Fishing Report Related Information - Lake Levels July 3, 2008 - Stocking Schedule - Where to Fish - Urban Fishing Been fishing at Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, or Apache Lake?? If so, we need to hear from you by clicking on the link below: Survey of Anglers at Canyon, Saguaro, and Apache Lake Been Fishing? Tell us about it. Your comments may be added to the weekly fishing report. Report editor: Rory Aikens, (623) 236-7214 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 - Don Mitchell, (520) 388-4451 Mesa Region - Diana Rogers, (480) 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 Here are some hot trout fishing tips for a trout-fishing getaway to the cool pines during the Fourth of July weekend. Fishing from boats, float tubes, canoes or kayaks provide anglers with a great way to catch fish yet avoiding some of the possible shoreline congestion as folks flock to the refreshing mountain lakes. There are boat rentals at Woods Canyon, Big Lake, Luna Lake, Reservation Lake and Hawley Lake. Those looking for adventure should check out the Beaver Creek report below (Flagstaff area). Great pictures to go along with an angler adventure report. One out-of-the-way fishing hole to consider is Knoll Lake along the Mogollon Rim. Knoll is a bit of an adventure to get there along the dusty FS 300 Rim Road, but there is plenty of shoreline access. Those willing to walk a little can find some nice quiet fishing spots at this picturesque lake in the tall pines. Keep on the lookout for osprey – there is a nesting pair there. Bear Canyon Lake along the Rim is another option. This is a hike-in lake with steep switchbacks to navigate by foot. Bear Canyon is perfect for float tubers or those willing to stretch their legs a little. Don’t expect stores, campgrounds or other such facilities -- this lake has none, it’s a pure fishing lake. For those athletic anglers looking for lots of exercise, good fishing, and no crowds, try Chevelon Lake. This steep-sided canyon lake is NOT shore-angler friendly, so float tubes, canoes or kayaks are almost a must. The hike-in is knee-challenging on the way down and the long hike back up the steep trail will literally take your breath away – but so might the fishing and the scenery. For aging anglers who are out of shape, avoid this lake, it’s a cardiac stress special. Long Lake on Anderson Mesa east of Flagstaff might be a little visually challenged in the pinyon-juniper country, nor does it have great camping facilities, but it does have good fishing. Most people assiduously avoid the long, bumpy dirt road into this lake; that in itself makes it attractive to me. Another way to escape the crowds is to hike a ways to fish. For instance, Willow Springs Lake on the Mogollon Rim attracts lots of anglers, and with good reason. At 250 surface acres, it is one of the largest of the Rim Lakes (vies with Chevelon for top acreage). However, there is a neat trail all around the lake. Hey, just stick some lures on your old fishing hat, grab a sandwich and some water bottles, and try a day-long hike-and-fish adventure around this wonderful lake. You’ll feel like Daniel Boone with a fishing pole. Or head to one of the streams and simply hike past the most popular spots. Both the East Fork and West Fork of Black River are stocked with Apache trout. Both forks offer some hiking-and-fishing opportunities for those willing to expend some boot leather to catch fish, solitude and maybe even so excitement – I once had a black bear steal my stringer of fish. Although the Greer Valley and Little Colorado River are always popular, few hike up the LCR to explore shady pools where trout hide in the shadows. If you walk a mile or two up the Little Colorado River toward Mt. Baldy, you will enter a whole new world where majestic elk and wild turkey abound. Who knows, you might even hear a Mexican gray wolf howl or spy a reclusive blue grouse. For those with kids, have the youngsters catch their own bait – grasshoppers and other insects abound. You might even try digging for night crawlers and grubs. Catching or collecting your own bait is part of the fun for kids, or those who want to feel young again. The last tip is to take along a small bucket or other large container for crayfish. Even when the trout fishing slows down, you can catch lots and lots of crayfish at most of the trout waters. In a way, that is a sad commentary since crayfish are not native to Arizona, but on the other hand, they make excellent table fare, especially as a side dish to freshly caught trout. By the way, to prepare crayfish, first bring the water to a rolling boil, take the pot off the fire, then add the crayfish. Once the crayfish turn bright red, they are done. Add some packaged crab boil if you like. It’s easy to overcook crayfish, and then they have the consistency of rubber. Off- heat cooking offers a simple yet effective way to avoid such a culinary travesty. For tips on catching lots of fish in warmater lakes, look at the Canyon Lake report below -- from a special angling correspondent. Go catch some memories (even mud-bug ones) this weekend. Maybe I’ll see you out there. Almost Fishing News The furry gators of the Parker Strip The following report comes from Wildlife Officer Dee Pfleger who works the Parker Strip area of the Colorado River. I spoke with some folks last week who supposedly saw and photographed an 8-foot alligator on the Parker Strip. This is the latest of several reports that I have received since March, including a false rumor that Game and Fish had actually caught and removed the gator. I have yet to see a picture of said gator. Following this latest report I went out and spent some time in the vicinity of the sighting and spoke with several more eye witnesses. They told me they were standing on shore at about sunset when they saw the animal bubbled up in the lagoon. Only the head/eyes sticking out of the water but based on the silhouette of the body they estimate it to be 5-8 feet long. The lagoon they spoke of averages less than 3 feet deep. After several hours and near sunset I found what I think may have been the suspect, a Boone and Crockett beaver was sitting on the shore just down stream from the area seen the night before gorging itself on mesquite beans. I got as close as I could to take some photos and video until his patience with me ended and then I followed him downstream after he slipped back into the river. I did notice that his nose sticking up out of the water did sort of resemble a very black eye from certain angles. I returned to the eye witnesses who were picking up their things up river and as I explained that I had found a very large beaver feeding just downriver when one of their group reacted suddenly pointing over my shoulder shouting, "What is that then?" As I spun around I observed a second beaver swimming out of the lagoon and also heading downstream. While talking with anglers in the area and telling them about the "gator report," they responded with, "Oh, you mean the beaver?" As you can see, the gator report truly turned into a beaver tale. Salt River Lakes Project report The three Salt River Reservoirs (Saguaro, Canyon, and Apache) got another boost on Monday, June 30. Research biologists Bill Stewart reports that on top of the more than 50,000 one-inch northern strain largemouth bass that were stocked into Saguaro on May 14, an additional 23,000 one- to two-inch Florida strain largemouth bass and nearly 1,000 five-inch smallmouth bass were released into Saguaro this past Monday (6/30/08). About an hour after Saguaro Lake received its share of bass, Canyon Lake also received 23,000 one- to two-inch Florida strain largemouth and 1,300 five-inch smallmouth bass to go on top of the more than 50,000 northern strain largemouth bass that were stocked on May 14. While this was all going on, Apache Lake was stocked with just over 65,000 one- to two- inch northern strain bringing the total spring stocking of fingerling largemouth bass to just over 110,000 at this lake. Central Arizona URBAN LAKES -- The last of eight, every-other-week spring catfish stockings was the week of June 23-28. With lake temperatures climbing rapidly towards 90 degrees and air temperatures well above 100, it becomes impractical to haul live fish into Arizona’s Urban lakes. No fish stockings will be scheduled during July, August and the first half of September. Fall catfish stockings will resume in mid-September after lake and weather conditions improve enough to safely transport and stock catfish once again. Anglers can still fish for catfish, bass and bluegill at Urban waters throughout the summer, but the action is generally slower.