For most lakes, fishing at night is the key. We are in the first quarter of the moon, which means it’s a great time to attract plankton, shad and predatory fish to submerged lights. Be sure to catch the twilight action at dawn and dusk, especially using topwater baits. The top crappie spots are Alamo and Roosevelt. Live minnows or shad should pay big dividends. If you don’t catch any crappie in an hour or so, find another spot. Pleasant should be super for white bass, striped bass, largemouth bass and in the right spots (northern coves over submerged brush), crappie.

Summer nights are just made for catfishing. The beauty of summer catfishing is it is best done from shore: you don’t need a boat. For flatheads, try Roosevelt, Bartlett or along the lower Colorado River in the Imperial Division. However, you can pick any of our desert lakes and expect to catch lots of hard-pulling channel catfish from shore using stink baits, such as chicken liver. Even hot dogs and corn can work. Be sure to take lots of bug spray.

Expected thunderstorms this week could get things interesting. When the barometer plummets as a storm approaches, fishing can be tremendous as the fish feed aggressively. Sometimes during a storm (don’t be on the water when there is lightning), fishing can be good to great. After a storm passes, sometimes the fish can seem to have lockjaw.

With any luck, the high country – especially those areas with wild fires -- will get lots of drenching rain. Remember that the Coconino National Forest is closed due to fire danger, and that includes all its lakes and streams (except Powell and Lees Ferry).

Right now, the best trout fishing is likely at the Mogollon Rim lakes or in the White Mountains. Keep in mind that fire restrictions are being strictly enforced: no open fires or charcoal, it’s gas stoves only.

Believe it or not, this isn’t a bad time to fish the Lower Salt River. This may be the last week we can stock it, maybe not. Regardless, it is getting an extra dose of trout this week that are being diverted from the fisheries that are closed due to fire restrictions. It’s a little trout bonus close to home, which isn’t a bad deal considering gas prices. First light is best.

This is an excellent time to head to Willow Beach for stripers, trout and desert bighorn sheep in the rut. Be sure to take your binoculars. I like to cruise toward Hoover Dam, and then just drift fish with the current using anchovies, and sometimes, the big trout-imitating swim baits. Once you have seen a bighorn sheep, you will find it much easier to find the next one. Your eyes just need to know what the target looks like. Keep hold of your pole: those big stripers hit so hard and so fast that an unattended pole can disappear into the water as if by magic.

Now, for those of you who are brave, foolish or just addicted to topwater action, this is the leading edge of the good topwater action at places like Pleasant and Alamo during the hot daylight hours. A nice breeze is the key. A breeze rippling the surface acts as camouflage for the bait fish because aerial predators such as herons can’t see them. The bass – in this case, black bass, white bass and striped bass – will all come to the surface to feed on the shad, sometimes in very dramatic fashion. There are times when the topwater action will last all day long, even when temperatures are soaring well into the triple digits. Be sure to drink lots of liquids and take an occasional dunk in the water to cool down.

By the way, I should be able to provide a first-hard report this week on Lake Powell. I am getting together with Wayne Gustaveson with the Utah Division of Wildlife to fish for stripers and smallmouth. The Powell expedition will be the centerpiece of an article for the department’s “Arizona Wildlife Views” magazine this fall.

Good luck, maybe I’ll see you out there.

Fishing News
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CENTRAL ARIZONA
URBAN LAKES – There will be 30-percent more channel catfish stocked this week than normal, which should make for some terrific fishing in the Urban Program Lakes.

Channel catfish are being stocked this week at all urban program lakes. The urban lakes also were stocked with hybrid sunfish last 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 striped bass, white bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Good action for white bass and stripers can be had by the towers down by the dam. Try using a 1-inch white curly-tail grub on a 1/16-ounce jig. Let it jig sink about 20 seconds before retrieving. Crappie fishing is 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. Bass are generally in the post-spawn mode and have moved off points and deeper mouths of coves. Bass fishing is good.  Early morning topwater can be good, 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 63-percent full at elevation 2,120 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 77 cfs Monday morning and Tonto Creek was flowing at 1 cfs. Anglers are currently catching large numbers of bass with lots of overs lately. 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 as 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 be good at night under submersible lights. Try minnows under slip bobbers and 1/32-ounce jigs cast into the brush. Catfishing is great 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. For bluegills, 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 yellows 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 and then 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. Night fishing for bass is also good. This is 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 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 (71-percent full). Bass fishing is good to great. Again early and late with night fishing be the most productive right now. 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 80 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. The Lower Salt rainbow trout stockings will continue until water temperatures are too warm to stock. Last Thursday the river was stocked again and the water temperature was 68. Try inline spinners, Power Bait or drifting night crawlers.  Fly-fishing can be good with nymphs 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.

Colorado River Northwest

LAKE POWELL – By Wayne Gustaveson. Lake elevation: 3,611. Water temp: 75-82 F. The lake level is stabilizing and surface water temperature is steady. The constancy allows fish to slip into summer time patterns.  That is really a good thing because fish will be in the same spots and do the same things for most of the summer.

Stripers will be on the lookout for shad.  The first hatch of shad was good in the southern lake and great in the northern lake. Since then, shad numbers are lagging in the south but consistently good up north. Stripers will have a brief boiling period where young stripers will eat larval shad each morning and evening.  The boils will get bigger and better with time from Bullfrog to Hite and in the San Juan. But, from Rainbow to Wahweap boils will simmer and then decline until more shad are found. If looking for boils, go to the upper reservoir.

The lack of shad near Wahweap means that the over abundant adult stripers will continue to be caught with anchovies in incredible numbers. Stripers are holding at 30-50 feet in the main channel from the dam to Warm Creek, including Navajo Canyon. Catches of 30-plus fish per trip are common and those results should continue for the rest of the month.  

Night fishing at Wahweap and Antelope Point gets better each day.  Try a green or white light from your boat or fish from the public fishing docks to enjoy catching fish in the cool comfort of a balmy evening.

Bigger bass have gone deeper during the heat of the day. Probe the depths to 30 feet with a plastic grub or tube to find some decent smallmouth bass.  If you just like to catch fish, then throw the soft plastic bait near shore to find an eager army of little bass willing to bite at most times of the day. 

The real excitement comes from throwing topwater lures around brushy pockets and rocky points at first light in the morning. Bass and stripers are searching the shallows for food during twilight.  One of the most common patterns found in summer is a consistent topwater bite.  It is possible to fish all day with a Super Spook Jr., Jumpin’ Minnow or surface popper.  At the end of the day, the surface bait will be responsible for catching just as many fish as the deep running plastic baits.

Catfish and bluegill are active in large numbers.  Use live worms on a very small hook for good panfish action. Kids around the houseboat should always have a rod rigged and ready for sunfish that swarm the boat looking for shade.

Summer is here but the fish haven’t quit biting. Take fishing tackle along on your family vacation this year

Striped Bass Hot Spot Update
* Dam – fish the ledge on west side which coincides with barricade 3, 4 and 5.  If those spots are taken go up lake. 
* Corner as lake turns left (north) at Buoy 3.  Fish the shade line in the morning.
* Mouth of Antelope - both sides of the entrance and first corner as canyon turns left.
* Power plant intake (Look for the construction boom on rim). Fish early before boat traffic starts.
* Buoy 9 – gently sloping outcropping near shore is the best place.
* Small canyon just upstream from Buoy 9 before the lake turns left heading for Navajo.
* Mouth of Navajo on the main channel side. Either side of the entrance along main channel.
* First corner of Navajo Canyon – fish shade line in the morning. Look for a yellow rope on the right side to tie up to a good spot.
* Double islands – go beyond islands and fish the first and second points on the left hand side of the channel.
* Mouth of Warm Creek
* Padre Butte between Buoy 21A and 22B – fish the channel beyond Padre Butte to the south.
* Jacks Arch – mouth of San Juan.
* San Juan - from Nasja to Piute Canyon.
* Buoy 65 - east channel wall 200-500 yards down lake of Cottonwood Canyon 
* Buoy 74 - mouth of Bowns and Long Canyons, 50-100 yards from main channel inside of Bowns Canyon’s NE wall.
* Buoy 92/93 - west wall of main channel 50-150 yards down lake from mouth of Lost Eden Canyon.
* Halls Ramp – cliff wall downstream from ramp.

LEES FERRY — Report courtesy of Lees Ferry Anglers.  Fishing has been good for the few anglers on the river. A nymph rig with a San Juan-zebra combo on the drift is effective as well as a dry dropper set up with a midge-X or other zebra pattern about 24 inches to 3 feet below a large dry. Hopefully, the cicada activity and corresponding bite isn’t far away. A few fish are being picked up by spin anglers using glo bugs and zebra midges drifted deep in the channel with a hunk of lead and surgical tubing, or by using Mepps spinners.

LAKE MEAD – Striper catching still going strong.  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 recently, 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 crappie 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. Some reports of large catfish being caught at night from shore.  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 1,129 feet and should stay fairly stable throughout the week.

LAKE MOHAVE – No new reports. Striper fishing has been fair. 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 – No new reports.  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 – No new reports.  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 — Steven Greenwood said he caught a lot of small stripers using anchovies on a No. 4 hook with a quarter-ounce slip sinker. 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 LAKE — Report courtesy Mark Knapp, Alamo Lake State Park. Well folks, all in all bass fishing is okay  Drop shotting is the hot ticket.  If you focus on 18 to 22 feet of water, and figure out a pattern you are going to catch fish.  Motor oil and watermelon are good colors to start with.  If you really want to have to fun, then down-size to a spinning reel and small grubs.  We’re catching a lot of 1- to 1 1/2 -pound blue ills right now.  Other anglers reported that they did fair trolling with training wheels (crankbaits) through out the lake.  The night time crappie bite is still pretty good.  Crappie lights and minnows are the hot ticket.  Anglers are still doing good in the cliffs area up by the dam.  Catfishing is good. I boated a 3 pounder throwing a Shad Rap up close to shore.  Felt like a state record bass until the surfaces and had whiskers.  Shore fishing is okay  Shore fishermen have been catching bluegill, catfish, and bass using bobber's and night crawlers.  The lake level is at 1,123, with releases of 50cfs.  The temp's have been hitting 112 out here so bring lots to drink and sun block.  No word on the store.  We do rent boats at this time.. Ranger station is open Monday through Wed. 8 -5, and  Thursday through Sunday's 8-9 p.m.  I did get crawlers, shrimp and liver.  We’re stocked up on minnows.  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:   All waters on the Coconino National Forest are closed due to fire restrictions.

WILLIAMS LAKES:  
KAIBAB LAKE — Fishing has slowed down with higher temperatures.  Catfish are being caught sporadically on chicken livers and night crawlers.  Stocked last week.

CATARACT LAKE — Fishing has slowed down with higher temperatures. 

CITY RESERVOIR — Closed

DOGTOWN LAKE — Fishing has slowed down with higher temperatures.  Was scheduled to be stocked but water is to warm to stock this week. 

JD DAM — Lake level is dropping. Some nice fish are being caught.

SANTA FE — Lake is full. Fishing is good using worms and Power Bait.  Fishing for catfish has been good.

WHITEHORSE LAKE — Fishing has slowed down with higher temperatures.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY — Closed due to fire restrictions.

UPPER LAKE MARY — Closed due to fire restrictions.

ASHURST LAKE — Closed due to fire restrictions.

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

KINNIKINICK LAKE — Closed due to fire restrictions.

MARSHALL LAKE — Closed due to fire restrictions.

OAK CREEK — Closed due to fire restrictions.
 
LONG LAKE — Closed due to fire restrictions.

SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — Closed due to fire restrictions.

BEAVER CREEK — Closed due to fire restrictions.

WEST CLEAR CREEK — Closed due to fire restrictions.

STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.

MINGUS LAKE –Mingus will be stocked again this week.  The water levels are down so the fish should be easy to find.    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 last week.  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 — Trout were stocked last week.  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 — Trout are scheduled to be stocked this week (June 26) Fishing has been good following stockings.  Try using spinners in the morning and switching to Power Bait as it warms up. Some people have been catching catfish as well. 

GOLDWATER LAKE — Trout were stocked last week.  Fishing should be good following the stockings, both early in the morning and in the evening.  Game and Fish biologists sampled a 7.3-pound bass and a 9.8-pound catfish during a population survey. Both were released back into the lake.  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
Some Forest closures on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest are in effect for this week. Contact the Alpine, Heber, and Springerville Ranger District Offices for the latest information.  Only one impacts a fishery: in Greer, the upstream area of the Lower Colorado River (where the public parking lot is along the stream) is in a closed area. However, the Greer Lake are still open and accessible.

BLUE RIDGE — Closed due to fire restrictions.

CHEVELON CANYON LAKE — Fishing is fair. Fish early in the morning and late in the day. 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. Fish early in the morning and late in the day. Try worms, Power Bait, lures (Z-rays and spinners), and flies (wooly worms or wooly buggers, KP buggers, zug bugs, and prince nymphs). Bear Canyon Lake is a hike in fishery. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.  

BLACK CANYON LAKE — The boat ramp is low and float tubes or small car-topper boats are recommended.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. Fishing is fair. 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.  

KNOLL LAKE — Closed due to fire restrictions.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible.  The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout this week and weekly through September. Fish early in the morning and late in the day. 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. Try trolling worms on spinners or flies behind cowbells. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.  

WOODS CANYON LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable rainbow trout this week and weekly through September. Fish early and late in the day. 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). Try trolling worms on spinners or flies behind cowbells. 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.  Fish early in the morning and late in the evening. Fishing is fair to good. 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. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors.

BIG LAKE — The boat ramps are accessible but low.  The railroad cove boat ramp is very low and small boats or float tubes are recommended.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. Fishing is fair to good. Try worms and Power Bait, lures such as 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).  Try trolling worms on spinners or flies behind cowbells. Most anglers are catching 10- to 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 — Fishing is fair.  The lake is very weedy. Anglers are catching some larger trout, but the action is a little slow.  Try flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, zug bugs, prince nymphs and small black, brown, or green 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. Access into the water is difficult due to the weeds. There is a spot, about 200-300 yards to the left of the fence where you can launch a float tube or pontoon boat. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

CONCHO LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is poor. Fish early in the morning and late in the day. An algae bloom has driven up pH levels, making trout sluggish. The lake Is not being stocked. 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 low and the west side and south side ramps are the best.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. 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 at this time.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — The boat ramps are accessible.  Fishing is fair to good for rainbow trout, sunfish, and walleye. Bass fishing is slow. Fish early in the morning and late in the day. 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 fish early in the morning and late in the day. 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 — All reservoirs are low.  All the reservoir’s boat ramps are out of the water and very low.  Small boats, canoes, and float tubes are recommended.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. Fishing is fair. 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 — The lake has a strong algae bloom.  Fish early in the morning and late in the evening. Fishing is poor to fair.  Fish near the surface with bait or small spinners. 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.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. There is an algae bloom present in the lake. Fishing is poor to fair. 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 was stocked in the spring with small Arctic grayling (3-6 inches).

LUNA LAKE — The boat ramp is accessible.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. 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. Also try trolling worms on lures behind cowbells. 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. Fish early in the morning and late in the day. Fishing is fair to good. 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).  Try trolling worms on spinners or flies behind cowbells. The lake is open to 10 hp motors.
                
RAINBOW LAKE — The lake is a little low and the boat ramp is accessible.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. The lake will be stocked with catchable size rainbow trout this week. Fishing is fair to good for trout and fair for bass and catfish.  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. The lake is open to 10 hp gas motors. 

SCOTT'S RESERVOIR — The lake is full. The boat ramp is accessible.   Fish early in the morning and late in the day. The lake will be stocked with catchable size rainbow trout this week. 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 and the boat ramp is accessible.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. The 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 a little low. The boat ramp is accessible.  Fish early in the morning and late in the day. Fishing is fair to good for 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 — Fish early in the morning and late in the day. Fishing is fair.  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 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. Buffalo Crossing to Diamond Rock has been stocked with catchable size Apache trout this week and 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.

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 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. 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.  Forest area closures going into effect on June 27 will prohibit access to the lower West Fork LCR and lower East Fork LCR on Forest Service land.

SHEEPS CROSSING – WEST FORK LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – Stream flows are low.  Catchable size Apache trout will not be stocked until July 1 because of a stream renovation scheduled for the next two weeks.  Forest area closures going into effect on June 27 will prohibit access to the areas immediately upstream and downstream of Sheeps Crossing.

Southeastern Arizona
TUCSON URBAN — Kennedy, Silverbell, Sahuarita and Lakeside will be stocked with channel catfish for the last time this summer the week of June 26-July 1 2006.  Due to fish supply issues in Arkansas and unforeseen equipment failures, last week’s normal stocking of catfish had been cancelled.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our dedicated urban anglers.  The Urban Fishing Program will make every effort to ensure a full load of quality channel catfish is stocked at all Urban Fishing Program lakes and ponds.  We will also work with our catfish hauler/vendor to provide extra channel catfish at these Urban Fishing Program waters for this final stocking of the spring/summer season. Catfish stockings will continue the week of Sept. 18-23, 2006.  Top catfish baits were worms, stink baits and hotdogs.  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.  These lakes probably still have some rainbow trout remaining.  Try Power Bait or small spinners.  The lakes have also been stocked with small sub-catch able sized largemouth bass.  Largemouth bass are spawning in shallows at most lakes.  Please exercise catches and release (recycling) for spawning bass and remember the minimum keep able size for bass is 13 inches.  And, they also have been stocked with aggressive, fast-growing, tasty hybrid sunfish.  Fishing for sunfish has been good.  Use mealworms and earthworms on a small hook, size 10 or smaller, under a bobber set at 3 to 5 feet.  Buy a two-pole stamp and try different baits to double your odds.

RIGGS FLAT —The Lake will not be stocked with trout until the water quality improves however there are still trout to be caught at this lake.  Currently, trout fishing is fair.  For lake information call (928) 428-4150.

CLUFF RANCH —Bass fishing is fair with some crappie being caught.  Anglers should focus their fishing effort to early mornings and late evenings.  Recent surveys show a good number of 3-plus-pound fish in this small pond.  The pond is not being stocked at this time.  For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — Fishing for all warmwater species is fair.  Early morning and late evenings are the most productive times.  This lake is not being stocked at this time.  For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND —Not being stocked at this time and no report on the fishing success at this time..  For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

KEARNY LAKES — This lake is currently not fishable.
 
ARIVACA — The bass fishing has been good to excellent. The water level is extremely low. It is impossible to launch any boats from a boat trailer. Only boats that can be carried or dragged to the lake are usable. If you choose to launch your boat from the shore, be aware of the soft mud. Also, do not park your truck on the shore. Park your vehicles in the designated parking lot. The weeds are growing rapidly, and are starting to impact the fishing from shore. Our fall fisheries surveys showed that the change in regulations to catch and release for all bass has had a positive impact.  Several bass in the 7-plus-pound range were surveyed.  Remember, powerboats on Arivaca Lake are restricted to the use of a single electric motor only, and all bass must be immediately released back to the water.  The mercury advisory for all fish is still in effect. 

PENA BLANCA – The bass fishing is fairly good.  Due to the lack of rain, water levels remain extremely low.  It is very difficult, if not impossible to launch boats.  Only small, high drafting boats can be launched. You will probably need a four-wheel drive truck to facilitate the boat launching. The weeds are growing rapidly, and are starting to take over the lake. Unfortunately, the department cannot begin its’ weed-cutting efforts until the water levels rise, due to the low draft on the weed-cutting boat. Remember, powerboats on Pena Blanca Lake are restricted to the use of a single electric motor only. The mercury advisory for all warm water fish is in effect. Bass less than 13 inches long must be immediately released. The daily bag limit for bass is 4.  Also, be advised that Pena Blanca is not an urban lake; therefore an Urban fishing license is invalid to fish at this lake. 

PATAGONIA — Bass fishing has been fair, 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. The marina boat ramp is still open but the other is closed due to low water levels. If the lake continues drop there will be problems launching at the marina also. The lake could continue dropping until substantial summer rains hit. The lake is about 3 feet low and there are many rocks and obstructions that can damage boats that usually are not a navigational hazard. For more lake information, call Patagonia Lake State Park at (520) 287-6965.

PARKER CANYON —Fishing at Parker Canyon Lake is fair.  Bass and blue gill are hitting a variety of lures and baits along weed beds and in shallow waters in the early mornings and evenings.  During the day, work deeper waters with worms and mealworms for bluegill and sunfish.  Bass can be enticed to bite using deep-water lures around structures.  Some trout are still being caught in deeper, cooler waters.  Water levels are still good, with no issues launching boats.  Some of the coves and shallower shorelines are becoming weedy, which is limiting fishing.  The steeper shorelines along the south side of the lake do not have weed issues and are a great place to fish deeper waters.

PICACHO RESERVOIR — No Report.

ROSE CANYON LAKE — Rose Canyon Lake and campground are opened to vehicle traffic.  The lake will not be stocked with trout until the water quality improves and fishing is slow at this time.