Fishing Report Related Information Jan. 19, 2006 - 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

Received a neat letter to share. Jeff Williams wrote that he used Super Dupers and his friend fly-fished to catch and release 36 trout at Deadhorse State Park near Cottonwood. He added, "I walk on crutches and was so shocked at how crutch-friendly the lagoons were for me! Been fishing all my life, but as I grow older, it has been harder to get around, and these lagoons are a boon for folks in my position. VERY NEAT! I will even take my 80-year-old mother with her Pioneer License there next month. Great fun that I have not enjoyed in such a long time."

For Jeff and others who are physically challenged, here are some other places to try that are easily accessed. First, pick an Urban Fishing Program Lake and go. The urban lakes are all pretty accessible. You might try Surprise Lake, Steele Indian School Park Pond, Cortez, Red Mountain, Chaparral, or Riverview. Both Canyon and Saguaro lakes have some super fishing piers. Tempe Town Lake has great access for those with mobility challenges. The marina at Bartlett rents pontoon boats that are wheelchair friendly: The marina owner is physically challenged himself.

So, here's a challenge to all of you who aren't physically challenged, but know somebody who is--get them out to one of those places so they can have a smile on their faces like Jeff had at Deadhorse.

Got a call from two kayakers who fished the upper end of the Agua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant (take Table Mesa Road off I-17 and head west). Using light spin tackle (one used a kid's Snoopy rod and reel), they caught 1- and 2-pound crappies, 1-pound white bass, and even a 3-pound largemouth using small colorful jigs of all kinds that came with the Snoopy outfit that one of the guys borrowed from his much younger brother. Neither one knew much about fishing. Something tells me they might be trading in those kayaks for something a little bigger (and maybe their own tackle as well).

Fishing stories: Ya gotta love them.

We might be lacking all the precipitation to fill the lakes like we received last year, but on the flip side of the coin, it's much more pleasant to fish in warm sunshine than cold drizzling rain. Plus, right now we can reap the benefits of last year's tremendous spawns. Rain or not, for the warmwater lakes like Roosevelt, Bartlett, Pleasant and Alamo, this is going to be a fantastic year for catching fish.

Crappie and bass have been doing pretty good at both Alamo and Roosevelt. Pleasant has been remarkable this winter for whites, blacks and even crappie. Canyon and Saguaro don't seem to have hit their normal stride yet, but they could come on any time.

If our mild weather patterns continue, especially in the western desert area, mark your calendar for Feb. 13 with the full moon. I'd almost bet money that the bass will be staging for the spawn, or entering the spawn, at Alamo Lake. Alamo is typically the first bass lake to have a spawn. On mild winters, the leading edge of the spawn can be during the full moon in February. Stewart Kohnke, the wildlife manager, said it happens almost every year. In fact, right now is some of the best January fishing Stew has seen for some time.

So get your 2006 licenses and get out there fishing. It's tough to beat this great weather and good catching.

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

Central Arizona URBAN LAKES - Fishing for rainbow trout has been good to excellent. A special incentive stocking of super-sized trout was done last week at all the Urban Fishing Program waters. Trout from 1-5 pounds can be caught. Angler Steve Malott and his 4-year-old grandson Isaac landed a 3.5-pound rainbow trout last Thursday at Silverbell Lake in Tucson using red power bait fished on the bottom. "We landed it with a collapsible plastic Spiderman pole, which one guy even offered to buy after we landed the fish." Trout stockings have resumed at Alvord Lake and Water Ranch Lake. Trout have been biting best on worms and salmon eggs, with Power Bait working almost as well. Top artificials for trout are small spinners and lures that imitate small baitfish. In the past few weeks, some whopper trout from 2-4.5 pounds have been caught from numerous lakes. Trout fishing at Green Valley lakes (Payson) continues to be good to excellent for anglers using Power Bait or worms. A Payson angler recently caught a huge 24-inch rainbow trout unofficially weighed at 8.5 pounds.

TEMPE TOWN LAKE - Town Lake will get another stocking of trout next week. Use Power Bait, corn, night crawlers or salmon eggs. Angler Gordon Hall reported having a good day last Monday using Power Bait and salmon eggs on the bottom. "We kept our limit and released several others," he says. "My 11-year-old caught a 13-incher fishing the north bank near the marina." Bass are biting plastics and crankbaits around ledges, piers and structure. Many fish in the 1-3 pound range are common. A good way to catch a mixed bag of fish is with live minnows under a slip bobber. Fish edges and around any structure in 6-8 feet of water. 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 1,683 feet (79-percent full). This is the time of year for white bass and stripers, especially by trolling over the creek channels in the northern end of the lake. Crappie fishing is good at this time in the northern coves; try jigs or live minnows. Don't forget that a portion of the Agua Fria arm of the lake is closed for the nesting bald eagles. Largemouth bass have moved deep and the fishing has slowed. Drop-shotting is the technique of choice, tight lines. Power Worms, jigs, Carolina-rigs and Westy Worms are proven producers. Catfish, sunfish and carp have become lethargic and are inactive due to cold water.

ROOSEVELT LAKE - The lake is 79-percent full at elevation 2,134 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 184 cfs Tuesday. Fishing is very good. The bass fishing outlook is excellent. Anglers had been catching large numbers of bass, mostly slots and unders. Try tight-line drop shot rigs, Westy Worms and Power Worms. 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. Crappies are being caught during the day by trolling jigs. Black Blue Chartreuse(BBC) Kalin and Jumping Cholla jigs; try the Tonto end or around Windy Hill. Catfishing is slow. Fishing for smallmouth bass can be good, especially on windy days. Try areas where waves are stirring up the shoreline. Use inline 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 are slow. Note: Anglers are reminded of the slot bass size limit that remains in effect at Roosevelt. Bass between 13 and 16 inches in length 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 91-percent full at 1,905 feet. Fishing has been good for yellow bass. Walleye can be caught off cliffs and rocky points with inline 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 slow. Carp fishing is slow. 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 - The lake is 96-percent full at 1,658 feet. Bass fishing is decent, especially in the Boulder Recreation Area and small coves. For bass, drop shotting (fish slow, letting the worm rest on the bottom for a few seconds at a time) is still the method of choice, although it is time to break out the swim baits for rainbow trout. Was stocked with trout last week; next stocking will be the second week of February. Trout anglers can have success using spinners and Power Bait along the picnic shoreline east of the marina or in the Boulder Recreation area. Senkos and Westy Worms have also been catching fish. 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 1,526 feet (95-percent full). Fishing has been very slow for largemouth bass, which have ventured deep. Some are being caught with drop-shot rigs fished in 20-50 feet of water fished slowly. Rainbow trout will be stocked next week. This means Power Bait, corn, night crawlers and spinners to some, but trout imitation swim baits like Castaics for those seeking big bass. Yellow bass can be caught jigging spoons (quarter-ounce KastMaster) or cut bait. Reports of yellows 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 are slow.

BARTLETT - Activity levels are slowing down with the cooling water temperatures. Lake level is at 1,789 feet (86-percent full). We had been getting good reports from anglers here even though the bass have likely gone deep in the typical winter pattern. Crawdad imitations and worming rigs (D-shot and Texas) were producing. Some channel and large flatheads may still be caught near the dam. Angler Luke Wilson reports that he caught three channel catfish from shore a couple of weeks ago, using shrimp on the bottom. 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

VERDE RIVER - Due to be stocked with trout this week. Fishing had been poor for largemouth, smallmouth and catfish. 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 will be stocked next week. Try inline spinners, Power Bait or drifting night crawlers. Fly-fishing can be good with nymphs, painted ladies and Wooly Buggers. We have mixed angler reports: Some aren't catching many fish, others are catching limits. Angler Brandon Wisdom reported catching and releasing more than 30 trout in three hours last Saturday using minnows with no sinker or bobber. "The fly-fishermen who were leaving when I arrived told me the fishing was slow," he says. "I guess minnows and waders were the ticket." 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 - Spring forecast courtesy of Wayne Gustaveson. Threadfin shad, the lake's main forage fish, abound in unprecedented numbers now as they have for the past three winters. Game fish have enjoyed the picnic, growing in size and numbers. Smallmouth bass larger than 2 pounds are common. Striped bass above 4 pounds are caught on almost every fishing trip. The biggest striped bass caught last year was a 38.5- pound beauty that was trolled up in Rock Creek Canyon. Fishing success in 2006 should be great!

Shad may have another good production year. If so, game fish will continue to get bigger and fatter. While fat fish are not easy to catch, there are enough fish present to ensure that some big ones will be caught to the delight of all. Striped bass are constantly eating so they can be caught in good numbers from April through November. Bass are easy to catch in April and May during the spawn.

If shad fail to produce another bumper crop in 2006, then game fish will be hungry and constantly searching for food. Hungry fish are very easy to catch. Without shad, striped bass will congregate in huge schools in deep water and be vulnerable to anchovy bait. Smallmouth will be cruising the shoreline eating every crayfish and plastic grub in sight.

But that's not all. The low lake has allowed brush to grow on the shoreline. The rising lake will flood new shoreline vegetation, providing habitat for largemouth, crappie and bluegill. These fish have been all but absent during the drought. In 2006, expect crappie fishing to be better than it has been in years. Walleye will be caught in abundance during May. This spring, largemouth will be caught in size and numbers not seen this decade.

Combine these fishing prospects with Lake Powell's beauty and majesty, and you have a vacation destination that should not be missed in 2006.

LEES FERRY - Report courtesy of Lees Ferry Anglers. Fly-fishing upriver is still slow. Eggs, San Juan worms and midges were useful, but the riffles were not on. Spin fishing has been hit and miss. One group in particular reported a pretty good outing. Drifting while using both Glo Bugs and San Juans was working well in the upper reaches of the river. The higher percentage were caught on Glo Bugs.

LAKE MEAD - No new reports. During winter, stripers 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 that many striped bass in the 1- to 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. 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 1,138 feet. Try slow trolling to locate the schools of striped bass. Once you find them you can drop anchor and fish them.

LAKE MOHAVE - Striper fishing has been really good from Davis Dam to Katherine's Landing. 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. 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 - The marsh is a great place to fish for crappie, bass and catfish. The bass fishing has been picking up from the shore or a boat. 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. Waterfowl season is still open in this area, so don't be alarmed if you hear a shotgun. Also be aware that the Topock Marsh seasonal closure is in effect starting Oct. 1 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 visit their Web site. Fishing is allowed from the shoreline of the Colorado River.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM - Stripers and trout are continuing to be caught off the shore around Davis Camp. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stocked trout last month and will be stocking once a month until March. Remember, to fish for trout you need a trout stamp on your Class A or Lifetime fishing licenses. 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 a 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 before you go.

WILLOW BEACH - Fishing for trout at Willow Beach following the stocking on Dec. 30 was good for the 30-plus anglers that showed up. Anglers who were fishing at the Jumbo Wash stocking site were having better luck than anglers fishing near the picnic area. Several colors of Power Bait were being used successfully, including rainbow, green, salmon peach and yellow. Lures that were working were Super Dupers, Rooster Tails, Jakes and KastMasters. Between Christmas and New Year's Day, several anglers in boats reported success for large striped bass near Willow Beach. Three striped bass weighing more than 18 pounds were reportedly caught by trolling large plugs.

Southwestern Arizona HAVASU - No new reports. At the south end of the lake, anglers report the shad have moved out of the traditional locations. To catch fish, you've got to first find the shad. Once you locate them, then all of the other sport fish are usually around. Good electronics and knowing how to use them is key. Using live shad for bait landed one lucky angler a 10- pound striper a couple of weeks ago. That same group reported catching a few largemouth bass (which were lurking in deeper water) and several nice-sized catfish, too.

PARKER STRIP - No new reports. Water levels were down at least through Jan. 14. If you can get on the water, look for the fish to be in the deeper holes. Some stripers can be found in the swifter currents below Parker Dam. Threadfin shad are their natural prey, but anchovies work well as bait, too. Don't expect too much activity from bass right now. Catfish can be active right after sunset. Try baits like night crawlers or chicken livers.

MARTINEZ LAKE/COLORADO RIVER - The cooler weather will be slowing the bite down considerably. Look for warm days to go fishing. 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 boat docks on mealworms.

MITTRY LAKE - Channel catfishing is good using mealworms. Carp fishing can be a fun experience at the lake. Carp thrive at the lake and can be caught on corn and dough bait.

YUMA AREA RIVERS/CANALS - Striped bass are hitting worms and anchovies on the Gila Main Canal right now. Channel cats are also biting worms. Large sunfish can be found in the canal near Mittry Lake tunnel areas. Along the Gila River, fish the isolated deep pockets where hungry bass are awaiting. They will bite just about anything right now.

FORTUNA POND - Anglers continue to limit out on both trout and channel catfish. The catfish that were stocked averaged 3 pounds, and anglers were catching four-fish limits on worms, chicken liver and stink baits. Rainbow trout were hitting on rainbow Power Baits. Trout are also hitting gold and silver-colored spinners. Remember, there is a four-fish limit on trout.

REDONDO POND - No new report. Clear water provides great bass and bluegill fishing here. Use a small boat or fishing tube to fish here.

YUMA WEST WETLANDS POND - No recent reports have been turned in for this area. 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. Try topwater in the mornings and evenings followed by plastics and spinnerbaits after the topwater bite shuts down. 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 - Last year at this time it was cold and rainy, the lake had log jams and looked like a chocolate milkshake, and the fishing was lousy. Now, a year later, the weather is great, the water is clear, the log jams from the previous year have turned into some killer fish habitat, and fishing is pretty good. Local anglers are still holding their own bass fishing. Working baby brush hogs and small lizards off of points have produced 10 to 20 fish a day. Other anglers have reported catching bass by throwing spinner baits. The bass are holding in 2 to 25 feet of water. Crappie fishing is good depending on who you talk to. Some anglers are reporting catching two to five fish while others are catching 20 or more. All agree that the crappie being caught go 2 pounds or more. Not much has changed there. The crappie are still holding in the upper end of the lake. Trolling a roadrunner jig with a chartreuse skirt and a minnow trailer is the hot ticket. Catfishing is OK. Some nice cats are being caught using shrimp for bait. The cats are being caught in 5 to 15 feet of water. The way things are shaping up, this is going to be a great year for fishing. We want to remind everyone to watch for wildlife when coming out here. Please drive safely. A good rule of thumb is to watch for deer coming over Cunningham Pass, cows throughout the valley, and burros all around the park. No word on the store. We do not rent boats here at this time. The ranger station sells fishing licenses, bait, firewood and ice. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 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, the same recommendations as above apply to children and women of childbearing age, but for all other adult women, the recommended limit is five 8-ounce fish meals per month, and for adult men, it is six 8- ounce fish meals per month.

North Central Region Note: With the return of colder temperatures, watch for ice cover on the lakes. All ice cover should be considered unsafe.

WILLIAMS LAKES:

KAIBAB LAKE - Campground is closed to camping. No new report. Fishing had been good when ice cover was off the lake.

CATARACT LAKE - Campground and parking area are closed, walk-in use only. No new report. Fishing had been good when ice cover was 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. No new report, but the fishing had been good when ice cover was off the lake.

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

SANTA FE - Lake is full. No new report, but fishing had been good when ice cover was off the lake.

WHITEHORSE LAKE - Campground is closed, walk-in use only.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY - No new report. Gate is closed. Fishing was good to excellent when the ice cover was off the lake. Anglers were catching trout on small gold spoons fished slowly near the bottom. Most of the trout were 1.5 pounds to 2 pounds. Trout were also being caught on worms on the bottom.

UPPER LAKE MARY - No new report. 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. No new report.

KINNIKINICK LAKE - No new report.

MARSHALL LAKE - No report.

OAK CREEK - The last stocking was in late December. No new stockings until March. Fishing was reportedly good for rainbows and fair for browns.

LONG LAKE - Lake is 70-percent full. Some 9-inch rainbow trout were stocked last spring. These fish should be 12-plus 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. No new stockings until March.

WEST CLEAR CREEK - No report.

STONEMAN LAKE - NO FISH.

BLUE RIDGE - No report.

KNOLL LAKE - Angler Bob Lashua reported catching some rainbow trout on worms, mealworms and corn while ice fishing last Saturday. He said the ice on Saturday was barely safe enough in the coves to get on about 3-4 inches of cover, and the rest was unsafe. Anglers are advised to expect unsafe ice conditions. MINGUS LAKE - Gate locked to vehicle traffic. Walk-in traffic is still permitted. No new stockings until March.

DEAD HORSE STATE PARK - No new reports. Stocking is scheduled for this week. About 4,550 catchable-size rainbows are stocked into the middle and lower lagoons each. There may be some holdover channel catfish in the middle lagoon that were stocked in September for the Verde River Days events The first (uppermost) lagoon does not have fish. No new reports on catching; however, morning and evening hours usually produce well using a variety of Power Bait colors. Try cloudy days, too.

LYNX LAKE - No new reports. Fishing reports indicate the bite has been slow. The next trout stockings are scheduled for the week of Jan. 30. There may be some holdover catfish and largemouth bass that were stocked at Lynx in August. 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.

FAIN LAKE - Fishing has been good on Panther Martins and Super Dupers. Some fish from the last stocking (Jan. 9) are still being caught. Scheduled to be stocked again next week. Channel catfish were last stocked in late August.

VERDE RIVER - Trout will be stocked this week at all five sites. No new reports. 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 - No new reports. Next stocking is scheduled for the week of Feb. 13. Reports from Goldwater have pointed to slow catching. However, we spoke with two anglers who reported seeing another angler leave with five trout. Goldwater was last stocked on Nov. 7. If you fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail [email protected] so we can share your successes with others.

Mogollon Rim Note: The Mogollon Rim and White Mountains areas have been experiencing both mild and cold weather conditions. Forest roads are open to the rim lakes. Forest roads to higher elevation White Mountain lakes are still open, but expect some snow on the roads. Partial ice cover on lakes can change dramatically from day to day. All ice should be considered unsafe. Several lakes, especially at higher elevations, may be inaccessible to boat launching due to ice coverage near boat ramps. Streams at higher elevations are ice covered.

CHEVELON CANYON LAKE - The lake may have ice coverage due to cold nights, so check ice conditions before fishing. The lake was ice-free this past weekend. Expect unsafe ice now. 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. The road to the lake is open.

BEAR CANYON LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). This is a hike-in lake. Lightweight float tubes or small boats are recommended. Bear Canyon is open to electric motors only. The road to the lake is open. BLACK CANYON LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered but reports indicate it is fishable. Expect unsafe ice. Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z- rays and spinners) and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). Black Canyon is open to electric motors only. The road to the lake is open.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered but reports indicate it is fishable. Expect unsafe ice. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners) and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). Willow Springs Lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10-hp gas motors. The road to the lake is open.

WOODS CANYON LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). Woods Canyon Lake is open to electric motors only. The road to the lake is open.

White Mountains BECKER LAKE - The lake may be partially ice covered, blocking the boat ramp area. However, conditions may change from day to day. Fishing is fair. 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 wooly 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 lake is ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (jigs or small spoons, Z-rays, and spinners), and flies (wooly worms and wooly buggers, peacock ladies, KP buggers, and brown Montana stone nymphs. Fishing is fair to good for rainbow trout (the bay by the store). The store is closed. The boat ramp areas are inaccessible due to ice on the lake, but may change from day to day. The roads to the lake are open.

CARNERO LAKE - The lake is ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout bag limit.

CONCHO LAKE - The lake is ice-free. The lake level is down about 5 feet. The boat ramp is usable for small boats and float tubes. Fishing is poor. Try using worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, KastMaster spoons, and spinners), and flies (peacock ladies, brown or black wooly worms and wooly 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. Concho Lake is open to 10-hp gas motors.

CRESCENT LAKE - The lake is ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). Crescent is open to 10-hp gas motors. The boat ramps are inaccessible due to ice on the lake. The roads to the lake are open.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered. Both boat ramps are accessible. Fishing is fair. A few largemouth bass and walleye are being caught by anglers. 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 it's free of charge until that parking area fills. Fool Hollow Lake is open to 10-hp gas motors.

GREER LAKES - Bunch Reservoir is partially ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. The lake is about 3 feet low. Tunnel Reservoir is ice covered and about 12 feet low. The road to River Reservoir is closed and all access around the lake is closed by U.S. Forest Service order. The parking lots and restrooms are being improved. Repairs to the dam at River Reservoir were completed in December and the lake is ready to catch spring runoff. River Reservoir will be stocked this spring.

HULSEY LAKE - This small lake on the side of Escudilla Mountain is ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. The road to the lake is open.

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR - The lake is ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. The boat ramp is inaccessible due to ice on the lake. The lake is 6 feet low. Lee Valley Reservoir is open to lures and flies only, with a two-trout limit, minimum size 12 inches. The road to the lake is open.

LUNA LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered. Expect unsafe ice. The boat ramp area may be ice covered, but will change from day to day. Fishing has been fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). Bait and tackle can be purchased at the store near the dam, and boat rentals are available.

LYMAN LAKE - The lake is ice-free. The lake level is down about 20 feet. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, prepared catfish baits, and lures (Z-rays, Rapalas and crankbaits). Try fishing for bass, walleyes and sunfish along rocky or weedy areas of the lake. 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 Department regional office in Pinetop for more information. Boat ramps are accessible and there are no boat motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.

NELSON RESERVOIR - The lake is generally ice covered in the morning. Open water may occur during the afternoon. Expect unsafe ice. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). The bag limit at Nelson Reservoir is unlimited for rainbow trout and brown trout from Sept. 1 through March 31. The boat ramp area may be ice covered, but will change from day to day. Nelson Reservoir is open to 10- hp gas motors.

RAINBOW LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays, spinners and Rapalas), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). Shore fishing for the public is restricted to the dam and the 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 - The lake is partially ice covered, full, and spilling. Fishing is fair to good for trout. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). Try fishing near structure such as rocks, tree stumps, and weed beds. Scott's Reservoir also has largemouth bass, bluegills, green sunfish, and channel catfish. Scott's is open to electric motors only.

SHOW LOW LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered. Fishing is fair. For rainbow trout, try worms, Power Bait (green, yellow or orange), salmon eggs, lures and flies. For walleyes, largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappies, and sunfish, try casting or trolling Rapalas, crankbaits, and chartreuse or brown Mister Twister jigs around rocky shorelines. Show Low Lake is open to 10-hp gas motors. Campgrounds are available at the lake. The store is closed during winter.

WOODLAND LAKE - The lake is partially ice covered, full, and spilling. Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (black or brown wooly worms and wooly buggers, and peacock ladies). A city park with picnicking facilities, restrooms, and a paved trail around the lake makes 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 - The lake may be ice covered, so check ice conditions before fishing. Expect unsafe ice. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures and flies. Both boat ramps are difficult to launch a boat.

SILVER CREEK - Trout fishing is fair to good. 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 wooly 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 - Ice covered.

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER - Ice covered.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER - GREER - Ice covered.

SHEEPS CROSSING - WEST FORK LITTLE COLORADO RIVER - Ice covered.

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 size 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.

RIGGS FLAT - Closed for the winter. Call (928) 428-4150. CLUFF RANCH - Was stocked with trout last week. Slow for warmwater species. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE - Was 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 warmwater species) has been fairly good considering that it is winter. The warmer temperatures much of this winter have promoted good bass fishing. The lack of rain has impacted the level of the lake: 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-pound-plus 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 trout stocking for Pena Blanca Lake began during the first week of November and continues through the middle of March. So far, there have been four stockings. Each stocking is approximately 2,000 fish. The department will not advertise the exact date of the stocking, but will advise the public of the week the stocking is planned (check the Department's website, azgfd.gov, for stocking schedules). 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 been fair with the warmer temperatures for much of this winter. Due to the lack of rain, water levels remain low. Please use caution when launching boats. 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 warmwater fish is in effect. Bass less than 13 inches long must be immediately released. The daily bag limit for bass is 4. The daily bag limit for trout is 6. 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 - Was stocked with trout last week. Trout fishing has been fair to good with recent winter stockings. Most are being caught in the marina area using mainly worms, but also power bait. Bass fishing has dropped off with the colder temperatures, but there are still some being caught by avid bass anglers. Chartreuse Rapalas have been fairly productive. 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. Was stocked with trout last 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 are making fishing from shoreline difficult. Chip seal work was completed from mileposts 3-7 on Highway 83 by ADOT, so road conditions are good. PICACHO RESERVOIR - No report.

ROSE CANYON LAKE - Rose Canyon Lake and campground are closed to vehicle traffic, but the lake is still open to fishing for those who wish to hike in from 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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