FISHING
REPORT EDITOR:
Rory
Aikens, (602) 789-3214
Regional editors:
Pinetop Region - Richard
Dreyer, (928) 367-4281
Flagstaff Region - Chuck
Benedict, (928) 774-5045
Kingman Region - Andy
Clark, (928) 692-7700
Yuma Region - Brad
Jacobsen (928) 342-4051
Tucson Region - Don
Mitchell, (520) 388-4451
Mesa Region - Richard
Wiggins, (481) 324-3544
October
21, 2009
Note: Contact the US Forest Service in Springerville for up to
date information on forest conditions at (928) 333-4372.
BECKER
LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. The boat ramp is
accessible. Becker is open to artificial lures and flies only,
barbless hooks, and a 2-trout bag and possession limit. Try
lures such as Super Dupers, spinners (Panther Martin and Rooster
Tails), rainbow colored Z-rays, and KastMasters. Try flies
such as peacock ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers in brown,
green, black or gray, brown colored nymphs, semi-seal leeches,
prince nymphs, zug bugs, pheasant tails, hares ears, small
scuds, and zebra midges. The lake is open to electric trolling
motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. There is a fishing pier
located on the northwest shoreline of the lake, which provides
good access for shore fishermen. Most of the lake is difficult
to fish from the shore. This lake has easy boat and little
shore fishing access opportunities.
BIG
LAKE - Fishing is good, with rainbows and cutthroats being
caught, although windy conditions this past weekend made it challenging
to fish at times. Boat ramps are accessible. Anglers are catching rainbow,
brook, and cutthroat trout. Some nice sized, (up to 6 pound),
rainbow trout have been caught near the store. During the mornings
and evenings, elk are routinely bugling.
Try worms, Power bait, corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners
(Mepps, Rooster Tail, Panther Martin), Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters,
Crickhoppers (yellow and orange), and Rapalas, and flies such as
wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, semi-seal leeches,
peacock ladies, and nymphs in black, brown, or green. Boat anglers
are catching trout using cowbells with an attached lure, fly or
worm. Shore anglers should try yellow or green Power Bait, salmon
eggs, and night crawlers. Trout are hitting bright colored lures
or flies. Trout are being caught in shallow areas of the lake.
The lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp.
gas motors. The store is open and has boats for rent. This lake
has easy boat and shore fishing access. There are three boat docks
at the lake, one at South Cove, one at the Big Lake ramp, and one
at Railroad Cove.
CARNERO
LAKE - Fishing is good. Carnero is open to artificial
lure and fly only, barbless hooks only, and a 2-trout bag and possession
limit. Try small lures such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters,
and spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin and Rooster Tails), and flies
such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, scud patterns, prince nymphs,
zug bugs, hares ear nymphs, and peacock ladies. Also try small
nymphs in black, brown, green or gray colors. Only electric trolling
motors are allowed. The lake is very weedy especially around the
shoreline areas and is best fished with a small boat, float tube
or kayak. Try fishing open water areas of the lake.
CLEAR
CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair for warm water fish
species such as bullheads, channel catfish, and sunfish and poor
for trout. Both boat ramps on the Northwest side are accessible,
however it is extremely difficult to access most of the lake
from the ramp by the dam because of the shallow water and sand
bars. The dirt ramp at mid-lake is not an official ramp and
is used at your own risk.
Try fishing with a bobber, split shot and worms near rocky shoreline
areas for sunfish and bass. Also try fishing off the bottom with
worms, hot dogs, and stink baits for bullheads and channel catfish.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners
(Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), Z-rays, crankbaits,
spinnerbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly
buggers, Yeager buggers, semi-seal leeches, and peacock ladies.
There are no motor restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir. This
lake has easy shore fishing access. Launching a trailered boat
is currently very difficult.
CONCHO
LAKE - There are currently no fishing opportunities.
The lake is extremely low and very weedy. The lake is mostly
dry. There is private property (closed to the public) on the
northwest side of the lake.
CRESCENT
LAKE - Fishing is fair. Fishing generally improves during
the fall as water temperatures cool down. All boat ramps are accessible;
however, the west and south boat ramps are deeper than the ramp
on the north end of the lake.
Fly-fishers have been catching brook trout on black woolly worms
with a red tail. Lure fishermen should try bright colored lures.
Try worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as small
Z-rays, Super Dupers, KastMasters, and spinners (Mepps, Panther
Martin, and Rooster Tail), and flies such as wooly worms, wooly
buggers, Yeager bugger, leech patterns, peacock ladies, Warden
Worrys, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. Also try small nymphs in
brown, black or green.
Crescent is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp.
gas motors. The store is closed for the season. This lake has
easy boat and shore fishing access. There is a fishing pier and
boat dock located at the south end of the lake, and a boat dock
located at the west side boat ramp.
FOOL
HOLLOW LAKE - Fool Hollow Lake State Park is open
and fishing is fair. All boat ramps are accessible. Bluegills
and black crappies are probably moving into deeper water due
to cooler water temperatures. Some nice sized bass are being
caught on lures and night crawlers. Catfish and walleyes are
being caught on night crawlers at night. Also, try hot dogs
and stink bait for catfish. Try worms, corn, salmon eggs,
and Power Bait, lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin,
and Rooster Tail), spoons (Super Dupers, Z-rays, and KastMasters),
rubber lead head jigs, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms,
wooly buggers, Yeager bugger, and semi-seal leeches. Try fishing
around rocky areas, tree stumps and fishing piers for black crappies,
bluegills, bass, and walleyes. The lake is open to electric trolling
motors and up to 10 hp gas motors. This lake has easy boating
and shore fishing access.
GREER
LAKES - Fishing is poor to fair. All three Greer
Reservoirs have been drawn down significantly during the summer
irrigation season. It is now the fill season and the lakes
will begin to fill slowly, and continue to fill during the
winter months. No boats can be launched at Bunch and River
Reservoirs because water levels are very low and the concrete
curb at the end of the two boat ramps are out of water. Try
worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait, lures such as spinners,
Z-rays, Super Dupers, KastMasters, and Rapalas, and flies such
as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs
in black, brown or green colors.
Bunch Reservoir and Tunnel Reservoir are open to electric trolling
motors only, and River Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors
and up to 10 hp. gas motors. These lakes have easy small boat,
float tube, and Kayak fishing access, as well as shore access.
HULSEY
LAKE - Fishing is poor. Dissolved oxygen levels are
good. Fishing could improve in the fall. The lake is down
about 2 feet. Weeds, (cattails), are present around shoreline
areas. Try worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait, small
lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster
Tail), and small spoons such as Super Dupers, KastMasters,
and Z-rays, and flies such as peacock ladies, prince nymphs,
zug bugs, and woolly worms. The lake is open to electric trolling
motors only, but there is no boat ramp. Hulsey has easy shore
fishing access. There is a short hiking trail to the lake.
LEE
VALLEY RESERVOIR - Fishing is poor to fair. Fishing
should improve as cooler water temperatures prevail. The lake
is down about 4-5 feet. Try lures such as spinners (Mepps,
Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), small spoons such as Super
Dupers, KastMasters, and Z-rays, and flies such as peacock
ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, hares ear, scud patterns,
wooly worms, and small nymphs in black, brown, green or gray
colors. Lee Valley Lake is open to artificial lures and flies
only, with a 2-trout bag and possession limit. There is a
12-inch minimum length limit on all fish. No bait fishing is
allowed. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
There is easy boat and shore fishing access.
LUNA
LAKE - Fishing is fair. Some anglers have been catching
trout on yellow Power Bait and night crawlers. A few 19- to 20-inch
rainbow trout have been caught during October on night crawlers.
Try worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait, lures such as Panther
Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps spinners, small spoons like KastMasters,
Z-rays, and Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly
buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and black, brown
or green colored nymphs. The store is open sometimes. The lake
is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp. gas motors.
This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access. There is a fishing
pier near the west end boat ramp.
LYMAN
LAKE - Lyman Lake State Park is open and fishing is
fair. Anglers have been catching channel catfish on worms,
hot dogs, and stink baits. A few Largemouth bass and walleyes
are being caught on lures and night crawlers. Try worms, Power
Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners (Panther
Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), crankbaits, and Rapalas.
Try fishing lures along rocky areas for bass and walleye. The
Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park
and camping is available. There are also cabins for rent.
There is a fish consumption advisory here, so check with the
State Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the
Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region 1 office at (928)
367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.
The store is closed.
NELSON
RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. The boat ramps at the dam
and southern end are accessible. There is unlimited harvest of
rainbow trout at Nelson Reservoir from Sept. 1, 2009 through March
31, 2010. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners (Panther
Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), small spoons such as KastMasters,
Z-rays, and Super Dupers, jigs, and flies such as wooly worms,
wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. Also
try nymphs in black, brown or green colors. Nelson Reservoir is
open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp gas motors.
RAINBOW
LAKE - The public parking lot and boat ramp at Rainbow
Lake was closed for repair and repaving beginning Monday October
12. The public access improvement will take up to 4 weeks to complete,
and the entrance to the parking lot will be closed during that
period. Fishing off the dam is allowed however, there is no parking
available and the water level will make it difficult. Fishing
is poor for trout and fair for warm water species. The lake is
down about 4 feet and has some weedy areas present around the shoreline.
Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners (Panther Martin,
Rooster Tail, and Mepps) spoons (Super Dupers, Z-rays, Daredevils),
and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, and
peacock ladies.
SCOTTS
RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait,
corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners (Panther Martin,
Rooster Tail, and Mepps), spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-rays,
and KastMasters, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers,
peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. Try fishing with
worms, hot dogs, and stink baits for catfish. Scott Reservoir
is open to electric trolling motors only. There is easy boat
and shore fishing access. The water level is about 7 feet
low, so use caution when launching a boat. The boat ramp is
accessible.
SHOW
LOW LAKE - Fishing is fair. The lake is down about
6.5 feet but the boat ramp is still accessible. The fishing
piers have been straightened out and are accessible. There
is also a boat dock by the boat ramp. The boat dock at the
boat ramp is only for boat anglers, no fishing or swimming
is allowed. A few bass, trout, and walleyes are being caught
on lures. Try trolling Rapalas early in the morning and late
in the evening for walleyes. An experienced angler also did
well catching small walleye during the day by trolling and
casting a silver spinner rig baited with a night crawler.
Try worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait, lures such as
spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), spoons
such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, rubber lead head
jigs, Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, semi-seal
leeches, prince nymphs, peacock ladies and black, brown or green
colored nymphs. Also try fishing worms, hot dogs, and stink baits
for channel catfish. The lake is open to electric trolling motors
and up to 10 hp gas motors. The store is closed. This lake has
easy boat and shore fishing access.
WOODLAND
LAKE - Fishing is poor. New regulations went into
effect at Woodland Lake on Jan. 1, reducing the daily bag and
possession limit to four trout. The lake is low and weedy.
The boat ramp is weedy but usable for small boats, float tubes,
and kayaks. Try worms. Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs,
lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps),
spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, and KastMasters, and flies
such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince
nymphs, and zug bugs. Woodland Lake is open to electric trolling
motors only. This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access.
WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS:
WEST
FORK BLACK RIVER - Fishing is fair to good for small brown
trout above the campground. The stream is at base flows. The
trout stocking season has ended but there is a good population
of resident brown trout in the lower and middle reaches of the
West Fork. Try drifting worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs
through pools, (bait legal in lower reaches only), or casting small
spinners such as Mepps, Rooster Tails, and Panther Martins, small
spoons (KastMasters, Z-rays, and Super Dupers), Rapalas and flies
such as wooly worms or wooly buggers and small weighted nymphs
in black, brown, and green colors. Also try small (size 16) dry
flies such as parachute adams, black royal humpies, and caddis
fly patterns.
EAST
FORK BLACK RIVER - Fishing is fair to good. There
are still some nice sized (11- to 12-inch) Apache trout being
caught in the pools. The stream is at base flows. The trout
stocking season has ended but there is a good population of
resident brown trout in the stream. Try drifting worms, Power
Bait, corn, and salmon eggs through pools or casting small
lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, Rooster Tail),
small spoons (KastMasters, Z-rays, and Super Dupers), Rapalas
and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers and small weighted
nymphs in black, brown or green colors. Try small (size 16)
dry flies such as parachute Adams, black royal humpies, and
caddis fly patterns.
LITTLE
COLORADO RIVER SHEEP CROSSING - Fishing is poor to
fair. The stream is at base flows. The trout stocking season
has ended. Try drifting worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power
Bait through pools or casting small lures such as spinners
(Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), spoons such as Super
Dupers, Z-rays, and KastMasters, and flies such as wooly worms,
and small nymphs in black, brown or green colors. Try the
following dry flies; parachute adams, humpies, and caddis fly
patterns.
LITTLE
COLORADO RIVER GREER - Fishing is poor to fair. The
stream is at base flows. The trout stocking season has ended
but there is a resident population of wild brown trout in the
river. Try drifting worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs
through pools or casting small lures such as spinners (Mepps,
Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), spoons such as Super Dupers,
Z-rays, and KastMasters, and flies such as wooly worms, and
small nymphs in black, brown or green colors. Try the following
dry flies; parachute adams, humpies, and caddis fly patterns.
SILVER
CREEK - Fishing is good to excellent. Silver creek
on Arizona Game and Fish property is currently open to artificial
lure and fly only, barbless hooks only, and catch and release fishing
from Oct 1 through March 30. The upper section is open to fishing. Large
Apache and rainbow trout have been stocked for the catch-and-release
fishing season. Try small lures such as Mepps, Rooster Tails,
and Panther Martin spinners. Fly-fishers may want to try wooly
worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs,
shrimp patterns, midge patterns, and small bead head nymphs. Try
the following dry flies; parachute adams, humpies, and caddis fly
patterns.
OTHER
WAYS TO GET THE FISHING REPORT:
Internet Home Page www.azgfd.com
Recorded Public Call-In Line (602) 789-3701
