November 2023
Arizona Game and Fish Department
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Community Fishing Program update |
The Community Fishing Program (CFP) finished catfish stockings for the season the week of Nov. 7. Trout will be returning to CFP waters in Phoenix, Tucson and Safford the week of Dec. 4-8. AZGFD will be stocking various CFP waters each week through the end of February. Visit the CFP stocking schedule for details.
Renovations at Roadrunner Pond in Phoenix should be finishing up and refilling is expected to occur sometime in January. Eldorado Pond in Scottsdale is still undergoing renovations with no specific completion date. Trout stocking has been underway since mid October for CFP waters in Prescott Valley, Payson, Show Low, and St. Johns.
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Frances Short Pond refilled and stocked for first time since 2022 Pipeline Fire |
Francis Short Pond in Flagstaff has been refilled and stocked with trout. The pond was drained in summer 2022 after monsoonal rains following the Pipeline Fire flushed thousands of cubic yards of ash, debris and sediment into the pond, resulting in a complete fish kill due to low dissolved oxygen.
The City of Flagstaff worked tirelessly to remove over 5,000 cubic yards of debris
during the summer of 2023. It repaired and installed a new aeration system that not only runs on solar power, but is also hooked up to main electrical power. The new aeration system has the capacity to provide dissolved oxygen to the pond 24 hours a day, particularly overnight when it is the most critical time for fish survival.
The pond was refilled with Class A reclaimed water by the City of Flagstaff in early October 2023, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Page Springs Hatchery stocked 500 rainbow trout on Nov. 8 and again on Nov. 20.
Fishing has been good using flies (#12 Prince Nymphs and #10 Simi-seal leeches) and lures (1/8-ounce Panther Martins and Kastmasters). The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 channel catfish, the limit is 5 sunfish, the limit is 4 trout. Surface temperature was 46.5 F, pH 7.75, D.O. 7.2, Secchi Depth 1 meter (3.28 feet) on 11/6/2023.
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Fishing tips and upcoming events
By Chase Newlon, AZGFD R3 Coordinator
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Now that the weather is cooler, the fishing is starting to heat up! It's that time of year when cold water fishing really starts to take off, so make sure you have your gear in order. Whether you are new to fishing or are a seasoned angler, here are a few tips to make sure your gear is ready for the fall.
If you are new to fishing and are looking for a rod and reel for cold water fishing, I would recommend a 7-foot, medium-power, fast-action spinning rod with a 2500-size spinning reel. This rod is the jack of all trades and will be able to do just about any kind of fishing you can find here in Arizona. Some of my favorite baits for trout are salmon eggs, corn, and PowerBait with a few split-shots 18 inches up the line. If artificial lures are more your thing, targeting trout this time of year can be very effective with ¼ oz. Kastmasters, 3-1⁄8'' Rapala X Rap, and ⅛-ounce Marabou Jigs. For trout and other cold water species, you should use a 6- to 8-pound fluorocarbon or monofilament line.
Speaking of line, line weakens and deteriorates over time and the last thing you want is to hook up on a fish and the line breaks. You should change out your line at least once a year to ensure that the line has not weakened. There is a good tutorial HERE if you haven't changed your line out before.
For all the fly fishers out there, fly line also deteriorates over time and it may be time to replace that old line on your rod and reel. Fly line does tend to last longer than normal fishing line if it is taken care of and maintained; however, changing line every two to three years is typically a good Idea. Visit your local fly shop and they will be happy to help you in selecting the correct line and spooling it on your reel. Some of my favorite flies for the colder months are Thin Mints in a size 8-10, Simi-Seal leeches in a size 8-10, and Jujubee midges in sizes 18-22.
The FishAZ Network is filled with events for all skill levels by a variety of great partners. For an up-to-date list of events, visit https://register-ed.com/programs/arizona/239-fishaz-network.
Here are a couple coming soon:
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 9-11 a.m. - Fly Fishing Casting Skills Development, Fly Fishers International, Roadrunner Park Pond, Phoenix. We will be meeting at Roadrunner Park, 3502 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix, for educating participants on fly fishing casting skills developed by Fly Fishers International. Each participant will receive a copy of the Fly Casting Development Skills information and will be given the opportunity to learn from experienced fly fishing professionals how to cast a fly. Going forward, this will be a weekly event held every Wednesday through April. To register, visit https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/205030.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9-11 a.m. - Salt River Saturdays River Cleanup, Trout Unlimited Zane Grey Chapter, Blue Point Recreation Area on the Salt River, Fort McDowell. The Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited is joining with the Arizona FishAZ Network and presenting “Salt River Saturdays.” We are continuing our conservation efforts by asking everyone to collect a net full of trash (#cleanmywater). What to bring: rod, waders, net and flies (Green Weenie's, small black Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, green, black and yellow Wooly Worms and Wooly Bggers). Make sure you have a Tonto National Forest Pass, as well as a valid Arizona fishing license. You can get an Arizona fishing license at www.azgfd.gov. To register, visit https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/205391. Other cleanup dates will be Jan. 6, Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 17, March 2, March 16, and April 6.
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Rose Canyon Lake restrictions on swimming and boating extended for two more years
Lake remains open for fishing
The Coronado National Forest has extended the existing prohibition on swimming and boating at Rose Canyon Lake for two more years to protect public health and safety and the environmental quality of Rose Canyon Lake, which serves as a fishery. The lake is still open to fishing from shore, walking around the lake, or camping in the nearby campground. The prohibition on swimming and boating is in effect through Oct. 22, 2025.
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Volunteers sought for upcoming lake habitat improvement projects
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking volunteers for two upcoming aquatic habitat projects in January.
Roosevelt Lake – Jan. 20
AZGFD will be installing donated Christmas Trees into Roosevelt Lake on Saturday, Jan. 20 starting at 9 a.m. Meeting location may be the boat ramp or TBD (will be updated on the volunteer event posting). We will be tying trees to cinderblocks and loading them up on department pontoons to distribute around the lake. Volunteers will be able to help build and deploy trees. AZGFD will provide gloves for those that need them, along with the habitat supplies to get the trees ready to deploy. Volunteers should bring their own water, food, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and should wear closed-toed shoes and clothes appropriate for January weather. The project is anticipated to be finished around 2-3 p.m. If you have questions, please email Lacey Schmitt at LSchmitt@azgfd.gov or Nathan Bailey at NBailey@azgfd.gov. To register, visit
https://volunteer.azgfd.gov/need/detail/?need_id=873421.
Apache Lake – Jan. 26 and 27
AZGFD will be placing Mossback Safe Haven and Georgia Cube fish habitat structures into Apache Lake on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27. Work one or both days (separate registrations below). Plan on meeting at 9 a.m. at Burnt Corral Boat Ramp. Each day we will work most of the day, hopefully finishing by 2 or 3 p.m. Volunteers will be constructing habitat and assisting with loading it onto department boats for installation. This activity will include the use of some power tools such as drills, so small children will likely not be able to participate in this event. However, we welcome ages 10+ to come help out and see what we do. Volunteers should bring their own water, food, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and will want to wear closed toed shoes and clothes appropriate for January weather. If you have any questions, please email Lacey Schmitt at LSchmitt@azgfd.gov or Nathan Bailey at NBailey@azgfd.gov.
To register for the Friday, Jan. 26 work day, visit
https://volunteer.azgfd.gov/need/detail/?need_id=873889. To register for the Saturday, Jan. 27 work day, visit
https://volunteer.azgfd.gov/need/detail/?need_id=873452.
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Head out to Woods Canyon and Willow Springs lakes to fish |
Good article by Jim Strogen in the Payson Roundup titled "Head out to Woods Canyon and Willow Springs lakes this fall to fish." As the water in these lakes cools in the later stages of fall, the trout move to shallower water and become fun to catch with a fly, sometimes little more than a rod’s distance from the bank. "I usually start to head up to both lakes in mid October, but the fishing gets even better into mid and late November, all the way until ice-up," he says. Read the article.
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Angler Richard E. landed this 17-pound, 35-inch striper from shore on the AZ side of the Colorado River across from Harrah's Laughlin. Photo courtesy of Rusty Braun and Mohave Daily News. |
Stripers and trout really do go together |
Good article by Bill McMillen in the Mohave Daily News titled, "Stripers and trout really do go together." In the article, Rusty Braun of Riviera Marina says anglers are getting into both trout and stripers on the Colorado River near Bullhead City, and he offers some tips for catching both. Read the article.
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Week of 11/20 to 11/24/2023 (stocked with rainbow trout unless otherwise indicated):
Central Arizona: Salt River
North Central Arizona: Oak Creek
Flagstaff/Williams: Francis Short Pond.
Southern Arizona: Dankworth Pond, Roper Lake.
Week of 11/13 to 11/17/2023 (stocked with rainbow trout unless otherwise indicated):
Central Arizona: Apache Lake, Salt River.
North Central Arizona: Dead Horse Lake, Goldwater Lake, Lynx Lake, Verde River, Wet Beaver Creek.
Southern Arizona: Patagonia Lake.
Community Fishing waters (stocked with rainbow trout):
Payson area - Green Valley Lakes.
Prescott Valley area - Fain Lake, Yavapai Lakes.
St. John's area - Patterson Ponds
Yuma area - Fortuna Pond, Redondo Lake.
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Northern Arizona
Winter will soon be on its way, as the high country received a mix of light snow and rain leading into the weekend. Cool daytime and freezing nighttime temperatures are in the forecast this week for Flagstaff, Williams, and the Mogollon Rim. Highs will be in the 40’s and lows will be in the teens-20’s in those areas the first part of this week. Trout, northern pike, and walleye remain active, but warm water species such as largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish are transitioning to their winter routine of congregating in schools around structure and remaining primarily dormant until spring brings warmer weather.
Bait Anglers: Worms and PowerBait will be your best bet for trout this week. For northern pike and walleye, anchovies and worms are a good approach. Reminder, the use of live minnows/fish as bait is not allowed on any waters in Coconino County including all of the bodies of water listed below.
Lure Anglers: Lures with flash and vibration, such as inline spinners like Joes’ flies, Panther Martins, Mepp’s spinners, Kastmasters, crayfish imitations, spinner baits, and Dare Devils are good choices. Think small for trout, 1/8 – 1/12-ounce lures are best (silver, gold, or copper). Large swimbaits, crankbaits with rattles, and soft plastics should work well for northern pike and walleye. Allow your lure to sink to varying depths and try a variable retrieve. Pay attention to what is working and
duplicate that presentation. This is the time of year when fish can be in shallow close to shore.
Fly Anglers: Producing flies this week include #10 bead headed Simi-seal leeches (brown, black, olive, and dark purple), #10 bead headed Wooly Buggers (brown, black, olive, and dark purple), #12-10 dragonfly larvae (olive), #18-16 Zebra Midge, #12 Prince Nymph, #14 Renegade, #14 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Pheasant Tail, #12-14 San Juan worm, and dragonfly larvae. Pay attention to the hatch and mix it up until you find what works.
Check the fishing regulations before heading out, as many of the lakes around Williams and Flagstaff have special regulations. Reminder, live minnows are not allowed on any waters in Coconino County, including all of the bodies of water listed below. Your licenses pay for the fish you catch, poachers are stealing from YOU. It is illegal to transport and release live fish in Arizona, including all of the waters listed below. The illegal introduction of unwanted species is costly and diminishes the quality of our fisheries. If you observe a violation, please report it to the Operation Game Thief Hotline (OGT) at 1-800-352-0700.
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WILLIAMS LAKES (Kaibab National Forest):
Kaibab Lake - Access to the lake and boat launch are still open, but the campgrounds have closed for the winter season. Powerbait, worms, lures, and flies are good approaches for rainbow trout. Anglers were catching large rainbow trout over the weekend. The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 channel catfish, the limit is 4 trout. Only boats with a single 10-horsepower (HP) motor (or less) or single electric motor are allowed on Kaibab Lake.
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Cataract Lake - This is the time of year when the day use area on the Coconino National Forest side of the lake closes; check with the South Kaibab National Forest while planning your trip if you plan to camp at the lake. The county park on the other side of the lake stays open all year. The cooler water temperatures should have tiger and brown trout active this week. Only boats with a 10-horsepower motor (or less) or single electric motor are allowed on Cataract Lake. The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 cannel catfish, the limit is 4 trout.
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City Reservoir (Buckskinner Park) - The reservoir level remains full. The city does close access to City Reservoir during the winter months. Check with the City of Williams for information on access. The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 channel catfish, the limit is 5 sunfish, the limit is 4 trout. |
Dogtown Lake - Access to the lake is open, but the campground is closed for the winter. PowerBait and worms are a good approach for trout. Small (1/8-1/12 oz) inline spinners and spoons in gold, silver, and black are good lure choices. Fly anglers might consider throwing large (#12 or #10) dark-colored (black, brown, purple, olive) bead-headed Wooly Bugger or Simi-seal leeches. Crayfish patterns are also a good bet. Only boats with a single electric motor are allowed on Dogtown Lake. No gas-powered motors. The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 trout. Fall is a good time to target brown trout.
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Santa Fe Reservoir - Only boats with a single electric motor are allowed on Santa Fe Reservoir. Small brown trout were stocked this fall and are likely active. No gas-powered motors. The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 channel catfish, the limit is 4 trout.
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Whitehorse Lake - The campground and access to the boat launch are closed for the winter, access is walk in only at this time. Only boats with a single electric motor are allowed on Whitehorse Lake. No gas-powered motors. The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 channel catfish. With the drop in temperatures, fish activity is likely minimal. |
JD Dam - JD Dam is catch and release only for trout; no trout may be kept; artificial fly and lure only; single-pointed, barbless hooks only. Only boats with a single electric motor are allowed on JD Dam. No gas-powered motors. |
Russell Tank - Russell Tank is full for the first time in many years. Successful patterns include PowerBait, worm, and small lures. The limit is 4 trout. |
FLAGSTAFF LAKES (Coconino National Forest):
Lower Lake Mary - The day use area is closed for the winter season. Anglers are finding success using nightcrawlers, garlic PowerBait, small lures (1/12-1/8-ounce) and flies (#10 bead-headed Simi-seal leech in black, olive, and purple, #12 Prince Nymph, #10 Brown bead-headed Wooly Bugger, and Zebra Midges). Trout are active and being caught throughout the lake. Folks are catching small northern pike spawned from the few northern pike that migrated from Upper Lake Mary into Lower Lake Mary during the spring. These small pike can be fun to catch on lures such as inline spinners. Reminder, the daily bag limit is 4 trout per day and 4 channel catfish per day. Northern pike are unlimited but must be immediately killed or released. Only boats with a single 10-horsepower motor or a single electric motor or less are allowed on Lower Lake Mary.
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Upper Lake Mary - Worms fished on a jig head or night crawler harness have been the most productive approach. Statewide limits apply for the fish species in Upper Lake Mary; check your regulations (page 6). The Arizona Game and Fish Department Region 2 Aquatics Program conducted gill netting surveys of Upper Lake Mary early this week. Highlights from the survey include walleye up to 25 inches and 5 pounds. and many yellow bass that exceed the current state record (11.25 inches, 1 pound, 15.8 ounces) in length up to 12.68 inches.
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Frances Short Pond - As mentioned in the second article from the top in this newsletter, Frances Short Pond has been refilled, thanks to the City of Flagstaff,
and is being stocked with rainbow trout this week. The City of Flagstaff has worked tirelessly to remove literally tons of ash, debris, and sediment from the pond. The city has repaired and installed a new aeration system that not only runs on solar power, but is also hooked up to main electrical power. Fishing has been good using flies (#12 Prince Nypmhs and #10 Simi-seal Leeches) and lures (1/8-ounce Panther Martins and Kastmasters). The limit is 2 bass minimum size 13 inches, the limit is 4 channel catfish, the limit is 5 sunfish, the limit is 4 trout. Surface temperature 46.5 F, pH 7.75, D.O. 7.2, Secchi Depth 1 M (3.28 ft) on 11/6/2023.
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Ashurst Lake - This is the time of year when the campgrounds close. Check with the Coconino National Forest while planning your trip if you plan to camp at the lake. Fall is an excellent time to target trout on Ashurst Lake. For bait anglers, PowerBait and worms fished on the bottom are the best approach. A slow retrieve with small lures such as Joe’s flies, Kastmasters, Panther Martins, Rooster Tails, and Mepps are all excellent choices. Good fly patterns include: Simi-seal Leeches and Wooly Buggers (#10 bead headed black, brown, or olive), Zebra Midge, and # 12 Prince Nymph, #14-
#12 Pheasant tail. Only boats with a single 10-horsepower motor (or less) or a single electric motor are allowed on Ashurst Lake. The limit is 4 trout. The lake is about 80% full and water clarity is excellent. Small northern pike are being caught. Northern pike were illegally introduced and are not managed for in Ashurst Lake. Pike are unlimited in this lake, please kill any northern pike caught. |
Kinnikinick Lake - Only boats with a single 10-horsepower motor or single electric motor are allowed on Kinnikinick Lake. The limit is 4 trout. The lake is full and turbid. The fall is a good time to fish Kinnikinick Lake for trout.
Long Lake - Boat access to Long Lake is possible with both boat ramps in the water and an average depth of about 6-8 feet with a maximum depth of 11 feet. Small rainbow trout were stocked this fall in hopes of catchable-size trout available to anglers in the spring.
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Marshall Lake - The limit is 4 trout. Small tiger and brook trout were stocked this spring in hopes that they will grow to a catchable size by the fall. Recent angler reports and firsthand accounts revealed that the tiger trout are about 10-12 inches now. Only boats with a single 10-horsepower motor or single electric motor are allowed on Marshall Lake. Aquatic vegetation is very thick which provides excellent habitat for aquatic insects, but can also make fishing more challenging. Water clarity is excellent. Fishing from a small boat or float tube is best.
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Central Arizona
Pro angler Gary Senft has a couple of good videos on recent trips to Apache and Bartlett lakes. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Oqcskeq5vc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzW7evVwvPw&t=8s.
Canyon Lake was scheduled to be stocked with rainbow trout this past week.
North Central Arizona
Goldwater Lake - Trout were stocked on 10/30 and again on 11/13. Water temperatures have declined and trout have become more active. Anglers seem to be having the most success with PowerBait. The bite may be best early in the morning and in the evening. Some days the fishing seems to be better than others.
Lynx Lake - Trout were last stocked Nov. 13. Water temperatures have cooled down and fishing and stocking events picked back up toward the end of October.
Oak Creek - Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the catch-and-release section on Oak Creek was expanded to include Oak Creek from the Highway 89A bridge at Slide Rock State Park upstream to the Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery property boundary including the West Fork Oak Creek. This section will be catch and release only for trout, artificial fly and lure only, barbless hooks only. Stream flow was 30.4 cfs on 11/20/2023. Cave Springs and Pine Flat Campgrounds are closed for the winter. Anglers are finding success on spinners and flies. Hellgrammite, Simi-seal Leeches, Zebra Midges, Elk Hair Caddis, hoppers, and mayfly patterns are a good bet. As the fall leaves change color, the leaf peeper crowd will no doubt be on the upper reaches of the creek during the month of November, but fishing should be good and the setting will make for beautiful picture opportunities. Rainbow trout will be stocked this week.
Kevin Rapkoch has a good video of fly fishing Oak Creek for rainbows and wild brown trout. The rig that was working was two Prince Nymph flies under an indicator. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCsQslx0MX0&t=210s.
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West Clear Creek - Smallmouth bass are unlimited harvest in West Clear Creek. Roundtail chub are often caught in sections of West Clear Creek, please release them unharmed. The limit is 4 trout. West Clear Creek streamflow was at 26 cfs and stream temperature was 52.34-56.66 F on 11/20/2023. |
Wet Beaver Creek/Beaver Creek - Bass are unlimited harvest in Wet Beaver and Beaver Creeks. There is the potential to catch a native sucker or roundtail chub; please release them unharmed. Rainbow trout were stocked around the Beaver Creek Campground last week. The limit is 4 trout. Stream flow was 7.22 cfs on 11/20/2023. Average base flow is about 4-9 cfs. |
Lees Ferry/Lake Powell
Lees Ferry - Nov. 20 report courtesy of Kevin Campbell, Lees Ferry Anglers. Water temperature: 57.56-60.26 F. Discharge rate: 6,350-9,960 cfs. Fall is upon us here at Lees Ferry. Days are shortening and water temps are slowly dropping. Fishing remains good and the fish are looking healthier as the water cools off. Some riffles are fishing well with shallow nymph rigs and streamers producing in the tail-outs and runs. Drifting from the boat continues to be the most consistent method for all-day action. Water temps are gradually trending downward.
Wading
Dry/ dropper rigs and shallow double nymph rigs are both working. Midge hatches have been heavy one day and very sparse the next. During heavy hatch days, the fish will definitely take a midge dropper below a dry fly and might even take the dry. Recent success on dries has been on parachute Adams and stimulators. On days where the midge hatches are stingy, a double nymph rig of combinations of scuds, worms, eggs and midges is the ticket. In addition to nymphs, swinging and/or casting and retrieving streamers like Wooly Buggers, muddlers and leaches is working very
well. This is done with a sink-tip fly line or sinking leader depending on depth and current speed. Favorite buggers include olive, black/ wine and peacock/ black and brown.
Boat Drifting
Drifting from the boat has been about bigger flies with large orange, pink or ginger scuds and red, tan, and brown San Juan worms. A 9 foot 4X leader, with flies tied on 4X tippet about 16 inches apart does the trick. Weight can vary from 1/2 gram to 2 grams depending on depth and current speed. Depth, like weight, varies on conditions; typically, from 6-9 feet from weight to strike indicator.
Walk-in Summary
Streamers like Wooly Buggers on sink-tip lines still working best like last month. Also, a larger scud or San Juan worm followed by a midge with split shot to get it deep in pocket water and runs. No current spin reports to pass along but the normal techniques should produce. Use gold 1/4 or 1/8 ounce Kastmasters and 1/4 ounce Panther Martins and other spinners. Also try small Rapalas in rainbow trout, gold and silver colors. Cast out, then retrieve them at a steady speed (and maybe even give it a little twitch here and there) to trigger a strike.
Spin Fishing Summary
Spin fishing upriver remains good. Please remember, Arizona Game and Fish regulations require barbless hooks on everything. Smash them down with a needle nose pliers or my favorite tool, smooth jaw hemostats. As the fall months arrive, bottom bouncing is working again with large Glo-Bugs in orange, pink or yellow. Also try a San Juan worm. Longer leaders of at least 2 feet behind the weight is best with the grassy bottom. Recent reports have Rapala-style minnows working. One note on these. I personally take the belly treble off and only fish the barbless tail hook. Fishing two trebles will often tear up the trout’s mouth and we want to be easy on these precious fish. Also working as always are Marabou Jigs, Kastmaster spoons, spinners like Panther Martins and Rooster Tails. When fishing jigs, don’t be too subtle with your presentation. Cast out and let it sink until the jig is near the bottom but not on the bottom collecting grass. Vertically snap the jig 1 to 3 feet and let it settle back until the sinking jig is tight to your rod tip and repeat. Strikes will come as the jig falls back down. You’re basically making a hook set each time you hop the jig this way. The same snappy motion can be used with Kastmasters as well.
Lake Powell - Report courtesy of Dan Keller, www.wayneswords.net. On 10/29, water temperature was 68-72 F. Lake Elevation was 3,572.32 msl (and dropping). We conduct a wide variety of monitoring at Lake Powell, however annual gill netting provides some of our most useful data on fish condition and overall fish population trends. This winter we will be compiling a 3-year report looking at data from 2021-2023, I will share that report when it’s complete. For now, I wanted to post a few noteworthy findings. We know that some species are not good candidates for gill net sampling. Largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and green sunfish tend to hold up in aquatic vegetation and structure and don’t cruise the shore at night, making them less likely to get caught in a gill net. Historically, these species are caught in low numbers lakewide, and this year was no different. We cannot say that there are low numbers of bass or crappie based on gill net sampling results. All of the monitoring techniques we use must be combined to make that assessment. However, we also know that in years with adequate flooded vegetation, certain species have a productive spawn and greater survival, creating a strong cohort (age class). The smaller (3/4- to 1-inch) mesh of our gill nets did detect a decent increase of young largemouth bass and black crappie. Two to three years from now the fish produced in 2023 will be large enough to really make a strong showing for anglers. Below are some notes on certain species.
Striped Bass (Stripers)
During our netting at Good Hope Bay (Red Canyon) we found above average numbers of striped bass. Unfortunately for us, the fishing during our downtime was slow. When checking stomach contents, stripers were full of shad and we witnessed many shad schools simmering on the surface. However, no striper schools showed up to turn the simmer to a boil. We figured due to the plentiful numbers of shad, stripers can quickly feed and get their fill in short order. Since they are not desperate and don’t have to work very hard to find shad, this can make fishing tough. If you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you will have very fast fishing for stripers that are in peak condition. I would rather catch 10 really healthy striped bass that fight hard and provide an excellent fillet than 100 fish in poor condition. Like many things, it’s a tradeoff right now. Catch rates are likely down for most, but the fish are in great condition. It’s encouraging to see the recent reports of fast striper fishing on the north end of the lake. Many thanks to all of you providing those very useful reports. While striped bass are well distributed lake-wide, the gill net survey has historically collected the most fish from the up-lake sampling site at Good Hope Bay. The mean total catch from 1981 to 2019 was 179 fish from Good Hope Bay compared with 114 from Wahweap, followed by 60 at the San Juan, and 43 at the Rincon. The mean number of striped bass over the past 3 years is greater than the long-term mean at all but one location (Rincon).
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass prefer rocky habitat which is why they do so well at Lake Powell. Bass are caught less often than stripers because they move less and tend to stay on one stretch of shoreline instead of cruising the shoreline as stripers do. For this reason, it is not wise to compare catch rate of different species, but rather year-to-year catch rate of the same species. In my reading of previous reports, I have learned it has been difficult to detect statistically significant trends in smallmouth bass numbers due to the variability of bass caught over the past 10 years. However, looking at smallmouth bass data from the past 3 years does show some interesting trends, most notable is the consistent increase of numbers in 2023 at all 4 locations. Again, this is not surprising given the good runoff we had in 2023, however it’s always nice to see consistency across monitoring sites. I also found it interesting that the greatest catch rates have come from Rincon over the past 3 years, as this is a departure from the norm.
Based on my experience and reports I have received from anglers, fishing is improving at the Rincon. This could be a result of the lower lake levels facilitating nutrients moving further down lake and creating higher primary productivity. This is something we will look into more when we analyze our zooplankton and water quality data. Sometimes sampling does not directly relate to sport fishing results, however, it has been my experience that smallmouth bass catch rates are down from what is “normal” while the overall size of smallmouth bass caught has improved. It appears our netting data tracks well with what anglers are experiencing across the lake. All the bass we caught in our nets (or fishing) were in prime condition, with older age classes being well represented. During our 10 days on the lake, our best fishing was not for stripers, but smallmouth bass. We got into a really good bite by trolling along the shoreline in Cha Bay with Norman Double Deep crankbaits. We didn’t try to tick the diver off the bottom like you would for walleye but rather tried to stay 5 to 10 feet off
the bottom (less snags). We found smallmouth bass would come up from the bottom and strike the bait from underneath. We figured this was the case, as many of the fish were caught on the front treble hook. As others have noted, a fast troll (about 4 mph) was the ticket. We estimated we caught between 40 and 50 smallmouth bass trolling; many were in the 2- to 2.5-pound range. Similar results are possible trolling a crankbait along a rocky shoreline lakewide.
Walleye
Walleye numbers in recent years have been similar to long-term trends. Shad are more abundant near the inflowing Colorado River. Previous work has proved that shad density is the limiting factor for walleye abundance. If shad numbers are high at a certain location during spring, then young walleye survive in large numbers at that spot. Last year I noted a significant spike in walleye at Wahweap. The numbers in 2023 came back down to a more normal range. There are many potential causes of this spike. Considering that numbers came back down, it's likely that many
walleye moved down lake during 2022 due to low water conditions or simply moved into Wahweap following shad. Regardless, walleye populations continue to remain consistent and will continue to provide opportunity to those that target them.
Mogollon Rim (Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Coconino National Forest)
Blue Ridge/C.C. Cragin Reservoir - Blue Ridge Campground is closed for the winter season. Due to large logs at the end of the boat launch, launching a trailered boat is not possible at this time. Only boats with a single 10-horsepower (or less) motor or a single electric motor are allowed on C.C. Cragin Reservoir. Green sunfish are unlimited and invasive; please remove them if caught. This is a good time of year to troll small lures (1/12 to 1/4-ounce) like inline spinners and spoons in gold, silver, and copper for rainbow trout. Reservoir elevation was 6,692.72 feet, current volume was at 8,804 acre feet or 58% full and dropping on 11/20/2023.
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Huffer Tank - Huffer Tank is full. The limit is 4 trout.
Knoll Lake - The Knoll Lake campground is closed for the winter. The reservoir level has dropped and the boat launch is no longer in the water. A large log at the end of the ramp is also blocking access to the lake. It is not possible to launch a trailered boat at this time. Only boats with a single electric motor are allowed on Knoll Lake. No gas-powered motors. This is a good time of year to troll small lures (1/12 to 1/4-ounce) like inline spinners and spoons in gold, silver, and copper for rainbow trout. For fly anglers, a Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or black Simi-seal leech would be a good place to start.
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For Woods Canyon and Willow Springs lakes, see article further up in this newsletter.
Western Arizona
For a report from the Colorado River near Bullhead City, see the article further up in this newsletter. Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery staff stocked about 2,000 rainbow trout at Rotary Park on 11/21. Water levels on the river fluctuate, so be careful. You can check the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for flow predictions at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html before you go.
At Alamo Lake (Nov. 12 report courtesy of Alamo Lake State Park Manager Drew Collett), the late season crappie bite is on. Fish are being caught all night under lights and into the early morning hours on minnows and jigs. After the lake stratified over the weekend, the schools have moved up in the water column to about 10 feet from 30 feet of water, making them more accessible throughout the lake. Alamo Lake bass are being caught on Senkos and chatterbaits, the same color as the dragonflies that are on the lake surface. The best time to catch them is noon to 4 p.m. after the water warms up a bit. Lake levels are still high at just 5 feet below full pool, so there’s plenty of room on the lake to catch lifelong fishing memories.
At Lake Havasu (Nov. 2 report courtesy of John Galbraith of Bass Tackle Master), striper fishing is great if you’re able to locate schools of their favorite food, shad. If you’re using a boat, an electronic fish finder will come in handy. But what if you don’t have a boat and still want to take advantage of the great striper action at Havasu? Scan the lake looking for birds feeding on shad near the lake surface. Chances are the stripers are actively feeding just below. Get as close as you can and cast a 3.8 Keitech plastic swimbait, a 3/4-ouncez Rat-L-Trap (in Silverado color), or a jerkbait like the Pointer 128 (in chartreuse shad) near the action. Even if you don’t get your lure right in the middle of the feeding frenzy, there will still be feeding fish on the periphery. Focus your search around Bill Williams/Havasu Springs, the Chalk Cliffs, and the areas near Lake Havasu State Park. If you’re into bait fishing, try catching your own. Since shad are schooled up in the cooler water, they’re easy to catch with a throw net. Check the fishing regulations on www.azgfd.gov to learn the legalities of this productive bait collecting technique before your trip. The largemouth fishing is also good right now at Havasu. Try small white or shad-colored jerkbaits like the Pointer 100 or Rapala X-Rap. For smallmouth, try brown or red crawdad-colored crankbaits in 8-15 feet of water.
Lake Mead is currently at around 1,064 feet above msl. We are getting reports of up to 1- to 1.5-pound black crappie being caught when fishing for bass. Launching conditions around Lake Mead are changing regularly. For current open ramps and access conditions, visit https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.
At Lake Mohave, the lake level has remained pretty steady and was at 638.97 feet above msl on 11/21. If you can find schools of shad, throw a small crankbait.
At Willow Beach, staff from the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery stocked about 1,000 rainbow trout at the Willow Beach Marina boat ramp on Nov. 17.
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For each edition of the Fishing Report, we'll select some photos and reports submitted by members of the angling public either through the Fish AZ Facebook Group or through the bfishing@azgfd.gov email address. If you'd like your photo/report considered for publication here, please indicate the species, place, date, name (we only publish first name and last initial), and any other information you'd like to provide. For more photos (including new photos each day), visit the Fish AZ Facebook Group.
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Jaime P. was at Blue Ridge Reservoir kayak camping and fishing in 27-degree weather. “Hooked eight, pulled out four rainbows. Used spinners, PowerBait and the fly rod,” he said. |
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Jennifer L. was at Fool Hollow Lake. “Got my personal best rainbow today. It was 2.7 pounds and 20.5” long. Can’t wait to grill it up tomorrow. It was the best birthday gift of the day," she said. |
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Aaron N. reported, "Fly fished upper and lower Goldwater last Monday morning. Easily caught and released over 20 rainbows, 3 Gilas, and a random brown. Used size 18 zebra midge double dropper set around 3-1/2 feet under an indicator." |
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Gary S. said, "Had a great day fishing. My mom and I got our limit - the first time for both of us. Caught another big one when we were packing up and released him. All caught on a gold spinner. Got five trout altogether!" |
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Jace A. recently got this 25-pound carp on a hair rig with feed corn. |
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Rick N. caught this 19-inch cutthroat at Big Lake last weekend. |
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Swik M. reported, "Found some slabs at Roosevelt Lake last week." |
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Robert C. was at Woods Canyon last weekend. "Road was open. Caught this 19-incher plus two others in the rain. Used nightcrawlers fishing the bottom." |
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Arizona fishing opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It was created through the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act) and the Wallop-Breaux amendments of 1984. Through a federal excise tax paid by manufacturers on fishing gear and motorboat fuels, it provides grant funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education. |
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AZGFD’s programs or activities, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the Director’s Office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS:WSFR, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Director’s Office as listed above.
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