Chilly June nights are keeping the water temperatures down and the good trout bite going in the high mountain lakes and streams, but this will change as summer conditions edge their way into the higher-elevation fisheries. To be less subtle, if you want to experience good trout fishing, go soon, don’t wait.

However, those beautiful 80-degree mornings on the desert lakes with bass busting shad all around are also pretty tough to beat. Grab your topwater gear – it’s that time again. Try the larger coves at first light, and then gradually start working the points, islands and reefs in the main lake. If you have bass actively chasing shad, once the surface bite subsides, try casting a spoon or other flutter-down bait; you might just nail one of the lunker bass slurping up dying shad on the lake bottom.

This is also the time of year when a lipless crankbait can work for schools of bass in more open water. Once you have exhausted the topwater or worm bite on a point, island or reef, try fan-casting a crankbait to the open water. Schools of largemouth bass will often cruise just off those major structures while they wait for huge schools of enter their ambush zone. Once you cast, let the lipless crankbait sink (experiment, but I like starting with a count of five). I also like to burn them back with occasional bite-triggering stops. You might just graduate and earn a deep-water bass degree. At times, I have followed huge schools of bass more than a quarter mile from a major point, alternating with topwater, crankbaits and spoons, especially at Lake Pleasant.

For the central warmwater lakes, Roosevelt is tops (the absolute best bassin’ in Arizona), next comes Alamo, then it’s a toss-up between Bartlett and Pleasant, with Pleasant getting the edge because of the white and striped bass bite.

I was just talking with an outdoor writer in the Kingman area, Don Martin, who said night fishing for striped bass at Lake Mead is a sure-fired bet right now using anchovies (be sure to chum) in any cove with 50 feet of water or so. In a tournament over the weekend, the top team turned in 40 stripers weighing 74 pounds, with many teams catching up to 200 fish in a single night (with lots of culling), although a lot of the fish were “dinks.”  Martin added that for some reason, Mead anglers are also catching lots of big-shouldered 3- and 4-pound largemouth bass this year. Sounds like Mead is tough to beat, but keep reading.

Lake Powell is still on fire and is probably providing some of the best fishing right now in the entire West (see letter to the editor below). Yes, even better than Mead (more variety and it’s daylight action). You don’t need to know the lake to be successful. Nor do you need to be a great angler to catch lots of line-stripping stripers and smallies. Anglers on the East Coast pay big bucks for one-tenth the action (or less) for stripers in the ocean. At Powell, you are encouraged to catch and keep all the stripers you can to help the resource. Don’t forget to buy your Lake Powell stamp .

Enjoy the great action right now – maybe I’ll see you out there.

Central Arizona
URBAN LAKES – Channel catfish were stocked last week at all urban program lakes. The urban lakes also are being stocked with hybrid sunfish this week. An angler reports catching-and-releasing a 5-pound catfish at Desert Breeze using a night crawler on a Carolina rig. Another angler reports catching a 2.14-pound catfish using a crawfish with shad spray at Cortez, adding it took two minutes to catch the fish.

There has been good to excellent fishing for catfish continues, particularly in the first few days following each stocking. The 2-pound catfish are arriving strong and hungry and have been biting best in the evenings. The best baits continue to include worms, stink baits and hotdogs. Fishing for largemouth bass is fair during the post-spawn period. Fishing for bluegill is good at most lakes. Most bluegills are active in the shallows during their spawning activities. Use small worms or mealworms on small hooks and use 6 pound or lighter line.

TEMPE TOWN LAKE - Bass fishing is slow during the day.  Fish can be caught before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. at times. Try crankbaits and plastic worms around the ledges and docks.  Minnows under a slip bobber will work as well.  A good mixed-bag of yellows, catfish and sunfish can also be caught this way.  A good place to try is under the Loop 202 underpass in the northeast side of the lake. Yellow bass and bluegill are plentiful in the 5- to 7-inch range and will bite mealworms or night crawlers. Channel catfish averaging 1 to 2 pounds will bite stink baits, hotdogs and shrimp. Carp fishing is getting better.

LAKE PLEASANT - Water level is at 1,695 feet (92-percent full). Fishing is good for white bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Ben Ramirez caught a 2-pound catfish using shrimp and a ¾-pound bluegill with shrimp while fishing from the shore. Good action for white bass and stripers can be had by the towers down by the dam. Also try for whites and stripers chasing shad in the major coves at first light. Try using a 1-inch white curly-tail grub on a 1/16-ounce jig. Let it jig sink about 20 seconds before retrieving. Bill Larson said he used small soft plastic jerkbaits to catch lots of white bass throughout the morning. Lipless crankbaits can be devastating at times. Small spoons, such as KastMasters, can often work well. Some anglers are doing well for crappies at night in the northern coves using submersible lights; try jigs or live minnows in 12 to18 feet of water around brush. The crappies are averaging about a pound with some going a pound and a half. Largemouth bass fishing is good.  Early morning topwater can be good (and sometimes throughout the day in areas where the breeze is rippling the surface), but generally fish have switched to the summer mode where drop shotting at night can be very productive.  Drop shotting is the technique of choice; tight lines. Power Worms, jigs, Carolina-rigs and Westy Worms are proven producers. Catfish are biting well at night on hotdogs and shrimp.
 
ROOSEVELT LAKE - The Lake is 68-percent full at elevation 2,125 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 90 cfs Monday morning and Tonto Creek was flowing at 1 cfs. This is the hot spot in the state for largemouth bass. Bill Riel had two reports. On June 2, he wrote that he caught 64 largemouth bass, with two overs, mostly in the trees using Rapala crankbaits. “Larger bass seem to be in the thicker trees and shallow water. It’s a bit harder to coax them out, but where they hit, it’s awesome,” Bill said, adding that it is hot, so use 50 spf sun screen and pre-hydrate before going. On May 27, he wrote that he caught 97 bass in a day and a half, including catching two bass at one time, adding, “I thought I had a whale.”

Matt Obertin reports that he tried topwater in the morning and didn’t catch anything, so switched to Yamamoto jigs and Robo Worms and caught 12 bass in a 50-yard stretch by the Grapevine Boat Ramp, with two in the 3- to 4-pound range and the others around 2 pounds.

Bob Lashua said he used worms and minnows fished on the bottom to catch channel catfish, bass and bluegill, adding that, “The morning bite was great, they quit at noon in the heat of the day.”

Grant Amerndariz reports catching 32 largemouth and smallmouth bass, with three overs, fishing shad-colored Rapalas, Senkos, and minnows in the stick-ups, adding, “Tried crappie fishing under lights Friday night and did not get bit.”

Anglers are currently catching large numbers of bass, mostly slots and unders. In fact, largemouth bass anglers are often encountering feisty smallmouth bass as well: look for rocky areas. Topwater action is good when and where shad are boiling. Fishing off points in 10-25 feet of water has been effective as well in areas of stickups and brush. Live shad or minnows are also good baits either with bobbers or free-lined. Crappie fishing has slowed some during the day, but should is good at night under submersible lights. Minnows under slip bobbers and jigs 1/32-ounce cast into the brush will be the trick. Catfishing is picking up for both flatheads and channels. Fishing for smallmouth bass can be good; especially on windy days. Try areas where waves are stirring up the rocky shoreline. Use in-line spinners and crayfish imitations especially off rocky points and cliff walls and live night crawlers. Remember the slot is in place for smallmouth as well. Bluegills are spawning: this is a great time to take the kids out. Try the backs of coves, especially around structure. Nice bluegills have been caught recently around Windy Hill and Salome. 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. Fishing has been good for yellow bass. 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. A recent fish survey showed good numbers of yellows some world class and also good catfish numbers both channel and flatheads. Catfishing is picking up. Carp fishing is good and very good for bow fishermen. Largemouth bass fishing is slow, but can be decent in the upper end of the lake right now. 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 has transitioned to dawn/dusk; it’s fair at best during the day and generally good at night. 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. 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 1,524 feet (95-percent full). Max Schumacher said his fishing party caught seven yellow bass and four rainbow trout; the yellows on minnows and the trout on worms, minnows and water dogs. “We cannot believe we caught a 1.8-pound yellow bass,” he said.

Fishing is slow for largemouth bass. Some are being caught with drop-shot rigs as well as Texas- and Carolina-rigged worms. 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 improving. 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. 
 
BARTLETT – Lake level is at 1,778 feet (72-percent full). Bass fishing is good to great. Again, early and late with night fishing is the most productive right now, but also expect a first- and last-light topwater bite as well. Crawdad imitations and worming rigs (drop shots and Texas-rigs) are producing. Some anglers are picking up crappies in the 2-pound range near the buoy line upriver using Kalin 1/16-ounce black/blue/chartreuse jigs. This is a good time to switch to night fishing for crappies: they are mostly in the post-spawn mode. This is an excellent time to target flathead and channel catfish. Bluegills are on the beds and big flatheads can often be found raiding those nests in the backs of coves or along rocky ledges. 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! This is a good time to take the kids bluegill fishing. Mealworms and a small bobber in the backs of rocky coves can be the ticket.
 
HORSESHOE - Lake is empty.

VERDE RIVER – Fishing is 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. This morning flow was 100 cfs at Tangle Creek station above Horseshoe Lake.  Horseshoe release is at 100 cfs.  Recent survey of the Verde between Childs and Sheep Bridge found a lot of common carp and numerous smallmouth bass averaging about 8 inches.  Very few larger bass, smallies or largemouth were caught.  Thus fishing in the river is still a year away from getting good again.
 
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – Rainbow trout were stocked last week at Blue Point Bridge and Water Users Park for the last time this season as water temperatures are getting to warm for trout. 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. Some bass can be found in the portion above the Verde confluence.

CREEKS- Canyon, Tonto, Christopher, Haigler, and Workman have been stocked with rainbow trout.  Use spinners, night crawlers and corn.  Brown trout can be found bellow the OW Bridge in Canyon creek in the deeper pools.  Remember if you fish this part of the creek artificial baits only.

Colorado River Northwest

LAKE POWELL – By Wayne Gustaveson. Lake elevation: 3,605. Water temp: 68 -75 F. Fishing continues to delight all with catches of lots of fish.  June brings warm weather and rapidly rising water. Normally that causes fish to get lost.  Not this year.  Stripers are still hungry and bass are prowling the flats.  

Striper fishing is hot from the Power Plant Intake to the mouth of Warm Creek all the way into Navajo Canyon. Main channel fishing is more challenging after boat traffic starts mid morning, but even boat wakes are not bad mid week. Get out early and cast bait on leadhead jigs, Carolina-rigs or drop shot rigs, or just put a chunk of bait on a hook without weight and let it sink slowly.  A handful of chum cast around the boat will usually draw fish within a few minutes.  If none come, just move to the next outcropping or point and try again.  

Is it really that easy?  Yes, striper fishing in the southern lake is easy - if you avoid a few common errors. Do not use oversized anchovy hooks.  Do not use braided or highly visible line unless tipped with fluorocarbon leader.  Do not move the bait too fast – slower is better.  Do not use excess swivels, snelled hooks, one-ounce weights with beaded chains, wire leaders and other unnecessary highly visible terminal tackle. Keep it simple.  

If all around you are catching fish but none seem to bite your line, use lighter monofilament line and just a single hook. Attach half an anchovy and toss it close to the cliff wall. Let it slowly settle while pulling line off the reel. Make sure the line stays slack so the bait progress is not impeded. When the lines begins to peel rapidly off the reel, close the bail and set the hook. Fishing will be easy for you after this experience.

From Bullfrog upstream the big runoff is peaking and making the water muddy. Bait fishing is getting better around Bullfrog and all points south. The Escalante and mouth of San Juan at Jacks Arch are hot for stripers. Expect good bait fishing to last through June.

Walleye and crappie peaks are over. There will still be a bonus fish caught occasionally but it is past prime time for these species. Fishing for bluegill and catfish is getting better as the other species fade out. 

Smallmouth bass are easy to catch but their location may be a surprise. Bass are consistently found in 15 feet of water. The favored habitat is a long flat on the edge of deep water. Find a terraced shoreline and follow the stair steps down to 15 feet.  Then slowly drag a drop shot or Carolina-hooked plastic grub or tube along the bottom at that depth. Bass like the swimming motion.  Hopping the lure off the bottom still works but the slow swimming technique is better. Swimming grubs work lake wide.  Sand flat habitat with a few rocks is the target.  Shallow rocky shoreline is favored by small bass but the bigger fish are hunting on flats.

LEES FERRY — Report courtesy of Lees Ferry Anglers.  The days are getting hot. The fishing has been on-and-off; try a variety of methods. The trout at the surface will typically be found in slack water. Otherwise, use either a nymph rig in the tail-outs and seams of the main riffles. A dry dropper rig is always a good method to help determine where the fish are holding. Cary large dries and small midge adult patters for the topwater action, and an assortment of zebras. No reports from spin anglers; there are still clumps of algae throughout the mainstream, which means it isn’t too favorable for working lures and jigs.

LAKE MEAD – This is still a hot spot.  Anglers were finding and catching stripers all over the upper lake from Temple Bar to Sandy Point. Trolling during the day was also putting stripers in the boat using deep diving crankbaits or anchovies. Night fishing under lights was yielding limits using anchovies and squid.  During a night tournament over the weekend, many teams were experiencing 100- to 200-fish nights using anchovies (be sure to chum), with lots of dinks being culled. Try fishing in a spot were you see large numbers of fish on your fish finder. If you don’t have one, note the places were you catch fish while trolling, then when it gets dark, drop your lights there.  Points tend to do well.  Some are in shallow; others are in 30-plus feet.  Largemouth bass are also being caught using drop-shot rigs and Power Worms. There are some decent-sized largemouth being caught this year. Catfish are being caught in good numbers on anchovies, dip-baits, and squid. Hand-sized bluegills are being caught off mealworms.  Bottom line is you almost can’t go wrong at Mead right now unless you don’t go!  So get out and give it a try. Water levels are at 1,133 feet and should stay fairly stable throughout the week. According to Park Service officials, the courtesy dock will be pulled out at South Cove when water levels hit 1,132 or when safety concerns merit. The rafters or commercial dock should be available for use after that. 

LAKE MOHAVE – Striper fishing has been fair. Larry Drum, Wayne Tollison, Larry Tollison and Kelly Rickards wrote that while they do not want to give out their secret spot, they fished anchovies all night and caught two catfish weighing 4.5 and 3.2 pounds, and seven stripers with the biggest weighing 5.4 pounds, adding, “Had a blast.”

Try dropping anchor in 30-plus feet at night with crappie lights.  If you don’t get fish in 1.5 hrs, move to a different spot. Anglers fishing near the Davis dam from shore have reported some success.  Anchovies continue to be the most popular bait for stripers, but if you want to try something different, use shrimp or squid. Spring fishing is here. Nevada Telephone Cove and the power lines have been good for stripers and largemouth bass. Also, there is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier just south of the main launch ramp at Katherine’s Landing.

WILLOW BEACH – Fishing for rainbow trout after the weekly stocking was good. A few anglers caught their limit using a Jakes lure (gold with red dots). Panther Martins and Super Dupers were also being used.  Orange, salmon-peach, and rainbow Power Bait were also working well.  A few striped bass in the 2-3 pound range were caught from shore on cut anchovies. Take along your binoculars: this is the leading edge of the desert bighorn sheep rut. Bighorns can often be seen along the shoreline (sometimes even near the launch ramp).

TOPOCK MARSH – No new reports. Catfish are biting at night; the largest we’ve heard of in the last week was 12 pounds. Chicken livers or anchovies are easy to find and both work well as bait for catfish.  They can be used alone or in combination with various forms of stink bait.  You can access the marsh by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. All three also provide plenty of area for shoreline fishing too. For more information on the marsh, contact the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge at (760) 326-3853 or go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/havasu/index.html.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM – James Lynch said he caught a nice 18-inch trout, and 6-year-old Cooper Lynch caught three nice 15- to 18-inch trout with no help. Most anglers are having limited success for stripers using anchovies everywhere.  Some anglers are limiting just south of Rotary Park.  Remember the limit of stripers on the Colorado River is 10. The cooler temperatures and lower river flow in the mornings and evenings are still a good time to get out and fish for stripers along the shore. Also, the striper fishing has really been picking up in the Topock area. The water level has been higher during the day, making it easier to get a boat on the water. 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.
 
SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA

HAVASU — Summer is here!  Well, almost. There may still be a few bluegill and redear sunfish spawning along the shoreline, but for the most part spawning is over.  With the higher temperatures topwater will be best early in the morning and late in the evening.  Once the topwater bite is over, switch to spinnerbait, crankbaits, and any of a variety of soft baits.  Also keep in mind that largemouth bass like to forage in weeds and structure areas and smallmouth bass like to forage along the rockier areas; look for plastics or crayfish colored cranks to get a reaction. Catfish fishing has also picked up. Try worms or chicken livers just off the bottom. Wait a few more weeks for the flathead catfish bite to start.

PARKER STRIP — Everything should be good. The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing have improved. Work the edges and structure for both. You can also pick up some real nice redear and bluegill in these areas. Catfish are biting now on chicken livers and night crawlers.  Flathead catfish haven’t started yet but it’s not far off.   

MARTINEZ LAKE/COLORADO RIVER — The only change from last week is that the early morning topwater bite has started.  Everything should be good. Stripers are hitting in the lake as well as in the main river channel, at the mouth entrance and on trailing edges of sandbars in the river with chicken liver, worms. Largemouth bass fishing is also on with almost anything you want to toss at them. Skirted spinnerbaits and plastics have been working for some anglers.  Flathead fishing is just around the corner.

There hasn’t been any change from last week. Everything should be good. On the Colorado River by Yuma, the bass fishery is coming back. Anglers slowly working plastics were very successful catching 1 ½- to 2-pound bass with several 4 and 5 pounders also being taken.

MITTRY LAKE — Bass fishing has been good. There is an early morning topwater bite followed by flipping into the bulrushes. Several 3, 4, and 5 pounders were taken last weekend Shore anglers continue using worms and chicken liver to catch channel cats.
 
YUMA AREA RIVERS/CANALS — There hasn’t been any change from last week.  Everything should be good. Gila Main canal is producing stripers north of Highway 95 crossing. The section near Mittry lake is producing smallmouth bass and large redear sunfish.  The stripers and channel catfish are hitting on chicken liver.

Along the Gila River just about any deep hole you can find will hold monster bass, as well as any warmwater fish. It’s great place to fish right now.

FORTUNA POND — Everything should be good.  Channel catfish are biting chicken liver and stink baits have been slow but should pickup as the weather heats up.  Bass and other sunfish fishing has also been good.  Over the past week several bass over 4 pounds have been reported.

REDONDO POND — Tube anglers should definitely try their luck here for bass and large bluegill.

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 — 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. 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 – Well folks, have you ever dreamed of having one of the states best bass fishing lakes completely to your self?  If that's the case, then come here during the middle of the week.  Besides a few other die-hards, it's you, grebes, pelicans, buzzards, and a few burrows.  Oh yeah, and bugs, lots of bugs. From zero-dark-thirty ‘till daybreak, it's hard to go wrong throwing topwater. Although anglers are reporting Pop Rs and Zara Spooks are working well, I prefer a chartreuse colored buzzbait. I work it very slowly along the outer sides of brushy points and usually boat five to six fish in a morning. By daybreak, I break out the big guns and start throwing plastics. I've heard some good reports of anglers using Senkos and catching some nice size bass. I prefer to Texas rig a 4-inch lizard or throw a small grub. By mid-morning I start working the bluffs in 15 to 25 feet of water. On an average day, one can boat 20 to 30 fish before noon. From noon till around 4, everything slows down for the most part. The best time to fish is in the late afternoons. Once you figure out color and a pattern, it's no problem to catch 25 bass in a couple of hours. By dark, I'm heading in and the crappie fishermen are heading out.  Armed with minnows and crappie lights, they go up by the dam and jig for crappie. Anglers reported the best crappie fishing is between dark and midnight. For some real action, try using an ultralight spinning rod with some 6- to 8-pound test line. Put a couple of split shots about a foot above the hook.  Using a minnow or small jig, lift the line up a couple of feet and let it fall.  Once you feel a light tick, set the hook with a flick of the wrist (don’t rip their lips off).  Pay attention to how deep the fish are because they will stay schooled there.  Once you figure it out, it's no problem catching 40 to 60 crappies a night. Catfishing is fair. Catfish are being caught all over the lake.  Shrimp works really well on this lake.  Shore fishing is okay. Anglers are reporting catching some nice size catfish off the Cholla Ramp area. The ranger station stays open till 9 p.m. Thursday through Sundays now. No news on the store. The lake elevation is at 1,124 with releases of 50 cfs. Both boat ramps are open and work just fine. It's starting to get hot out here, so remember sun block and bring lots of fluids. We do not rent boats at this time. 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 Mountains

Note:    As temperatures warm, trout will be less active in the middle of the day. Fish early or late for trout.  Expect catfishing to begin picking up at Kinnikinick Lake as the temperatures warm.  Catfish were stocked in Kaibab, Santa Fe and Francis Short Pond last week.

WILLIAMS LAKES:  
KAIBAB LAKE — Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait. Large numbers of large crayfish were seen when we were stocking catfish last week. Stocked with catfish last week.

CATARACT LAKE — Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait. 

CITY RESERVOIR — Closed

DOGTOWN LAKE — Fishing good using worms and Power Bait. 

JD DAM — Lake level has come up. Some nice fish are being caught.

SANTA FE — Lake is full. Fishing good using worms and Power Bait.  Stocked with catfish last week.

WHITEHORSE LAKE — Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY — Fishing is good. Try fishing early in the morning or late in the evening for trout. Trout are being caught on yellow Power Bait. Fly fishermen are catch large trout out of flat tubes early in the morning on bead headed nymphs.  Pike fishing is good. Please catch and keep all the pike you can. Some anglers are catching pike and just leaving them along the shoreline.  Please take the pike with you from the lake. Small spoons fished slow and deep continue to catch trout (if you fish the spoons faster and off the bottom you catch pike). Small spinners also work well for the pike.

UPPER LAKE MARY — Thomas R. Snyder wrote that he caught two dozen northerns in three hours casting and trolling gold chase baits, with all the pike between 18 and 39 inches long, adding that the most productive area was along the southern shore from the dam to the narrows. Fair for pike, channel catfish and black crappie.  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 — Bob Greb said two men, two limits, all real nice (one was 16 inches long), all by 9 a.m., adding that it was windy and they had to save three young men from a capsized canoe. “It could have been a bad weekend for them. They were a long way from the shore and at least one looked like hypothermia was setting in. Glad to be in the right place at the right time,” he said.  Editor’s note: Great going Bob. This shows why everyone should follow the law and have the proper personal flotation devices in their boat at all times, even on the small lakes, or considering the cold water, especially on the small trout lakes.

Dave Hartman wrote that his fishing party caught 30 rainbows trolling with brown and olive colored Pistol Petes.

Fishing has been good on worms and Power Bait. There have been some huge fish caught here the past month or so, including a 23-pound pike, a 29-pound pike, and an 8.4-pound albino rainbow trout.

FRANCIS SHORT POND – Trout were caught over the weekend.  Stocked with catfish last week.

KINNIKINICK LAKE — Wes De Cou wrote that he caught limits on May 1 and May 3 using crawlers under a bobber, with the best action from first light to 11 a.m., adding, “Great fish fries both nights.”

According to the campground host trout fishing was good over the weekend.  He also reported four large trout (25-30 inches) being caught.  Fishing for crayfish was also good.  Road is open. This is the leading edge of the good catfish fishing.

MARSHALL LAKE — Fishing was good this weekend. Best with float tubes or canoes.

OAK CREEK — Good for rainbows and fair for browns. Fly anglers were doing well on nymph patterns. Stocked last week.
 
LONG LAKE — Lake is 40-percent full. Anglers are catching trout up to 12 inches on Power Bait and lures. Some smaller 7-inch trout were stocked last month. Long Lake was good this weekend with trout being caught on worms fished a couple of feet below a bobber or Power Bait on the bottom. 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 — Has been stocked. Jim Zint reports that he had an awesome day on Wet Beaver Creek, catching nine smallies and two rainbows using Crickhoppers, Wee Crayfish, and 2-inch pumpkinseed tubes, adding, “Game and Fish was out checking licenses. Good to see that.”

WEST CLEAR CREEK — Has been stocked.

STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.

BLUE RIDGE — Bryan Sundblom experienced good fishing here last weekend, adding, “We caught our trout limit each day and also caught and ate some decent-sized crayfish. “
 Jake Stearly writes that he got skunked using corn, Power Bait, salmon eggs and crawdads fishing on the bottom for four hours. This deep-canyon lake is best fished from a boat. Fishing should be good. Stocked last week.

KNOLL LAKE — One angler says a group of five buddies caught 30 rainbows in two days from shore and from boat. Fishing should be good.  Stocked last week.

MINGUS LAKE –Mingus was stocked the week before last.   Next stocking is the week of June 12.  Unconfirmed reports suggest fishing has been good.  The Forest Service gate is now open.  Try bright-colored Power Bait, salmon eggs, or various spinners. If you fish Mingus and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others. 

DEAD HORSE STATE PARK – No new reports. Catfish were stocked May 15.  Try anchovies or chicken livers.  There were 4,500 bluegill stocked into the lower lagoon during February, including a few fish over a pound.  The lower lagoon should be a good spot for bluegill. Bass and catfish should be biting. One angler reported catching a “surprise” 4-pound bass recently.

VERDE RIVER — (throughout Verde Valley) – No new reports. Trout were last stocked March 13. That was the last trout stocking for the season. Stocking sites were 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.  The department stocks trout in these waters from November through March, when the water temperature can support a trout fishery.

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

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

At Bignotti Beach (between Cottonwood and Camp Verde, near Thousand Trails RV Park), anglers are tossing in-line spinners, small spoons, or fly-fishing with dark, gold-bead nymphs. Fly-fishermen are floating a variety of dry flies early and late in the day.

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

LYNX LAKE — An angler named Jason wrote that he caught a 6- to 7-pound largemouth bass on May 24 using a rattling suspending lure with a slow retrieve under the duck and it was filled with eggs, adding, “Observers said it was the biggest bass they have seen in the lake and did not think they were that big at Lynx.” Saturday June 3, there were 3,600 trout stocked for a fishing event; 350 of those fish were incentive fish that averaged 1-pound each.  Nearly all of the kids involved in the event caught at least one fish.  For many of the kids, this was their first time fishing. The fishing should be good following that stocking.  Success was on wooly bugger flies and Power Bait.  Lynx was last stocked with 4,500 bluegills Feb.16.  A few large bluegills over a pound were included in the stocking. Catfish and largemouth bass were stocked at Lynx on Aug. 25 last year. 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 — Next trout stocking is the week of June 12. Fishing has been good following stockings.  Try using spinners in the morning and switching to Power Bait as it warms up.

GOLDWATER LAKE—Next stocking is this week, June 5. Fishing has been slow, but should pick up following the stocking.  Anglers reported catching two fish in five hours.  During our surveys last month, we saw trout on the far side of the lake.  If you are willing to hike you might do well.  Both a 7.3-pound bass and a 9.8-pound catfish were sampled and released back into Goldwater.  All of the bass sampled looked very healthy.  If you fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others. 

MOGOLLON RIM
CHEVELON CANYON LAKE — Fishing is fair to good. Try lures such as spinners, Z-rays, and Rapalas. Try flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and brown or black semi-seal leeches. This is a hike-in fishery. There are two steep trails to the lake so a small boat or float tube is recommended. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. Chevelon Canyon Lake is open to artificial lures and flies only. Trout between 10-14 inches may not be kept. 

BEAR CANYON LAKE — Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, zug bugs, and prince nymphs). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.  

BLACK CANYON LAKE —  John Easter caught four rainbows using gold prism Super Dupers off the points in the late afternoon, adding, “Fish seem to be moving n schools up and down the channel. All fish were caught mid lake. Some fish had egg sacks.” The boat ramp is low and float tubes or small car-topper boats are recommended.  Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (small spinners and Z-rays), flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.  

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. The lake will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout this week.  Fishing is fair to good. Try trolling small lures or flies with worms behind cow bells. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, peacock ladies, brown or black semi-seal leeches, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.  

WOODS CANYON LAKE — Seth Mason caught five trout on “anything reflective,” such as Super Dupers, adding that the bite died about 10 a.m. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout this week. Fishing is fair to good. Trolling flies or spinners with worms behind cow bells is an effective technique for catching trout. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, and prince nymphs). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The store is open and boat rentals are available.

NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA (White Mountains)

BECKER LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible.  From May 25 through Sept. 30, bait may be used.  Fishing is good in the early morning and late afternoon. Try lures such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, and spinners (Panther Martin, Mepps, and Rooster Tails), and flies such as peacock ladies, black or brown wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, brown Montana stone nymphs, zug bugs, prince nymphs and damsel fly and dragon fly nymph patterns. Bait fishers may want to try Power Bait and worms. Fly fishers have been catching 9- to16-inch rainbow trout. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

BIG LAKE — This is a trout fishing hot spot. Kevin Romney said his party caught 30 trout in two days drifting in a boat dragging the bottom “A friend of ours caught a monster 6.5-pound brown. Fishing was a little slower than times in the past. Excellent weather though.”

Another angler caught two trout in two hours using a small cow bell with a worm in the morning, then fished from South Cove on the shore for six hours and caught 10 trout using orange and yellow Power Bait, adding, “Many families limited out that day from points off South Cove.”

The boat ramps are accessible. Big Lake was stocked with 100,000 fingerling trout in late May. This is not a put-and-take trout fishing lake. Trout are stocked here as fingerlings and allowed to grow up. Therefore, the fish you catch act like wild-reared trout. Fishing is good. Try worms and Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and brown or black semi-seal leeches). Most anglers are catching 10-12 inch trout with an occasional big trout over 12 inches. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. The store is open and boat rentals are available.

CARNERO LAKE — The lake has been stocked with catchable size Rainbow trout.  Anglers are catching some larger trout, but the action is a little slow.  Anglers are catching 14- to 15-inch rainbows with a few large rainbows up to 20 inches. Try flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to artificial lure and flies only with barbless hooks only and a two-trout bag and possession limit. There are no boat ramps so small boats or float tubes are recommended. The lake generally gets very weedy during the summer months, so fish open pockets of water.

CONCHO LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is poor. An algae bloom is present on the lake.  Try worms, salmon eggs and Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (brown or black wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

CRESCENT LAKE — The west side and south side ramps are accessible but low, so small boats or float tubes are recommended. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas), flies (peacock ladies, wooly worms or wooly buggers, zug bugs, prince nymphs, halfback nymphs, and brown Montana stone nymphs). The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. The store and boat rentals are closed.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — The boat ramps are accessible. Will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout this week. Fishing is fair for trout and good for bass, sunfish, and crappie.  Try worms, Power Bait, lures, and flies near structure such as rocks, tree stumps, weed beds, and fishing piers. Some anglers are catching nice-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass early in the morning. Fool Hollow has trout, walleye, channel catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, and black crappie. There are some trophy-sized walleyes, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass in the lake. The Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is managed by Arizona State Parks and excellent camping facilities are available. Anglers wishing to fish the lake for free (only for the day) must use the west side boat ramp and parking area. A fee is charged for use of the other facilities, including the east side boat ramp. To create new fish habitat, juniper trees (12) were placed in clusters in deep water in the southern part of the lake. The trees are marked by fish habitat buoys. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.
 
GREER LAKES — All reservoirs are low. All the reservoir’s boat ramps are low.  Small boats, canoes, and float tubes are recommended.  All the Greer reservoirs have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout.  Fishing is good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-rays and spinners and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, KP buggers, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. Bunch and Tunnel Reservoirs are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to 10 hp gas motors.

HULSEY LAKE — Fishing is fair to good. Fish near the surface with bait or small spinners. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners and Z-rays, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and hares ear nymphs. Hulsey Lake is a short hike-in fishery. 

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — The lake and boat ramp is low.  Fishing is fair for native Apache trout. Try small lures such as spinners and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, halfback nymph, pheasant tail nymph, zug bugs, prince nymph, and hares ear nymphs. The lake is open to artificial lures and flies only, trout minimum size 12 inches, and a two-trout bag and possession limit. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The lake also has been stocked with small Arctic grayling (3-6 inches).

LUNA LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible.  Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-rays and spinners, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. Trolling lures and flies has been productive. There is a store with boat rentals available at the lake. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. 

LYMAN LAKE — Boat ramps are accessible. Fishing is fair. Try fishing for bass, walleyes, and sunfish along rocky areas or weedy areas of the lake. Try worms, Power Bait, catfish prepared baits, and lures (Z-rays, spinners, jigs, and Rapalas). Anglers are catching channel catfish on worms and prepared baits. The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also some new cabins for rent. There is a fish-consumption advisory here. Consult the fishing regulations or contact the Arizona Game and Fish Regional office in Pinetop for more information. There are no boat motor restrictions on Lyman Lake. 

NELSON RESERVOIR — The main boat ramp at the dam is the best ramp to use. Fishing is good. There are some carryover rainbow trout that remain in the lake that are in the 1-2 pound range and the lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and peacock ladies).  The lake is open to 10 hp motors.
                
RAINBOW LAKE — The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good from a boat, fair from shore.  Anglers trolling spinners are catching nice rainbow trout. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas) and flies, such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, and peacock ladies. Anglers have been catching northern pike and largemouth bass on lures such as Rapalas, spoons, and spinner baits. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. 

 SCOTT'S RESERVOIR — The lake is full. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, KP buggers, and brown Montana stone nymphs). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.  

SHOW LOW LAKE — The lake is down only about 3.5 feet and the boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair. Try worms, salmon eggs, and Power Bait for trout. Boat anglers should try trolling lures such as Z-rays, spinners (Rooster Tails, Mepps, or Panther Martins), jigs (chartreuse and brown), and Rapalas near rocky shorelines for walleye and bass. Fly fishers should try wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, brown, black, or purple semi-seal leeches. The lake is open to 10 hp motors.  There is a store with boat rentals.  

WOODLAND LAKE — The lake is full. The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is fair to good for trout. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout.  Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait. Try lures such as spinners and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Woodland Lake has restrooms, picnic tables, verandas, children’s playgrounds, tennis courts, softball fields, and hiking trails.
 
CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair to good.  Anglers are catching bluegills on worms. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures, and flies. Both boat ramps are accessible but there is a sand bar near the first boat ramp so use caution. There are no motor restrictions on the lake.   

SILVER CREEK — Fishing is fair to good. Apache trout are being stocked this week. From April 1 through Sept. 30, Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is open to bait fishing. The upper section (big marked fence) is closed. Apache trout are stocked weekly. Use worms, salmon eggs, Power bait, small lures such as Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin spinners. Fish upstream or down stream. 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 the fly slowly upstream, twitching it occasionally. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge imitations, and caddis fly patterns in sizes #16 or #18 or # 20.

STREAMS

EAST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Stream flows are low. Catchable sized Apache trout are being stocked this week and every week as long as water temperatures and forest conditions are good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs.

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Stream flows are low. Fishing is good for Apache trout. The West Fork campground area has been stocked with catchable Apache trout and will be stocked weekly as long as water temperatures and forest conditions are good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs. Bait can be used in the campground area to the confluence of the East Fork of the Black River only.  The catch and release area, artificial lure and fly only, is from Hayground creek to the Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary, approximately 10 miles. All tributary streams (Hayground, Stinky, Thompson, and Burro) are open to catch and release with artificial lure and fly only.      

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – GREER – Streams are low. Fishing is fair to good. Catchable size Apache trout are being stocked weekly, as long as water temperatures and forest conditions are good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs. 

SHEEPS CROSSING – WEST FORK LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – Fishing for native Apache trout is good. Stream flows are low.  Catchable size Apache trout are being stocked weekly, as long as water temperatures and forest conditions are good.  Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs.

Southeastern Arizona

TUCSON URBAN — Kennedy, Silverbell, Sahuarita and Lakeside were stocked with channel catfish last week and are being stocked with hybrid sunfish this week. Catfish stockings will continue every two weeks. Top catfish baits were worms, stink baits and hot dogs. Catfish have been biting well throughout the day, but early mornings and evenings remain the best times. Most anglers prefer fishing their baits on the lake bottom, but anglers using baits 4-8 feet under a bobber experienced great fishing, too. The lakes have also been stocked with small sub-catchable sized largemouth bass.  Largemouth bass are spawning in shallows at most lakes.  Please exercise catch-and-release (recycling) for spawning bass and remember the minimum size for keeping bass is 13 inches.  The lakes 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 tow-pole stamp and try different baits to double your odds.

RIGGS FLAT —Opened on April 15 and will be open until Nov. 15, 2006. The lake was stocked with trout the week of May 1. For lake information call (928) 428-4150.

CLUFF RANCH — Not being stocked at this time. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — Not being stocked at this time. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — Not being stocked at this time. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

KEARNY LAKES — Not stocked due to water quality issues.
 
ARIVACA —The bass fishing has been good. Tom Jenks wrote that he caught largemouth bass and sunfish using flies, such as wooly buggers and large white clousers fished 3- to 8-feet down, with one bass measuring 20 inches and 4 to 5 pounds, adding, “Go early, it gets hot fast.”

G. Canady said he caught six largemouth bass with one close to 5 pounds (very chunky,” using baby brush hogs tossed a hard as possible and as low as possible, adding that it was windy and the bite was almost undetectable. He added that the water level is WAY down and no way to launch a boat that requires a trailer since it is more than 100 yards to the water. “I carried my inflatable pontoon down to the water.”

One upset angler wrote that there were a lot of disappointed people who drove all the way to Arivaca just to find out they couldn’t launch a boat, which he said wasn’t reflected in the fishing report. Editor’s note: The weekly report has stated for many weeks that a four-wheel drive truck would be beneficial to launch because the water level has dropped below the cement portion of the launch ramp and to please use caution when launching boats. We apologize that it didn’t more accurately reflect extent of low water conditions.          

Our fall fisheries surveys showed that the changes 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 trout stocking for Pena Blanca Lake ended with the last stocking occurring during March. With the warming temperatures, trout will be hanging out in deeper water. Try fishing off of the bottom using a 2- to 3-foot leader. Adjust your leader until you find the temperature zone that the trout are in. The bass fishing is fairly good. 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 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 — The last trout stocking of the spring occurred in March. Bass fishing has been slow. Crappie fishing has also been fair using jigs off the reeds. Remember, the use of personal watercraft (jet skis/water bikes) is prohibited. Water skiing and towing is allowed Monday through Friday (except legal holidays) from May 1 through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 through April 30, water skiing and towing is allowed seven days a week. For more lake information, call Patagonia Lake State Park at (520) 287-6965.

PARKER CANYON — Fishing at Parker Canyon Lake is fair. Power Bait, worms fished deep along with spinners and flies on the surface are working well. Bluegill and bass are still being caught along weed beds and at depths of 10-20 feet. The water level is still good, but weeds along shallower shorelines and in coves are making fishing from the shoreline difficult. Chip seal work was completed from milepost 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 opened to vehicle traffic.  The lake was stocked with trout the week of May 8.

In the desert lakes, it also looks like a lot of bass are coming out of their post-spawn lethargy and are more aggressively feeding, especially at first and last light. In the desert lakes, try working the major points, islands and reefs. A variety of methods can be effective right now, including crankbaits, drop-shots, Texas-rigged plastics, top-water lures, soft plastic jerkbaits – take your pick.

The bass fishing hot spots continue to be Roosevelt, Alamo, Bartlett and Pleasant.

This is also a good time of year for night fishing for bass. Drop-shotting can be especially deadly for night fishing.

Some anglers have been pounding the white bass at Lake Pleasant at night using everything from live shad to crankbaits in the northern coves, especially over submerged creek channels. The are also catching some nice striped bass as well, along with some largemouth just to keep things interesting. Earlier in the year, night anglers had also been catching some nice crappies in a few of the northern coves, but we haven’t been hearing many reports lately.

This is an excellent time to head for the high country to do some trout fishing.  The mountain thunderstorms earlier this week really got the daytime action going at some of the lakes. Just pick your favorite lake and go.

Fishing News
Bass Pro Shop is coming to Mesa,

will fund fish stockings in two urban lakes

MESA, Ariz. – Construction is officially underway on the new Bass Pro Shop 180,000-square-foot store in Mesa, and the outdoor retail giant has already stepped forward to help preserve popular fishing opportunities in the local community.

“Even before its retail house is built in Arizona, Bass Pro is stepping forward to be a good neighbor by helping fund the urban fish stockings in Mesa,” says Arizona Game and Fish Commissioner Hays Gilstrap.

Bass Pro agreed to help fund fish stockings at Red Mountain and Riverview lakes in Mesa for the next year to preserve these popular fishing opportunities for local anglers.

“Bass Pro should be commended for stepping forward as a sponsor to help fund the Urban Fishing Program in Mesa. We look forward to working closely with Bass Pro in the future,” said Gilstrap during the Bass Pro Shop groundbreaking ceremony in Mesa on May 12.

Martin MacDonald, the director of conservation for Bass Pro Shops, says, “We are proud to be able to help support this Urban Fishing Program for the good people of Mesa.”

MacDonald says that Bass Pro has won more awards for its conservation efforts than any other outdoor retailer in America and will work with local conservation efforts to help preserve our outdoor traditions for future generations.

Gilstrap pointed out that fishing and other outdoor recreational industries are major contributors to Arizona’s overall economy. Also, the retail sales of hunting- and fishing-related items provide funding for Arizona’s wildlife conservation efforts.

A federal excise tax on hunting- and fishing-related merchandise is ultimately funneled back to the states in the form of grants through the Sportfish and Wildlife Restoration Act.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department does not receive any state tax money from the General Fund. A sizeable portion of the agency’s funding for wildlife management comes from the sales of state hunting and fishing licenses, tags and stamps.

A significant portion of the agency’s funding for conservation efforts is also derived from the Sportfish and Wildlife Restoration grants it receives, so when you buy a fishing lure or other similar item from places, such as Bass Pro Shops, you are helping fund sport-fish and wildlife restoration efforts.

Dead Horse Ranch gets a catfish boost
KINGMAN, Ariz. – Verde Valley anglers can expect greater success following an early catfish stocking at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocked about 400 channel catfish into the middle and lower lagoons on May 15.

“Because there is a significant following of catfish enthusiasts in the area, what better way to get folks out and fishing than by putting some extra catfish in early,” said Andy Clark, a fisheries biologist with the Game and Fish Department’s Kingman office.

According to Clark, the catfish averaged about 2 pounds, but some larger specimens were in the mix.

The catfish came from northern Arkansas and delivered by the same hauler that provides fish for the Urban Fisheries Program in Phoenix and Tucson.

“These two lagoons usually receive their first catfish stocking in June before Free Fishing Day,” Clark explained. “However, I wanted to get some extra cats in the water to generate some excitement early.”
Clark recommends using hot dogs, night crawlers, mealworms, and dip baits for the catfish.

There will be the usual stocking in June prior to Free Fishing Day (June 10) activities.

Central Arizona
TEMPE TOWN LAKE - Bass fishing is picking up. Try crank baits and rubber worms around the ledges and docks. Minnows under a slip bobber will work as well. A good mixed bag of yellows, catfish and sunfish can also be caught this way. A good place to try is under the Loop 202 underpass on the northeast side of the lake. Yellow bass and bluegill are plentiful in the 5- to 7-inch range and will bite mealworms or night crawlers. Channel catfish averaging 1 to 2 pounds will bite stink baits, hotdogs and shrimp. Carp fishing is getting better.

LAKE PLEASANT - Water level is at 1,696 feet (93-percent full). Fishing is good for white bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. 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. Also getting reports of a good white bass and striper bite down by the dam. Try using a 1-inch white curly-tail grub on a 1/16-ounce jig. Let it sink about 20 seconds before retrieving. Crappie fishing is a good time in the northern coves; try jigs or live minnows in 12 to18 feet of water around brush. The crappies are averaging about a pound with some going a pound and a half. The Agua Fria arm of the lake is open. It’s possible to see small schools of bass fry from earlier spawning efforts this year. Bass are generally in the post-spawn mode and have moved off points and deeper mouths of coves. Bass fishing is good. Drop-shotting is the technique of choice, tight lines. Power Worms, jigs, Carolina-rigs and Westy Worms are proven producers. This is the leading edge of the great topwater bite. Catfish, sunfish and carp fishing is picking up.

ROOSEVELT LAKE - The lake is 72-percent full at elevation 2,127 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 119 cfs Monday morning and Tonto Creek was flowing at 2 cfs. The daytime crappie bite has slowed some, but bass fishing remains excellent, although we aren’t getting as many reports of 50-plus bass days right now. Anglers are currently catching large numbers of bass, mostly slots and unders. In fact, largemouth bass anglers are often encountering feisty smallmouth bass as well: look for rocky areas. Some smallmouth bass are still in the spawning mode. For bass, try tight-line drop shot rigs, Westy Worms and Power Worms. Topwater action is picking up. Fishing off points in 10-25 feet of water has been effective as well as in areas of stick ups and brush. Many bass are in the coves and shallow water, but expect to find post-spawn bass as well: there are already small clouds of baby bass. A 13-pound bass was caught earlier this spring by a youngster with a Spiderman pole rigged with a night crawler! Live shad or minnows are also good baits, either with bobbers or free-lined. Crappie fishing has slowed some during the day, but should be good at night under submersible lights. Minnows under slip bobbers and 1/32-ounce jigs cast into the brush will be the trick. Catfishing is picking up for both flatheads and channels. Fishing for smallmouth bass can be good, especially on windy days. Try areas where waves are stirring up the rocky 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 good. Bluegills are spawning: this is a great time to take the kids out. Try the backs of coves, especially around structure. Nice bluegills have been caught recently around Windy Hill and Salome. 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. 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. A recent fish survey showed good numbers of yellows, some world class, and also good catfish numbers--both channel and flatheads. Catfishing is picking up. Carp fishing is getting good. Largemouth bass fishing is slow, but can be decent in the upper end of the lake right now. Smallmouth fishing is very 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 - Lake is 95-percent full at 1,659 feet. Bass fishing is fantastic, 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. Senkos and Westy Worms have also been catching fish. Night fishing for bass is also good at this time. 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). Fishing is getting better for largemouth bass. Some are being caught with drop-shot rigs as well as Texas and Carolina-rigged worms. Yellow bass can be caught jigging spoons (quarter-ounce KastMaster) or cut bait. Recent 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 improving. Try stink baits, hot dogs 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.

BARTLETT – Lake level is at 1,778 feet (73-percent full). Bass fishing is good to great.  Crawdad imitations and worming rigs (drop shots and Texas-rigs) are producing. Some anglers are picking up crappies in the 2-pound range near the buoy line upriver using Kalin 1/16-ounce black/blue/chartreuse jigs. This is a good time to switch to night fishing for crappies: they are mostly in the post-spawn mode. This is an excellent time to target flathead and channel catfish. Bluegills are on the beds and big flatheads can often be found raiding those nests in the backs of coves or along rocky ledges. Use live bait such as bluegill or small carp for the flatheads and shrimp, hot dogs or stink bait for the channels. Remember, the live bait must come from the lake itself (excluding minnows, waterdogs or worms), not transported from another body of water! This is a good time to take the kids bluegill fishing. Mealworms and a small bobber in the backs of rocky coves can be the ticket.

HORSESHOE - Lake is empty.

VERDE RIVER – Fishing is 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. Monday morning flow was 140 cfs at Tangle Creek station above Horseshoe Lake. Horseshoe release remains at 150 cfs. We will be conducting a fish survey of the river next week and will post some much needed updates on the river and any hot spots we find.

LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) – Rainbow trout were stocked last week at Blue Point Bridge and Water Users Park. 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. Some bass can be found in the portion above the Verde confluence.

CREEKS-  Canyon, Tonto, Christopher, Haigler, and Workman have been stocked with rainbow trout. Use spinners, night crawlers and corn. Brown trout can be found below the OW bridge in Canyon Creek in the deeper pools.  Remember, if you fish this part of the creek, use artificial baits only.

Colorado River Northwest

LAKE POWELL - Report courtesy of Wayne Gustaveson. Lake elevation: 3,597. Water temperature: 68-75 F. Good fishing continues as hungry sport fish compete for limited forage. Last year’s forage is at the low point for the year and newly spawned fish are not yet large enough to provide food for adult fish.  The result is fast fishing for stripers, walleye, and smallmouth bass.
 
Stripers continue to travel the deep canyon walls from Glen Canyon Dam to Bullfrog and all spots in between. They are readily caught on anchovy bait fished at 30-50 feet near the wall and on cliff points and talus rock piles. Chum to get the school started and then harvest all fish caught, as the population is overabundant and must be downsized to keep the fishery healthy. Some hot spots include Navajo, Last Chance, Oak and Reflection, Jacks Arch, Escalante, Moki, Hansen Creek and Red Canyon.
 
There are less 4- and 5-pound stripers being caught each day, but it is difficult to tell because juvenile striped bass have begun feeding on plankton in very large schools in 10-20 feet of water. These stripers prefer a larger food item, so a cast or a  trolled lure gets whacked a number of times as it traverses the large school. Juvenile stripers are in prime condition and provide a better meal than the thin 4-pound fish. When a school of juveniles is located, they can be caught quickly on small lures such as white grubs, small spoons (KastMaster or Wally lure) or small crankbaits. Stationary schools of juveniles are located in Wahweap Bay (Castle Rock Cut), Navajo Canyon (points behind the double islands), and Padre Bay (buoy 21A).  Find the schools by shallow, slow trolling a spoon or jig with small grub attached. When a fish is caught, immediately cast ½-ounce spoons in the area (much like fishing boils) to keep the school active while the first fish is landed. I took 15 stripers in 15 consecutive casts using this method in Wahweap Bay.
 
Hungry stripers too big to eat plankton are searching for crayfish on all rocky shoreline near deep water. Fishing a plastic tube or grub on the edges of the main channel is a sure thing for stripers and walleye. Stripers are readily caught trolling the edge of the channel with deep-diving crank baits. Walleye are caught using the same trolling methods near shore where a bit of mud is stirred up by wind or boat wakes. Use Hot-n-Tot and Wally Divers to target walleye or Deep Thundersticks or Deep Husky Jerks to target stripers. When a fish is caught trolling, it’s a good idea to cast plastic tubes and grubs to see if a school of stripers or group of walleye is in the vicinity.
 
If this isn’t enough, then smallmouth bass are hot on most vertical rocky structure. Bounce a tube or grub along bottom or drag them from reef to reef to catch bass up to 3 pounds.
 
Fishing continues to be incredibly good despite full moon, rising water, runoff stain, rapid warming and many other variables that tend to slow things down. It hasn’t happened yet. There is still time for an excellent spring fishing trip.

LEES FERRY — Report courtesy of Lees Ferrry Anglers. Fish seem to be starting to look up, slamming a dry now and then. Midging in the morning and all through the day has been effective. Dry-hopper rigs are working well off the shelves, while double nymph rigs are working well drifting in the boat, off of sand bars and mid-level water. Seems like we’ve had to go a little smaller on our midge patterns, dropping from 16s to more patterns in the size-20 range. It seems as if we’re in transition right now. Smaller midges, more dry fly attacks. The mornings and days are warmer. As the fish change gears, you might think about shifting yourself. Be creative and switch things up if you’re not catching much.

LAKE MEAD – This is a hot spot.  Fishing is on fire at Lake Mead!  Anglers were finding and catching stripers all over the upper lake from Temple Bar to Sandy Point. Trolling during the day was also putting stripers in the boat using deep-diving crankbaits or anchovies. Night fishing under lights was yielding limits within 2-3 hours using anchovies and squid. Try fishing in a spot were you see large numbers of fish on your fish finder. If you don’t have one, note the places where you catch fish while trolling, then when it gets dark, drop lights there. Some are in shallow water, others are in 30 feet plus. Largemouth bass were also being caught using drop-shot rigs and Power Worms. Catfish were being caught in good numbers on anchovies, dip-baits, and squid. Bottom line is; you almost can’t go wrong at Mead right now unless you don’t go! So get out and give it a try. Water levels are at 1,134 feet and should stay fairly stable throughout the week. According to the Park Service officials, the courtesy dock will be pulled out at South Cove when water levels hit 1,132 feet or when safety concerns merit. The rafters or commercial dock should be available for use after that.

LAKE MOHAVE – No new reports. Striper fishing has been good. Most were having good luck around Arrowhead Cove and around Katherine Powerline Cove. Anchovies continue to be the most popular bait for stripers, but if you want to try something different, use shrimp or squid. Expect largemouth bass to start staging for the spawn: you might even find spawning bass in the warmer, shallow water in the backs of coves. Nevada Telephone Cove and the power lines have been good for stripers and largemouth bass. Also, there is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier just south of the main launch ramp at Katherine’s Landing.

WILLOW BEACH – No new reports. Fishing for trout at Willow Beach was fair after the stocking on Friday. While the anglers at Jumbo wash did not do very well, the anglers that were fishing near the picnic area did well, with most anglers catching their limit. Anglers fishing near Monkey Hole caught two trout that were over 4 pounds using Mepps spinners; they had six smaller trout (12-14 inches) on the stringer also. Jakes and Mepps were the preferred lure by all trout anglers contacted. Striped bass activity has increased, with anglers catching them from the shore using cut anchovies.

TOPOCK MARSH – Catfish are biting at night. The largest I’ve heard of in the last week was 12 pounds. Chicken livers or anchovies are easy to find and both work well as bait for catfish.  They can be used alone or in combination with various forms of stink bait. You can access the marsh by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. All three also provide plenty of area for shoreline fishing, too. For more information on the marsh, contact the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge at (760) 326-3853 or go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/havasu/index.html.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM –Most of the anglers are having success for stripers using anchovies. Some anglers are limiting just below Davis Dam. Remember, the limit of stripers on the Colorado River is ten. The cooler temperatures and lower river flow in the mornings and evenings are still a good time to get out and fish for stripers along the shore. Also, the striper fishing has really been picking up in the Topock area. The water level has been higher during the day, making it easier to get a boat on the water. 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.

Southwestern Arizona

HAVASU — It looks like summer--if it isn’t already here, it will be soon. We are in the tail end of all spawning activities. Fishing will be best early in the morning and late in the evening. Top-water bass fishing activity should be good as well as spinnerbaits; work the structures and shallow areas. Smallmouth bass like to forage along the rockier areas; look for plastics or crayfish-colored cranks to get a reaction. Catfish will be picking up when the weather starts to warm up. Try worms or chicken livers just off the bottom. It’s about time for the flathead catfish bite to start.

PARKER STRIP — Nothing has changed. Everything should be good. The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has improved. Fishing for redear and bluegill should also be good.  Some catfish are biting now on chicken livers and night crawlers. Flathead catfish haven’t started yet, but it’s not far off.   

MARTINEZ LAKE/COLORADO RIVER — There hasn’t been any change from last week. Everything should be good. Stripers are hitting chicken liver and worms in the lake as well as in the main river channel, at the mouth entrance, and on trailing edges of sandbars in the river.  Largemouth bass fishing is also on with almost anything you want to toss at them. Skirted spinnerbaits and plastics have been working for some anglers. Flathead fishing is just around the corner.

Everything should be good. On the Colorado River by Yuma, the bass fishery is coming back. Anglers slowly working plastics were very successful catching 1 ½- to 2-pound bass, with several 4- and 5-pounders also being taken.

MITTRY LAKE — Nothing Bass fishing has been good for fishermen using boats. It was reported a bass in excess of 10 pounds was caught. Shore anglers continue using worms and chicken liver to catch channel cats.
 
YUMA AREA RIVERS/CANALS — Everything should be good. Gila Main Canal is producing stripers north of the Highway 95 crossing. The section near Mittry Lake is producing smallmouth bass and large redear sunfish. Other notable Yuma area canals include the East and West Main canals in the Yuma Valley, which hold all warmwater fish species.

Along the Gila River just about any deep hole you can find will hold monster bass, as well as any warmwater fish. A great place to fish right now.

FORTUNA POND — Everything should be good.  Channel catfish are biting chicken liver and stink baits. Catfishing has been slow but should pick up as the weather heats up. Bass and other sunfish fishing has also been good.

REDONDO POND — Tube anglers should definitely try their luck here for bass and large bluegill.

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 are 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 — Largemouth bass should be good in the various backwaters along this stretch of the river. Try top-water 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 -- Well folks, summer's on the way. It hit 105 here this weekend.  Once it hit's 110 degrees, I come out of hibernation, catch fish, and declare an extra eight weeks of the hot stuff.  If this is not for you then you want to be on the lake at day break and enjoy the top-water bite that's going on. Anglers are reporting catching 4- to 5-pound lunkers throwing Zara Spooks, chug bugs, Pop Rs, and buzzbaits.  Try throwing one of these baits over any brushy point and hold your pole.   Once the sun is up, you can catch fish using a variety of training wheels (spinnerbaits and crankbaits).  White and chartreuse are good colors for spinnerbaits and chrome and black are good colors for crankbaits.  If you want to get serious and catch bigger fish, then go to my favorite, plastics.  From 10 in the morning till around 4 in the afternoon, I focus on 15 to 30 feet of water.  Motor oil, black, white, and pumpkin seed are all good colors.  The bite is really weird. If you’re lucky, you will feel a tap or see your line move. For the most part, you’re going to lift up and have a "there feeling."  Late in the afternoon it's time to back to top-water.  It's a toss up with a Zara Puppy that Rory gave me or a bone color Pop R.  Both have boated me some nice fish this last week.  Right at dark, I switch to a spinning reel and 6-pound line.  I throw a small jig with a white skirt and catch both crappie and bass.  The bass get a kiss and tossed back in the lake, and the crappies go in a deep fryer.  Speaking of crappie, I'm happy to say the nighttime crappie bite has turned on.  It's time to put the roadrunner jigs away and drag out the crappie lights.  Anglers reported catching 20 to 50 a night up by the dam.  One angler explained it best. Find a place that looks good.  Throw out your lights.  Toss a small jig toward the cliff face.  Give it a 30-count and slowly reel back to the boat.  Other anglers reported that split shots and minnows were the hot ticket.  All agree that the crappie caught were in 18 feet of water.  No report on cat fishing this week.  I'm sure one would be able to catch a catfish in the upper end of the lake using shrimp.  Shore fishing is hit-and-miss.  I would say a bucket of minnows and a bobber would be worth a try.  The bugs are out in force.  They look at an arm or a leg as prime beef, so bring bug spray.   The work on Cholla Ramp is complete.  The ramp is open 24-7 now.  We’re still getting winds every day around noon.  No word on the store. We do not rent boats at this time. 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 Mountains

Note: As temperatures warm, trout will be less active in the middle of the day. Fish early or late for trout. Expect catfishing to begin picking up at Kinnikinick Lake as the temperatures warm. 

WILLIAMS LAKES:  
KAIBAB LAKE — Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait. Stocked last week.

CATARACT LAKE — Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait. Stocked last week.

CITY RESERVOIR — Closed.

DOGTOWN LAKE — Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait. Scheduled to be stocked.

JD DAM — Lake level has come up. Some nice fish are being caught.

SANTA FE — Lake is full. Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait. Stocked last week.

WHITEHORSE LAKE — Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait. Stocked last week.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY — Fishing is good. Try fishing early in the morning or late in the evening for trout. Most trout are being caught on yellow Power Bait. Fishing for northern pike is very good, especially using small spinners. Some anglers are catching pike and just leaving them along the shoreline. Please take the pike with you from the lake. Small spoons fished slow and deep continue to catch trout (if you fish the spoons faster and off the bottom, you catch pike). 

UPPER LAKE MARY — Fair for pike, channel catfish and black crappie. 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 — Fishing has been good on worms and Power Bait. There was a 23-pound pike caught recently, a 29-pound pike caught about three weeks ago, plus an 8.4-pound albino rainbow trout almost a month ago. Scheduled to be stocked.

FRANCIS SHORT POND – Fish were caught over the weekend.

KINNIKINICK LAKE — No report. Road is open. 

MARSHALL LAKE — Fishing was good this weekend. Scheduled to be stocked.

OAK CREEK — Good for rainbows and fair for browns. Fly anglers were doing well on nymph patterns. Stocked last week.

LONG LAKE — Lake is 40-percent full. Anglers are catching trout up to 12 inches on Power Bait and lures. Some smaller 7-inch trout were stocked last month. 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. Stocked last week.

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

BEAVER CREEK — Has been stocked.

WEST CLEAR CREEK — Has been stocked.

STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.

BLUE RIDGE — No reports. Fishing should be good.

KNOLL LAKE — No reports. Fishing should be good.

MINGUS LAKE – Stocked last week. The Forest Service gate is now open. Try bright-colored Power Bait or salmon eggs, or various spinners.

DEAD HORSE STATE PARK – Catfish are due to be stocked this week. Expect the fishing to be excellent. Try anchovies or chicken livers. On Feb. 16, there were 4,500 bluegill stocked into the lower lagoon, including a few fish over a pound. As the water temperature rises, expect the bass and bluegill to be biting. The lower lagoon should be a good spot for bluegill.

VERDE RIVER — (throughout Verde Valley) – No new reports. Trout were last stocked March 13. That was the last trout stocking for the season and you might still be able to catch some. Stocking sites were at Tuzigoot Bridge outside of Clarkdale, the bridge that leads to the Deadhorse State Park, at the Deadhorse State Park access point called the Jacks, at the White Bridge in Camp Verde, and at Bignotti Beach. The department stocks trout in these waters from November through March, when the water temperature can support a trout fishery.

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

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

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

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

LYNX LAKE — No new reports.  Fishing was good at Lynx over the weekend. Success was on wooly bugger flies and Power Bait. The next trout stocking is scheduled for May 22. Lynx was last stocked March 13 with 1,350 trout and Feb. 16 with 4,500 bluegills. A few large bluegills over a pound were included in the stocking. 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.
 
FAIN LAKE — Trout were stocked last week. Catching was good at Fain as well, with limits coming out mostly on Power Bait. Trout stocking is scheduled for next week.

GOLDWATER LAKE - This is a hot spot. Trout will be stocked this week. Fishing appears to be excellent. Many anglers are reporting catching their limit, some in as little as 45 minutes. Some anglers are using worms on a slack line, while others are using Power Bait, Pistol Petes, spinners, AZ Peacocks, and Wardens Worries. One angler recommends using worms off a bobber early in the morning, then switching to brightly colored Power Bait on the bottom, with a 2-foot lead. If you fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail fisheries biologist Matt Chmiel at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so he can share your successes with others.

Mogollon Rim
CHEVELON CANYON LAKE — Fishing is good. Try lures such as spinners, Z-rays, and Rapalas. Try flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and brown or black semi-seal leeches. This is a hike-in fishery. There are two steep trails to the lake, so a small boat or float tube is recommended. The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors. 

BEAR CANYON LAKE — The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, zug bugs, and prince nymphs). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

BLACK CANYON LAKE — The boat ramp is only usable with a small carry-on boat. The lake was stocked this week with 2.025 catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (small spinners and Z-rays), flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. The lake was stocked this week with 3,038 catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, peacock ladies, brown or black semi-seal leeches, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors.  

WOODS CANYON LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. The lake was stocked this week with 3,645 catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, and prince nymphs). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The store is open and boat rentals are available.

Northeastern Arizona (White Mountains)
Note: All forest roads on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest are open. 

BECKER LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. Becker Lake is open to artificial lure and fly- only, with a two-trout bag and possession limit from Oct. 1 through May 24. Fishing is good in the early morning and late afternoon. Try lures such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, and spinners (Panther Martin, Mepps, and Rooster Tails), and flies such as peacock ladies, black or brown wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, brown Montana stone nymphs, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and damsel fly and dragon fly nymph patterns. Fly-fishers have been catching 9- to 16-inch rainbow trout. The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors.

BIG LAKE — The boat ramps are accessible. Fishing is good. Try worms and Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and brown or black semi-seal leeches). The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors. The store is open and boat rentals are available.

CARNERO LAKE — The Lake was stocked with catchable and sub-catchable size rainbow trout. Anglers are catching some larger trout, but the action is a little slow. Some anglers have caught 14- to 15-inch rainbows, with a recent report of a 20-inch rainbow. Try flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, with barbless hooks only and a two-trout bag and possession limit. There are no boat ramps, so small boats or float tubes are recommended. Access into the water is difficult due to the weeds. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

CONCHO LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is poor. A strong algae bloom has driven up pH levels, making trout sluggish. Try worms, salmon eggs and Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (brown or black wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors.

CRESCENT LAKE — The boat ramps are accessible, but the west side and south side ramps are the best. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow and brook trout. Fishing is good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas), flies (peacock ladies, wooly worms or wooly buggers, zug bugs, prince nymphs, halfback nymphs, and brown Montana stone nymphs). The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors. The store and boat rentals are closed at this time.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — The boat ramps are accessible. There were 2,025 catchable rainbow trout stocked this week. Fishing is fair to good for trout and good for smallmouth bass. Try worms, Power Bait, lures, and flies near structure such as rocks, tree stumps, and weed beds. Some anglers are catching nice-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass early in the morning and trout and black crappie in the evening on lures such as small spinners. Fool Hollow has trout, walleye, channel catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, and black crappie. There are some trophy-sized walleyes, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass in the lake. The Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area 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. A fee is charged for use of the other facilities, including the east side boat ramp. To create new fish habitat, juniper trees (12) were placed in clusters in deep water in the southern part of the lake. The trees are marked by fish habitat buoys. The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors.
 
GREER LAKES — Bunch Reservoir is full. Tunnel Reservoir is very low, and River Reservoir is filling. The boat ramp at Bunch is accessible. River Reservoir’s boat ramp is useable for small boats or float tubes. There is a curb at the bottom of the boat ramp that is just under water. Please use extreme caution. Tunnel Reservoir’s lake level is below the bottom of the boat ramp. Launching is difficult, so please use caution so that your trailer does not get caught on this curb. All of the Greer reservoirs have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-rays and spinners and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, KP buggers, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. Bunch and Tunnel reservoirs are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to 10-hp gas motors.

HULSEY LAKE — Fishing is fair to good. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners and Z-rays, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and hares ear nymphs.   

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — The boat ramp is low. The lake has been stocked with catchable Apache trout. Fishing is excellent. Try small lures such as spinners. Try flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, halfback nymph, pheasant tail nymph, zug bugs, prince nymph, and hares ear nymphs. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, trout minimum size 12 inches, and a two-trout bag and possession limit. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The lake also has been stocked with small Arctic grayling (3-6 inches), so the future is bright for this picturesque reservoir in the shadow of Mount Baldy.

LUNA LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-rays and spinners, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. Trolling lures and flies has been productive. There is a store with boat rentals available at the lake. The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors. 

LYMAN LAKE — Boat ramps are accessible. Fishing is fair. Try fishing for bass, walleyes and sunfish along rocky areas or weedy areas of the lake. Try worms, Power Bait, catfish prepared baits, and lures (Z-rays, spinners, jigs and Rapalas). Anglers are catching channel catfish on worms and prepared baits. The Lyman Lake Recreation Area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also some new cabins for rent. There is a fish-consumption advisory here. Consult the fishing regulations or contact the Arizona Game and Fish regional office in Pinetop for more information. There are no boat motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.

NELSON RESERVOIR — The main boat ramp at the dam is the best ramp to use. Fishing is fair to good. There are some carryover rainbow trout that remain in the lake in the 1- to 2-pound range, and the lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and peacock ladies). The lake is open to 10-hp motors.
                
RAINBOW LAKE — The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible. The lake was stocked this week with 2,430 catchable size rainbow trout. Fishing is good from a boat, fair from shore. Anglers trolling spinners are catching nice rainbow trout. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas) and flies, such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, and peacock ladies. Anglers have been catching northern pike and largemouth bass on lures such as Rapalas, spoons and spinner baits. The lake is open to 10-hp gas motors. Recent netting revealed lots of nice-sized black bullheads, some nice-sized rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and northern pike.

SCOTT'S RESERVOIR — The lake is full. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is good for rainbow trout and channel catfish. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays, spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, KP buggers, and brown Montana stone nymphs). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent netting revealed some nice-sized rainbow trout, largemouth bass and channel catfish. 

SHOW LOW LAKE — The lake is down only about 3.5 feet and the boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, salmon eggs, and Power Bait for trout. Boat anglers should try trolling lures such as Z-rays, spinners (Rooster Tails, Mepps or Panther Martins), jigs (chartreuse and brown), and Rapalas near rocky shorelines for walleye and bass. Fly-fishers should try wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, brown, black, or purple semi-seal leeches. The lake is open to 10-hp motors. Recent netting revealed some nice-sized rainbow trout, channel catfish and walleyes. There is a store with boat rentals.  

WOODLAND LAKE — The lake is full. The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is good for trout. The lake was stocked with week with 2,000 catchable size rainbow trout this week. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait. Try lures such as spinners and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Woodland Lake has restrooms, picnic tables, verandas, children’s playgrounds, tennis courts, softball fields and hiking trails.
 
CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Fishing is fair to. Anglers are catching bluegills on worms. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures, and flies. Both boat ramps are accessible, but there is a sand bar near the first boat ramp, so use caution. There are no motor restrictions on the lake.   

SILVER CREEK — Fishing is fair to good. From April 1 through Sept. 30, Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is open to bait fishing. The upper section (big marked fence) is closed. Apache trout are stocked weekly. Use worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, 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 the fly slowly upstream, twitching it occasionally. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge imitations, and caddis fly patterns in sizes #16 or #18 or #20. Apache trout are being stocked this week.

STREAMS

Note: All Forest roads are open to streams and rivers.

EAST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Stream flows are low. Buffalo Crossing to Diamond Rock has been stocked with catchable-size Apache trout, and will be stocked this week. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs.

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Stream flows are low. The West Fork campground area has been stocked with catchable Apache trout and will be stocked weekly as long as water allows. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs. Bait can be used in the campground area to the confluence of the East Fork of the Black River only.     

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – GREER – Streams are low. Catchable-size Apache trout are being stocked weekly, as long as water and forest conditions allow. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs. 

SHEEPS CROSSING – WEST FORK LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – Stream flows are low.  Catchable-size Apache trout are being stocked weekly, as long as water conditions allow. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as small spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs, hares ear nymphs, and black or brown nymphs.

Southeastern Arizona

TUCSON URBAN — Kennedy, Silverbell, Sahuarita and Lakeside were stocked with channel catfish the week of May 1-6, 2006. Catfish stockings will continue every two weeks. Top catfish baits were worms, stink baits and hot dogs. Catfish have been biting well throughout the day, but early mornings and evenings remain the best times. Most anglers prefer fishing their baits on the lake bottom, but anglers using baits 4-8 feet under a bobber experienced great fishing, too. The lakes have also been stocked with small sub-catchable sized largemouth bass.  Largemouth bass are spawning in shallows at most lakes.  Please exercise catch-and-release (recycling) for spawning bass and remember the minimum keepable size for bass is 13 inches.  The lakes 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 tow-pole stamp and try different baits to double your odds.

RIGGS FLAT —Opened on April 15 and will be open until November 15, 2006. The lake was stocked with trout the week of May 1. For lake information call (928) 428-4150.

CLUFF RANCH — Not being stocked at this time. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — Not being stocked at this time. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — Not being stocked at this time. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

KEARNY LAKES — Not stocked due to water quality issues.
 
ARIVACA —The bass fishing has been good to excellent. The lack of rain has impacted the level of the lake. The water level is very low. Please use caution when launching boats. A four-wheel-drive truck would be beneficial in launching a boat, for the water level has dropped below the cement portion of the boat ramp. Our fall fisheries surveys showed that the changes in regulations to catch-and-release for all bass has had a positive impact. Several bass in the 7+ 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 trout stocking for Pena Blanca Lake ended with the last stocking occurring during the week of March 13. With the warming temperatures, trout will be hanging out in deeper water. Try fishing off of the bottom using a 2- to 3-foot leader. Adjust your leader until you find the temperature zone that the trout are in. The bass fishing is fairly good. 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 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 — The last trout stocking of the spring occurred the week of March 13. Bass fishing has dropped off, but there are still some being caught by avid bass anglers. Crappie fishing has also been fair using jigs off the reeds. Remember, the use of personal watercraft (jet skis/water bikes) is prohibited. The Board also voted to prohibit the use of above-water-exhausted boats at Patagonia Lake. This type of boat is typically a watercraft powered by a jet pump, which is driven by a large displacement automotive engine with exhaust pipes above the water. Water skiing and towing is allowed Monday through Friday (except legal holidays) from May 1 through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 through April 30, water skiing and towing is allowed seven days a week. For more lake information, call Patagonia Lake State Park at (520) 287-6965.

PARKER CANYON — Has been stocked with trout. 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 the surface are working well. Bluegill and bass are still being caught along weed beds and at depths of 10-20 feet. The water level is still good, but weeds along shallower shorelines and in coves are making fishing from the shoreline difficult. Chip seal work was completed from milepost 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 opened to vehicle traffic.  The lake was stocked with trout the week of May 8, 2006.