Statewide Reports: June 15, 2018
Air temperatures in desert regions are back into consistent triple-digit highs, so it’s time to consider fishing during early mornings (sleep in the afternoon), nights, and in the high country. Bass fishing can still be good at Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Alamo Lake and popular Colorado River impoundments such as Havasu. Water temperatures this week have varied from high 70s (Bartlett Lake) to low- to -mid 80s (Roosevelt Lake).
Anglers can also enjoy striped bass fishing at night during this weekend’s new moon phase. Not only is it cooler, those submersible lights will be extra effective during these dark nights at drawing in the plankton-shad-predatory fish chain. Good options are Lake Pleasant (the top-water bite has been good from 5-7 a.m.) and many Colorado River impoudments such as Lake Mohave.
Other top picks this weekend could be Kaibab Lake in Williams, Frances Short Pond in Flagstaff, Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, Bear Canyon Lake on the Mogollon Rim, Goldwater Lake in Prescott (we just stocked more Gila trout!), and in the White Mountains region, Big Lake, Fool Hollow Lake, and Show Low Creek, where we recently stocked catfish.
See all the stocking schedules.
Fire restrictions
Closed waters include: City Reservoir, Santa Fe Reservoir, Blue Ridge (CC Cragin) Reservoir, Knoll Lake, Black Canyon Lake, a portion of the Little Colorado River in Greer (the upper end on Apache-Sitgreaves Forest Service land) and the West Fork of the Little Colorado River-Sheeps Crossing. The closure extends upstream to the Highway 273 Bridge at Sheeps Crossing.
Most of the state is under stage 2 fire restrictions and there are some closures. See the fire restrictions.
Fish AZ quick hits
- Bald eagle closure in Agua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant lifted. The Bald Eagle Closure is typically in effect from December 15 – June 15. That means boaters can now cruise from the main body of the lake into this area of the Agua Fria arm. This can be a great area for bass (white, striped, and largemouth).
- Consult the summer forecast. Our Summer Fishing Forecast is out and it’ll show you what could be hot — or not — for all the major waters across the state! See the forecast.
- Fishing opportunities expanding in Prescott Valley. Two waters will be getting more fish stockings: Fain Lake and Yavapai Lakes. Read more.
Catch of the Week
Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@AZGFD.gov —
one will be selected as Catch of the Week.
Goldwater Lake
David Worsham caught a 23-inch, 5.12-pound Gila trout Saturday, June 2 on a lipless crankbait that is in the process of certification as an Arizona state record. Read the whole story.
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”.
