Salt Spray

[HabaneroDog]

AZ. Fishing Report
October 21, 2003

Report editor:
Rory Aikens, [phone]

Regional editors:
Pinetop Region - Richard Dreyer, [phone]
Flagstaff Region - Chuck Benedict, [phone]
Kingman Region - Andy Clark, [phone]
Yuma Region - Wayne Gunter [phone]
Tucson Region - Dave Neill, [phone] ext. 561
Mesa Region - Richard Wiggins, [phone] ext. 228

Other ways to get the fishing report:
Internet home page: azgfd.com
Recorded public call-in line: [phone]

Rory's Tip
Bartlett and Pleasant are the two fishing hot spots for the desert impoundments. Many anglers at Bartlett report catching-and-releasing 30 to 40 bass per day in the 1- to 2-pound range. Many Pleasant anglers report catching 20 to 30 white and largemouth bass (with some stripers mixed into the bag) - mostly during the day. However, one angler reported catching 20 or so whites and up to 10 channel catfish at night using anchovies and live minnows (or netted shad). Crappie action is heating up at Roosevelt Lake - finally. Trout anglers - hit the high country now to experience awesome autumn fishing conditions.



CENTRAL ARIZONA
URBAN LAKES - Will be stocked with channel catfish this week. Try chicken liver, hot dogs or corn for channel catfish. Mealworms or night crawlers work great for sunfish.

TEMPE TOWN LAKE - Fishing for bass is good. Largemouth bass are hitting plastics, crankbaits and shad imitation lures. The best time to fish is dawn and dusk. The evening bite can be good using plastics and topwater lures. The park closes at 10 p.m. Most fish are caught close to shore. Another good place to try is the east end near the Highway 202 overpass. There is a 13-inch minimum length regulation for largemouth bass here. Crappie fishing can be good under the Mill Avenue Bridge using minnows. Yellow bass are plentiful and average about 9 inches. Worms work well for them. The Game and Fish Department plans to start stocking rainbow trout in late November. Last year more than 31,000 catchable trout were stocked. This fishery provided good catch rates for trout fishery last year. Fishing for carp can be excellent: use dough bait or corn. Small bluegills (3-5 inches) are easy to catch and can be a bonanza for kids using mealworms. You need a state fishing license - Class A (not an Urban License). A two-pole stamp can be used here.

LAKE PLEASANT - Water level is at 1,619 feet (26-percent full). Water is being released from the lake at 570 cfs, which is a much slower rate. Temperatures are finally starting to cool off and fish are becoming more active during the day. Some anglers report catching 20 to 30 largemouth and white bass per day (and night) on a variety of techniques. Largemouth bass may be located around woody cover, focusing on the outside edges of tree lines and rocky structure. Also try points, islands and reefs. Many anglers use Carolina rigs, Drop shots, Senkos and topwater baits. Fishermen are reporting a lot more white and striped bass in the northern areas of the lake. At night, fishing under crappie lights is effective for white and striped bass. Catfish can be located in 15 to 25 feet of water. Try using stink bait, chicken liver, sunfish, and worms. Look for sunfish around boat ramps and close to shore.

ROOSEVELT LAKE - The lake is 29-percent full at elevation 2,074 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 160 cfs. Crappie fishing is heating up. Anglers trolling the Salt and Tonto arms of the lake are catching about 25 fish per boat. Bass fishing is hit or miss recently with very few being caught. The bass that are being caught have been taken using tight-lines using drop shots C-rigged or T-rigged or Robo worms. Topwater is working when shad are found on the surface. Look for the bass bite to heat u8p very soon and be caught all day as the water cools. Please harvest largemouth bass under the 13-inch slot. Smallies are being caught off rocky points with in-line spinners and crayfish imitations. Catfishing is decent for both channel and flathead. Large flatheads can be caught in the upper salt arm of the lake and the Salt River itself below the diversion dam. Use live bait and gear up for these behemoths. Some of the flatheads have been tagged with a blue wire tag. Call the Mesa Game and Fish office at [phone] if you catch a tagged flathead catfish. Carp fishing is good in the coves using corn or dough baits. Note: Anglers are reminded of the slot bass size limit that remains in effect at Roosevelt where 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 91-percent full at 1,905 feet. Smallmouth bass are active early and late; use in-line spinners or crawdad imitation crankbaits. Largemouth bass fishing is heating up, every fall a few monster bass are caught at this lake. This is a good time to fish for Yellow bass. Target them around shad. Yellow bass will hit a variety of baits including minnows and small crankbaits. Spoons can also be and effective yellow bass bait. Apache Lake is home to World class Yellow bass and possibly may be the best chance of catching a state record. 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. 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 [phone]. You can keep the tag and the fish. There is a certified scale at the marina boathouse.

CANYON - Lake is 94-percent full at 1,657 feet. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is slow during the day. There are reports of good topwater action at dusk and dawn. Several shad boils are also being reported with jerkbaits being effective. Later in the day try drop shots, Westy Worms or Carolina-rigs off points in 20-40 feet of water. Some big bass are historically caught here at this time of year! Smallmouth action can be really good right at dark; imitation crawdads work well. At night try noisy topwater lures and crankbaits. This is also a great lake for yellow bass, a member of the true bass family. Locate balls of shad and jig spoons in and around the school of shad. A few walleye are being caught trolling along cliffs.

SAGUARO - Lake level is 1,525 feet (94-percent full). Bass fishing is slowly picking up with the bite lasting longer in the morning and starting earlier in the afternoon. Look for fishing to continue improving over the next few weeks. Lots of small bass are being caught indicating a good spawn this spring. Bass are being caught early and at night. Carolina-rigs with 4- to 6-inch worms (tight-lines), Westy and Robo-worms are working. Fish are also being caught using Senkos. Saguaro has been producing some bass in the 6- to 8-pound range and a lot of fish are in the 2- to 4-pound range. Look to fish the "extremes" this time of year. Bass will be very shallow or very deep. The topwater bite should remain good in the early fall. Major topwater eruptions of schooling bass chasing threadfin shad at various locations, typically main lake around reefs and islands but even in open water at times, are commonplace this time of year. Other bass will be deep (30-50 feet) and be vulnerable to drop shots and Carolina rigs. As temperatures continue to cool, most bass will go deep and it will be time to start jigging with spoons, Carolina rigging lizards and drop shotting finesse worms. Reports of Yellow bass hitting spoons near Ship Rock (KastMasters) around balls of shad. Carp are moving into the shallows and can be fun to catch; try corn or dough baits. They can be caught all day. Find a shallow shelf 10-15 feet deep adjacent to deep water where they will cruise over. Chumming is legal and works well corn is an effective chum. Catfishing is picking up. Hot dogs, shrimp and stink bait work well. Try coves or the flats at night. 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 was at 1,782 feet (77-percent full). Crappie action is getting good, reports indicate fish can be had around the Yellow Cliffs area trolling minnows. Anglers are still catching lots of bass in the 1-2 pound range. Bass are being caught at dusk and dawn on topwater. Topwater is a good option during the morning hours; watch for bass chasing shad in the back of coves and even the middle lake regions. During the day go deeper with crawdad imitations and dark plastics. Most reports say crankbaits fished near rock piles along the main lake are working best. Drop-shotting "Robo Worms" is working well. Black Power Worms and lizard imitations have been catching fish. Soft plastics, jigs and Westys are the best nighttime baits. Also keep a look out for bass chasing shad boils, try throwing jerk baits into the boil. Catfishing is good; some channels and flatheads are being caught. Look for flatheads in the 10- to 15-pound range and an occasional 30 pounder to take live bluegill or carp in the upper lake or on the flats across from Rattlesnake Cove at night. Flathead fishing is usually best from dusk to midnight. At times the bite is just before dawn.

HORSESHOE - Lake is empty. No reports on fishing. The Colorado pikeminnow and the razorback sucker are endangered and must be released immediately. Upstream from Horseshoe Dam is an unlimited harvest area for all game fish. The deep pool below the dam is producing flathead and channel cats.

VERDE RIVER - Monday morning flows were 120 cfs at Camp Verde. Flows were 550 cfs below Bartlett Dam. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass is slow. Try for smallies in the main river bellow riffles. Try for largemouth in the slower back eddies. Use imitation crawdads, Power Grubs or a Z-Wobbler. Catfishing has been good in the stretch below Horseshoe and Bartlett dams. Catfishing is good with some large flatheads being taken on small carp. Try Catfish Point above Bartlett near the dam and the Needle Rock area below. 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 [phone].

LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) - Fishing is poor. The flow is 8 cfs below Stewart Mountain Dam and shall remain low until next spring. The only reach with good flows is past the Verde River confluence. Try the Granite Reef area. The water backs up here in front of the dam and holds bass, catfish, carp and bluegill. Mark your calendars: this stretch of river is scheduled for trout stockings starting the week of Nov. 9.



COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST
LAKE POWELL - Lake elevation: 3,602. Water temperature: 67-70 F. This year continues to offer surprises. Stripers action is now better in the lower lake than either the San Juan or from Bullfrog upstream. Don't expect to catch boiling stripers all day from Wahweap to Rainbow Bridge. You can expect to see a boil at least every other day in a variety of lower lake locations. Big boils and big fish have been caught recently at the mouths of the Navajo Canyon and Rock Creek, and up as far as Dangling Rope. These boils do not happen every day. When they come up, the boils last much longer than the very quick boils seen upstream last month. Hopefully a pattern will develop and dependable boils will allow some decent striper catches in the lower lake during the next two weeks. Mid lake seems to have more striper activity from Escalante to Rincon. Bullfrog to Hite is not as good. There will be more information gathered this week and hopefully a better understanding of where stripers will be next week will evolve so plans can be made to catch them. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are still active lake wide and can be caught on a variety of topwater and plastic baits. Bass are still active in the main channel but also working back into the coves. Fast falling structure is better than gentle sloping flats. But bass fishing can be described as really good over the expanse of Lake Powell. Bass anglers working steep rock inclines in shaded areas sometimes get walleye surprises if they let their offering go deep enough.

LEES FERRY - Fishing is good on dry flies. The top choices are black and white Stimulators and Irresistibles on the surface and black/copper zebra midges and small ginger scuds underneath. Nymphing is good in deeper water. A dry/dropper in the riffles is the way to go. Spin-fishing remains good. Olive or black marabou jigs do well when cast at the banks and bounced back to the boat along the bottom. Inline spinners such as panther martins and Rooster Tails in black with a gold blade are also accounting for a lot of fish, especially when fished in the flat water above most riffles. Also try dragging glo-bugs, specifically in pink or Oregon cheese along the edges of the riffles. At the walk-in area, fishing continues to be good on San Juan worms and zebras along with a little action on scuds. In the shallow water a short and light nymph rig with a small indicator has been good. In the deeper water try the same rig with a longer leader, a larger indicator and more split shot. Changing flies often is a good thing until you figure out what the fish want. Flows are expected to stay low, with the 5,000 to 20,000 cfs flows starting again in January and running through March. For more information, try leesferry.com.

LAKE MEAD - Striper activity was good last week. Several anglers reported luck in the early morning around shad boils using shad-colored crankbaits. Anchovies were also taking good numbers of stripers and catfish through the midday periods. There were no reports on largemouth bass fishing out of South Cove. Water levels have stayed constant so launching conditions remain good at South Cove and Temple Bar.

LAKE MOHAVE - Anglers are still catching smaller stripers around Cottonwood Cove and near the dam. There have also been reports of catfish being caught in the Powerline Cove area. Anchovies were the bait of choice for catching stripers at Willow Beach. Several larger stripers weighing around 20 pounds were caught last week. There is a certified scale at Willow Beach Harbor to weigh your trophy.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM - The fishing was spotty last week in front of the Casinos with some anglers catching small stripers. Fishing was slow at Davis Camp. Remember the river drops in a hurry after midnight; so if you go overnight, tie a long lead on your anchor rope. At times in the early morning, water levels will not allow you to put your boat back on the trailer.



SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA
HAVASU - Striper fishing has picked up. Site Six fishermen should continue using small pieces of anchovy. Several folks have been able to catch their limit of decent fish lately (mostly about 1/2 to 3/4 pounders). Larger stripers are still hard to come by from the shore, although a 3-pound striper was caught last week at Pittsburgh Point. Striper fishermen in boats should continue working the old river channel: the area around the island is always a good bet early in the morning. Some boils have been observed very early when the water is still calm, so an early start is a must. Some channel cats have been caught on night crawlers at Pittsburg Point last week. Chicken livers are also a good bait to try. A couple small flatheads were caught near the chalk cliffs, but no magnum-sized flatheads have been reported lately. The fishing dock at Havasu Springs is still closed for repairs. Not many folks have been fishing at the Mesquite Bay docks, so if you want to get away from the crowds, it is a great place to relax. Try the same baits listed above for stripers and catfish. Bass fishing continues to be fair, with the largemouth bite turning up just a bit. While less smallmouth are being caught, the largemouth have been biting well up in the river along the tulles and in backwaters. Sight fishing is a good technique to try, but fish are sometimes picky, so be persistent and try many different presentations. The areas from Copper Canyon to Havasu Palms and from Pilot Rock to Steamboat Cove are still producing a decent catch for hard-working anglers. With many tournaments coming up, anglers are reminded to check their boat safety equipment before getting on the water. Check to make sure you have a Type IV throwable PFD (the throw cushion), a wearable life jacket for everyone on board, and a working fire extinguisher.

PARKER STRIP - Water levels are slightly lower than normal for October. Expect levels to continue to decline in the coming weeks with the lowest days generally being Thursday. Small mouth should be hitting upriver. Try to focus on areas with rockier shorelines and keep and eye on the weather. Low-pressure systems that bring a fair amount of wind get everything stirred up and the smallies take advantage of that to feed. Try crawdad colored baits along the shore. Pale-colored buzz baits can work well too. Channel cats are usually a good bet for anyone looking to not work too hard. Stink baits, cut anchovies, or night crawlers are the more common baits of choice. Look for areas with deep pockets, such as just off of Patria Flats or behind Rabbit Rock. Don't forget the monster bluegill and redears hiding in the Parker Strip. Try drifting small worms along the grass beds or brush piles or working spoons (less than 1/4 ounce) into the backwaters and using a quick retrieval to prevent it from sinking too deep.

MARTINEZ LAKE/COLORADO RIVER - The Colorado River is flowing at 8,400 cfs with many sandbars showing. The water temperature in the river is in the mid 80s. The visibility is 5 to 8 feet. The weather has been sunny with light winds. Temperatures are still ranging between 100 and 105 during the day and 80 at night. Mornings are perfect for fishing. The fishing pressure has dropped off. The best time to fish is pre-dawn to 11 a.m. The flathead bite is good. Some 40-plus-pound fish have been landed. Cats are being caught on goldfish or bluegill in the river at night. Bluegill fishing is hot using mealworms. Stripers are being caught at the entrance to Martinez Lake using night crawlers. Blue and channel catfish are plentiful using stink bait, worms, cut mackerel or any other meat. They are easily caught in the river and in the lakes. If you don't have a bite in 20 minutes, move on. Largemouth bass are in the river edges and deeper holes in the lakes. They can be caught on live shiners, night crawlers, spinners, plastic worms or crankbaits. Bass are along the river edges in the deeper holes. Shiners, spinners, night crawlers, plastic worms and crankbaits have caught fish this week. Most fish reported between two and five pounds (less than 13 inches). A serious angler can catch a limit of fish in six hours.

MITTRY LAKE - Not much to report. Some bass have been caught on plastic worms (purple or black). Bluegills are biting mealworms. Stink bait and liver work best for channel cats. Try live goldfish or bluegill for flatheads.

YUMA AREA RIVERS/CANALS - Several channel catfish have been caught recently, most in the 1-2 pound range on chicken liver and stink bait. The Canal near Mittry Lake can be very productive for catfish, bluegill and bass.

FORTUNA POND - Some bass have been caught from shore and on belly boats using both topwater and bluegill for baits. One bass was 3 pounds. Some channel catfish are being caught with chicken livers or worms. Bluegills are always plentiful and many have been caught on bobbers with worms. Fall stockings are coming soon for hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Check the stocking schedules at azgfd.com. Anglers need to purchase a trout stamp for trout or buy a license with includes the stamp if fishing for trout.

REDONDO POND - No recent angler reports. Water is very clear here and bluegill and bass dominate the pond. A belly boat is the most effective way to fish here.

EHRENBERG - The bass are really hitting well in the backwaters of the Cibola division. They are hitting on shad and shad imitations. The catfish in the 15- to 25-pound range are still biting in the backwaters and main channel.

ALAMO LAKE - Bass fishing is good. Shad-like or green crankbaits have been working. Topwater action is okay in the morning and evening. Some crappies are being caught on jigs and minnows, but action is nothing to brag about. Catfishing is still good. Stink bait is the way to go for catfish. For up-to-date information, try calling the Alamo Lake Store at [phone].



NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Angler Note: This time of the year can provide some of the best fishing in the Flagstaff and Williams areas. Look for trout to be active as temperatures cool.

WILLIAMS LAKES:

KAIBAB LAKE - The campground is open. Trout fishing has been good to excellent using corn, rainbow Power Bait and worms. In addition fly fishermen were doing well using small black flies. Fishing for black crappie has slowed down. A few catfish are being caught; use worms or chicken livers. During the fish survey recently an 18-pound channel catfish was measured and released.

CATARACT LAKE - Campground is open. Water levels are low and the water quality is not sufficient to stock trout.

CITY RESERVOIR - Trout fishing was fair last weekend.

DOGTOWN LAKE - Closed while the Forest Service renovates the campground and picnic areas.

WHITEHORSE LAKE - Campground is open. Water levels are too low to stock. Use green Power Bait or try small spinners behind a bubble.

JD DAM - Stocked.

SANTA FE - Fishing was fair for trout.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY - No Activity

UPPER LAKE MARY - Fishing for walleye and northern pike should be picking up as the water cools. A 20-pound northern has been caught this year. There is a health advisory on this lake. Mercury has been detected in the fish. Do not eat the walleye or more then 8 ounces (uncooked weight) of any fish caught.

ASHURST LAKE - Fishing for trout has been good using pink or rainbow Power Bait.

KINNIKINICK LAKE - Fishing has picked up for trout. Catfish were being caught last weekend

LONG LAKE - The lake is open. The average depth is about 3 feet. Remember that using live fish as bait in Coconino County is illegal. There is a health advisory on this lake; mercury has been detected. Do not eat fish caught here.

SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX - Soldiers Lake is full and Soldiers Annex has water. There is a health advisory: do not eat fish from these lakes because Mercury has been detected.

STONEMAN LAKE - Received some runoff but the water level is too low for stocking.

BLUE RIDGE - Stocked; should be plenty of holdovers. The algae bloom is gone so fishing should pick up.

KNOLL LAKE - Fishing is fair using worms and orange Power Bait. The water level has increased with recent storms.

VERDE VALLEY/PRESCOTT VICINITY WATERS:

OAK CREEK - Scheduled to be stocked this week. Fishing is fair for brown trout and good for rainbow trout.

BEAVER CREEK - Scheduled to be stocked next week.

WEST CLEAR CREEK - Stocked.

MINGUS LAKE - Mingus was stocked last week. Power Bait in various colors and night crawlers were working well.

DEADHORSE STATE PARK - Two new lagoons are being built and should come on line by November for the winter trout-stocking season.

LYNX LAKE - Trout were stocked last week. The trout fishing was fair to good over the weekend, with Rainbow Power Bait being the best producer. There were 600 channel catfish averaging about 1-pound stocked Sept. 11. .

FAIN LAKE - Trout were stocked last week. Anglers were having good luck over the weekend catching trout, mostly in the early morning hours. More than 400 catchable sized catfish were stocked Sept. 11. Local anglers reported catching small catfish but few of the stockers. Try hot dogs and mealworms fished about 6-feet under a bobber.




MOGOLLON RIM
CHEVELON CANYON LAKE - Fishing is fair to good for rainbow trout. Try Z-Rays, Panther Martin spinners, Rapalas and flies (wooly worms, woolly buggers, and peacock ladies). Anglers are catching rainbow trout on woolly worms. Brown trout should be starting their spawning runs up Chevelon Creek. Try gold or silver Rapalas and crayfish colored crankbaits.

BEAR CANYON LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies. Trout should be cruising the shorelines.

BLACK CANYON LAKE - The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is fair to good for rainbow trout. Try using worms and Power Bait, as well as Z-Rays, Panther Martin spinners and Crickhopper lures. Flies such as woolly worms, woolly buggers and peacock ladies are also effective.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE - The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures or flies. This lake also has largemouth bass. An 11-pound rainbow trout was caught in mid September. One angler reported good success on black Woolly worms.

WOODS CANYON LAKE - The boat ramp is accessible. The fishing is good. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies. Large Brown trout should be cruising the shoreline so try Rapalas and crank baits around rocky points.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. Trout stockings resume the week of Oct. 13-18. This lake is part of the urban fishing program and requires an urban fishing license. The lake contains rainbow trout, bluegill and catfish. Power Bait, salmon eggs and worms are effective. Try crappie jigs, small Rapalas, crankbaits and small spoons.

CHEVELON CREEK - Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies in the deeper pools.



WHITE MOUNTAINS
Note To Anglers: Stream flows are good. Water clarity is good and stream fishing should be good to excellent.

BECKER LAKE - The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is fair. Try trolling lures and small flies. The lake is now open to artificial lures and flies only.

BIG LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. The lake contains rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache trout. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Rapalas, Crickhoppers, Z-Rays, Panther Martin spinners, and Super Dupers. Flies such as peacock ladies, woolly worms and woolly buggers have been effective. The water level is low at all boat ramps. Use caution when launching a boat. The South Cove boat ramp has some gravel below the concrete ramp. There are boat rentals available at the store. Fishing should pick up as water temperatures continue to cool down. Big rainbow and cutthroat trout should be cruising the shorelines. Brook trout should be just offshore spawning.

CARNERO LAKE - Fishing is fair. The lake is weedy so fish the deep and open holes of the lake. Try lures and flies. The lake is open to artificial lures and flies only with barbless hooks. There is also a two-fish limit.

CONCHO LAKE - Fishing is poor to fair. Fish for trout in the early morning by the dam or boat ramp. Try worms, Power Bait and flies.

CRESCENT LAKE - Fishing is poor to fair. The water level is low and the lake is weedy. The west side boat ramp may be the most accessible. Use caution when launching a boat. The other two boat ramps are not useable. Try worms, Power Bait and flies. Try using a water casting bubble with an artificial fly or bait. Fish the rocky points. Brook trout should be spawning along rocky shorelines.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE - Lake level has risen and both boat ramps are accessible. Fishing is poor to fair for trout, catfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye and sunfish. Try worms, jigs and crankbaits for bass or walleye but try chicken liver for catfish.

GREER LAKES - Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies. Brown trout should be making their spawning runs up the west fork of the Little Colorado River at the south end of River Reservoir. Try silver or gold Rapalas.

HULSEY LAKE - Fishing is poor. The lake summer-killed and all the trout died.

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR - The lake has been drained. It will be stocked in the spring with Apache trout and when available, Arctic grayling.

LUNA LAKE - Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies. There is a store with boat rentals and campgrounds. There is an algae bloom and the lake water level is low.

LYMAN LAKE - Fishing is fair to good for catfish and carp. Try liver or corn. There is a health advisory here. Mercury levels were detected in the fish. Children under the age of six should not eat fish from the lake. Women of childbearing age and children under the age of 16 should limit their consumption of fish to one meal per month. Adult men over the age of 16 can consume five meals per month.

NELSON RESERVOIR - The lake is low. The boat ramp is out of water. The water level is 5 to 6 feet below the concrete boat ramp. Fishing is fair. Try worms and Power Bait off shore using some weight to get it out there. Try using a casting bubble or fish at least 18 inches off the bottom. This lake also has black crappie and green sunfish.

RAINBOW LAKE - The water is low. The concrete boat ramp is slightly out of water. Use caution when launching a boat. There is a thick green algae bloom. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies. Try fishing around structures such as weed beds, rocks and stumps for bass, sunfish and catfish. The Show Low Irrigation Company is working on the dam. The reeds from around dam to the boat dock have been removed to allow angler access next spring.

SCOTT'S RESERVOIR - The water level is 15-20 feet below the concrete boat ramp. Use caution when launching. Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies for trout. Catfish and bass are hitting early and late in the day. Water dogs have been a sure bet.

SHOW LOW LAKE - Fishing is fair for rainbow trout. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies. Trophy-sized walleye have been caught. Try for walleye at first and last light or at night. Other fish species here include sunfish, bass and catfish. This fishery produces nice size fish.

WOODLAND LAKE- The water level is down slightly. The boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is poor to fair. Try worms, Power Bait, lures and flies. Try fishing for sunfish around the dock, around weeds and rocks.

CHOLLA LAKE - Experienced a bad fish kill. Fishing is poor. This fishery contains largemouth bass, channel catfish, sunfish and carp.

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing is poor to fair for trout. Try worms and Power Bait. Rapala lures are also working well. This fishery, south of Winslow, contains largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish, bullheads, rainbow trout and carp.

SILVER CREEK - Trout fishing is good. Try using small spinners and small, bead-head (peacock colored) flies and shrimp patterns. The Stream is now open to catch-and-release fishing, artificial lures and flies with barbless hooks. Catchable size (12-16 inch) Apache trout were stocked Oct. 1.

STREAMS - An 11-pound, 7-ounce brown trout was caught on a night crawler in August at the east fork of the Black River. Fishing is fair to good for Apache trout at the east and west forks of the Black River and the Little Colorado River at Greer and Sheep's Crossing. One angler reported that dry flies were working on shaded pools even at midday along the West Fork of the Black River - she caught a 15-inch-long Apache trout



SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA
TUCSON URBAN - Lakeside, Kennedy and Sahuarita, will be stocked with channel catfish this week. Silverbell will not be stocked due to water quality. Try worms, chicken liver, hot dogs or prepared catfish bait. These lakes also have aggressive, fast growing, tasty, hybrid sunfish. Fishing for sunfish has been good. Use mealworms and earthworms and 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 - Open and stocked with rainbow and brown trout. For lake information and fire restrictions call [phone].

CLUFF RANCH - Near full. Fishing is fair for warm water species. For lake information call [phone].

ROPER LAKE - Stocked with 1,000-catchable size channel catfish. Slow for warm water species. For lake information call [phone].

DANKWORTH POND - Slow for warm water species. For lake information call [phone].

KEARNY LAKES - Not stocked due to water quality.

ARIVACA - Fishing for bass is still good. There is a decent topwater bite early and late using buzzbaits. Anglers throwing plastics are doing OK. Water level has risen and the lake is full. Remember, all bass must be immediately released back to the water. The mercury advisory for all warm water fish is still in effect.

PENA BLANCA - The lake is full. Fishing for sunfish/bluegill is fair on corn and worms. Bass fishing is slow, partly due to the excess weeds at the lake and the rapid rise in the water level. Try fishing plastics at the edge of the weeds in the evening and early morning. Remember; the mercury advisory for all warm water fish is still in effect. Bass less than 13 inches long must be released. Trout are okay to eat.

PATAGONIA - Some bass are still being caught at Patagonia Lake on Rat-L-Traps and minnow and shad type lures. The bluegill and redears are biting on worms and mealworms fished at about 6 feet deep. Be careful when boating the lake as it is still 3-4 feet below normal and has many hazards from subsurface rocks and shoals. Catfish fishing is fair. Try chicken liver, dough balls for channels and blue gill for flatheads. Call ahead of time to check on conditions at [phone], 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For concession information call [phone].

PARKER CANYON - Fishing is fair for all species, except trout. Bluegills are being caught deep using worms under bobbers. Bass are being caught in early morning and evenings in and around weed beds. Fish deeper later in the day. Pike are being caught while fishing for bass. Trout being caught in deeper, cooler waters mainly in boats at deeper areas of the lake. The water level is up: it's about 2 feet below spilling.

PICACHO RESERVOIR - No report.

ROSE CANYON LAKE - Closed due to forest fire; expected to remain closed through winter and reopen next spring.

Note: The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes they have been discriminated against in any Game and Fish program or activity, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the Game and Fish Deputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, Arizona 85023, [phone] or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact the Game and Fish Deputy Director as listed above or by calling TTY at 1-800 367-8939.