL REPORT

Fishing Report

How to beat winter striper fishing blues

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The winter season is here and striper anglers want to relive holiday stress by hooking some line-zinging stripers.  This can be a tough adjustment for anglers who are used to filling coolers with 40-80 fish on a trip like they do during the summer and fall seasons.

I have solutions!

Where to fish? Somewhere over the rainbow

bowtrout

One solution is called rainbow trout fishing, and this is the time of year to enjoy an awesome winter bite for a beautiful rainbow colored fish. Many anglers are reporting great results with many guys catching their limits within an hour or two.

Anglers can fish around the city in the Community ponds and lakes or the other fisheries that are stocked on a regular schedule.  Try using PowerBait or meal worms on 4-6 pound test line or cast small Mepps, Kastmasters,  and roostertail spoons.

AZ winter striper fishing tactics: go midday

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If you still have the passion to go after the striped bass, try going from midday (noon to 5 p.m.) when the fish seem to be most active.

If you’re able to cast-net live shad, the shad will help cause a bigger bite and more keeper-size fish. Shad can still be found in shallow water near the shores or structure.  If you can’t catch shad, use frozen anchovies and don’t forget to chum to attract and hold a school under the boat.

Continue to cover water when casting and try different speeds when bringing the lure back to the boat.  It’s somewhat normal to have a school of fish under the boat with no aggressive bites.  The key is to be patient and to drop that bait or artificial lure at different depths to trigger a fish to bite.

With the water temperature getting to lower 60-degree water, the striper are not as active and will need more enticing to bite.

This is my recommendation for the “Striper Blues!” Go trout fishing, and wait until the new year for more striper action.

Check out more fishing resources, and Tight Lines!

Barry Worman is the moderator of the Arizona Striper Fishing Facebook page

Fishing Report, Fishing Report, The Reel Deal, Uncategorized

Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

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For six months, nights were becoming longer, peaking Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 3:44 a.m. The first day of winter.

As we cross that peak and daytime gradually lengthens toward spring, it’s time to focus on what species and waters are best for winter fishing. First, our Community Fishing Program waters are being stocked with trout. See the schedule.

We have some new fishing regulations coming into effect Jan. 1 — see the details.

Also, be sure to check the ADOT website for road conditions before traveling this weekend. Ice fishing is not recommended due to unstable conditions of ice. Please be cautious – we consider all ice unsafe.

I’ll be out of the office until Jan. 3 and there won’t be a fishing report next week. But be sure to check-in here next Wednesday night — we’ll discuss how to beat the winter striper fishing blues.

Nets and waders: working for you

This new section will periodically show what our fisheries biologists have been doing in the field to improve fishing in Arizona.

lmbWe recently conducted our annual electrofishing survey on the backwaters of the Imperial Division of the Colorado River to gather data on relative abundance, size, growth of fish and to detect any large-scale changes in the fish population.

The largemouth bass population appears to be doing well – the largest sampled was 23.9 inches and 9.5 pounds. More than 20 percent of the largemouth bass captured during the survey were 15 inches or larger. A high number of young-of-the-year largemouth were sampled as well – possibly an indication for a future robust population in this area.

A total of 2,235 fish were sampled at 17 survey stations — including 206 largemouth bass. Other species collected included bluegill and redear sunfish, black crappie, warmouth sunfish, threadfin shad, gizzard shad, blue tilapia, common carp, striped bass, flathead catfish, and channel catfish.

Give the gift of fishing

Need a last-second gift idea? Buy a license online, 24/7, and get a license for family or friends. (A $5 youth combo hunt/fish license makes for a great stocking stuffer).

Stocking report

Tuesday, Dec. 20 — Cluff Reservoir, Roper Lake, Dankworth Ponds.

Monday, Dec. 19 — Deadhorse Lake, Verde River (middle), Fain Lake, Saguaro Lake, Colorado River (3 spots from Rotary Park to Davis Camp).

Thursday, Dec. 15 — Lower Salt River.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 — “Core” Community fishing waters, Patterson Ponds (St. Johns), Patagonia Lake.

See the schedule.

Catch of the Week

Send your Angler Reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov –
one will be featured as Catch of the Week

 

Digital Camera

Jim E. with the first keeper largemouth bass he’s caught at Red Mountain lake after 15 years of fishing this lake east of Mesa.

See all the Angler Reports

 

Thank you, anglers!

Arizona fishing opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It was created through the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act) and the Wallop-Breaux amendments of 1984. Through a federal excise tax paid by manufacturers on fishing gear and motorboat fuels, it provides funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education.

SEE THE FULL REPORT

Fishing Report, Fishing Report, The Reel Deal, Uncategorized

Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

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Get “out like trout” for maybe your final chance to fish most high country waters. There have been reports of thin ice forming on lakes such as Woods Canyon Lake. Be careful — we consider all ice on Arizona lakes unsafe.

Winter weather can of course be detrimental to travel. Motorists traveling in Arizona’s high country need to be aware of some annual closings. Be sure to check the Arizona Department of Transportation website for the latest road closures. Other highlights (or frozen notes):

  • Big Lake is 50-percent ice-covered and there is minimal fishing from shore — boats are not able to be launched.
  • FR 105 to Woods Canyon Lake is closed and so boats cannot be launched. But anglers can still walk in and fish Woods Canyon.
  • The stores at Woods Canyon and Big Lake are closed for the winter.

Submit your tiger trout state record

tiger-trout-nicholas-tochko-2016-record

Nicholas Tochko caught this catch-and-keep state record tiger trout, an 8-incher taken in May from Carnero Lake.

The average size of tiger trout at Woods Canyon and Willow Springs lakes? 10 inches. Go catch a tiger and submit your record before tiger trout-stocked lakes (Woods Canyon, Willow Springs and Becker — Carnero is ice-covered) become completely iced over. We’ve received just three applications for state record tigers.

See the “White Mountains” section in the full report for details of ice cover and fishing tips. Once again, we consider all ice on lakes unsafe.

Finally, see a video about catching tiger trout at Willow Springs Lake.

AZ crappie report

Consider targeting sporting crappie populations at Alamo, Bartlett and Roosevelt. Might not be banner crappie-fishing conditions just yet — but it’s worth a shot. As the water temperatures lower, the crappie will congregate into large schools in open water that can be up to 50 feet deep or so. The crappie formations, or schools, look like inverted pyramids (or Christmas trees … ), with the most active fish at the top, around 15 or 20 feet deep.

Catch a window of stable weather for crappie fishing.

The two primary strategies for catching these crappie are to use your fish finder, locate a school, sit over it, and slowly jig a 1/16- or even a 1/32-ounce jighead with curly tail or other small grub, Roadrunner or maybe a marabou jig. The other is slow trolling (1.5 mph) crappie jigs or even small crankbaits. Or combine the two — trolling until you get a bite, then vertically jig.

Be sure to check the stocking schedules.  Community Fishing Program lakes and ponds continue to get frequent trout stockings – see some tips.

Licensed to fish

Buy a license online, 24/7, and help conserve wildlife for future generations.

Catch of the Week

(Send your Angler Reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov — one will be selected as Catch of the Week)

lakemead

Joe B. caught this walleye in Lake Mead near mile marker 43 on Nov. 23. He said he’d been fishing Lake Mead for 20-plus years without catching a walleye.

See all the Angler Reports

 

Upcoming free fishing events

Free fishing clinics, loaner rods are provided, bait is free, and no license is required to those who register during event hours.

Saturday — Town of Gilbert’s Youth Fishing Day, 8 a.m. — noon, Freestone Pond (1045 E. Juniper Ave., Gilbert). Sponsored by AZGFD and town of Gilbert. Loaner rods provided to first 100 participants. Bait and fishing information available.  Contact Jennifer Lauria, Gilbert Parks & Rec., 480-503-6234 or the AZGFD Sport Fishing Education Program at (623) 236-7240.

See the full schedule.

Stocking report

These are confirmed stockings from last week. See the stocking schedules.

Rainbow trout

Friday, Nov. 25 — Luna Lake.

Friday, Nov. 18 — Community waters: Desert Breeze, Veterans Oasis, Copper Sky, Red Mountain, Riverview, Rio Vista, Alvord, Cortez, Desert West, Encanto, Papago Ponds, Steele Indian School, Chaparral, Surprise, Evelyn Hallman, Tempe Kiwanis, Kennedy, Lakeside, Silverbell, Sahuarita, Water Ranch Lake. ** Pioneer Lake and Green Valley lakes did not get stocked due to water quality issues (both are expected to be stocked the week of Nov. 28).

See the full schedule.

SEE THE FULL REPORT

Angler Reports, Fishing Report

Weekend Roundup: Angler Reports

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Send your fishing reports and pictures to BFishing@AZGFD.gov — one will be featured as Catch of the Week

 

Here’s the latest from your fellow anglers:

Chaparral Lake

chaparralcat

Brian: Caught this catfish at Chaparral Lake on Nov. 14 using stink bait. Catch and release.

Colorado River (near Yuma)

yumacat

Carlos D.: Caught this 24-inch channel catfish on the Colorado River near Yuma during our super moon.

Thank you and keep up the great work on e-newsletter!

Verde River (by Camp Verde)

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Troy G.: Got this big Verde River largemouth on a square bill crankbait made right here in Camp Verde by a local custom bait friend of mine. Caught on the day of the super moon.

Big Lake

biglaketrout

Mike L.: My brother and I fished Big Lake on Tuesday, Nov. 15 and Wednesday, Nov. 16.

We caught eight fish on Tuesday, of which 5 were 15-18 inches. On Wednesday the wind was howling and it was icy cold but we stuck it out and caught another 18 incher to end our fishing time on Big Lake. What a great trip it was. Truly my best fishing trip ever! We caught them on PowerBait and with lures. I won’t tell you which ones as I would like to keep that to myself. 🙂 Thanks!!

Saguaro Lake

 

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Charles S.: Nov. 16, caught these two fish and lost another about the same size. Caught them on trick worms in shallow water.

See more about fishing in Arizona

Fishing Report, Fishing Report, The Reel Deal, Uncategorized

Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

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There are only a few weeks left before winter conditions prevail in the high country, so if you’re looking for scents of pine, scenes of eagles and tight lines from trout, go now.

The trout bite is hot at spots such as Dogtown, Kinnikinick, Reservation, and Willow Springs lakes.

Ready to catch the elusive tiger trout? They were biting on Monday afternoon, rising to the surface in shallow water at Willow Springs Lake for dry flies.

See a video from Monday of a tiger trout wrecking the surface to take a dry fly:

Speaking of trout, the first winter trout stockings are coming next week to Community fishing waters. See the schedule.

On Monday, Oak Creek and Saguaro Lake were stocked with trout.

See all the angler reports, because there are a ton of fishing options from carp to monster largemouth bass and flathead catfish.

Looking for more hot spots? See another recent report.

Grab a license online, 24/7 (and help conserve all species of wildlife).

Catch of the Week

(Send your Angler Reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov — one will be selected as Catch of the Week)

showlowlake

This 3 year old helped catch three stocked rainbows in 30 minutes at Show Low Lake.

See all the Angler Reports

 

 

Upcoming free fishing events

Free fishing clinics, loaner rods are provided, bait is free, and no license is required to those who register during event hours.

Saturday — 3rd annual Fishing Expo at Eldorado Pond (Eldorado Park, 2311 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale) , 8 – 11 a.m.

Read the full schedule.

 

Stocking report

These are confirmed stockings from last week. See the stocking schedules.

Channel catfish
Wednesday, Oct. 19 — Surprise Lake, Rio Vista Pond, Pioneer Lake, Cortez Lake, Steele Indian School, Encanto Lake, Desert West Lake, Papago ponds, Desert Breeze Lake, Tempe Kiwanis Lake, Chaparral Lake, Water Ranch Lake, Red Mountain Lake, Riverview Lake, Tempe Town Lake, Lakeside Lake, Sahuarita Lake, Kennedy Lake, Silverbell Lake, Copper Sky Lake, Veterans Oasis Lake, Green Valley Lake #3.

Rainbow trout
Monday, Nov. 7 — Oak Creek, Saguaro Lake. Friday, Nov. 4 — Frances Short Pond, Green Valley Lakes 1 and 3. Tuesday, Oct. 25 — Parker Canyon Lake. Monday, Oct. 24 — Goldwater Lake, Oak Creek, Frances Short Pond, Lynx Lake. Friday, Oct. 21 — Salt River, Tonto Creek. Thursday, Oct. 20 — Apache Lake,  Lynx Lake. Wednesday, Oct. 19 — Colorado River (Davis Dam), Salt River, Green Valley Lake #3. Tuesday, Oct. 18 — Saguaro Lake  Canyon Lake, Mingus Lake.

See the full schedule.

READ THE FULL REPORT

Fishing Report, The Reel Deal

Arizona Fishing Report: The Reel Deal

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Bass anglers: some steady weather has finally graced Phoenix-area waters, and this could be a break-out week for largemouth bass fishing at all Salt River-chain lakes, as well as Bartlett Lake.

Try jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-water plugs during sun-up and sundown, and go to Texas rigs and dropshots after the sun breaks higher on the horizon. This full moon will only help bass in their nighttime predatory endeavors.

Last week’s report detailed just how many fish we’ve been stocking into many Mogollon Rim and White Mountains lakes.

We’re also stocking the lower Colorado River below Davis Dam this week with trout.

Anchovies are just one bait that Community Fishing Program channel catfish will chomp.
Anchovies are just one bait that Community Fishing Program channel catfish will chomp in Arizona.

Do you have a go-to bait for catfish in Community fishing waters? See our top 5.

 

Also, grab a license online, 24/7 (and help conserve all species of wildlife).

Upcoming free fishing events

Saturday — Fishing clinic, 2 – 6 p.m., sponsored by North Tempe Neighborhood Association. Pond will be socked with catfish prior to the event. No fishing license required for those who register at event. Free poles available for loan. Bait provided.

Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Welcome Back the Trout to Tempe Town Lake, 4-6 p.m.

Angler Reports

(Send your reports to BFishing@azgfd.gov)
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Silver Creek
Robert L.: Caught these guys last weekend.

AZ stocking report

Catfish
Friday, Oct. 7 — All “core” waters. 

Rainbow trout
Tuesday, Oct. 4 — Salt River, Mingus Lake; Monday, Oct. 3 — Watson Lake, Lynx Lake, Wet Beaver Creek, West Clear Creek; Saturday, Oct. 1 — Silver Creek.

See the full schedule.

SEE THE FULL REPORT