URBAN LAKES - There are no scheduled fish stockings at Urban Fishing
Program waters from July 1 through Sept. 15. Once lake temperatures
begin to decrease entering the fall season, then catfish stockings
can resume again. This fall, a total of four catfish stockings
are planned at two-week intervals before fish stockings switch
over to rainbow trout in mid November. Fishing at Urban Program
waters will remain slow throughout the summer. Catfish can still
be caught, especially from the larger lakes, with bluegill, bass
and carp still providing some fun for persistent anglers.
Fishing activity has slowed over the summer due to high water
temperatures and absence of fish stockings through July and August. Catfish
up to four pounds are still being reported along with fish in the
two-pound range, but catch rates are poor overall. The last
seasonal (spring/summer) stocking of catfish was June 25. Generally,
the best bite is late in the evening; however some anglers are
finding hungry cats in the middle of the day. Try baits such
as stink bait or shrimp fished on the bottom without a sinker.
Sunfish continue to bite throughout the summer on small worms
fished under a bobber; mornings are best. Largemouth fishing
is slow with the best activity around dawn for anglers using finesse
worms rigged drop-shot or split-shot style, or try topwater at
first light. At Green Valley lakes (Payson) the best fishing
is for bluegill, crappie and bass. Monsoon rains have kept
the lake cooler and seem to invigorate the fish. Try small
jigs and worms fished under a bobber at Green Valley.
Angler reports:
Where:Red Mountain
When:08/02/08
Caught:one 13-inch largemouth
Technique:top water( spook)
Comments:Saw lots of nice bass from 3- to 6-pound bass hit the
Spook two feet from the shore.
Name:andy
Where: Papago Lake (Urban)
When: 07/21/08
Caught: Catfish
Technique: Bait-Worm. No weight. I used a clear bobber set approx.
3' from the hook.
Comments: Fresh water was flowing into the lake. I casted about
10-20 feet from the opening of the irrigation opening. A couple
of minutes later I saw my bobber get pulled down in an instant.
I landed a 16 incher that was delicious. What is it about seeing
that bobber nose dive from sight? We fishermen and fisherwomen
endure the most severe of weather conditions willingly just to
see that sight, or the tug on a weighted line? Like junkies awaiting
their next fix! God I hope it never wears off! I've been "getting
my fix" since I was a kid. I'm 55 now.
Name: Joseph E. Perez Jr.
Where: Evelyn Hallman Pond, formerly Canal Lake
When: 07/23/08
Caught: Nothing
Technique: Worms, corn, Power Bait. On a bobber set at different
depths (1'-4').
Comments: I was greatly disappointed. Not in that I didn't get
a bite-you have to grow thick skin when it comes to that if you
fish regularly. No, I was upset at the condition of the lake. Algae
trash and a stench floated on the scummy surface of this once beautiful
urban lake. There weren't even any fry fish swimming clustered
in small clouds as I remember. The lake had no surface activity.
It appeared dead. I was there about 3PM to 5PM. This may have accounted
for some of it, but I have fished this lake in the past at various
hours and even if my luck was bad, I'd still see surface activity
or bait fish swimming along. There is some type of construction
making it a little difficult to get in, but that should not be
an excuse for Tempe's Park and Recreation Department from doing
their job of cleaning up trash or fallen dead tree limbs in the
water, or from flushing the lake by opening the flood gates to
allow more fresh water in. How about AZ. Game and Fish? Where's
that wonderful active lake with all of those fish? What's going
on with the smell and the algae?
Name: Joseph E. Perez Jr.
TEMPE TOWN LAKE
Shore anglers are catching largemouth bass on crankbaits and jigs.
Angler report:
Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:07/26/08
Caught:9 lb catfish and 2 smaller catfish (1.5lbish)
Technique:chicken liver for the cats, I also threw various spinners,
cranks, and even jigs before/at sunset to try and snag a bass,
but no luck.
Comments:Fishing was slow all night until I hooked a monster at
about 10 p.m. It was a great fight...jumping, taking line, took
me about 5-10 min to land her. Biggest freshwater fish I've landed.
Lots of fun. Weighed in at 9.0 exactly. Good luck!
Name:Josh
Where: Tempe Town Lake
When: 07/19/08
Caught: 5 Catfish, one small bass
Technique: Caught 5 catfish on chicken liver ranging 1-4 lbs each
from about 8-11pm. Caught the bass on a white spinnerbait at about
8pm, but he was a little guy.
Comments: Good luck!
Name: Josh
Where: Tempe Town Lake
When: 07/23/08
Caught: One 14" blue catfish
Technique: Bait and bobber. I used worms and corn.
Comments: I had just finished trying to fish at Canal Park. The
two lakes were like night and day in their presentation. Tempe
town lake was clean and although a little slow, it DID have activity
because it had FISH! I was fishing just to the west of the dock.
Park security arrived later and informed me that although it isn't
posted, no one is allowed to fish between the two bridges. I think
the two are the Mill Ave. Bridge and the Transit Bridge. He said
that anyone can fish west of the Transit Bridge -up to the "Blue
Fence" and East from the Mill Ave Bridge to Rural. It might be
me, but I drove around and could not find any access to the lake
except from where I was at-- between the two bridges just north
of the Tempe Town Lake parking lot. If anyone knows how to get
to the lake other than where I was, I'd greatly appreciate any
info.
Name: Joseph E. Perez Jr.
LAKE
PLEASANT - Water elevation is 1,672 feet, which is 75-percent full.
An angler caught what looked to be at least an 8-pound largemouth
bass on a topwater lure.
Another couple anglers went night fishing for stripers and whites
and caught a few by the tires and the dam. The shad boils
showed up in the early morning around the marina, at least that
was one spot they were hanging. Northern coves are pretty
good in the early mornings as well. However, you can expect to
find boils off-and-on throughout the day in the main portion of
the lake – take along binoculars to spot the action. Also,
watch the feeding birds.
Angler reports:
Where: Lake pleasant
When: 07/24/08
Caught: 10 white bass 2 largemouth and 3 catfish
Technique: Spooks for bass and anchovy for cats
Comments: good boils, I was getting bites every time I casted in
to them
Name: Andrew Althaus
Where: Lake Pleasant
When: 07/23/08
Caught: White Bass
Technique: Casting topwater lures and KastMasters to shad boils
Comments: Wife and I got into several good boils in northern coves
but could only get one fish. For some reason nothing we threw was
fooling them
Where: Lake Pleasant
When: 07/17/08
Caught: 1 Striped Bass about 2 1/2 pounds
Technique: Using a Krocodile Spoon 3/8 ounce
Name: Dave J. Skowronek
Where: Lake pleasant
When: 07/22/08
Caught: 12 STRIPERS 1 CAT FISH
Technique: GOT TO THE LAKE AROUND 10:30 PM TIED UP TO THE TIRE
LINE USED FROZEN ANCHOVIES
Comments: VERRY GOOD BITES ALL NIGHT TILL 1:30 AM IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL
NIGHT TO BE OUT, PERFECT CONDITIONS TO FISH
Name: ART CARDENAS
Where: Lake Pleasant
When: 07/27/08
Caught: Channels
Technique: Frozen Anchovies from Shore
Comments: Fished from 6 to 8 p.m. Caught two small channels. I
sometimes hear people ask if channels will bite anchovies and the
answer is YES.
Where: Lake Pleasant
When: 7/28/08
Caught: 4.75lb largemouth bass & 8 (2- to 3-pound Stripers
Technique: Crankbaits that look like shad "black and white in color
with some silver deep divers and topwater Zara "clear color" Spooks.
Also used silver Rooster Tails
Comments: Been fishing the topwater boils that appear only for
a short time consistantly from about 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and after
that is slows down. Its been in about 5 to 50 feet of water, with
this extreme top water action. After 7 - 7:30am the boils are gone.
Castle Creek is hot!
Name: warren risberg
Important notice: DON'T MOVE A
MUSSEL. With the discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Lake Pleasant,
proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the
spread of these invaders (helps protect your boat as well). Please
drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water
you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer,
removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty
spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard
to see.
ROOSEVELT
LAKE - Lake elevation
is 2,146 ft (94-percent full). Tonto
Creek runoff is at 10 cfs while inflow from the Salt River is at
884 cfs.
There is good fishing at Roosevelt. Try early mornings or
late afternoons using topwater lures, including buzzbaits. During
the daytime, try drop shots off major points.
One nighttime angler mentioned a slow bite at Roosevelt, but he
did catch about 20 largemouth bass and all were in the slot. The
drop shot method and Texas rigged plastics worked well. Another
fisherman mentioned top water poppers are working for him in the
morning.
Another night angler caught over 40 fish using drop shots and
crankbaits in the boils. When the bite slowed around 8:30
p.m. he turned to Carolina-rigged plastics and caught another 10-15
more. He caught three bass in the morning. Water
temperature was 84 F and water clarity was 8-10 feet.
Fishing reports for Rosey have been a bit sparse, but some anglers
are having luck with worms using the drop-shot method; Texas-rigged
and Carolina-rigged plastics thrown in the bushes are working as
well. The frogs are out, so try some frog imitations. Try
Another thing that will get you some action is putting a cicada
on a hook, don't use a weight, throw it as far as you can then
let some more line out and slowly retrieve it. This works
pretty good for shore anglers.
APACHE - Lake elevation is 1907 ft (93-percent full).
Anglers are catching bass and catfish in the Crabtree area. Worms
are working pretty well and if you have minnows throw one of those
in there.
Don’t forget Apache is a very good yellow bass lake, with
some absolute lunkers hanging out on the points where the substrate
takes a dip. Look at your sonar and find out where they
are hanging and throw KastMasters if you have them. The silver
and blue ones are working pretty well for anglers right now. You
might come up with a walleye if you use shad like lures.
Where:Apache lake
When:07/31/08
Caught:0
Technique:worms, lures, plugs, liver, plastic, cicada, tuna, crayfish,
cheese bait, corn, blue gill, fished deep and shallow, day and
all night, in coves, near rocks, out in open water, covering 10
miles of lake-Nada.
Comments: all we saw was algae bloom, two dying shad and one fresh
dead blue-gill, and lots of carp jumping for flies. We got no bites
and fished between the marina and burnt corral. I suspect that
the algae bloom depresses the fishes appetite.
Name:Russ Dryer
CANYON - Lake elevation is 1656 ft, which is 94% full.
I’m still hearing good things about Canyon Lake; water clarity
is a bit low but fish are lively and healthy. Anglers
are catching quite a few bluegill, bass and catfish. I even
had an angler catch two rainbow trout. Some of the better
fishing spots are Mormon Flat, Beaver Landing, and mouth of First
Water and LaBarge Cove near the bridge.
If you are shore fishing, Boulder recreation area has some real
good fishing and convenient fishing access. Don’t forget
we installed fishing habitat at Teddy bear, Beaver Landing and
Mormon Flat. The structures are 25 feet below full lake level
and they are evident on your sonar. Twenty five feet
also happens to be in the thermocline when the lake is stratified.
Excellent fishing reported at Canyon Lake. A knowledgeable
angler used 1/8 oz kastmasters and caught 68 fish. His fishing
spots were at Beaver Landing, Teddy Bear Pt, and Beer Can Pt. The
bite was pretty much over after 12:30pm. The tally was
41 yellow bass, most were between 8.5 and 11 inches, 17 bluegill
most between 4-7 inches, 8 largemouth bass 4.5 to 8 inches, and
2 channel catfish 12 and 14 inches. Water clarity was poor
but fish were lively and healthy.
Shore fishing at Canyon Lake is pretty good as well. A family
used worms and caught quite a few bluegill and several catfish
from the Acacia picnic site.
Angler report:
Where:Canyon Lake
When: 07/28/08
Caught: Channel Catfish, Yellow Bass
Technique: Caught: 2 lb. Channel Cat, 1 16" Yellow Bass Used: Topwater
poppers, Booyah Swimmin' Jig, Red 1/8 Jig, Rainbow 1/8 Z-Ray and
Night crawlers under Bobber or Carolina Rig Where: Teddy Bear Point,
Acacia Picnic Site 20' Depth in Kayak *** Worms drifted onto or
rocks under bobber with minimum weight ~ 3' down. No strikes on
anything else. Did have a few Bluegill chase a quick moving small
jig***
Comments: High Golden Algae Levels - Terrible Visibility Fished
Teddy Bear Point, Acacia Picnic Site, ( could not find where beer
can point was mentioned in the previous report, could not find
a decent map ) Jet Ski's and Water Ski's showed up around 8AM
Name: Brenton Scott
SAGUARO - Lake elevation 1523 feet at 91-percent full. A very experienced
and productive angler caught 39 fish in Canyon using mostly 1/8-ounce
KastMasters. He fished upriver at the points such as Mushroom
Point, Beer Can Point and points in between. He caught
30 yellow bass (seven were near 11 inches or over), four bluegill
(mostly 4 inchers), two channel catfish about 12 inches each,
and three largemouth bass; one was about 12 inches and the other
two were 5 inches. The yellow bass were eating shad and
many had 1-inch crayfish in their stomachs. The algae that
you see in Canyon Lake is mostly a filamentous blue/green algae
stimulated by the dam maintenance drawdown earlier this year
and subsequent re-suspension of substrates providing nutrients
in the water column.
A couple shore fishermen had some real good luck catching largemouth
bass near Ramp 2. Just a note to the shore fishermen, there
is fantastic catfish fishing from Ramp 2 to Keyhole as well. Butcher
Jones is a real good area to shore fish for largemouth, catfish
and yellow bass. Use KastMasters for the yellow bass, lipless,
rattling crankbaits for the largemouth and whatever you got in
the freezer that will stay on a hook for the catfish.
A couple fishermen reporting the bite was off a bit a Saguaro
last week and they only caught 14 fish between the two of them. They
used KastMasters and 1/16-ounce jigs and caught three largemouth
of varying sizes, six bluegills (two were 8 inches), 4 channel
catfish and only 1 yellow bass. A couple good spots include
Eagle's Grotto area, Skunk’s Wash and the Meadows. The
water clarity was poor but all fish caught were healthy and spunky.
A couple anglers caught over 60 fish in about 7 hours. They
caught mostly largemouth bass using KastMasters and bottom bumping
a plastic worm on a jig heads. They also caught a fair number
of bluegill, yellow bass and a couple channel catfish. These guys
are avid fishermen and they noticed the largemouth bass are growing
nicely.
Angler report:
Where:Saguaro
When:08/01/08
Caught:3 largemouth bass
Technique:Everything but the kitchen sink....
Comments:The 3 we caught couldn't be added up to make one dinker
Name: Robb Mansfield
Where: Saguaro
When: 07/25/08
Caught: Smallmouth Bass
Technique: Crankbait, worms, stink bait
Comments: Fished from 7-9:30 at Butcher Jones and caught one smallmouth
bass on large crankbait about 8:30. Used worms for bluegill and
got zero bites! Switched to doughbait for cats with no success.
Name: Russell
Where: Saquaro
When: 07/27/08
Caught: Catfish, LM Bass, Bluegill
Technique: Rappala shad colored, small #4 crankbaits and worms
for Bluegill. Thanks Sean for the tip on the small rappala crankbaits,
I did not lose the only one you left me on the shelf after you
bought the whole stock at Sportsmans Warehouse.
Comments: Trolled the flats at day break for bass, caught 5 one
pounders, release all in good shape. Caught a big, maybe 4 lb catfish
that was feeding on shad. When the heat started I fished a cove
for some bluegills. This is a beautiful lake, I'm glad Game and
Fish are trying to bring the fishing back by stocking this lake
heavily.
Name: Grantman
BARTLETT
- Lake elevation is 1789 ft, which is 87-percent full.
Lake elevation is 1,789 feet, which is 87-percent full.
Morning is still the best time with topwater baits. Even later
morning you can still catch some bass using jigs, rattletraps,
and plastic worms.
There are lots of bluegill reported in the rocky areas along shore. Use
small hooks baited with mealworms, crickets or small portions of
earthworms on a bobber. If live bait isn’t your preference,
try using small (1/32-ounce or smaller) jigs, tube jigs, grubs,
spinnerbaits etc. Use ultra-light line or braided line if
you want as they are line shy.
One angler mentioned fishing was tough and he only caught six
fish on his fishing trip. He did have success using plastics
and jigs off the main lake points.
Another angler says the fishing is real good. Drop shots,
jigs and crankbaits worked for him on 1 to 2 pounders. He
also says to fish the points in about 20 feet of water. Bluegills
are aggressive near shore around the rocky areas.
Anglers are having good luck catching flathead catfish on just
about anything they throw out. Typically you catch them using
live bait; they must be pretty hungry to go after lures and plastic
worms. Try throwing a decent sized minnow or better yet a
waterdog and see what lunker hits your bait.
A couple fishermen caught some largemouth bass using drop shots
and crankbaits, but no other details revealed except impressive
lighting serving up some electrical perturbations. Be careful
and cognizant of your surroundings when you are out there watching
Mother Nature's lightning shows. Your fishing pole and metal
lures make pretty good lightning rods; not to mention the fact
that you are basically sitting in a big pool of highly conductive
water.
Angler reports:
Where:Bartlet Lake
When:08/02/08
Caught:crappie,bluegills, bass
Technique:slip shot, jigs, minnows
Comments:Fishing was slow until about 9:30 p.m. when we found a
nice school of crappie on the east bank across from Rattlesnake
Cove. We were in 20 to 10 ft of water when the hits started coming.
The crappies were small in size, but the action was a blast. We
where surprised that we were catching a lot of bluegills also in
about 10 feet of water. Although we where next to a large under
water rock pile. We were also catching bass here in the two- to
three-pound range. Saturday Night fishing under the AZ skies was
fantastic,
Name:Terry
Where:Bartlett
When:08/01/08
Caught:3 Largemouth
Technique:Zoom Brush Hog (weightless) 2/0 hook.
Comments:Caught both fish in 25 feet of water. The bite was really
light, I missed a few...
Name:D.N.
Where: Bartlett
When: 07/24/08
Caught: Largemouth, bluegill
Technique: Grubs, plastic worms. The bite was real strange. Hitting
mainly off of submerged rocky areas..
Comments: Few fish caught, I caught 3 myself biggest being 3 lbs
or so, and he could JUMP. My buddy caught 3 as well, a 3 1/2 lb
and a 4 1/2 - 5 lber, and one more small one. my third friend caught
2 little blue gill. Heck of a day overall. Fish the early mornings
Name: John L Dowden
Where: Bartlett - The Flats
When: 07/24/08
Caught: 3 Crappie, 4 Largemouth, 1 monster flathead (10lb)
Technique: For the crappie go for small crankbaits. For your Largemouth,
drop shot darker colored 4" worms. The flathead hit a night crawler
off the bottom.
Comments: Going back out on Friday to give it another go! Side
note... If you're into photography and like snapping pictures of
lightning, you'll likely capture some impressive shots out at Bartlett--be
careful though.
Name: D.N.
Where: Bartlett - Flats
When: 07/26/08
Caught: Bluegill & Channel Cats (all very small)
Technique: Dropshot - 4" worm (Bluegill) Hotdogs (marinated) & bait
shrimp (marinate)
Comments: Bluegills were aggressive with anything close to shore.
The Cats would've eaten anything, probably. If you're looking to
get into some bass or crappie, head north of the flats a bit and
you'll find them.
Name: D.N.
HORSESHOE - Lake elevation is at 1,983 feet, which is 21-percent
full. They are releasing water at 400 cfs.
Where:Horseshoe Lake
When:08/01/08
Caught:7 Flathead Catfish, 2 Channel Catfish
Technique:I used live bait bluegills.
Comments:The fishing at this time is very good. Best time for fishing
at night.
Name:Juan Giron
VERDE
RIVER - Verde River flow at Tangle is 85 cubic feet per second. Release
from Bartlett Lake is 400 cfs.
Angler report:
Where: Verde River, Cottonwood
When: 7/14/08
Caught: 2-Bullheads, 1-carp, 1-bass 2lb, 2-channel cats 3-4lbs
Technique: The river was muddy so I used worms and chicken liver
on the bottom like I always do under conditions like those.
Comments: I am also catching more turtles than usual including
one very agitated snapping turtle. All fish and turtles were released.
Name: Tim
SALT
RIVER - Salt River into Roosevelt is 791 cfs, and Salt River
Canyon is 717 cfs. They are releasing 1025 cfs out of Stewart
Mountain dam from Saguaro.
Where:upper salt river eddies wash
When:07/31/08
Caught:one huge channel cat!
Technique:we had mackerel as cut bait blue gill water dogs and
worms.
Comments:I was setting up a fire and my pole with the mackerel
head on it went crazy i got there let him take it for a second
then pulled up i fought this fish for 3 min and it popped off assuming
it was a flathead. two more on water dogs but no luck when i pulled
up my wife caught the only fish a 15 lb 30-inch channel had non-stop
fun!
Name:matt burch
LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake)
No more trout stocking for the summer, but you can still catch
bass, catfish, carp and sunfish. Worms are a good
all around bait and jigs will work for the sunfish and bass. Corn
will entice the carp. Its cicada season, so try putting
one of them on your hook and throw it out as far as you can,
let the current take it a bit then slowly reel it in. No
weight on the line though. Try it around overhanging vegetation. You
can also catch roundtail chub in the deep water around Coon Bluff,
Phon D. Sutton and Granite reef areas. They will hang out
in the pools. You can catch them with trout lures, Kastmasters,
Meps or worms. The tubers typically take out near blue
point so if you fish downstream there won't be as many of the
tubers in your way. Make sure you have your Tonto Pass
which can be purchased from a variety of convenience stores including,
circle K's and Big Five Sporting Goods stores.
CREEKS - Terrestrial patterns are still working well according
to the fishermen and fishing supply vendors.
Haigler Creek - Dry flies, cicada patterns, ant patterns and hoppers
are doing well for fly fishermen right now.
Canyon Creek - Try terrestrial patterns such as cicada, ants and
hoppers. One angler caught a 14 inch wild rainbow on a
hopper.
Tonto Creek - Terrestrial patterns including hoppers, ant patterns
and cicadas are all working pretty well.
Christopher Creek - Trout are hitting terrestrial patterns. If
you catch a bass keep it they need to be fished out.
East Verde - Terrestrial patterns
Workman Creek - Terrestrials
HORSETHIEF BASIN LAKE -
Lake Level is up, fishing is nominal.
OTHER
WAYS TO GET THE FISHING REPORT:
Internet Home Page - www.azgfd.com
Recorded Public Call-In Line (602)
789-3701
