Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal
With falling water temperatures, a new moon weekend and fish stockings galore, there’s lots of options for a fall-time fishing adventure.
We stocked scenic Oak Creek with rainbow trout this week, where water temperatures at stocking locations were a cooler, trout-loving 52 degrees. Lynx Lake got lots of trout, too, and water temperatures this week were at 50 degrees.
A couple anglers also reported some good action on brown trout at Ashurst Lake, southeast of Flagstaff.
One of the top options will be striped bass fishing at Pleasant, Mead, Mohave or along the lower Colorado River. Using submersible lights at night will be effective at attracting the plankton-baitfish-predatory fish chain.
Roosevelt Lake has been on fire for largemouth bass fishing. Our biologists have been sinking tons of fish habitat structures, which attract fish and help anglers target these sport fish. Flathead catfish also can be great at Rosy, and with falling water temperatures, crappie fishing could be bust wide open early next week if some stable weather comes through. Look for schools on your fish-finders: They’ll form the shape of a Christmas tree.
A drop in barometric pressure with storms predicted throughout most of the state during the next couple days could cause a drop in angler catch rates and make a bit more fish difficult to find, but once the storms clear and the pressure rises anglers might experience more fishing success. Be sure to cover a lot of water to find fish. After a storm (be safe!), try fishing areas where run-off enters a fishery and may have been knocking nutrients and critters like worms and bugs into the water.
For other potential hot spots, see our Fall Fishing Forecast, and this week’s stockings below.
Access to Show Low Lake boat ramp closed Oct. 17-19
We plan on closing vehicle and pedestrian access to the boat ramp at Show Low Lake Oct. 17-19 to facilitate the first phase of a project to construct a new sidewalk from the upper parking lot down to the boat ramp.
The boat ramp will re-open by noon on Friday, Oct. 19.
This project is part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility at this public boating facility.
This week’s stockings
(Water temps in parentheses, if available)
Rainbow trout: Oak Creek (52), Frances Short Pond (55), Lynx Lake (50).
Channel catfish: “Expansion” Community fishing waters.
Catch of the Week
Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@AZGFD.gov —
one will be selected as Catch of the Week.
Parker Canyon Lake
Rod sent a report of catching a number of nice largemouth bass like this off an underwater ledge using a small jig. He said the weather was windy (more than 15 mph) and cold (upper 50s) in more than 15 feet of water.
Family Fishing Events
Note: At these free fishing clinics, loaner rods are provided, bait is free, and no license is required for those who register at the AZGFD booth during event hours.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Family Fishing Fun. 8 a.m.-noon, Encanto Park (NW side of the lake) 2605 N. 15th Ave. Phoenix.
Please join the AZGFD Sport Fishing Education Program and City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation for a morning of family fishing fun! We will be providing loaner rods and bait for this event (or you may bring your own). Bring your family out to enjoy free fishing and instruction from AZGFD Sport Fishing Education Staff and volunteers. The event is open to all ages. The fishing event will occur at northwest end of the lake. Fishing licenses are not required, during the planned hours of the event, for those who register at the Game & Fish Booth. For more information please contact the Sport Fishing Education Program at (623) 236-7240.
Thank you, anglers!
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.
Save time, buy online
Grab a license online (that helps conserve all species of wildlife, not to mention provides funding that goes back into fishing opportunities) and go “Fish AZ”.
