Winter Fishing Forecast: Southeast
Like some other waters in the Tucson region, Patagonia Lake will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout through the winter months.
Arivaca Lake
Rating: Fair
Fishing in the winter can be slow at Arivaca Lake as the fish go deeper and spend less time feeding. Although early mornings and late evenings are still going to be the most productive times, anglers should find fish to be active throughout the day. Arivaca can be tough to fish if you’re not accustomed to the aquatic vegetation that grows thick at this lake. During the winter months slow-moving crankbaits fished mid-level are the best approach.
Cluff Ranch Pond
Rating: Good
Rainbow trout stockings continue through the winter months, although at less frequency and amount of fish due to operational issues at Page Springs Hatchery. The trout that have been stocked, however, are much larger than typical size. Various baits and lures will catch trout, such as: PowerBait, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, mealworms, and corn. Lures proven to work include: small spinners (size 0-1), spoons and even small jigs tipped with various plastics imitating worms, minnows or creatures. A good rule of thumb for all fish is having a variety of baits/lures in different sizes and colors, placing it in different depths and retrieving it a different speeds. Continue to change until you find a combination that works. Fishing early in the morning or late in the evening generally will lead to more success.
Dankworth Pond
Rating: Fair
Rainbow trout stockings continue through the winter months, although at less frequency and amount of fish due to operational issues at Page Springs Hatchery. The trout that have been stocked however are much larger than typical size. Various baits and lures will catch trout, such as: PowerBait, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, mealworms, and corn. Lures proven to work include: small spinners (size 0-1), spoons and even small jigs tipped with various plastics imitating worms, minnows or creatures. A good rule of thumb for all fish is having a variety of baits/lures in different sizes and colors, placing it in different depths and retrieving it at different speeds. Continue to change until you find a combination that works.
Frye Mesa Reservoir
Rating: Slow
Frye Mesa Reservoir presents a unique opportunity to catch a native Gila trout. The reservoir receives retired broodstock from Mora National Fish Hatchery as well as our Page Springs state hatchery. Gila trout can be caught with similar methods used for rainbow trout. Fly fishing with nymphs or wet/dry flies is productive. If using a spin-casting reel, small spoons and spinners as wells as PowerBait or worms can work. The daily bag limit is 2 trout. The road to the reservoir is rough and a higher clearance all-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.
Parker Canyon Lake
Rating: Fair
During the winter months, anglers can expect that fishing for the warmwater species will slow as fish move into deeper water and become less active with the cooler water temperatures. Rainbow trout stockings continue through the winter months, although at less frequency and amount of fish due to operational issues at Page Springs Hatchery. Anglers wanting to catch the rainbow trout can use bait such as earthworms, mealworms, salmon eggs or PowerBait. A good technique is to fish with light tackle and vary the depth, color and type of bait until you find where the fish are hanging out and the bait they prefer. Small lures such as spoons and spinners from Mepps or Rooster Tail are excellent choices. Anglers using small lures should work small areas of the lake in a fan pattern, covering all of the water in front of them and remember to vary the speed of your retrieve. Regardless of your choice of bait and technique, all anglers should keep in mind that as the day progresses, the fish’s preferences can also change. So be prepared to change things up when the fishing slows.
Patagonia Lake
Rating: Good
The stocking of catchable rainbow trout will continue through the winter months. During the winter months, anglers can expect that fishing for the warmwater species will slow as fish move into deeper water and become less active with the cooler water temperatures. Rainbow trout stockings continue through the winter months, although at less frequency and amount of fish due to operational issues at Page Springs Hatchery. The trout that have been stocked however are much larger than typical size. Anglers wanting to catch the rainbow trout can use bait such as earthworms, mealworms, salmon eggs or PowerBait. A good technique is to fish with light tackle and vary the depth, color and type of bait until you find where the fish are hanging out and the bait they prefer. Small lures such as spoons and spinners from Mepps or Rooster Tail are excellent choices. Anglers using small lures should work small areas of the lake in a fan pattern covering all of the water in front of them and remember to vary the speed of your retrieve. Regardless of your choice of bait and technique, all anglers should keep in mind that as the day progresses, the fish’s preferences can also change. So be prepared to change things up when the fishing slows.
Pena Blanca Lake
Rating: Good
Although fall water quality issues were not nearly as poor as in previous years there will be no rainbow trout stockings this winter. The improved fall water quality has led to anglers who prefer warmwater fish catching largemouth bass and sunfish throughout the fall. Expect that to continue but eventually slow down as water temperatures continue to cool down and fish move towards deeper water. Techniques for sunfish should focus on live worms and mealworms with light tackle. Largemouth bass anglers should turn to crankbaits around submerged habitat. Channel catfish can still be caught as well as temperatures cool and anglers using prepared stink baits, frozen shrimp or anchovies should find success.
Riggs Flat Lake
Rating: Closed
This lake is closed to fishing during the fall and winter and there is no public access available. Look for the lake to open again in April of next year.
Roper Lake
Rating: Fair
Rainbow trout stockings continue through the winter months, although at less frequency and amount of fish due to operational issues at Page Springs Hatchery. The trout that have been stocked, however, are much larger than typical size. During this time anglers can expect that fishing for the warmwater species will slow as fish move into deeper water and become less active with the cooler water temperatures. Anglers wanting to catch the rainbow trout can use bait such as earthworms, mealworms, salmon eggs or PowerBait. A good technique is to fish with light tackle and vary the depth, color and type of bait until you find where the fish are hanging out and the bait they prefer. Small lures such as spoons and spinners from Mepps or Rooster Tail are excellent choices. Anglers using small lures should work small areas of the lake in a fan pattern covering all of the water in front of them and remember to vary the speed of your retrieve. Regardless of your choice of bait and technique all anglers should keep in mind that as the day progresses, the fish’s preferences can also change. So be prepared to change things up when the fishing slows.
Rose Canyon Lake
Rating: Good
Fall brings an end to the rainbow trout stockings at this lake, but that doesn’t mean the end of good fishing. Anglers willing to try techniques beyond bait fishing can find plenty of trout still in the lake. Fly fishing with floating flies and small Kastmasters, spoons and spinners are the best bet during this time of year. The lake is now closed to vehicle access for the winter however, even after the vehicle access gate closes anglers can still fish at the lake but they will have to hike in from the parking lot off Mount Lemmon Highway or hike down the trail from N. Willow Loop via S Willow Canyon.
