Outdoor Writer Report post Posted December 26, 2019 FISHING REPORT Dec. 26, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department TIP OF THE WEEK Wait until some stable weather to do some crappie fishing. Bass fishing should take a temporary lull too. Typically, it is winter crappie time. Unsteady weather has made crappie fishing hit and miss. Roosevelt Lake, Alamo Lake and even Patagonia Lake near Tucson can have good winter crappie action. Not a whole lot of time until the bass bite slows noticeably. The water temperature at Roosevelt lake is likely in the mid-50s, and as water temperature near closer to 50 degrees (and below), the metabolism of bass will slow and anglers will have to fish particularly deep and use extra slow presentations (with dropshots, Texas rigs, etc). Happy holidays, anglers, Trout fishing remains the best bet in the state due to more unstable weather. Good news: Last week, we stocked more than 4 tons of trout statewide. If you’re near one of our Community Fishing Program waters (and we have 45 waters in 21 communities), catching trout shortly after a stocking can be one of the best bets for winter fishing success. Some anglers will put their tackle into hibernation with this colder weather -- but the trout should be biting for a while. Nothing like "Trout Fishing in the City" during the holidays. Winter Fishing Forecasts: Stake out your Spot Our winter fishing forecasts are out! This is the most comprehensive source of fishing information in the state. See the reports by region. Catch of the Week Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov -- one will be selected for Catch of the Week Roosevelt Lake Ruth R.: Caught on Roosevelt Lake Dec. 20 on a nightcrawler. Measured 21 3/4 inches (14-inch girth). Catch and release. What's been stocked this week ("Catchable" sizes only; water temp in parenthesis if available) Rainbow trout: No stockings this week. See last week's report for waters stocked. 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
