Fishing in Flagstaff AZ?

[4poundonly]

[font "Calibri"][/font]Hey fellas I’m going to be passing through flagstaff AZ over the thanksgiving holiday. I never been out there before but I noticed there are a few small reservoirs in the area. Looks like a few of them are stocked with troutski. I looked at some pictures on the net and the whole area looks beautiful. Has anyone fished or camped up there before? Would it even be worth buying the out of state lic w/ trout stamp?
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[SEALFISH]

I've fished and camped out of Williams Az. which is near Flagstaff. Many small lakes with dirt roads leading to them, there is remote camping as well as developed. It was a low water year when I was there so it was a little rough. There is at least one trophy brown trout, C&R only lake for tubing with many other smaller lakes and creeks around.

Very nice area to play in, if you have a 4x4 access to other waters is much easier but from what I remember 4x4 is not a necessity. It's been a while so that's all I can remember.
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[iamthesmf]

[url "http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/FishingReport/11-15-Fishing-Report.shtml"]http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/FishingReport/11-15-Fishing-Report.shtml[/url]

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY — No recent reports.

UPPER LAKE MARY — This is a good time to target northern pike and walleye. This lake also has perch.
Angler report:

Was having a crummy morning, so left the office early, and ran some errands.....

Wanted some solitude and R&R, so put the tinny on the lake at 2:30pm.....

Fished the shallows, just south of the narrows for an hour or so....got a couple northern pike....nothing special.

However....as the sun was setting, I was casting off the sides as I idled thru the no-wake zone in the narrows, and WHAM....my rapala got hammered hard!

Brought in a walleye, measured 21", coming in at 3.5lbs or so.....a strong fighter, too...lots of fun!

Great end to the afternoon, and watched the sky turn orange as I returned to the dock....
Garrett Dauphars, Flagstaff


ASHURST LAKE — No reports. Trout should be in their autumn activity pattern. Although some pike are being caught incidentally by trout anglers, those targeting pike have not had much luck.


FRANCIS SHORT POND – No reports.
KINNIKINICK LAKE — No reports. This should be a good time to fish for hold-over trout from a float tube, kayak or canoe. Brown trout should be in the pre-spawn activity mode.

MARSHALL LAKE — No report. Expect dense aquatic weeds.
LONG LAKE — This is a hot spot for larger northern pike up to 10 pounds, but when there is inclement weather, Long Lake can be windy and cold.
SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — No report
STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.
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[4poundonly]

Thanks for the info fellas. Im probaly just gonna hit lake mary for some pike[cool]
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[iamthesmf]

One of the better spots for shore fishing is on the upper end were the road/lake curves. Down by the small dam is good for perch, crappie and walleye.

For pike use chrome/blue rattle traps, metallic/gold Husky jerk baits. (no steel leader) Also whole Anchovy under a bobber (need steel leader) The bait shop down past the dam will have what you need. (also has AZ state record pike is mounted on the wall from Ashearst lake)

If you fish by the dam, night crawlers are the bait of choice.

Good luck and check the weather, you will be in snow country.
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[4poundonly]

Thanks toby [cool] the only thing that worries me is the snow [:/] my pony is horrible in the rain
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[iamthesmf]

Upper Lake Mary[url "http://www.arizona-leisure.com/flagstaff-hotels-resorts.html"][/url]Upper Lake Mary is about 12 miles southeast of [url "http://www.arizona-leisure.com/flagstaff-arizona.html"]Flagstaff[/url] in a heavy forested area in the Morman Lake District of the Coconino National Forest. It is a beautiful sky blue lake surrounded by Ponderosa Pines and meadows with views of the [url "http://www.arizona-leisure.com/san-francisco-peaks.html"]San Francisco Peaks[/url]. The "Upper Lake" is not to be with its twin sister, "Lower Lake Mary" which is usually close to being empty. Upper Lake Mary is much larger but is a bit farther.
Upper Lake Mary is a long and narrow lake that is popular with power boaters and water skiers. But you'll also see sailboats, kayaks, canoes and even rubber rafts. At an elevation of about 7,000 feet the summer temperatures rarely reach the 90 degree F range. The lake was named after Mary Riordan, a member of one of the Flagstaff's founding families.


Fishing at Upper Lake Mary.Fishing here is a blast. The main attraction is Northern Pike which can get quite large with razor sharp teeth. The bite can be nasty so don't forget you pliers. You'll also catch rainbow trout, yellow bass, channel catfish, sunfish and an occasional walleye. Fishing can be a lot more fun with a boat but fishing from the bank can have good results.
Boating, Camping and Facilities.When full, Upper Lake Mary covers about 450 acres at a maximum depth of 38 feet. There are three paved boat ramps and there is no limit on boat motor size. There are excellent facilities for disabled anglers. You'll find lakeside picnic tables and restrooms. There are two developed campgrounds nearby including Lake View and Pine Grove. Canyon Vista campground is nearer to Lower Lake Mary and you'll find more camping area at nearby [url "http://www.arizona-leisure.com/mormon-lake.html"]Mormon Lake[/url] and [url "http://www.arizona-leisure.com/ashurst-lake.html"]Ashurst Lake[/url].
Season and Fees.Fees are charged during the peak season of generally mid-April to mid-October. Fees are $5.00 per day, per vehicle up to 5 persons with $1.00 each over five. Walkins or bikers are $1.00 each. Fees are required from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday and from dawn to dusk on weekends. Senior discounts and seasonal passes apply.
Maintenance is limited during the winter months. The season (weather permitting) for Lakeview and Pinegrove campgrounds in May 1 through September.
Getting To Upper Lake Mary.From I-17 in Flagstaff AZ, exit east on Lake Mary Road and follow the paved road past Lower Lake Mary about 12 miles to the Upper Lake.
More Information.[url "http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/mormon_lake/upper-lake-mary-boat.shtml"]Mormon Lake Ranger District[/url]
4825 S. Lake Mary Road
Flagstaff AZ 86001
(928) 774-1147
Also see [url "http://www.arizona-leisure.com/flagstaff-camping.html"]Camping in Flagstaff[/url].
Upper Lake Mary Area Map.
[url "javascript:popUp('upper-lake-mary-map.html','',510,730);"][/url]
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[iamthesmf]

[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaldGeKO68s"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaldGeKO68s[/url]

Upper end of the lake by the curve. Look for the rocks.
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[4poundonly]

Wow [cool] I can't wait
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[jakegonefishin]

Take some trout styled striper plugs. I've been hitting Upper Lake Mary and Ashurst for the last eight years and they absolutely kill big Rainbow colored jerk baits. Ashurst fishes like Willow Beach sometimes, where it's like trying to hit home runs with giant fish, which is due to AZDOW trying to eliminate the pike from Ashurst resulting in fewer pike. But as the Whizzle explained with "stunting," fewer pike and more rainbows (ie. pike chicken fingers) result in big mean pike which hang near the shore. Earlier this summer caught an 18 lber at Ashurst on an 12" Original dark rainbow trout AC Plug took about fifty casts to get two hits, just reel the AC or other "wake" style bait super slow near the shore through the stained/muddy water and hold on. The big pike will drag your float tube around.

For better numbers but smaller pike hit Upper Lake Mary. They will smoke big noisy bass spinner baits. I take old spinner baits and remove the skirts and rig big 5"-6" grubs on them. My best results have come on spinner baits with two large gold colorado or indiana blades, those particular blades let you retrieve the baits slow while throwing out massive vibrations in the water. Large jerkbaits, big Rapalas, Charlies, AC Plugs, even Flukes work well too. But I have done better for numbers and increased average size with blades.
In one of the other replies, they described the same area of Lake Mary I like to fish as well, it is good advice. Take a float tube, until you have caught a 5-8 lb plus pike with a 7"-12" jerk bait with at least 3 sets of treble hooks hung in his mouth and line wrapped all over his body in a float tube you haven't fished. **Side note my brother in-law no longer fishes out of his float tube for pike, seems he feels pike are overly aggressive and like to aim for your legs on their final run. Guess I shouldn't have steered my last big pike towards him lol.

Good luck get up there quick before they shutdown for the winter, then you'll be chunking anchovies and praying for a nibble in the freezing cold.
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[iamthesmf]

WELL???

We waiting for the report on your adventure.
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[TheWhizzle]

I'm going to assume that the pike he put in his avatar (and later removed) was not his.
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