Note: Recent snow has made the higher elevation trout lakes in
the Flagstaff and Williams areas either inaccessible or ice-covered,
or likely both. Fishing is viable in the Verde Valley and Prescott
areas.
WILLIAMS
LAKES:
KAIBAB LAKE - Campground area is closed.
CATARACT LAKE - Campgrounds are closed.
CITY RESERVOIR - Road is closed.
DOGTOWN LAKE - Road and Campground area is closed.
JD DAM - Road is closed.
RUSSEL TANK - Road is closed
SANTA FE - Lake is full.
WHITEHORSE LAKE - Road is closed
FLAGSTAFF LAKES:
LOWER
LAKE MARY - No fish.
UPPER LAKE MARY - No report.
ASHURST LAKE - Road is closed
FRANCIS SHORT POND - Frozen
KINNIKINICK LAKE - Road is closed
MARSHALL LAKE - No fish. Inaccessible.
OAK CREEK - Fishing is good for rainbows fair for
brown trout.
LONG LAKE - Road is closed.
SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX - Road is closed
BEAVER CREEK - No report. Was stocked this fall.
WEST CLEAR CREEK - No report. Was stocked in the
fall.
STONEMAN LAKE - NO FISH
VERDE
VALLEY
WET
BEAVER CREEK -- No reports.
DEAD
HORSE STATE PARK – Trout were stocked
last week, the week of Jan. 4. Trout can be easily caught
on Power Bait, corn, or spinners. Many anglers prefer to
make their own homemade dough baits. They typically consist
of flour, vegetable oil, and garlic powder. Many anglers
have their own secret ingredients that they believe works better
than those by anybody else.
Catfish
were stocked for the Verde River days, the week of Sept. 21: 1,500
lbs of catfish were split between the two lagoons.
OAK
CREEK -- Fishing should be good for rainbows and fair
for browns
VERDE
RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) – Trout
were stocked last week, the week of Jan. 4. Look
for the trout to be schooled up at the stocking sites. Stocking
sites are at Tuzigoot Bridge outside of Clarkdale, The bridge that
leads to the Dead Horse State Park, at Deadhorse State Parks access
point called the Jacks, at the White Bridge in Camp Verde, and
at Bignotti Beach.
WEST
CLEAR CREEK --
Has not been stocked since October, but the West Clear Creek
Wilderness provides a hike-in fishing adventure for those in
good shape.
PRESCOTT
AREA
FAIN
LAKE - Trout were stocked last
week, the week of Jan. 4. Bright colored Power Bait will be your best bet.
Bluegill
were stocked on June 15 and again the week of June 20. Catfish
were stocked the week of June 15.
GOLDWATER
LAKE - Trout were stocked the week of Nov. 16. This was
the last scheduled stocking until February. Power Bait and salmon
eggs have been the best for trout. The fishing pressure has
been low as well as fishing success. About 1/3 of the anglers
are successful in catching at least one fish. The fish that
are being caught are larger than the usual stocked fish. While
we don’t stock in December and January, trout can still be
caught.
Both
bass and catfish were stocked the week of June 22. Bass were stocked
on June 10. The bass are being stocked to give a boost to a dwindling
population in the lake and to reduce the excessive number of crayfish.
Please practice catch and release with the bass, while the population
gets re-established.
Game
and Fish Biologists surveyed Goldwater on Sept. 15, 2009 and found
bass and catfish populations to be much improved over last year.
The number of green sunfish was greatly reduced. The bass had
a successful spawn this year. If you fish Goldwater and are having
luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so
I can share your successes with others.
Granite
Basin –The bass and bluegill are not biting. Look for the fishing
to pick up in the spring when the water warms. If you fish Granite
Basin and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so
I can share your successes with others.
LYNX
LAKE -
Rainbow trout were stocked the week of Nov. 2. This was
the last scheduled stocking until February. Fishing has
been slow, but some of the locals can catch fish all winter.
Try fishing near the boat launch.
Fingerling
brook trout were stocked Sept. 17. Five hundred pounds of catfish
were stocked on June 10. One thousand six hundred brook trout
were stocked on May 11. The brookies were about 3 to the pound.
MINGUS
LAKE –Trout were last stocked the week of Oct. 19. This
was the last scheduled stocking until the spring. While the
gate is closed you can still walk in. The best bait is usually
orange, pink, or white Power Bait, fished on the bottom with a
treble hook and an egg sinker.
Someone illegally stocked yellow bullhead into Mingus several years
ago. These fish compete directly with the trout and keep
growth rates very low. If you witness anyone, anywhere,
moving fish like bass, bluegill, catfish and stocking them,
please report it to our Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700.
Illegal stockings cost YOU money!
WATSON -
The fishing has slowed down as the water temperature has fallen.
Large numbers of small crappie are in Watson, but I have not
heard about people catching them.
Game
and Fish Biologists surveyed Watson last fall and found the bass,
sunfish, and bullhead to be plentiful. Crappies were also doing
well. Look for the crappie fishing to pick up in a year or two.
If you fish Watson and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so
I can share your successes with others.
WILLOW
CREEK RESERVOIR – The fishing has slowed down as the water
temperature has fallen.
If
you fish Willow and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so
I can share your successes with others.
OTHER
WAYS TO GET THE FISHING REPORT:
Internet Home Page www.azgfd.com
Recorded Public Call-In Line (602) 789-3701
