Outdoor News Daily

URBAN LAKES — Rainbow trout stockings are underway and will continue all winter long at two week intervals. Trout range in size from 11-12 inches in length, with some recently stocked fish in the 13-15 inch range.

Fishing is good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or salmon eggs. Successful bait anglers are switching bait types or colors every 20-30 minutes to trigger more action. Small spinners such as Roostertails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as Kastmasters and Super Dupers work well for trout in the early morning. Good trout fishing is continuing 7-10 days after stockings.

Action for catfish, bass and bluegill has slowed due to colder water temperatures. Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, corn and worms working best. Try small, flashy lures to attract the trout at this lake in the pines.

TEMPE TOWN LAKE -TEMPE TOWN LAKE – Rainbow trout were stocked last week and will be again next week. You can try the usual methods for the rainbows (baits like Power Bait, night crawlers, and mealworms or try spinners and spoons such as Panther Martins, KastMasters). Remember no gas motors are allowed (electric trolling motors are) and you must have a boating permit, which can be obtained at the Town Lake operations center.

Don’t forget the current bag limit for largemouth bass at Town Lake is four fish per day with a 13-inch minimum length restriction.

There are also no gas powered boats allowed on the lake and Tempe Town Lake permits are available at the City of Tempe Town Lake Operations Center, 620 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281. Phone: (480) 350-8625.

LAKE PLEASANT – A bald eagle closure is in effect on the Agua Fria Arm of the lake. No vehicle, watercraft or foot entry is allowed into the Lower Agua Fria Arm from Dec. 15 to June 15. Contact Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, (928) 501-1710.

Water level is at 1,666 feet (62-percent full) and dropping. Guys have been doing well on stripers in Humbug cove. There have been reports of anglers having 50+ striper days. Guys have been having luck on jerk baits and swim baits.

Our research study at Lake Pleasant shows that in winter, most of the striped bass migrate to the northern coves and can often be found over the submerged creek or river channels. Use your graph, when you spot a school, chum with anchovies, and fish your anchovy with little or no weight. Also try spoons.

An angler caught a new inland state record striped bass here recently when the big storm was brewing.

ROOSEVELT LAKE — The lake is 76-percent full at an elevation of 2,131 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 203 cfs Monday morning.

Largemouth bass fishing is good but fish but this is the transition time to winter activity levels. Some of the better fishing right now is in the 20- to 30-foot range, especially off points. Drop-shotting and wired worms are the baits of choice.

We have received report that crappie fishing is picking up at Rosy. Try the Tonto or Salt arms of the lake. Use John Deere grubs or black-blue-chartreuse (BBC) grubs on a 1/16-ounce jighead in about 25 feet of water.

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.

APACHE – Lake is 89-percent full at 1,903 feet. No recent reports but fishing should be good for yellow bass down by the dam. Yellow bass should hit jigs and spoons. Fish for them around balls of shad in 20-60 feet of water. Cut bait also works well for them.

CANYON LAKE – Lake elevation is 1,656 ft, which is 94 percent full. This lake has been stocked with rainbow trout. There is a good fishing pier in the Boulder Creek Recreation Area. Canyon Lake is a tough lake for some. Two fishermen nearly got skunked but a jerkbait nabbed a couple small largemouth bass. They had a good brisk time on the water, but the fish could have cooperated a bit more.

SAGUARO LAKE – Lake level is 1,524 feet (93-percent full). Bass fishing has been hit or miss. Yellow bass fishing has been good, try using a silver and blue kastmasters or similar. Saguaro will be stocked again next week (12/27) with rainbow trout. Try for rainbows in the Butcher Jones area. SRP is taking water from Saguaro, and the outflows can create a current situation in this reservoir. Something to keep in mind when fishing is that fish feed into the current.

SALT RIVER – Salt River into Roosevelt is 153 cfs, and Salt River Canyon is 128 cfs. They are releasing 400 cfs out of Stewart Mountain Dam from Saguaro.

BARTLETT — Lake level is at 1,749 feet (48-percent full). At this lower lake elevation fish should be more concentrated. Bass fishing is good and crappie fishing sounds like it is picking up. Crawdad imitations and worming rigs (drop shots and Texas-rigs) are producing for bass. Remember the live bait most come from the lake itself (excluding minnows, water dogs or worms) not transported from another body of water!

The lake level is way down.

HORSESHOE – Lake 48 percent full. No report.

VERDE RIVER — Verde River flow at Tangle is 211 cubic feet per second. Release from Bartlett Lake is 100 cfs.

LOWER SALT RIVER — This week trout will be stocked in Lower Salt River. The Lower Salt River is flowing at 405 cfs from Stewart Mountain Dam. Power Bait, inline spinners and corn will work. Fly fishermen may have luck using nymphs or wooly buggers. However, enterprising anglers might try fishing the deeper pools for largemouth bass and other fish along the Salt River between Stewart Mountain and Phon D. Sutton. Some of those deeper holes can seem like the old fish-in-a-barrel saying.

CREEKS – This is a great time of year to try some of the streams along the Mogollon Rim. The crowds are gone and you could have an entire stream to yourself. The gate to the catch-and-release section of Canyon Creek has been closed for the winter so you will have to hike in to this section.

COLORADO RIVER NORTHWEST
LAKE POWELL — No recent reports. Winter conditions prevail.

LEES FERRY – Courtesy Terry Gunn, Lees Ferry Anglers.

Recent Fishing Conditions: High Water = Big Healthy Fish. Many of you probably remember that for many years the winter months at Lees Ferry were considered prime season…this winter should be no exception. Current water releases from Glen Canyon Dam are higher than they have been since the beginning of the drought in 1999. High water moves food around and gets the fish in a feeding mood and makes for very predictable and good fishing. The reason for the high water is an effort to equalize Lake Powell and Lake Mead. If there is sufficient snowpack the higher than normal water flows will continue for a year or more with a goal to release 10.765 MAF (million acre feet) compared to the 8.23 MAF of water that has been released every year since 1999. This bodes very well for the current and future fishing. Fishing has been getting better every year for the past several years and I predict that we will see fishing this coming year that rivals the banner years in the 90’s. The peak fishing periods of 1984-1988, and 1994-1999 were all preceded by high water years.

Recent Fishing: My client from 12/11 said that he caught more pounds of trout in his first day of fishing at Lees Ferry than in all his previous days of fly fishing combined. The fish are fat, strong, and hungry. The current high flows will continue for December and increase slightly in January and drop in Feb., and lower again in March. The high water is likely to stimulate a strong spawn, we are already seeing a few fish spawning in the normal places.

With the higher water flows we are drifting and fishing from the boat using a “heavy nymph rig” which is a 9 to 12-ft leader, strike indicator, split shot, and dual fly rig. The higher water limits the areas that you can wade so drifting can be more productive. We have been seeing a bunch of fish feeding on the surface eating midges and black flies; these fish are very selective but can be tough.

Spin Fishing should be off the charts with higher flows. I would be drifting a large pink glow bug, red rubber worm, or san juan worm, on the bottom at the same speed as the current. Adjust your weight so that the fly or lure is just ticking the bottom.

The current fish population is better than we have seen in many years with several different year classes present in good numbers and all in perfect physical condition. You may remember from my previous reports my mention of our prolific spawn of 2007 and that the river was full of small fish that disappear from the time that they reach 3” and reappear when they are 12” long…well, they showed up in mass in June. They are everywhere! For the first time in many years we are catching fish of all sizes, from 10’’ to 20” which is typical of a very healthy river. The only downside is that our average caught fish size has decreased; the river is still chock-full of big fish but the challenge is getting your fly past the smaller, and not so smart fish.

The current health of the river is outstanding…better than it has been in years. Last year’s above normal runoff into Lake Powell delivered and stirred up countless tons of nutrients into the water and this nutrient rich water is passing through the dam and into the river. Algae is everywhere in the river and this provides food and habitat for the aquatic food base that the trout depend upon. Lake Powell rose more than 30-ft in 2009 which is good news for the fishing and all of the people in the southwest who depend on this water for household use and electrical generation. The rising lake and the nutrient load will guarantee this trend of a healthy trout population and good fishing will continue for the next several years.

LAKE MEAD –Lake Mead water level have remained fairly steady. The current level is around 1,094 feet above msl. The striper bite has been fair. Fishing in general has been fair.

Launching conditions at South Cove will continue to deteriorate as the water level continues to drop. The concrete ramp the National Park Service completed last year is one lane with cones marking the edges. Use caution not to go off the sides of the metal extensions at either side. National Park Service is working to keep the ramp open. Temple Bar Launch Ramp is two lanes. Launching conditions in general are better at Temple Bar than South Cove.

Important notice: With the discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

LAKE MOHAVE – The lake level is around 636 feet above msl. Trolling with anchovies in 30-50ft has been producing stripers, while catfish are on the bottom.

Biologists from both Arizona Game and Fish Department and Nevada Division of Wildlife with the help of volunteers, National Park Service and Bureau of Reclamation personnel have continued to install fish habitat in Carp Cove, Box Cove and now Shoshone. Fish habitat consists of PVC structures, wood pallet structures, tamarisk bundles, and some Christmas trees. The largemouth, bluegill and catfish are really utilizing the new structures. Additional habitat will be added at several locations over the next two years. These structures are fish magnets.

There is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier just south of the main launch ramp at Katherine’s Landing. If you fish Mohave and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

Important notice: With the discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at www.azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

WILLOW BEACH – Trout are stocked every Friday. Fishing is usually best immediately following the stocking.

Important notice: With the discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see. If you fish Willow beach and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at www.azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

TOPOCK MARSH –The water level is down for the winter. Fishing has been slow.

You can access the marsh by boat at the 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.

Important notice: With the discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at www.azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM – Rainbow trout are stocked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service monthly. The next scheduled stocking is for December 15th. The fish are stocked in two locations; Davis Camp and near The Riverside. Trout fishing at the stocking sites is great immediately following the stockings, then the fish move out and you need to find them. Anglers typically report catching trout on the Arizona side across from the Riverside and off the shore of Davis Camp. USFWS will be stocking trout once a month from October until March. Remember to fish for trout, you need a trout stamp on Class A and Lifetime fishing licenses. Community Park is good place for the morning fishing. Anchovies work best for catching stripers, but you may also catch catfish and trout.

The water level will go up later in the day, but it will drop after sunset. Water levels on the river fluctuate, so be careful. You can check the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for flow predictions http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html before you go. If you fish the river below Davis Dam and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

Important notice: With the discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

Lake Havasu & Topock Gorge:

Fishing for largemouth bass, as well as smallmouth bass, is expected to be good to excellent. Sizes will range from 13 inches and up, with an occasional fish in the 4-6 pound range. Every year, smallmouth bass are becoming more and more numerous in Lake Havasu and upriver. Bass tournaments now often experience nearly a 50/50 ratio of smallmouth to largemouth bass. Striped bass fishing has been pretty slow over the past year, but this summer we’ve gotten reports of a rebounding shad population, and striper “boils” on schools of shad are becoming much more common. Hopefully this signals a turnaround in the striped bass fishery, and it may be good to excellent by the fall. Most of the striped bass in Lake Havasu tend toward the small side (12-18 inches) but occasional fish over 8 pounds are not uncommon. During the annual striper derby held last May, the number of stripers caught was down significantly, but more large fish were weighed in than usual, including 31, 28, 24 and 15-lb fish. Channel catfish as well as bluegill and redear sunfish fishing should be fair to good. Flathead catfish fishing should be fair at the lower end of the lake throughout the fall. Flathead catfish can reach 40 pounds or better in the lower portion of the lake. To find them, select the interior points in the coves and the areas where artificial structure has been placed.

The cooler weather causes the bite to slow down, so it is important to work your lures more slowly, and in deeper water. Put away your topwater lures and switch to plastics, crank baits, spinner baits, jigs, etc.

Colorado River (Parker Strip Area):

Smallmouth bass, with fish over two pounds in size are expected to be good this fall. In addition, redear sunfish should also be fair in the pound-plus sizes. The Parker Strip is well known for its smallmouth bass fishing, especially in the area from the dam to several miles downstream. The Parker Strip is also home to some really impressive, dinner-plate sized redear sunfish of two pounds or better. Channel and flathead catfish fishing is always fair in this section of the Colorado River. Below the dam, striper fishing may pick up this fall, using live shad or anchovies.

Colorado River (between Palo Verde Diversion Dam and Walter’s Camp):

This area should be fair for both smallmouth bass (in the channel) and largemouth bass (in the backwaters) throughout the entire area. Channel and flathead catfish are always fair to good in this section of the Colorado River. Most of the flathead catfish will be in the 2 to 5 pound size range, with an occasional fish over 30 pounds. The time for fishing for both species of catfish is in the evening to midnight. As the weather cools, so will the cat-fishing action.

Colorado River (between Walter’s Camp and Picacho State Park):

This section of the Colorado River is relatively remote and can only be accessed by boat from either end. Fishing is expected to be fair to good for flathead catfish with sizes over 40 pounds. The best time for fishing for both species of catfish will be in the evening to midnight. Largemouth bass and bluegill are also present in the various backwaters and slack water areas. Other species available in the main river are smallmouth bass and striped bass.

Colorado River (between Picacho State Park and Imperial Dam):

This area is expected to be fair to good for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Bass and channel catfish in excess of 5 pounds are present along with flathead catfish as large as 40 pounds, or larger. Bluegill are also present in the various backwaters and an occasional striped bass will be caught in the main river channel.

Colorado River (between Laguna and Morelos dams):

This area will be fair for largemouth bass and flathead catfish. Bass in excess of 5 pounds are common and flathead catfish over 20 pounds are a good bet. In this area accessibility to the river is dependent on the amount of water being released. Usually shallow draft boats work the best. The lower end has had some dredging work done and larger boats may be able to get on the river in that area.

With the increase in border issues and illegal activity on the lower end of this stretch, we recommend exercising extreme caution, avoiding nighttime use, or even staying away from the area between Pilot Knob to Moreles Dam, altogether.

Regional Hot Spots:

Alamo Lake will be the hot spot for largemouth bass and channel catfish. There are many fish in the lake at the present time (especially channel catfish), and keeping some to eat will not impact the population in the slightest, and will perhaps even enhance it. Next choice would be Lake Havasu for striped bass, Lake Havasu and the Parker Strip for smallmouth bass and sunfish, and Martinez Lake and Imperial Division backwaters for largemouth bass. For the die-hard flathead catfish angler, large catfish can still be caught from Walter’s Camp down to Imperial Dam, although fishing likely won’t be as effective as in the warmer months.

If you need any additional information or assistance don’t hesitate to contact the Yuma Regional office at (928) 342-0091 and we will be happy to give you whatever information we have.

CENTRAL MOUNTAINS

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 are scheduled to be stocked this week, the week of Dec. 14. 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 anybody else’s.

Catfish were stocked the week of September 21st; 1500 lbs of catfish were split between the two lagoons. Bluegills are plentiful. Most of the bluegills are small, but still fun for kids to catch. Try fishing for catfish at night using anchovies or stink bait.

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 Dec. 7 and are scheduled to be stocked again next week, the week of the 21st. 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 Deadhorse 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 are scheduled to be stocked this week, the week of Dec. 14. Bright colored Power Bait will be your best bet. As the water cools more, spinners will become more effective.

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. 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.

MOGOLLON RIM

Forest Service gates are locked on the Rim Roads (NO ACCESS)- due to recent snow storms.

CHEVELON LAKE — The gate is locked for the winter

BEAR CANYON LAKE —The gate is locked for the winter.

BLACK CANYON LAKE — Not accessible due to snow and down trees.

BLUE RIDGE — Not accessible due to snow.

GREEN VALLEY LAKES, Payson — These Urban Program lakes have been stocked with rainbow trout. No reports since the snowstorm. Best trout baits include Power Bait, worms and small spinners and lures.

KNOLL LAKE — Not accessible due to snow..WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE – Not accessible due to snow.

WOODS CANYON LAKE — The gate is closed for the winter

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE – Not accessible due to snow..
SOUTHERN ARIZONA

WHITE MOUNTAINS
Note: Contact the US Forest Service in Springerville for up to date information on road and forest conditions at (928) 333-4372. Highway 261 and 273 are closed to Big and Crescent Lakes due to recent snow storms.

BECKER LAKE— Unsafe ice conditions.

BIG LAKE — Highway 261 and 273 to Big Lake is closed for the winter except for snowmobiles. The lake may have unsafe ice conditions so use caution when ice-fishing.

CARNERO LAKE — Forest Road 117 and 117A is closed to vehicles, except for snowmobiles. The lake is 100-percent ice-covered.

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — No reports since the snow storm.

CONCHO LAKE — There are currently no fishing opportunities. The lake is slowly filling up. There are private property owners on the northwest side of the lake and they have closed that portion of the shoreline to public access.

CRESCENT LAKE — Highway 261 and 273 to Big and Crescent Lakes are closed to vehicles, except snowmobiles. The lake may have unsafe ice conditions so use caution when ice-fishing.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — The lake is ice-free. Fishing is poor to fair. All boat ramps are accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster tail), spoons (Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and KastMasters), crank baits, rubber lead head jigs, and Rapala’s, and flies such as woolly worms and woolly buggers, and leech patterns. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp gas motors. The lake has easy boating and shore fishing access. The state park is open.

GREER LAKES —Unsafe ice conditions.

HULSEY LAKE —Unsafe ice conditions.

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — Highway 261 and 273 are closed to the lake, except for snowmobiles. Unsafe ice conditions.

LUNA LAKE — Unsafe ice conditions.

LYMAN LAKE — The lake is ice-free. The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also cabins for rent. Lyman Lake has a fish advisory, 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 — Unsafe ice conditions.

RAINBOW LAKE —Unsafe ice conditions.

SCOTTS RESERVOIR —Unsafe ice conditions.

SHOW LOW LAKE —Unsafe ice conditions.

WOODLAND LAKE —Unsafe ice conditions.

WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS
Highway 261 and 273 are closed for the winter. Recent snow made all streams inaccessible. Streams are mostly ice-covered.

SILVER CREEK — Fishing is good. Silver Creek on Arizona Game and Fish Department property is currently open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and catch and release fishing from Oct. 1 through March 30. The upper section is open to fishing. Try small lures such as Mepps, Rooster tails, and Panther Martin spinners, and flies such as woolly worms, woolly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, shrimp patterns, midge patterns, and small bead head nymphs. If trout are rising try Adams, midges, and caddis fly patterns in sizes 16, 18, and 20. &nb bsp;

SOUTHERN WATERS

Note: It is becoming increasingly difficult for the department to update its weekly fishing report for southern Arizona due to an inability to visit all of fishing locations weekly to gather fishing reports. So in an effort to provide a better report the department is asking anglers to take the time and report their fishing success stories here in southern Arizona. Angler fishing reports can be sent to Don Mitchell, Regional fish Program Manager by email at dmitchell@azgfd.gov. These reports will then be complied and reported in our weekly fishing reports.

During the winter months fishing in the southern part of the state for the most part turns to trout fishing with Parker Canyon Lake, Patagonia Lake and Roper Lake and Cluff Ranch being stocked regularly between November and March.

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