September 26, 2013
New reports:
COLORADO RIVER (Picacho State Park to Imperial Dam, including backwaters and Martinez Lake) - Sept. 18 report from Charles S.: It was another hot week on the river, though water surface temps dropped a bit, I observed some areas that were as low as 83.5 degrees. Water quality was probably one of the most important fishing factors over the weekend.
Much of the river and backwaters were dirtied up with storm runoff, making visibility a challenge for me and the fish. Peggy and I fished the muddied bank lines for a few hours with little success, we inevitability headed upriver where we found much better water. It must have been my lucky day because I apparently stopped on a bank that must have held a dozen or so quality fish, they were all stacked up in one little brush pile and were slamming the California 420 Brush hogs almost as soon as they hit the water. I would add that this phenomenon occurred around 1:30 in the afternoon, which was sort of interesting. I would have been interested in knowing how that correlated the fishing forecast / moon phase for that day (the forecast I failed to look at before heading out for the weekend). But it was nice to be able to stay in one place and not burn a lot of boat fuel for once. Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come this fall.
I also want to remind fisherman that flash floods often wash rattlesnakes off the mountains and into the river, and they are probably none too happy about it. Be careful when reaching into brush or floating debris after a flash flood, they can bite you just as well in the water as they do on land. I have to mention that I have been reminded that I have all sorts of chores around my house that I have neglected, so I will probably have to miss a weekend of fishing. See you at the end of the month, and happy fishing! - Charles S.
ALAMO LAKE - Sept. 25 report from Mark Knapp, Park Ranger at Alamo Lake State Park:
Well folks, all in all I don't have a lot of good stuff to share with you. I was gone for a few days so I have not had a chance to talk with other anglers to get there take on fishing. I went out last night (Tuesday). I was on the water at 4:45 p.m. I worked several points straight across from Cholla. I always start with my Texas-rigged, 4-inch green lizard. I only caught three fish in about an hour.
I switched back to a 1/4-ounce jig with a white skirt. I quit counting fish at 12. A couple went over 2 pounds and the rest were dinks. I caught them in 4-10 feet of water. I had better luck on the north side of the lake.
They’re calling for high winds the next couple of days so that usually turns the bass on. No reports of any crappie being caught. Catfishing has slowed down. Shore fishing is OK at best.
If you get out in the morning and see the bass jumping on the dragon flies then throw something right up in the brush. Be ready to set the hook. You have one chance of getting them out of there before they wrap you in a bush.
The lake level is at 1093ish with releases of 25 cfs. Cholla ramp is still you best bet for launching. I'm still using the shoreline by the old rental boat road, but as I mentioned before you can mess up a prop if you’re not careful.
The park is holding its 7th annual Star Party's event on Nov. 2. For more details go to www.azstateparks.com. Then look up Alamo Lake State Park and it will go over start times, etc.
Well that's all I got for this week. -- Mark
Previous reports:
PARKER STRIP - Falling overnight temperatures should start slowing the catfish bite down. The strip is home to both Flatheads and more commonly Channel Catfish. Channels cats can be found throughout the strip but are typically in the areas with shoreline vegetation. A variety of stink baits can be productive as are goldfish or small bluegills for both species of catfish. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are also found up and down the river. Many anglers have switched to sight fishing as water clarity has significantly increased since the introduction of the aquatic invasive quagga mussel. Boaters are reminded to clean drain and dry their watercraft before taking them to another body of water.
MITTRY LAKE - No new reports. Mittry Lake offers many fishing opportunities. There are ten man-made jetties on the eastern shore for shoreline anglers, but the lake is most effectively fished by boat. There is a good concrete boat launch near the southern end of the lake, with a courtesy mooring dock. There is also a more primitive gravel ramp toward the northern end of the lake. There are restrooms and trash facilities at the main boat ramp, which also sports a large Ramada for public gatherings.
Mittry Lake can be a bit frustrating at time, especially for bass fishermen. There are plenty of bass in the lake, with a few in the eight to ten pound range, occasionally larger. However, the bass are sometimes finicky, and it can be challenging to bring any in on some days. Other days, the bite can be wide open. Windy or changing weather often brings on the bite. Techniques for bass fishing vary widely. When fishing for bass in the cooler months, and bass are less active, fish deeper water with jigs, swimbaits, or plastics using a slow retrieve. As the water warms up in the spring and summer, bass become more active and move to shallower water. During that time most people use plastics, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits with a faster retrieve. Plastic baits resembling worms, crawdads, frogs, or lizards can also work well. For best results fish around structure such as weed beds, emergent vegetation or where shoreline brush edges the water.
YUMA AREA PONDS - No new report.
LAKE HAVASU - No new report. If you've fished the lake, please send your report to BFishing@AZGFD.gov.
OTHER
WAYS TO GET THE FISHING REPORT:
Internet Home Page www.azgfd.com
