Arizona Game and Fish Department's Fishing Report
September 26, 2013

The window of sunlight that blasts our waters is increasingly short-lived, leading to the first hints of fall fishing conditions.

First, before we consider conditions and what's biting, let's take a moment to recognize the foundations of wildlife management. Good a time as any with National Hunting and Fish Day on Saturday, Sept. 28.

On May 2, 1972, President Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day, writing, "I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in ensuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations."

And with that, we recognize the hunters and anglers who, more than 100 years ago, were the most boisterous supporters of conservation and scientific wildlife management. They were led by fellow sportsman, President Theodore Roosevelt. Let's celebrate with tight lines and successful hunts. 

With the falling water temperatures, shad in desert lakes are congregating in shallow waters, often in the backs of coves, where largemouth bass come to sate themselves. The fall bite has only just begun. There is less boat traffic, fewer anglers, and yet better fishing and refreshing air temperatures – an angler’s paradise.

It’s a transition phase in many senses. The final summer trout stockings are taking place at Bear Canyon, Show Low and Woods Canyon. Bull elk should be calling like crazy. A great fall spot for elk calling is Knoll Lake on the Mogollon Rim, which not only is a nice trout lake, it’s a scenic drive there along the famous Rim Road. Soon, the aspens should be showing off a new, fall wardrobe.

At the same time, the winter trout stocking schedule has been posted. The first, Oct. 30 stockings will go to Francis Short Pond, Huffer Pond, Beaver Creek, Mingus Lake, West Clear Creek and Fain Lake.

In the Urban Fishing Program waters located in the greater Phoenix and Tucson areas, Mr. Whiskers is being stocked once again. Seven tons of them, actually, were stocked from Sept. 16-21. Catfish daily bag limits are four fish at the Urban lakes or two fish at Urban ponds.

With the falling daytime water temperatures, fish are more likely than previous weeks to feed during the sun’s showing, and so expect the nighttime bite to slow.

For the most part, the dropshot will become less effective, with crankbaits and jerk baits producing a better bite. This is the time of the year when the fishing can be on one day, off another, due to the finicky nature of shad boils.

At Saguaro and Canyon lakes, targeting morning shad boils with jerk baits has been the best option. At Apache, dropshots and Texas rigs still have produced the most fish for some anglers. The striper bite is hot at Lake Pleasant.

And attention crappie anglers: Some great reports have been coming out of Roosevelt Lake.  See the full report for details.

It’s one of the best times of the year to fish. Keep the fishing heritage thriving for future generations. To do so, anglers only have to fish, and teach kids how to fish. What a fun way to do some good.

Here are some other headlines:

• As a reminder, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission approved 12 amendments to Commission Order 40 (the fishing regulations) at its Sept. 7 meeting in Show Low. The changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014. Read a summary of the amendments.
  

• The Silver Creek seasonal trout fishery near Show Low opens up Oct. 1. The catch-and-release season runs from Oct. 1 through March 31. Trout from this fishery must be immediately released unharmed -- no trout may be kept. It is artificial fly and lure only with single, barbless hooks. Silver Creek is spring fed and stays at a constant temperature. Because it is not subject to freezing, it provides anglers ideal wintertime, high-country trout stream angling. It is located five miles east of Show Low on U.S. Route 60. Turn north off Highway 60 onto Bourdon Ranch Road for five miles to Hatchery Road. Then head eat on Hatchery Road 1 mile to the Silver Creek Hatchery, park in the parking lot, and follow the signs to the creek.
  

• A new fishing and hunting license structure and fees will go into effect in 2014. The new licenses will be available for purchase beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The new fishing license includes bundled privileges. For more information, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses_newFees.shtml.

ANGLER REPORTS

(Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@AZGFD.gov.)

Ron B. had success with smallmouth bass on Mohave Lake: Here is just one of the smallmouth bass I caught and released on my buddy and my weekly trip to this beautiful lake. Lake is getting low and will continue to drop now that Labor Day weekend has come and gone. So any boaters should take caution. Fishing right now is fun is all I can say!

Jim F. reported his best outing ever last Thursday and Friday at Saguaro: My wife and I did an overnight campout at Saguaro Thursday and Friday.

Between the harvest moon, the nice temperatures and the great bass bite, this was our best outing ever. After setting up camp Thursday morning we used crankbaits across from the snags and caught a nice handful.

My wife hooked into one that broke her line after a good fight. At twilight I fished from the shore and caught several more using crank baits. Just as the light was fading I switched to a top water frog and it got clobbered about 3 feet from shore. The thing broke my line in less than 5 seconds. Darn! I fished from the shore at first light Friday morning and caught a few more using a Zara Spook, including a nice 3.5 pounder. The bite is just crazy good right now, so I encourage folks to get out there and get some. (You may want to use something heavier than the 10-pound line we were using, though!)

Richard J. fished Chaparral Lake and had little luck, but nearly reeled in a lunker. For bait, he reported using shrimp, smoked sausage, hot dogs, worms, dough baits, attractants and dip bait. He fished early in the morning and reported one hook up that lasted for 8 minutes, but he tightened his drag too tight and the fish broke off 10 feet from shore. The reel has a maximum drag of 16 pounds and he had new 12-pound line.

“Seemed to be straight-line pull no matter which way it was headed,” he said.

Paul M. found a good bite in Greer on Sept. 14: My son and I were in Greer on the 14th and need to report that the fishing on Tunnel was good. We fished just off shoe with worms and the first fish was a 4-pound brown. The next one was 2 pounds and we lost several big ones that broke my 4-pound line. It was awesome there and was quite wet over that weekend.

Derrick F. sent some proof along with his report that striper fishing on Lake Pleasant is getting going: Night time angler Derrick F. with fished Lake Pleasant from 8-11 p.m. with his wingman catching over 100 striper in the 14-18 inch range, fishing humps in 35 feet of water with deeper water nearby. Used frozen anchovies and a powerful submersible light. On Wednesday, Franks reported that he continues to catch an average of 75 striper per night fishing in an average of 50 feet of water with near deep water. The lowering water temperature is bringing bigger striper into action at night.

Wayne B. called Patagonia Lake the best-kept secret in Southern Arizona and, with a bit of sarcasm at the end, here’s why: I just spent three days at Lake Patagonia and the changing of the seasons is starting to take place. The lake level has dropped only a few inches in the past two weeks but remains at the full level. Boating is at a low during the week and most of the camp sites are vacant, now is a good time to get out and relax without the crowds and the noise from the Bud Lite groups that come with the summertime.
 
I had a third of the lake for myself and was glad that I came during the week and did not miss all the other boats that would normally be there. The best fishing to be found were the shaded areas and all species seemed to be very hungry, I was catching something every 3-5 minutes. The lake has a very healthy population of flatheads and redear perch, and depending the bait you are using they can take it all.
 
 Lake Patagonia may not be suitable to some people and they should avoid this area for the following reasons:

1. Other campers have the habit of stopping by and talking to you and often they have other family members with them.
2. No matter where you sit the smoke from the camp fire will drift to you. 
3. Every time you get in the lake you'll find the water to be wet.
4. Internet service is not within 10 miles and laptops/ tablets cease to function, which will force you to communicate with those around you.
5. Teenagers might just have to leave their cell phones in the car (texting is very spotty at best).
6. Evenings can be chilly and uncomfortable for those who do not look good in sweaters or jackets.
   

The above are great reasons to say away from the best secret in Southern Arizona.

Thank you to all of you at AZGFD.

OTHER WAYS TO GET THE FISHING REPORT:
Internet Home Page - www.azgfd.com