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Fishing Report 12/16/04
#1
[Image: spacer.gif][url "javascript:S('getmsg','','','','','MSG1103215924.19','','','prev','')"][Image: i.p.previous.gif][/url]| [url "javascript:S('getmsg','','','','','MSG1103215924.19','','','next','')"][Image: i.p.next.gif][/url] | [url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg?msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&imgsafe=y&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926#"][Image: i.p.delete.gif][/url] | [url "javascript:HM('curmbox=F000000001')"][Image: i.p.folder.inbox.gif]Inbox[/url] [Image: email_logo.gif] [font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#336633][size 2]Related Information[/size][/#336633][/font] [size 2]-[/size] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][url "javascript:ol('http://www.azgfd.com/h_f/edits/lake_levels.shtml');"]Lake Levels[/url][/size][/font] [size 2]-[/size] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][url "javascript:ol('http://www.azgfd.com/h_f/stocking_schedule.shtml');"]Stocking Schedule[/url][/size][/font] [size 2]-[/size] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][url "javascript:ol('http://www.azgfd.com/h_f/where_fish.shtml');"]Where to Fish[/url][/size][/font] [size 2]-[/size] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][url "javascript:ol('http://www.azgfd.com/h_f/urban_fishing.shtml');"]Urban Fishing[/url][/size][/font][font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#336633][size 4]Fishing Report[/size][/#336633][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Dec. 16, 2004[/size][/font]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][#336633]Been Fishing?[/#336633]
[url "javascript:ol('http://www.azgfd.com/h_f/been_fishing.shtml');"]Tell us about it.[/url] Your comments may be added to the weekly fishing report. We could really use reports on lake temperatures each week from now through summer. With those in hand, we can provide everyone a better idea of fish activity levels.[/size][/font]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][#336633]Report editor:[/#336633]
[url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&src=&type=x&to=raikens@gf.state.az.us&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926"]Rory Aikens[/url], (602) 789-3214

[#336633]Regional editors:[/#336633]
Pinetop Region - [url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&src=&type=x&to=rdreyer@gf.state.az.us&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926"]Richard Dreyer[/url], (928) 367-4281
Flagstaff Region - [url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&src=&type=x&to=cbenedict@gf.state.az.us&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926"]Chuck Benedict[/url], (928) 774-5045
Kingman Region - [url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&src=&type=x&to=aclark@gf.state.az.us&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926"]Andy Clark[/url], (928) 692-7700
Yuma Region - [url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&src=&type=x&to=wgunter@gf.state.az.us&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926"]Wayne Gunter[/url] (928) 342-0091
Tucson Region - [url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&src=&type=x&to=dneill@gf.state.az.us&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926"]Dave Neill[/url], (520) 628-5376 ext. 561
Mesa Region - [url "http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=MSG1103215924.19&start=43002&len=38418&src=&type=x&to=rwiggins@gf.state.az.us&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=F000000001&a=896e087c55e8445bed214db26328c926"]Richard Wiggins[/url], (481) 324-3544

[#336633]Other ways to get the fishing report:[/#336633]
Internet home page: [url "javascript:ol('http://www.azgfd.com');"]azgfd.com[/url]
Recorded public call-in line: (602) 789-3701[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2] [/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Rory's Tip[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
A portion of the Agua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant closes today, Dec. 15 for nesting bald eagles. You can access the upper end of the Agua Fria arm of the lake, past the closure, via Interstate 17 and get off at Table Mesa Road. I still have two guys calling saying they are catching lots of white bass fishing at night using submerged crappie lights and dangling live shad for bait along the submerged creek channels in the northern section of the lake. Sounds cold but fun.
Other anglers have reported seeing plenty of fishermen out trying for big bass using swim baits at Saguaro and Canyon lakes. Now that really sounds like fun.
For bass and other warmwater species, winter conditions have settled in. The best bet right now is going for winter trout. Try Tempe Town Lake, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Goldwater Lake, Lynx Lake and a long list of others.
[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Central Arizona[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
URBAN LAKES - Fishing for rainbow trout is good at all urban lakes. An angler at Water Ranch recommends using wax worms, adding: "If you post this, I promise you will get some very happy comments from the field. " Trout are biting on Power Bait, worms, small spinners or spoons. Trout are biting throughout the day, but are most active in the mornings or evenings. Many of the trout stocked in the Phoenix area urban lakes are averaging nearly one pound each. Fishing for sunfish is very good after recent stockings of 5-8 inch hybrid sunfish. Sunfish bite best on small worms or mealworms fished under a small bobber or on the bottom with a small weight.
TEMPE TOWN LAKE - Rainbow trout will be stocked again this week, which will make over 13,000 fish stocked to date. From all reports it's a fishing derby for trout with lots of limits. Power bait, corn and salmon eggs will work. Some largemouth bass are being caught dragging plastic worms slowly along the ledges, drop-shot method, but fishing is very slow. A good spot for bass is under and around the Highway 202 overpass on the east side of the lake near the Indian Bend Wash. Fishing with live minnows under a slip bobber is an effective way to catch yellow bass, crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish. A 13-inch minimum length regulation for largemouth bass is in effect. There are plenty of bluegills and yellow bass try using mealworms and night crawlers. Fishing for carp can be excellent: use dough bait or corn. One angler recently reported catching 10 carp in two hours using corn. Try fishing in the shaded areas under bridges. You need a state fishing license - Class A (not an Urban License). A two-pole stamp can be used here. All questions regarding boating information can be answered by the Town Lake Operations Center (480) -350-8625.
LAKE PLEASANT - Water level is at 1,642 feet (41-percent full). The lake is coming up about 6-8 inches per day. Fishing for largemouth is tough. The best technique for catching largemouth bass is the drop-shot and blades. Fish that are being caught may be deep, up to 60 feet at times. Generally this time of year, anywhere from 20-40 feet off ledges are places to try. Jigs, Texas-rigs, and Carolina-rigs, are also working well. White bass are really hitting now on spoons (KastMasters) and cut shad. Striped bass can be caught trolling shad imitations in the open water. The marina, Castle Creek, and Jackass Cove, and the Agua Fria are good places to target these fish. The catfish bite is slow.
ROOSEVELT LAKE - The lake is 29-percent full at elevation 2,076 feet. The Salt River was flowing at 224 cfs Monday morning and Tonto Creek was at 134 cfs. Fishing improved this past week. Fish are in winter patterns. Some crappies are being caught trolling in 20-25 feet of using Power Grubs and Jumping Cholla jigs. Some fish are over 2 pounds. Windy Hill area is the best. Bass fishing improved from slow to decent last week. Drop shotting is the most effective fishing technique. Wired worms are also working. Many fish under the slot are being caught in the 10- to13-inch range. Fishing for smallmouth bass can be good; try using in-line spinners and crayfish imitations especially off rocky points and cliff walls. Smallmouth fishing is actually better than largemouth at the right now. Remember the slot is in place for smallmouth as well. Carp fishing is winding down; use corn or dough bait. The channel catfish bite has slowed. Use baits like corn, stink baits, and hotdogs. Please harvest largemouth bass under the 13-inch slot. Call the Mesa Game and Fish office at (480) 324-3544 if you catch a tagged flathead catfish. Anglers are reminded of the slot bass size limit that remains in effect here: bass between 13 to 16 inches must be released immediately. Also those bass below 13 inches and above16 inches that are kept can only be gutted with the head and tail attached so the legal length can be determined. All other fish such as crappie, catfish and bluegill harvested from the lake must have a piece of skin attached to the fillets so species can be determined.
APACHE - Lake is 89-percent full at 1,903 feet. Largemouth bass fishing is slow. Try the mouths of coves and off points. Spinnerbaits and lures like a Shad Rat-L-Traps are working. Drop shotting (tight lines) of Carolina-rigged or Texas-rigged worms is also effective. Smallmouth fishing is good on windy days and very good in general this time of year. Wind driven waves stir up the bottom; try along rocky bottoms and off cliffs with crawdad crank imitations. Fish for them along the cliff walls in 5-15 feet of water. Walleye can be caught off cliffs and rocky points with in-line spinners or drifting night crawlers. Try rock-runners with worm harnesses or shad-patterned crankbaits for walleye after dark. Yellow bass can be found around balls of shad. Spoons and cut bait work well for them. Catfishing is slow. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is tagging walleye with a blue spaghetti-type tag near the dorsal fin. If you catch one, please note the tag number, location caught and accurate length of the fish and call the department's Mesa office at (480) 324-3544. You can keep the tag and the fish. There is a certified scale at the marina boathouse.
CANYON - Lake is 95-percent full at 1,657 feet. Rainbow trout will be stocked this week. To some this means power bait, inline spinners and salmon eggs. Others it means big imitation swim baits like Castaic targeting monster bass. Bass fishing was slow last week. For bass drop shotting is still the method of choice, Texas-rigged or Carolina-rigged. Senkos and Westy Worms have also been catching fish. Target smallmouth with crawdad imitation lures right at dark. At night try noisy topwater lures and crankbaits near shad boils. This is also a great lake for yellow bass, jig spoons in and around balls of shad. A few walleye are being caught trolling along cliffs. Shad imitation Rat-L-Traps can be effective for walleye here. Catfish, sunfish and carp fishing is very slow.
SAGUARO - Lake level is 1,525 feet (94-percent full). Bass fishing is slow. Fish that are being caught is by drop shotting (tight lines) or with Senkos in 20-50 foot depths. There are a few reports of big bass being caught using large swim baits. Rainbow trout were stocked last week. Use Power Bait, corn, salmon eggs, and inline spinners like a Vibrex or Rooster Tails. Yellow bass can be caught jigging spoons (1/4-ounce KastMaster) or cut bait. Try to locate shad in 40-60 feet of water and jig through them. Catfishing is slow. Try stink baits, hotdogs or shrimp. There is a certified scale at the marina to get an official weight and still release your catch. Two witnesses are needed for the weight to be official.
BARTLETT - Lake level was at 1,790 feet (90-percent full). Fishing is slow for bass. Some are being caught with crawdad imitations and dark plastics. Drop-shotting is the best method to pick up largemouth bass right now. Crappies are now suspended and tough to target. Catfishing has really slowed. Some channel and large flatheads may still be caught near the dam. Use live bait such as bluegill or small carp for the flatheads and shrimp, hotdogs or stink bait for the channels. Remember the live bait most come from the lake itself not transported from another body of water!
HORSESHOE - Lake is temporarily holding some water (31 percent). Fishing is poor. The lake is a far better bet for duck hunting right now. Upstream from Horseshoe Dam is an unlimited harvest area for all game fish. The deep pool below the dam (Catfish Point) is known for producing flathead and channel cats. The Colorado pikeminnow and the razorback sucker are endangered and must be released immediately.

VERDE RIVER - Monday morning flows were 315 cfs at Camp Verde. For information on stream ([url "javascript:ol('http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/current/?type%3dflow');"]http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/current/?type=flow[/url]). Bass fishing is about over until spring and warmer water temperatures. Remember that no baitfish can be transported into this part of the river (above Horseshoe). For further information concerning regulations, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (480) 324-3544.
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) - Rainbow trout will be stocked at the Phon D. Sutton and Granite Reef recreation areas this week. Fish can be caught using traditional trout baits and lures such as Power Bait, corn and spinners. Fish are averaging 9-14 inches. Fly-fishing can be very productive in this stretch of the river. Patterns of black wooly buggers have been working.
CREEKS - Tonto, Canyon, and Haigler have some hold over rainbow trout. Stockings have ended for the year. Spinners, worms, corn, and Power Bait will all work.
[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Colorado River Northwest[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
LAKE POWELL - It's winter, but it takes a long time to cool down so much water. There are still fish to be caught. For more information, visit wayneswords.com [url "javascript:ol('http://www.wayneswords.com/lpfish.htm');"]http://www.wayneswords.com/lpfish.htm[/url]
LEES FERRY - Courtesy Lees Ferry Anglers. The rainbow trout are just starting to color up a bit to get ready for the spawning season. Fish seem to be very healthy and strong going into winter. We expect this winter's fishing to be very good, as the fish will only get healthier once the January through April flows of 5,000 cfs to 20,000 cfs begin. These flows have been done for the last two years and fishing has been wonderful. The large daily fluctuations move large amounts of food and the fish feed like crazy. This winter should not be any different.
Finding the fish is a bit of a challenge, as they are not in the usual spots, but once found the numbers caught can be quite high. Ginger, tan, and orange scuds are the hot flies. There are huge numbers of scuds milling around in places after being moved from their homes by the high flows last week. The fish in these areas are chowing like crazy. In the riffles, scuds, brown San Juan worms, and pink or Oregon cheese glo-bugs are producing. Drifting with these same flies with deeper running nymph rigs has also been a good way to pick up fish along the outside of the riffles. Lastly, woolly buggers are receiving lots of attention in back eddies and other places where the current is slow and the water deep.
Fishing in the walk-in has been tough. San Juan worms in burnt orange and worm brown are the "best" flies, but even they did not receive a whole lot of attention. Ginger scuds accounted for a few fish along with black/copper zebra midges. This area has been fishing very well on some days, and poorly on other. The number of people in this stretch today and yesterday definitely put a damper on the fishing.
There are reports of good spin-fishing lately. The fish seem to be taking Oregon cheese or pink glo-bugs trailed by San Juan worms a little better than the marabou jigs. However, throwing black or olive jigs at the banks and bouncing along the bottom back to the boat is still a great way to catch fish. KastMasters and Panther Martins will also produce fish. Spin fishing should continue to be good throughout the winter.
Projected River Flows: After the simulated flood flows of 41,000cfs on the river for four days, the flows dropped back down to a constant 8,000 cfs. December flows are expected to be a bit higher with a low of 6,000cfs and a high of 12,000cfs. The 5,000cfs to 20,000cfs flows of the last two years will return Jan. 1 and run through the first week of April. Fishing has been very good during these flows the last two years.
LAKE MEAD - No new reports.
LAKE MOHAVE - No new reports.

WILLOW BEACH - Rainbow trout fishing continues to be good near stocking days. Stocking days are typically Friday but will shift to Wednesday during holiday weeks. Power Bait and lures were working well. The most common colors of Power Bait used are rainbow and orange sherbet. Channel cats are being caught on anchovies as well.

TOPOCK MARSH - No new reports.
COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM - About 2,000 rainbow trout were stocked into the river in the vicinity of the Riverside Casino last week. No new reports on catching. Next stocking of another 2,000 trout is scheduled for early January. The stocking site will be determined by water levels.
[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Southwestern Arizona[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
HAVASU - No change. Striped bass fishing is fair to good. Anglers are still waiting for the threadfin shad to move into the shoreline fishing areas bringing with them the larger stripers. Once the schools of shad move in, shoreline anglers will have access to some fantastic fishing and greater opportunity to land the larger stripers. Anglers fishing from the shore with a cut anchovy continue to catch stripers in the 12- to 16-inch range. Boat anglers following the flocks of seagulls were having the most success. Stripers feeding on schools of shad will push the baitfish to the surface, and at times both stripers and shad can be seen jumping out of the water. This disturbance of the water's surface attracts the opportunistic gulls, which also feed on the shad. Anglers fishing in and around these areas of actively feeding stripers were doing well with shad imitation lures. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is fair. Crayfish colored crankbaits were producing largemouth and smallmouth this week on rocky shorelines. Catfishing is fair. Anchovies have been the most popular bait, however, night crawlers, chicken liver and stink bait are also good choices. Remember that both smallmouth and largemouth bass must be a minimum of 13 inches to possess. All largemouth and smallmouth bass less than 13 inches must be released immediately.
PARKER STRIP - Water releases should be a bit above the winter average. Keep in mind that Thursdays have the lowest flows of the week. Bass should be moving to deeper water. Look for large mouth to be suspending over deep-water structures. Smallies are found mostly upriver around the rockier shorelines. They like preying on small invertebrates that wash out of the rocks. Try working soft baits around or drifting them thru these areas. Catfish should be slowing down but might still be enticed with night crawlers, goldfish, or frozen shrimp. Small worms work well for Bluegill and redear too. The Parker area is known for some monster sunfish that will fill your pan and then some. Try working baits around grass beds just off shore.
MARTINEZ LAKE/COLORADO RIVER - Shore anglers are having success catching many species of fish. One recent angler caught a small flathead, and several redear sunfish using worms near Hidden Shores this past weekend. Another boat angler had success catching a 9-pound striper in the Imperial Dam area of the Colorado River. The cold weather is starting to kill off the weeds in backwaters and along the shores. Be aware that you can still harbor unwanted invasive weeds on your props, live wells and boat hulls when leaving the water. Be sure to clean all areas free of weeds as they can be transported to unaffected lakes and rivers.
MITTRY LAKE - Anglers are starting to catch black crappie by boat in the lake. One recently caught three crappies. Shore anglers are catching bluegill and catfish.
YUMA AREA RIVERS/CANALS - Anglers continue to experience excellent catfishing in canals. Some popular canals include the Salinity, Gila Main, East and West Main canals. Some big bluegill and redear have been recently caught in the Gila Main near Mittry Lake on worms. Smallmouth bass and stripers have also been biting recently. Use crawdads for smallmouth bass and worms or chicken liver for stripers.
FORTUNA POND - This past week the pond was stocked with rainbow trout. Anglers are catching their 4-fish limits on panther martin type spinnerbaits and trout Power Bait. Trout stockings will take place again in January and February. Some catfish are also being caught on worms and stink bait. The catfish limit is 4-fish. Other fish species include bass, mullet and bluegill. Note that on Jan. 1 the bag limit on sunfish will change to 10 fish per day/possession at Fortuna Pond.

REDONDO POND - No recent reports. If you have a small boat, this could be the pond for you. Bluegill and bass can be found in this clear water pond also referred to as " Yuma Lakes".
EHRENBERG - Fishing on the Colorado River Cibola Division has picked up lately. Flatheads have been biting well lately on bluegill in the main channel. Worms and green crankbaits are catching bass in the backwaters and main channel. Just a reminder, Cibola Lake closed to fishing and all entry as of Labor Day.
ALAMO LAKE - Well anglers the lake has stabilized at 1,125. Releases are down to 250 cfs, currently matching the inflow into the lake. Although the lake has started to clear, it's still a chocolate color with visibility maybe 6 inches. Fishing is still lousy. Local anglers are hopeful that conditions may change with the 70 degree forecast for the next week. No bass, crappie, or catfish have been reported being caught this week. Surprisingly enough both the Santa Maria and the Big Sandy rivers are flowing into the lake crystal clear. One would think that throwing white spinner bait, or a lipless crankbait in that area would produce a fish. It may be too soon though. Until then it's a good time of the year to do some preventive maintenance. Along with changing the lower unit oil, charging batteries, checking navigational lights, bilge pumps, and making sure you have life jackets, don't forget to service the boat trailer. Kicking the tires, and a little squirt of grease in the hubs can make or break a trip out here. There is a fish advisory here. The advisory recommends that people limit consumption as follows for bass and black crappie. Children under age six: no consumption; Women of childbearing age: one 8-ounce fish meal per month; All other adult women: three 8-ounce fish meals per month; Adult men: four 8-ounce fish meal per month. For catfish, the consumption guideline is slightly different: for children under the age of six, no consumption is recommended; for women of child-bearing age, one 8-ounce fish meal per month; for all other adult women, five 8-ounce fish meals per month; for adult men, six 8-ounce meals per month. If you have any questions, call the park at (928) 669-2088.
[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]North Central Region[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
Williams Lakes:
KAIBAB LAKE - No report. Expect snow and ice.
CATARACT LAKE - Campground is closed. No report on fishing. Expect snow and ice.
CITY RESERVOIR - No report. Expect snow and ice.
DOGTOWN LAKE - Campground gate is closed. No report on fishing.
WHITEHORSE LAKE - Campground Gate is closed. No report on fishing.
JD DAM - No report. Expect snow and ice.
SANTA FE - No report. Expect snow and ice.
Flagstaff Lakes:
LOWER LAKE MARY - Lake is basically dry.
UPPER LAKE MARY - No report. There is a health advisory here. Mercury has been detected in the fish. Do not eat the walleye or more than 8 ounces (uncooked weight) of any fish caught.
ASHURST LAKE - No report.
KINNIKINICK LAKE - No report. Expect snow and ice.
OAK CREEK - No report.
LONG LAKE - Lake is dry.
SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX - No report. There is a health advisory: Do not eat fish from these lakes because mercury has been detected.
BEAVER CREEK - No report.
WEST CLEAR CREEK - No report.
STONEMAN LAKE - Water level is too low for stocking.
BLUE RIDGE - No access.
KNOLL LAKE - No access. The FS 300 Road is closed.
MINGUS LAKE - The last stocking for the season happened Oct.18. No reports on catching. Mingus will be stocked again in late April or early May 2005.
DEAD HORSE STATE PARK - Trout were stocked last week in the middle and lower lagoons. The next stocking is scheduled for the week of Dec. 20.
LYNX LAKE - No new Reports. Stocked on Nov. 8 with rainbow trout. The next stocking is scheduled for the week of Feb. 14.
FAIN LAKE - Stocked last week with 1,000 trout. No new reports on success. Scheduled to be stocked again the week of Dec. 20.
VERDE RIVER - No reports. Trout were stocked last week and are being stocked again this week. In general, stockings are not made if river levels are high and muddy from storm run-off. Stocking sites are Tuzigoot Bridge, the "Jacks" and at Bignotti Beach.
GOLDWATER LAKE - The lake was stocked last Monday with rainbow trout. No new reports on success. The next stocking is scheduled for the second week in February.
[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Mogollon Rim[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
Note: Forest Service 300 Road is closed into Woods Canyon, Bear Canyon and Knoll lakes.
CHEVELON CANYON LAKE - No access. Road is closed. Winter Snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice.

BEAR CANYON LAKE - Road is closed. Winter Snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice.
BLACK CANYON LAKE - Road is closed. Winter Snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE - Gate is still open. Winter Snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice.
WOODS CANYON LAKE - Road is closed. Winter Snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice.
[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]White Mountains[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]
Note: Winter conditions with snow forced the closure of SR 273 and Hwy 261 (The roads to Big Lake). Call ahead for changes in road closures and check the weather before venturing into the high country lakes.
BECKER LAKE - The lake is down 6 feet and the boat ramp is accessible. Fishing is fair. The lake is open to artificial lure and flies only from Oct. 1 through May 24. There is a two-fish limit. Anglers have been catching lots of 10-12 inch rainbows on brown woolly buggers, damselfly and dragonfly patterns, Montana nymphs, peacock ladies, and midge larvae patterns. Unsafe ice.

BIG LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Road is closed. Unsafe ice.
CARNERO LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Road is snow packed. Unsafe ice.
CONCHO LAKE - Fishing is poor. The boat ramp is not accessible because of the thick weeds. Expect very low water levels and weedy conditions. Try using worms, Power Bait (green, yellow, and rainbow colored), and flies off the dam. The lake contains some nice sized green sunfish so try fishing in open water next to weeds using a bobber and worms.
CRESCENT LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Road is closed. Unsafe ice.
FOOL HOLLOW LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. The lake is low and the west side (public) boat ramp is out of the water. The state park is allowing use of the east shore boat ramp for launching boats. Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, lures, and flies near structure such as rocks, tree stumps, and weed beds. The lake also contains walleye, catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, and black crappie. Unsafe ice conditions may prevail.

GREER LAKES (Bunch, Tunnel and River Reservoirs) - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice.

HULSEY LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. The Alpine area has about 1 to 2 feet of snow. Unsafe ice.
LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Road is closed. Unsafe ice.

LUNA LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice. The Alpine area has received approximately 1 to 2 feet of snow.
LYMAN LAKE - Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is low. Catfish are being caught at the upper end of the lake. Try fishing for bass, walleyes, and sunfish along rocky areas or weedy areas of the lake. Try worms, Power Bait, lures, and flies. Camping is available at Lyman Lake State Park. There are also some new cabins for rent. There is a fish consumption advisory for Lyman lake. Children under the age of 6 should not eat fish from the lake. Women of childbearing age and children under the age of 16 should limit their consumption of fish to one meal per month. Adult men over the age of 16 can consume five meals of fish per month. Boat ramps are accessible.
NELSON RESERVOIR - Winter conditions prevail. Unsafe ice.

RAINBOW LAKE - Winter conditions prevail. Expect unsafe ice. Fishing is poor.

SCOTTS RESERVOIR - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Water levels are low and below the concrete portion of the boat ramp.

SHOW LOW LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice conditions.
WOODLAND LAKE - Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Unsafe ice conditions.

SILVER CREEK - Trout fishing is fair to good. All of Silver creek, except the fish hatchery section, is open to catch and release (no kill), lures and flies only with barbless hooks.

CHOLLA LAKE - Cholla Lake State Park is closed until April 1, 2005.

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing is poor to fair for all species. The lake contains bass, sunfish, bullheads, catfish and trout. Try worms, Power Bait (green, yellow or rainbow colored), lures, and flies.
WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS: Winter snow and ice conditions prevail. Streams on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest are ice covered. SR 273 and Hwy 261 are closed due to recent snowstorms.
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TUCSON URBAN - Kennedy, Silverbell, Sahuarita and Lakeside will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. Try Power Bait, salmon eggs, corn or cheese. Fishing for sunfish has been good. Use mealworms and earthworms on a small hook, size 10 or smaller, under a bobber set at 3 to 5 feet. These lakes also have aggressive, fast growing, tasty, hybrid sunfish. Buy a two-pole stamp and try different baits to double your odds.
RIGGS FLAT - Closed for the winter. For lake information call (928) 428-4150.
CLUFF RANCH - Will be stocked with trout this week. Slow for warmwater species. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.
ROPER LAKE - Has been stocked with trout. Slow for warmwater species. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.
DANKWORTH POND - Will be stocked with trout this week. Slow for warmwater species. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.
KEARNY LAKES - Not stocked due to water quality issues.
ARIVACA -The bass fishing has slowed down some due to the cold temperatures, but people are still finding some action. The water level is very low. It may not be possible to launch some of the larger bass boats. Using buzzbaits early in the morning has produced some action. Otherwise, use various plastic baits, working the structure along the lakeshore. Remember, all bass must be immediately released back to the water. The mercury advisory for all warm water fish is still in effect.
PENA BLANCA - Was stocked with trout last week, and the trout fishing is good. Try Power Bait, corn, or salmon eggs. The key is to find the depth the trout are at. Whether you are fishing off of the bottom using a sliding egg sinker, or off of the top using a bobber, adjust the length of your leader until you start getting into the fish. Fly-fishing from a boat or float tube is excellent. Bring a variety of flies, as these fish can be finicky. The warm water fishery is still fairly good. Bluegill and bass can still be taken. Water levels are somewhat down, but you should still be able to launch a boat. The mercury advisory for all warm water fish is in effect. Bass less than 13 inches long must be released.
PATAGONIA - Was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Trout fishing is good. Bass fishing is fair. Bluegill and redear are still providing fun for the young folks using small hooks with pieces of worm. The average size is pretty small. For more lake information, call Patagonia Lake State Park at (520) 287-6965.

PARKER CANYON - Was stocked with trout last week. Try Power Bait corn or cheese. Bass are being caught in early morning and evenings around weed beds. Fish deeper later in the day. Those fishing for bass are sometimes catching northern pike. Try using in-line spinners or small trout-imitating lures.
PICACHO RESERVOIR - Dry.
ROSE CANYON LAKE - Rose Canyon Lake has been closed for the winter.
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