Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

The first day of fall, also known as the autumn equinox, is Monday. Air temperatures in desert regions are dropping to the low-70s at night. For “Fish AZ” fanatics, this means:

• The fall/winter trout stocking schedule is out. Stockings at some streams are over, but anglers still can try for holdovers. At  times, anglers may have their own stretch of stream. Please remember to check for any Special Regulations before heading out. For example, Lower Canyon Creek (From the O.W. Bridge to the Fort Apache Indian Reservation) is catch-and-release only for trout, artificial flies and lures only, with single-pointed barbless hooks. No trout may be kept.
• Bass and trout fishing should improve a bit with this cool off. As mentioned in last week’s report, more and more, bass should be chasing reaction baits such as crankbaits, top-water lures and buzzbaits. Flathead catfish in November typically feed heavily to prepare for winter.
• Channel catfish return this week in Community Fishing waters. See the schedule.  Remember that along with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, we’ve released a “green light” list of fish species from specific waters that may be consumed without limits — and that includes all of the channel catfish supplied for the Community Fishing Program. The “green light” list — not to be confused with daily bag limits — also includes ALL trout statewide as well as notables such as largemouth bass at Lake Havasu and flathead catfish on the Colorado River in Yuma. See the map.
• The Fall Fishing Forecast is out.  Your complete guide of ratings and reports for more than 70 waters statewide is written primarily by our regional fishing experts. See the forecasts.
• On Saturday, Oct. 1, the catch-and-release season at Silver Creek opens — and that means the upper section also opens to fishing for the first time since early spring. This catch-and-release section of Silver Creek requires trout to be immediately released unharmed, and is artificial flies and lures only with single-pointed barbless hooks. No trout may be kept. This segment of Silver Creek is open for fishing from Oct. 1 through March 31 of each year. See more fishing regulations.

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”.