Arizona fishing report: The Reel Deal

Rainbow trout are scheduled to return to CFP waters this week. Time to get friends and family and catch trout at a lake or pond near you. See the stocking schedule.

With a cold front scheduled to hit the high country around Wednesday of next week, this is the time to hit the high country before winter conditions prevail.

See this week’s stockings below — the Tucson region just received a bunch of trout.  A reminder that due to operational issues at Page Springs Fish Hatchery, scheduled trout stockings are being adjusted. Our goal is to have the hatchery back to operating at full capacity by Dec. 1. For questions or more information, please email BFishing@azgfd.gov

Some other highlights

• Jigging spoons, or dropping nightcrawlers, for yellow bass in the Salt River-chain lakes will be a good option as these fish head into deeper water.
• The transition period from the fall activity patterns to the winter ones is coming soon. Fish should begin edging deep and as the water cools, their metabolism slows down. Bass can still be found chasing shad at the surface at times, but for most lakes, expect top-water action to be sporadic (but worthwhile). Go target bass while water temperatures are inside a range that enables these game fish to chase bait fish  – there’s only a few weeks left.
• Dead Horse Ranch State Park lagoons are hot for trout, and the bite remains good at Ashurst, where there reportedly is good water quality. See reports from this region.
• Crappie fishing is reportedly picking up at Roosevelt and Bartlett lakes.
• Don’t forget striper fishing on the Colorado River.

 

 

Arizona State Parks to close Alamo Lake main boat ramp Jan. 2

Arizona State Parks now plans to close the main boat ramp at Alamo Lake Jan. 2 until further notice. Date is subject to change. Cholla Ramp will remain open and is fully functional.

ASP had initially planned the closure for Nov. 1-25 to allow for dam repairs.

Saturday, Nov. 23 — Dads: Bring Your Daughter Fishing Day!, 8 a.m.-noon.  Sahuarita Lake (south side of lake) 15466 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd. Sahuarita.

More info: Calling all Dads! Grab your daughters and join the Arizona Game and Fish Department for a morning of family fishing fun. Even if you are new to fishing, AZGFD still encourages you to come on out for this event. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be providing loaner rods and bait for this event (or you may bring your own).  Dads, this is a family event, so bring your whole family out to enjoy free fishing and instruction from AZGFD Sport Fishing Education Staff and volunteers! Door Prizes will be given away and Youth Licenses will be given away to the first 100 youth participants to sign up for the event thanks to the generous donation from the GVR Hunting & Fishing Club! The event is open to all ages.  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.

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”.