Arizona Fishing Report: The Reel Deal
Water temperatures are falling as overnight lows in desert regions are forecast to be dipping into the low-40s by Monday. If you’re bass fishing in desert impoundments, a good strategy might be throwing crankbaits during mornings and closer to midday switching to smaller plastic baits (Roboworms or baby brush hogs) on Texas rigs or dropshots in 15-25 feet of water.
On Dec. 4 we stocked Parker Canyon with trout averaging more than 10 inches.
Also, as mentioned, we’re adjusting our trout stockings due to operational issues at our Page Springs Fish Hatchery. Stockings from Page Springs have been halted, yet we’ve been purchasing fish from out-of-state vendors to ensure most waters scheduled to be stocked do indeed receive trout. Read more.
Canyon, Apache and Saguaro lakes are scheduled to be stocked with trout in January. See the latest trout stocking schedule.
Great opportunities for anglers also remain in Community Fishing Program waters — some were stocked this week with rainbow trout.
Finally, we’re stocking 1,500 fingerling Gila trout from the Mora National Fish Hatchery (N.M.) into Watson Lake, and another 2,000 at Lynx Lake in Prescott.
Volunteers needed in January for Bartlett Lake Christmas tree habitat installments
Start 2020 off right and help us drop Christmas trees into Bartlett Lake.
We’re looking for volunteers on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, and Saturday Jan. 11 to install these used Christmas trees that will help ensure robust fish populations at this Tonto National Forest impoundment. We’ll be starting at 8:30 a.m. each day from the yellow cliffs boat ramp.
Just bring a pair of gloves and help conserve sport-fishing opportunities for future generations!
Contact Bryant Dickens at 623-236-7593 if you have any questions.
Silver Creek Fish Hatchery to close Wednesday
We will be closing to the public the Silver Creek Fish Hatchery, located in Show Low, on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
This closure is necessary for public safety and to allow for replacement of a culvert.
For more information, contact the hatchery at 928-537-7513.
Catch of the Week
Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov —
one will be selected for Catch of the Week
Festival Fields Pond (Avondale)
This 2-year-old girl caught her first fish, a rainbow trout, during Saturday’s grand re-opening event at Festival Fields Pond in Avondale. Festival Fields is the newest addition to our Community Fishing Program.
What’s been stocked this week
(“Catchable” sizes only; water temp in parenthesis if available)
Rainbow trout: “Core” Community waters, Parker Canyon Lake.
Upcoming Family Fishing Event
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”.
