Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal
Not too much has changed since last week’s report. In the North Central region, we just stocked Ashurst, Kaibab, Dogtown and City Reservoir. With water temperatures rising, the best bet is to fish early or late. See all the waters that were stocked this week below.
In desert impoundments, the “dog days” are setting in. Fish early, late or at night. Bass anglers can consider fishing deep and with abnormally light gear. At Bartlett Lake, Bass Pro Gary Senft is saying to even go as light at 4-pound line with 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jigheads and 3- to 4-inch grubs or plastic worms. Fish slowly. During this full moon, it’s easier to fish at night with increased natural visibility. Crayfish tend to be more active at night, so anglers can target rocky shorelines with craw imitations like brush hogs in dark colors. Dark plastic worms on a dropshot rig should be effective as well.
Catch of the Week
Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov —
one will be selected for Catch of the Week
Bartlett Lake
Eric Barrantes of Mesa caught this 49-inch flathead catfish Sunday, Aug. 11 on a live bluegill with a 3-way rig.
What’s been stocked this week
Rainbow trout: Tonto Creek, Haigler Creek, Silver Creek, West Fork Little Colorado River-Greer, Kaibab Lake, Rose Canyon Lake, Canyon Creek, Ashurst Lake, Dogtown Reservoir, City Reservoir.
Catfish: Patterson Ponds, Fain Lake, Lynx Lake, Dead Horse Ranch State Park lagoons.
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”.
