Fishing Report Related Information December 7, 2005 - Lake Levels - Stocking Schedule Been Fishing? - Where to Fish Tell us about it. Your comments may be added to the - Urban Fishing weekly fishing report.

Report editor: Rory Aikens, (602) 789-3214

Regional editors: Pinetop Region - Richard Dreyer, (928) 367-4281 Flagstaff Region - Chuck Benedict, (928) 774-5045 Kingman Region - Andy Clark, (928) 692-7700 Yuma Region - Brad Jacobsen (928) 342-4051 Tucson Region - Dave Neill, (520) 628-5376 ext. 561 Mesa Region - Richard Wiggins, (481) 324-3544

Other ways to get the fishing report: Internet home page: azgfd.gov Recorded public call-in line: (602) 789-3701

Rory's Tip My best tip this week is for you to remember to pick up a 2006 fishing license, or better yet, a combination hunting and fishing license. They make great stocking stuffers. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. Remember: there is a smokin’ deal ($25.50) for youth combination hunting and fishing licenses.

If you want some Christmas crappie, and maybe some quail as well, head for Alamo Lake west of Wickenburg. Crappies have schooled up early this winter and anglers report catches of around 20 per day of the speckled beauties, including lots of 2-pound slabbers. Try the eastern end of the lake on the huge flats with the stickups and along the adjacent river channel. Take a warm jacket and sun screen, you’ll probably need both at different times of day. Check out the Alamo Lake report below for more information.

The transplanted folks from the Midwest (and winter visitors) are tearing up the white bass and stripers at Lake Pleasant by trolling spinners and minnow-like (thin) crankbaits. Try for whites over the submerged creek channels in the northern part of the lake, such as Castle Creek, Humbug, Coles and the Agua Fria arm. Keep in mind that a segment of the Agua Fria arm closes on Dec. 15 for the nesting bald eagles. Some anglers are also finding a few crappie surprises on the end of their trolled lines. Also try near the intakes at the dam.

If you want a great holiday lake outing, especially for youngsters (or those of us young at heart), the Annual Parade of Lights Festival starts at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Don’t forget, the Game and Fish Department stocks trout in Canyon Lake. So take the kids fishing, then watch the sunset, have a lakeside dinner, and experience the parade of lights. The paddlewheel boat, the Dolly, will lead the parade of decorated boats on three laps around the main basin. The parade will be visible most from shoreline vantage points.

Nighttime temperatures into the single digits at times in the high country have likely spelled the end to trout fishing in most of the higher elevation lakes, but as of last weekend, Big Lake still had open water and pretty good trout fishing. Willow Springs Lake near the Mogollon Rim had very little ice on Dec. 6. This might still be a good bet for fishing. It has rainbows and browns. The other good bets this time of year in the high country are Becker Lake (some icing around the edges) near Springerville and Show Low Lake inside the city of Show Low (the lake also has walleye). You might also think about fishing for native golden trout in Silver Creek near Show Low.

Despite high country ice, don’t stash your trout fishing gear in the garage just yet. We’ve got some of the best winter trout fishing opportunities in the nation. I know, it seems strange for a supposed “desert” state. The Lower , Canyon Lake, and a host of others (visit azgfd.gov for the stocking schedule) are all stocked with trout throughout the winter. It’s time to get out for winter trout.

Central URBAN LAKES — Fishing for rainbow trout has been good to excellent at most Urban Program waters, but has been slow at a few lakes. has not been stocked with trout due to the recent discovery of golden alga in the lake. Six hundred extra pounds of trout were stocked into on Nov. 22, making this a hot spot to try. Fishing has been excellent at the heavily overstocked Kiwanis. Trout have been biting well on Power Bait, worms, small spinners or spoons throughout the day. Anglers using worms and stink baits on the bottom are still catching some nice 2-3 pound catfish from the lakes. Fishing for sunfish is good to excellent after the Nov. 21 hybrid sunfish stockings. Try small worms or mealworms fished under a small bobber or on the bottom with a small weight for the sunfish. Trout fishing at Green Valley lakes (Payson) continues to be good to excellent for anglers using Power Bait or worms. The urban lakes, with the exception of Alvord, have been stocked with rainbow trout. In fact, Kiwanis Lake received trout two weeks in a row.

TEMPE TOWN LAKE – On Nov. 22, rainbow trout will return to the lake. The winter fishery will receive 6-8 stockings between November to March given suitable stocking conditions. Use Power Bait, corn or salmon eggs. Bass are biting plastics and crankbaits around ledges, piers and structure. Many fish in the 1- to 3-pound range are common. Yellow bass are plentiful in the 5- to 7-inch range and will bite mealworms; there are no limit or size restrictions for these tasty panfish. Channel catfish averaging 1-2 pounds will bite stink baits, hotdogs and shrimp. Carp fishing has been slow.

LAKE PLEASANT - Water level is at 1,667 feet (63-percent full). Largemouth bass fishing has slowed but we are still getting some good reports from anglers catching white bass and stripers by trolling minnow-like crankbaits and small spinners. For largemouth bass, drop-shotting is the technique of choice, tight lines. Power Worms, jigs, Carolina-rigs and Westy Worms are proven producers. Stripers and white bass can be found off main lake points and will bite cut bait and jigs. Catfish, sunfish and carp have become lethargic and are inactive due to cold water. The eagle closure is goes into effect on Dec. 15 in the Agua Fria arm.

ROOSEVELT LAKE - The lake is 80-percent full at elevation 2,134 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 175 cfs Monday morning. Fishing is very good. The bass fishing outlook is fantastic. Anglers are currently catching large numbers of bass, mostly slots and unders. Tight line drop shot rigs, Westy Worms and Power Worms are all producing... Fishing off points in 10-25 feet of water has been effective. Live shad or minnows are also good baits either with bobbers or free-lined. Crappie fishing is still good at night. Cove mouths and the marina tires are good spots to start. Crappies are also being caught during the day by trolling jigs. BBC Kalin chartreuse and Jumping Cholla jigs, try the Tonto end or around Windy Hill. Catfishing is slowing down with the cooling water temperatures. Fishing for smallmouth bass can be good; especially on windy days. Try areas where waves are stirring up the shoreline. Use in-line spinners and crayfish imitations especially off rocky points and cliff walls. Remember the slot is in place for smallmouth as well. Catfish, bluegill and carp fishing is slow. Note: anglers are reminded of the slot bass size limit that remains in effect at Roosevelt. Bass between 13 to 16 inches must be released immediately. Also those bass below 13 inches and above 16 inches that are kept can only be gutted with the head and tail attached so the legal length can be determined. All other fish such as crappie, catfish and bluegill harvested from the lake must have a piece of skin attached to the fillets so species can be determined.

APACHE - Lake is 94-percent full at 1,909 feet. On Oct. 28, more than 19,500 advanced fingerling walleye, 6 to 8 inches in length, were delivered to Apache Lake. The fish were purchased using an $18,000 WCF grant in combination with $7,000 donated by Anglers United (AU) and the Southwest Walleye Anglers (SWWA) - non-profit sportsman’s clubs. After 1,800 miles and 30 hours on the road, the young walleye were delivered in excellent shape aboard an 18-wheeler containing 20 insulated tanks that kept the fish at a comfortable 54 F. From the tanks, walleye were then loaded into plastic garbage can on 5 volunteer boats, courtesy of SWWA. With assistance from Department biologists the volunteer craft spread the fish lake-wide from the Burnt Corral launch ramp. Disseminating the fish allows them to not only spread throughout the lake faster, but also helps them avoid predation from hungry bass, catfish and larger walleye. Transportation and handling stress induced mortalities were estimated to be less than 5%. Walleye are stocked annually in Apache Lake as they don’t reproduce naturally. These advanced fingerlings will compliment the 4.5 million sac-fry size (1/4 inch) walleye and 70,000 one- inch fingerlings stocked during May 2005. Anglers should expect catchable size walleye within the next 2 years at Apache Lake. Walleye can be caught off cliffs and rocky points with in-line spinners or drifting night crawlers. Try rock-runners with worm harnesses or shad-patterned crankbaits for walleye after dark. Yellow bass are hitting jigs and spoons. Fish for them around balls of shad in 20-60 feet of water. Cut bait also works well for them. Catfishing is slowing down. Carp fishing is slow. In a recent survey, biologists found decent numbers of largemouth bass ranging from 1- 5 pounds. Other species found in good numbers and healthy were channel and flathead catfish, yellow bass and carp. The bad news is we did not catch any smallmouth bass between 42 gill nets and 20 electro- fishing sites. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is tagging walleye with a blue spaghetti-type tag near the dorsal fin. If you catch one, please note the tag number, location caught and accurate length of the fish and call the department's Mesa office at (480) 324-3544. You can keep the tag and the fish. There is a certified scale at the marina boathouse.

CANYON - Lake is 95-percent full at 1,659 feet. Bass fishing is decent, especially in the Boulder Recreation Area and small coves. For bass, drop shotting is still the method of choice. Bass fishermen, its time to break out the swim baits as the rainbows have returned. Trout anglers can have success using spinners and Power Bait along the picnic shoreline east of the marina. Senkos and Westy Worms have also been catching fish. In a recent fish survey good numbers of largemouth bass from 1-8 pounds were caught all over the lake. All other species (except smallmouth bass) were well represented in the survey and fish appeared healthy and in good condition. This is also a great lake for yellow bass; jig spoons in and around balls of shad. A few walleye are being caught trolling along cliffs. Shad imitation Rat-L-Traps can be effective for walleye here.

SAGUARO - Lake level is 1,524 feet (95-percent full) Preliminary survey data shows good numbers of largemouth bass, fat and healthy. Many in the 3-6 pound category were caught in the Bagley and Snags areas last week. Rainbow trout returned to the lake the week of Nov. 14. Stocking will continue every 2-3 weeks, check the Game and Fish Web site for the week of stocking. This means Power Bait, corn and spinners to some, but trout imitation swim baits like Castaics for those seeking big bass. Bass fishing is decent. Some fish are being caught before sunrise. Jigging is also working at times with white curly tail jigs. Yellow bass can be caught jigging spoons (quarter-ounce KastMaster) or cut bait. Recent reports of yellows are being caught in the Butcher Jones Cove area. Another good area for yellows is near Ship Rock and the no wake buoys in the channel. Try to locate shad in 40-60 feet of water and jig through them. Catfishing is slow. Try stink baits, hotdogs or shrimp. There is a certified scale at the marina to get an official weight and still release your catch. Two witnesses are needed for the weight to be official. Catfish and carp fishing is slow.

BARTLETT – Activity levels are slowing down corresponding to the cooling water temperatures. Lake level is at 1,783 feet (86-percent full). Crawdad imitations and worming rigs (d-shot and Texas) are producing. Last week anglers were picking up crappie in the 2 pound range near the buoy line upriver using Kalin 1/16 oz BBC jigs. Some channel and large flatheads may still be caught near the dam. Use live bait such as bluegill or small carp for the flatheads and shrimp, hotdogs or stink bait for the channels. Remember the live bait most come from the lake itself (excluding minnows, waterdogs or worms) not transported from another body of water!

HORSESHOE - Lake is empty. Fishing for bass, crappie, catfish and carp may be decent as the fish are concentrated in the minimum pool (about 8 acres of water). No reports as of yet. Fishing bellow the spillway in Catfish Point is known for large flathead and good channel catfish angling. Now would be a good time to try.

VERDE RIVER – Fishing is poor for largemouth, smallmouth and catfish. It may take a year or two for populations to rebound in traditional summer areas. Fish surveys this year showed depressed numbers of sport-fish. High flows and floods this winter appear to have scattered and displaced many of the smallmouth and largemouth bass in the Camp Verde area. Remember that no baitfish can be transported into this part of the river (above Horseshoe). For further information concerning regulations, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (480) 324-3544.

LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) - Rainbow trout stockings were stocked last week, try inline spinners, Power Bait or drifting night crawlers. Fly fishing can be good with nymphs and Painted Ladies. Some bass can be found in the portion above the Verde confluence. They will hit spinners, crankbaits and night crawlers. In a recent survey many largemouth bass were caught ranging from 1-5 pounds. Look for back eddies next to submerged brush.

Colorado River Northwest LAKE POWELL — By Wayne Gustaveson, Nov. 23. Lake elevation: 3,602. Water temp: 58-61 F. THANKSGIVING REPORT. Water temperature continues to slowly decline. Stripers and shad that were holding at 25 feet last week will slowly move to deeper water. Keep trolling mid depths to locate striper schools or troll deep to find the bigger fish. Only troll in areas where fish are marked on the graph.

When a striper school is located by trolling, they will be less likely to move away from the boat as they did earlier this fall. That provides more time to find the right bait to match the fish mood for the day. Fish the area located by trolling thoroughly with various methods to find what works best. It is possible to just continue trolling back and forth through the school if that is your preferred fishing method.

If stripers will only hit an occasional crankbait or jigging spoon both of which move quite fast, you may want to try a plastic swim bait (Storm Wild-Eyed Shad), stump jumper or jig. The slower, gentler action of these baits may be more natural in the cooler water when fish metabolism and movement has slowed. Spoons flutter and jerk like wounded shad and will work when stripers are actively eating shad. If stripers are resting on bottom, spoons may not work at all and a more subtle approach may be needed to get them fired up.

Using anchovy bait and chumming works better in cooler water when fish have slowed down. That may be the best technique for the current conditions but water temperature is still warm enough to get some good sustained reaction bites from hungry fish. Use your preferred fishing method or bait when a school of stripers has been bracketed.

Both largemouth and smallmouth remain active and are eating shad which makes them very catchable. Largemouth will continue to feed at lower temperatures while smallmouth will go dormant sooner as water temperature dips below 55 F. There will be one more good week of fishing before black bass become more difficult to catch.

Crappie fishing remains good in shallow brushy coves and canyons but they will soon move deeper with cooling temperatures

LEES FERRY — Report courtesy Lees Ferry Guides. Now water fluctuations have returned to Lees Ferry we should see fishing pick up. We suggest fishing the riffles during the morning rise. The fish should swarm into the shallow water looking for stranded scuds and annelids. Fish San Juan Worms and hairs back scuds to imitate these creatures. There is still a healthy population of midges so try fishing a dry dropper with a stimulator and a zebra midge. The daily releases from the dam should start at 5,250 cfs and peak at 10,250 cfs... For more information, visit the Lees Ferry Guides at http://www.leesferry.com/.

LAKE MEAD — No new reports. As winter approaches, the stripers will group up and go deep. The threadfin shad will be doing the same, so look for “balls” of shad on your graph and fish below them. Annual fish population surveys were done the week of Oct. 10 in the Virgin and Temple Basin areas. Gillnetting and electro-fishing surveys showed many striped bass in the 1-3 pound range remain skinny. Several 2- to 3-pound smallmouth and largemouth bass were sampled in the Boulder Wash and Monkey Cove areas respectively. Channel catfish and Tilapia were all well represented in the survey. Catfish are very sensitive to any changes in temperature and really come on strong in fall. Most anglers are launching out of Temple Bar, but the ramp is still open at South Cove. The courtesy dock is down to only a few slots and the launching is shallow. The lake level continues to be fairly stable at or near 1,137 feet. Try slow trolling to locate the schools of striped bass. Once you find them you can drop anchor and fish them. LAKE MOHAVE – One lucky angler caught a 38-pound, 48-inch striped bass right off the dam last Saturday night. He was fishing with his grandkids using anchovies, when on his second cast the big fish took hold. It’s not uncommon for the bigger stripers to be down by the dam during the winter months. With the water level down, the shoreline fishing areas are up. Davis Dam has plenty of shoreline for numerous anglers to enjoy. Cabinsite and Telephone Cove also provide plenty of shoreline for fishing. Princess Cove has a picnic area and a launch ramp. Bring the family and make a day of it. As the water has cooled down both stripers and catfish have been biting really well. Anchovies continue to be the most popular bait for stripers, but if you want to try something different, use shrimp or squid. TOPOCK MARSH – With the temperatures cooling down, the marsh is good place to fish for crappie, bass and catfish. You can access the marsh by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Waterfowl season is open; so don’t be alarmed if you hear a shotgun. Also be aware that the Topock Marsh seasonal closure is in effect starting October 1st through Feb. 6 and applies to hunters as well as anglers on the marsh. Pay attention to buoys and signs so that you don’t end up in the closed area. For more information on the marsh and the closed area, contact the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge at (760) 326-3853 or go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/havasu/index.html. Fishing is allowed from the shoreline of the Colorado River. COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM – Stripers and trout are being caught off the shore of Davis Camp. USFWS stocked trout this month and will be stocking once a month until March. Remember to fish for trout, you need a trout stamp on Class A and Lifetime fishing licenses. The 2005 Class A Fishing License is on sale for half price in November and December. Cooler temperatures and lower river flow in the mornings and evenings make for a good time to get out and fish for those stripers and trout along the shore. Community Park is good place for the morning fishing. Anchovies work best for catching stripers, but you may also catch catfish and trout. The water level will go up later in the day, but it will drop after sunset. If you are fishing by boat, plan accordingly. You can also check the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for flow predictions http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html/ before you go. WILLOW BEACH – Fishing at Willow Beach following the stocking was slow. A few anglers were having success with rainbow Power Bait. A lure that was working was a black and gold Panther Martin. One angler in a boat caught a 30-pound striped bass near the buoy line at Willow Beach. On Saturday the fishing was better with anglers having success with orange and salmon peach Power Bait. A couple of lures that were working well were Panther Martins and a gold Jakes with red dots.

Southwestern Arizona HAVASU — Lake levels are going to be a bit on the low side the next few weeks. The bass bite has dropped off with colder weather and shorter days. Expect to find the bass in deeper water near structure (like the trees off the chalk bluffs), or over shelves. Try jigs to get these guys to bite. Stripers are still scattered around the lake. Large groups of boats are often trolling off Lake Havasu State Park, site 6, and southern basin near Havasu Springs. Anglers from the docks are having some fair success with small stripers on shad and cut anchovies. The trick is getting your bait past the little guys to find the big ones beneath. Watch for birds working schools of shad at the water surface, there is sure to be bigger fish beneath.

PARKER STRIP — Fishing has slowed a bit with the cooler weather and shorter days. Watch for the action to pick up when those cold front winds stir things up. Bass should have moved to the deeper waters around structures or shelves. Try jigging with a spoon or plastic worm. Catfish will be active around dusk. Night crawlers are always a good bet, but don’t be afraid to try chicken livers. Try the point at Buckskin or off shore just above River Island. Water releases will be down again this week with Thursday being the lowest water levels.

MARTINEZ LAKE/COLORADO RIVER — Striped bass continue to bite in the coves of Martinez Lake and the river on anchovies. Bass are also being harvested in the lake on worms, plastics, Senkos and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good right now for channel and even flathead. Some large bluegill and redear sunfish are also being harvested around the lake boat docks on meal worms.

MITTRY LAKE — Channel catfish are biting worms on shore, while some bass are being harvested by boat on a variety of artificial lures and plastics.

YUMA AREA RIVERS/CANALS — Striped bass, redear, crappie, channel cats and bluegill are fish species that have all been caught recently in the Gila Main canal. Use worms, chicken liver and anchovies as baits. Just about any canal will hold fish. Canals require a fishing license to fish.

The Gila River continues to be hot right now for bass. Fish isolated deep pockets where hungry bass are awaiting. They will bite just about anything right now.

FORTUNA POND —Channel Catfish stockings will be occurring in the next couple of weeks, with a 4-fish limit. Use stink bait, chicken liver or worms for bait. Trout stockings will occur in early December, with a 4-fish limit. Use Power Bait, worms or spinners to catch. Remember your trout stamp!

REDONDO POND —Use a float tube to effectively fish here. Bass and large bluegill thrive at this pond. Fly-fishing for bluegill can be fun here and productive.

YUMA WEST WETLANDS POND — No recent reports have been turned in for this area. Effective January 2005, the daily bag/possession limits for fish caught at the Yuma West Wetlands Pond is two trout, one largemouth bass (13-inch minimum), two channel catfish and five sunfish of any combination. For detailed information see the 2005-2006 Arizona Game and Fish Department's fishing regulations.

EHRENBERG — Nothing has changed from previous reports. Largemouth bass should be good in the various backwaters along this stretch of the river. Top-water in the mornings and evenings followed by plastics and spinnerbaits after the top-water bite shuts down. The same fishing for flatheads will continue to bite on bluegill or other live bait in the main channel. Worms and green crankbaits will continue to attract bass in the backwaters. Just a reminder, Cibola Lake is closed to fishing from the first Monday in September (Labor Day) through March 15.

ALAMO LAKE — As the cold north winds blows, and my bones are chilled, I still write this with a big smile on my face: crappie fishing is really good right now. First a word about bass fishing. To sum it up in a word, "Tough." Although plastics are producing a few bass, you’re better off throwing deep-diving crankbaits or spinnerbaits. The key this time of year is to slow down your retrieval speed. The cold weather sure activated the daytime crappie bite. Anglers reported catching 20 to 40 crappies a day in the upper end of the lake. The nice thing about your winter crappie bite is that you are going to catch bigger fish. A lot of these fish being caught this week went over 2 pounds each. Still dinks in my book, but what can I say, I'm a bass fishermen! There's two ways to catch crappies here. The first is using live bait. Local anglers swear by using a roadrunner jig with a chartreuse/ blue skirt (skirt colors changes) with a minnow trailer. Put your trolling motor on low and let out about 15 feet of line. Try working bush and tree tops in about 25 to 30 foot of water. Crappies like to stay schooled this time of year so when you catch one work the same area a few times. On a good day you will not move more than a few hundred yards. The second way is to troll small crankbaits. This is effective but can get pricey. One angler reported catching 20 crappies trolling with a white "hot Lips" crankbait but lost four lures getting snagged in the brush. Until you find your honey hole, try using a crankbait to locate the fish then switch to jigs and minnows. It's been cold here, so dress warmly when you go out. Surprisingly enough, catfishing is still good. Some 5- to 8- pound cats were being caught this last week using shrimp and fishing in the back of the coves up in the flooded tree area better know as Brown's Crossing. The lake level is at 1,130 with releases of 7 cfs. Both Cholla and the main ramp are open but it is suggested that bigger RV's and larger boats use the main ramp. The turn around area at Cholla is limited at this time. No report of any ducks this week. Quail hunting is still fair. No report on the new store. The ranger station still sells minnows, bait, firewood, fishing license, ice, and some crappie tackle. Office hours are 8 to 5. There is a fish advisory at Alamo Lake. The advisory recommends that people limit consumption as follows for bass and crappie. Children under age six: no consumption; women of childbearing age - one 8-ounce fish meal per month; all other adult women - three 8-ounce fish meals per month; adult men - four 8-ounce fish meals per month. For catfish is the same for children and women of childbearing age, but for all other adult women - five 8-ounce fish meals per month and adult men - six 8-ounce fish meals per month.

North Central Region Note: Another cold snap will cause unsafe ice cover on the lakes.

WILLIAMS LAKES: KAIBAB LAKE — Campground closed to camping on Nov. 23. Expect ice cover. No report, but fishing has been good when ice cover is off the lake.

CATARACT LAKE — Campground and parking area are closed, walk-in use only. Expect ice cover. No report, but fishing has been good when Ice cover is off the lake.

CITY RESERVOIR — Closed

DOGTOWN LAKE — The campground is closed to camping but the lake is open for fishing, as is the picnic area and the boat ramp. The lake, picnic ground and the boat ramp will remain open for the winter, but the campground will be closed until the concessionaire opens in the spring. Expect ice cover early in the week. No report, but fishing has been good when Ice cover is off the lake.

JD DAM — Lake is full. Some nice fish were being caught.

SANTA FE — Lake is full. Expect ice cover early in the week. No report, but fishing has been good when ice is off the lake.

WHITEHORSE LAKE — Campground is closed, walk-in use only. Expect ice cover early in the week. No report, but fishing has been good when ice cover is off the lake.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY — Gate is closed during the week. The gate will be open on Friday-Sunday from 8 am-5:30 p.m. through Dec. 18. Expect ice cover early in the week. Fishing was good – excellent when the ice was off the lake late last week. Anglers were catching trout on small gold spoons fished slow near the bottom. Most of the trout are 1 ½ pounds.

UPPER LAKE MARY — No report. Expect ice cover early in the week. Do not eat walleye from this lake: mercury has been detected in high levels in the walleye. Try to limit consumption of other species to 8 ounces a month.

ASHURST LAKE — Lake is full. Expect ice cover early in the week.

KINNIKINICK LAKE — No Report Expect ice cover early in the week. MARSHALL LAKE — No report. The road is open. Expect ice cover early in the week.

OAK CREEK — Stocked Last Week. Good for rainbows and fair for browns.

LONG LAKE — Lake is 70-percent full. Some 9-inch rainbow trout were stocked in the spring. These fish should be 12 + inches now. Stocked trout are safe to eat, but for other species, there is a health advisory: do not eat fish from these lakes because mercury has been detected.

SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX —There is a health advisory: do not eat fish from these lakes because mercury has been detected.

BEAVER CREEK — No report.

WEST CLEAR CREEK — No report.

STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.

BLUE RIDGE — No report. Expect ice cover early in the week.

DEAD HORSE STATE PARK — Will be stocked next week with trout. Dead Horse was stocked Nov. 23 with 4,550 trout in the middle and lower ponds with trout. About 380, 2- pound channel catfish were stocked Sept. 21 into the middle lagoon for the Verde River Days events. The first (upper-most) lagoon does not have fish. The catfish bite has been good on night crawlers and liver.

LYNX LAKE — Lynx was stocked the week of Nov 14 with 1,350 rainbow trout. The next stockings are scheduled for the week of Jan. 30. Catfish and largemouth bass were stocked at Lynx on Aug. 25. The Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Prescott National Forest, installed artificial habitat into four sites at Lynx Lake. It’s hoped the habitat will encourage bluegill and largemouth bass to frequent those areas and make it easier for anglers to catch them. Trout fishing has good immediately following the stocking, then slowing down. Try using a gold Jakes with a slow steady retrieve.

FAIN LAKE — Fain was stocked the week of Nov 14 with 1,000 rainbow trout. The next stockings are scheduled for the week of Dec. 26. Channel catfish were stocked on Aug. 25 at Fain. Fishing has been fair on Panther Martins and Super Dupers. One of the large incentive trout that was stocked was caught last week.

VERDE RIVER — Trout were stocked on the 2nd of December at all five sites. NO reports of success. Stocking sites are at Tuzigoot Bridge outside of Clarkdale, The bridge that leads to the Deadhorse State Park, at Deadhorse State Parks access point called the Jacks, at the White Bridge in Camp Verde, and at Bignotti Beach.

GOLDWATER LAKE- Reports from Goldwater have pointed to slow catching. Goldwater was stocked on Nov. 7, so the conditions should improve. If you fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail me at [email protected] so I can share your successes with others. The next stocking is scheduled for the week of Feb. 13.

MINGUS LAKE — Last stocked Oct. 24. This is the last load for Mingus this year. The Forest Service locks the gate for vehicle traffic around Nov. 15. Walk-in traffic will still be permitted after that date.

Mogollon Rim CHEVELON CANYON LAKE — Use caution because winter conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered. Chevelon Lake is a hike-in fishery open to artificial lures and flies only. The bag limit is six fish with a slot limit. Trout between 10-14 inches may not be possessed. Trout taken from Chevelon Canyon Lake shall be immediately killed and retained as part of the bag limit or immediately released. Chevelon is open to 10 hp gas motors. Getting a boat into Chevelon will take considerable effort, but hiking with a float-tube is an easier alternative.

BEAR CANYON LAKE — Use caution because winter conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered. This is a hike-in lake. Small boats or float tubes are recommended. Bear Canyon is open to electric motors only.

BLACK CANYON LAKE — Use caution because winter conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered. Black Canyon is open to electric motors only.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — There was still open water with only a little icing on Dec. 6 and there was no ice at the launch ramp area. With the cold nights, ice could start forming any time. Willow Springs Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

WOODS CANYON LAKE — The store has closed for the season. Use caution because winter conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered. On Dec. 6, there was still some open water around the launch ramp, but the cold nights can quickly change that. Woods Canyon Lake is open to electric motors only.

White Mountains BECKER LAKE — Cold weather conditions are prevailing and a thin layer of ice is present at the boat ramp area but the lake is still ice-free. The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is good. From Oct. 1 through May 24, the fishing regulations are artificial lure and fly only with a two-trout bag and possession limit. Fly fishers should try brown woolly buggers, damselfly and dragonfly patterns, brown Montana stone nymphs, beadhead peacock ladies, beadhead zug bugs, prince nymphs, and midge larvae patterns. Fly fishers are catching 14- to 16-inch rainbow trout. Lures such as small spinners, KastMasters, and Z- Rays are also effective. A few large brown trout are also found in Becker, although not regularly. Becker Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

BIG LAKE — The store has closed for the season. Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered so check ice conditions before fishing. As of last weekend, the lake is ice-free. Fishing is fair to good for shore and boat anglers. Boat and shore anglers are catching rainbow trout 7- to 16-inches long, brook trout 10-14 inches, and cutthroat trout 12-22 inches. Anglers should try worms and Power Bait (green, orange, rainbow colored, and yellow), and salmon eggs. Lures such as Rapalas, yellow-brown Crickhopper lures, Z-Rays, KastMasters, Rooster Tails, Mepps, and Panther Martin spinners are effective. Fly fishers are catching trout on brown wooly worms with red tails, peacock ladies, wooly buggers (black), brown semi-seal leeches, and brown Montana stones, beadhead prince nymphs, zug bugs, and KP buggers. All boat ramps are accessible, but the South Cove boat ramp is the best. The main boat ramp near the store is shallow, but okay to launch with smaller boats. The USFS is building a new boat ramp at Railroad Cove and it is unusable for launching large boats. Float tubes can be launched below the concrete boat ramp. Big Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

CARNERO LAKE — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered, so check ice conditions before fishing. There is no established boat ramp and small boats or float tubes are ideal for this lake. Carnero Lake is open to electric motors only. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and a two -trout bag limit.

CONCHO LAKE — Fishing is fair. Launching small boats or float tubes is recommended. Try using worms, Power Bait, lures (KastMaster spoons and spinners), and flies (peacock ladies, brown or black woolly worms and woolly buggers, KP buggers, brown Montana stone nymphs, zug bugs, and Prince nymphs. Concho Lake also contains green sunfish. Target the weed lines and rocky areas with night crawlers, jigs, and small spinners. As water temperatures cool trout should become more active. Concho Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. The lake has been stocked with catchable size rainbow trout.

CRESCENT LAKE — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake is ice covered, so check ice conditions before fishing. Crescent is open to 10 hp gas motors.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — Both boat ramps are accessible. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, lures, and flies near structure such as rocks, tree stumps, and weed beds. Anglers are being asked to harvest any pike they catch and not to release them back into the lake. Fool Hollow also contains walleye, channel catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, and black crappie. There are some trophy-sized walleye as well as largemouth and smallmouth bass. Fool Hollow Lake is managed by Arizona State Parks and excellent camping facilities are available. Anglers wishing to fish the lake only for the day must use the west side boat ramp and parking area, but free of charge until that parking area fills. Fool Hollow Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

GREER LAKES — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lakes may be ice covered so check ice conditions before fishing. Bunch and Tunnel reservoirs are open to electric motors only. River Reservoir is closed to all access by USFS order. River Reservoir is very low. The reservoir has been drained down to minimum pool and dam repairs are currently under way.

HULSEY LAKE — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting colder and the lake may be ice covered so check ice conditions before fishing.

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake is ice covered, so check ice conditions before fishing. Lee Valley Lake is open to lures and flies only, with a 2 trout limit, minimum size 12 inches.

LUNA LAKE — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered so check ice conditions before fishing. Bait and tackle can be purchased at the store near the dam and boat rentals are available. Luna Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

LYMAN LAKE — Fishing is fair. The lake is turbid as usual. Anglers have been catching catfish at the upper end of the lake on worms, and prepared catfish baits. Try fishing for bass, walleyes, and sunfish along rocky areas or weedy areas of the lake. Try worms, Power Bait, lures, and flies. The lake 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. Boat ramps are accessible and there are no boat motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.

NELSON RESERVOIR — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered, so check ice conditions before fishing. The main boat ramp at the dam is the best and the east boat ramp is accessible. The middle boat ramp is weedy but usable. Nelson Reservoir is open to 10 hp gas motors.

RAINBOW LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. The boat ramp is accessible. Try trolling spinners or flies for rainbow trout. Rainbow Lake also contains largemouth bass, channel catfish, black bullhead, sunfish and illegally stocked northern pike. We are asking anglers to keep all the pike they catch. There is no bag and possession limit for northern pike. Do not release them back into the lake. If targeting pike, the small pike are distributed throughout the lake. Try spinners, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits for larger pike and bass along weed beds. Shore fishing for the public is restricted to the dam and area along the boat ramp parking, since most of the shoreline is privately owned. A fishing pier is available at the boat ramp parking. Rainbow Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

SCOTT'S RESERVOIR — Fishing is poor to fair for trout, sunfish, bass, and catfish. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait (green, yellow or orange), lures, and flies. Try fishing near structure such as rocks, tree stumps and weed beds. Scotts is open to electric motors only.

SHOW LOW LAKE — Fishing is fair. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait (green, yellow or orange), salmon eggs, lures, and flies for rainbow trout. Try casting or trolling Rapalas, crankbaits, and chartreuse or brown Mister Twister jigs around rocky shorelines for walleyes, largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappies, and sunfish. Anglers have had at times good success catching pan-sized walleye by fishing chartreuse or burnt orange jigs in shallow water at the dam area very early in the morning and again late in the evening. Show Low Lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. A campground at the lake is run and maintained by Navajo County Parks. Boat rentals are available. The store is closed during the winter months.

WOODLAND LAKE— Fishing is poor to fair. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait (green, yellow or orange), lures, and flies for stocked trout. The lake also contains channel catfish, largemouth bass, and sunfish. Try fishing with a bobber and a worm near weed beds, rocks, and tree stumps. A city park with picnicking facilities and paved trail around the lake make for a great family outing location. A fishing pier is available near the dam. The lake is open to electric motors only.

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — Cold weather conditions are prevailing, nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold and the lake may be ice covered so check ice conditions before fishing. Both boat ramps are difficult to launch a boat.

SILVER CREEK — Trout fishing is fair. As of Oct. 1, Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and catch and release, no kill. Use 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 woolly buggers, prince nymphs, 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 it slowly, twitching it occasionally. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge imitations, and caddis fly patterns in sizes #16 or #18.

STREAMS

EAST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Nighttime and daytime temperatures are getting cold on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and streams are ice-covered.

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Same as above.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – GREER – Same as above.

SHEEPS CROSSING – WEST FORK LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – Same as above.

Southeastern Arizona TUCSON URBAN — Kennedy, Silverbell, Sahuarita and Lakeside were stocked with rainbow trout last week. Try Power Bait, corn or cheese. The lakes have been stocked with small sub-catchable sized largemouth bass. They also have been stocked with aggressive, fast-growing, tasty hybrid sunfish. Fishing for sunfish has been good. Use mealworms and earthworms on a small hook, size 10 or smaller, under a bobber set at 3 to 5 feet. Buy a two-pole stamp and try different baits to double your odds. The urban lakes will be stocked on Nov. 15 with trout.

RIGGS FLAT — Riggs Flat lake is closed for the winter. Call (928) 428-4150.

CLUFF RANCH — Stocked with trout last week . Slow for warmwater species. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — Stocked with trout last week .For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — Was stocked with trout last week. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

KEARNY LAKES — Not stocked due to water quality issues.

ARIVACA —The bass fishing (along with the other warm water species) has slowed down with the cooler temperatures. The water level remains low. Please use caution when launching boats. The good news is that the department’s weed cutting efforts have removed most of the surface weeds, thus opening up most of the lake. Our recent fisheries surveys showed that the change in regulations to catch and release for all bass has had a positive impact. Several bass in the 7-plus-pound range were surveyed. 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.

PENA BLANCA – The first trout of the winter stocking schedule were put in the lake during the first week of November (check the Department’s website, azgfd.gov, for stocking schedules). The department will not advertise the exact date of the stocking, but will advise the week the stocking is planned. Please be advised that the schedule may be changed at the last minute due to a multitude of factors. The bass and sunfish fishing have slowed down with the cooler weather. Water levels remain low. Please use caution when launching boats. Be aware that much debris has washed down Pena Blanca Canyon into the lake. The department’s weed cutting efforts have opened up much of the lake. Remember, powerboats on Pena Blanca Lake are restricted to the use of a single electric motor only. 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. The daily bag limit for trout is six. Also, if you are fishing for trout and have a general fishing license, you must purchase a trout stamp to validate that license for the take of trout. Also, be advised that Pena Blanca is not an urban lake; therefore an Urban fishing license is invalid to fish at this lake.

PATAGONIA — Has been stocked with rainbow trout. Trout fishing has been good in the marina and rock shelf areas using Power Bait. A large amount of small pieces of wood is floating on the surface, so boaters must beware of clogging their cooling systems in their motors. Watch your water output closely. The fishing was a little slow with the turbidity caused by recent storms but they are catching channel cats on the bottom. The other species remain fair to good. For more lake information, call Patagonia Lake State Park at (520) 287-6965.

PARKER CANYON — Fishing at Parker Canyon Lake is fair to good with some limits being caught. Power Bait, worms fished deep along with spinners and flies on surface are working well. Is scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. Bluegill and bass are still being caught along weed beds and at depths of 10-20 feet. Water level still good, but weeds along shallower shorelines and in coves making fishing from shoreline difficult. Chip seal work completed from milepost 3-7 on Highway 83 by ADOT so road conditions good.

PICACHO RESERVOIR — No Report.

ROSE CANYON LAKE — Rose Canyon Lake and campground are closed to vehicle traffic, but the lake is still open for fishing to those who wish to hike in from the parking near the gate on the main road.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

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