Outdoor Writer Report post Posted October 25, 2019 FISHING REPORT Oct. 25, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department TIP OF THE WEEK Bass anglers: On Sunday morning around 8 a.m. in central Arizona (specifically Bartlett) a cold front and some ensuing windy weather is predicted to roll through the area. If you can brave the wind (please be safe), a falling barometer earlier that morning could trigger a nice reaction bite. A similar barometer drop is predicted for around Saturday afternoon in western Arizona at spots such as Lake Havasu. Try jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-water lures during sun-up. Go to Texas rigs and dropshots after the sun breaks higher on the horizon. The reaction bite already is good in desert impoundments and should remain good until water temperatures drop (less than around 60 degrees) to the point that cold-blooded bass head to warmer, deeper water and become lethargic feeders. There are some good mobile apps available that show wind alerts, forecasts, report maps and features such as barometer readings. Winter's not far away: Nighttime lows in the desert regions are forecast to drop to around 50 on Monday. Trout love the cold temps. And we'll be stocking rainbows in waters near you through March. The Lower Salt River's already been loaded. See the full winter trout stocking schedule. Apache and Canyon lakes are scheduled to be stocked the first week of November. In the Prescott region, Fain, Goldwater, Yavapai, and Lynx lakes are loaded with trout. It's a great time to touch up on those trout fishing skills before your next trip -- check out a how-to article and see the stocking reports below. Anglers might also be wise to hit Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, Knoll Lake, Chevelon Canyon Lake (brown trout should be active) or Black Canyon Lake. In particular, trout fishing should be picking up at Big Lake, Luna Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and Show Low Lake. In the Flagstaff/Williams region, Kaibab Lake (pictured above) and Lower Lake Mary are also still fishing well for trout. At Woods Canyon Lake, the store is scheduled to open until Thursday, Oct. 31 -- weather permitting. Fishing should be excellent at Show Low Creek at the Show Low Bluff trailhead and Patterson Ponds, which were both stocked with rainbow trout this week. Brown trout should be active at the Greer Lakes, Chevelon Lake, and the East Fork of the Black River. Alamo Lake electrofishing; boat ramp update Now an update from Alamo Lake: Arizona State Parks now plans to close the main boat ramp at Alamo Lake Nov. 30-mid Dec. Dates are subject to change. Cholla Ramp will remain open and is fully functional. State Parks had planned the closure for Nov. 1-25 to allow for dam repairs. On Oct. 15-17 we conducted an electrofishing survey of Alamo Lake. See video from the first night. These annual surveys are performed to gather data on relative abundance, size, growth of fish, and to detect any large-scale changes in the fish population. All of the fish were collected, weighed, measured, and released unharmed. Catch of the Week Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov -- one will be selected for Catch of the Week Lake Powell Tom H. with a 4.27-pound largemouth caught on Oct. 13 on a top-water lure at Lake Powell. "He was nice and fat, as were all the fish we caught that weekend," Tom wrote. "I put him back in and will hopefully see him next year." What's been stocked this week ("Catchable" sizes only; water temp in parenthesis if available) Rainbow trout: Patterson Ponds (51), Show Low Creek, Green Valley Lakes, Fain Lake (58), Yavapai Lakes (60), Riggs Flat Lake (57). See the stocking schedules 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". SEE MORE REPORTS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted October 25, 2019 I see the store at WCL is closing on the 31st. My buddy and I were going to go camping this weekend there but his daughter is bring the new boyfriend by tomorrow to meet the fam so we were going to push it out a week. USFS in Heber said all the campground are closing this weekend so we might need a change in plans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roosevelt Mark Report post Posted October 26, 2019 Camp grounds are over rated. Just go in the woods. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted October 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Roosevelt Mark said: Camp grounds are over rated. Just go in the woods. I usually go to the Spillway CG. Nice and convient. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
