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AZGFD -- Fishing Report -- Feb. 2021

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Fishing Report


February 2021
Arizona Game and Fish Department
 

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Saguaro Lake project uses recycled Christmas trees to create fish habitat, improve angling

Did you know that discarded Christmas trees can be recycled to create fish habitat and provide better angling opportunities?

 

Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) staff and volunteers gathered at Saguaro Lake on Jan. 9 to be part of this project. The trees were provided by the City of Mesa, which allowed AZGFD to take them from a drop-off location for discarded trees. The volunteers tied cinder blocks to the trees, loaded them onto a pontoon boat, and sank them in various pre-determined locations on the lake.

 

Over time, reservoirs lose quality fish habitat through decomposition of the natural vegetation that was flooded, particularly where water levels fluctuate significantly. Five of the large reservoirs in central Arizona—Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, Saguaro and Bartlett—are all more than 70 years old and can lack sufficient hiding cover for spawning and for the growth and survival of young fish. The submerged Christmas trees also provide a surface for microscopic animals to grow, which attracts bait fish and in turn the predatory fish for anglers to target.

 

In 2014, the department embarked on a program to improve fisheries habitat in these reservoirs and restore the fisheries to their former glory days. Some projects have used Christmas trees for habitat, while others, such as recent projects at Roosevelt and Bartlett lakes, have used artificial habitat structures. This is the first time that the Christmas Tree Habitat Project has taken place at Saguaro Lake.

AZGFD received a grant this year from the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which enabled the purchase of cinder blocks and rope. The department also works with angling groups and with the Tonto National Forest, the land management agency for the five reservoirs.

 

Fox 10 joined the workers on this particular day and broadcast a nice story about the project (see the video).

 

Photos above courtesy of Denise Cavero-Hann.

 
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2021-22 Fishing Regulations have a new look

The 2021 and 2022 Fishing Regulations booklet is available at all license dealers and online. The cover of the booklet looks a bit different than past publications. We asked FishAZ Facebook group members to comment with their favorite AZ fishing photo for a chance to be featured on the cover. The photos appearing on the cover were chosen from more than 200 submitted. They showcase the areas and species that make Arizona special.

 
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Recent stockings

Week of 1/25 to 1/29/2021

 

Central waters: Saguaro Lake.

 

North Central waters: Fain Lake, Verde River - middle.

 

Southeastern waters: Parker Canyon Lake.
 

Community Fishing Program waters: 

  • Phoenix area - Chaparral Lake, Copper Sky Lake, Cortez Lake, Desert Breeze Lake, Desert West Lake, Encanto Lake, Evelyn Hallman Pond, Kiwanis Lake, Pacana Pond, Paloma Lake, Papago Ponds), Pioneer Lake, Red Mountain Lake, Rio Vista Pond, Riverview Lake, Steel Indian School Park, Surprise Lake, Veteran’s Oasis Lake.
  • Tucson area - Silverbell Park, Kennedy Lake, Sahuarita Lake, Lakeside Lake.
  • Prescott area – Yavapai Lakes.
  • Casa Grande area - Dave White Regional Park Pond.
  • Payson area - Green Valley Lakes.
  • Yuma area - Council Avenue Pond, Fortuna Pond, Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC) Pond, Yuma West Wetlands Pond.

 

Week of 1/18 to 1/22/2021

 

Central & North Central waters: Dead Horse Lake.

 

Southeastern waters: Dankworth Pond, Roper Lake.

 

NOTE: To see the 2020-21 trout stocking schedule for state waters and the January through March Community Fishing Program stocking schedule, visit https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/stockschedule.

 
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Need help deciding where to fish this winter?

The Winter 2021 Fishing Forecast and the Fish & Boat AZ map may help

Wondering where to go or what to expect at different Arizona waters? Check out our seasonal fishing forecasts. These provide a general overview of the waters and what might be expected during the different seasons. The Winter 2021 forecast is currently posted at: https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/forecast/. To access our Fish & Boat AZ Map, visit https://fishandboataz.azgfd.com/.

 
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Albino trout stocking

Arizona Game and Fish photographer George Andrejko took these photos of albino trout recently being stocked at one of the Community Fishing Program lakes..

 

Reports

The weather has moderated since last week's winter storms. The forecast for the remainder of this week and the weekend is for mostly sunny skies. Desert temperatures will generally range from highs in the low to mid 70s to lows in the mid 40s, with windy conditions in western Arizona on Thursday and Friday. High country temperatures will generally be in the mid 40s to low 50s during the day, with overnight lows dropping to the high teens to mid 20s.  

 

A recent report from Dead Horse Lake indicated anglers were having some success catching smaller trout. Was last stocked the third week of January.

 

Reports at Lake Pleasant indicate decent fishing for stripers and largemouth bass.

For stripers, anchovies work well along with small swimbaits, A rigs, and spinnerbaits. For largemouth bass, use small swimbaits or jerkbaits. Drop shot rigs have also been working. The natural worm colors are working well for anglers, especially when the water is clear.

 

At Alamo Lake, a report from a couple of weeks ago said bass are schooled up deep. Anglers were having some success with spoons, deep-diving cranks, Yamamoto hula grub on a 3/4 oz head, and Alabama rigs. Crappie fishing was good. Report courtesy Tai Au, professional bass angler, via Arizona State Parks.

 

Reports of decent bass fishing at Bartlett Lake. Most are in the 10- to 15-inch range, but there are some larger (3- to 4-pound) fish to be had.

 

A report from Lake Havasu in early January said striper fishing remained good near schools of shad, and large schools of shad had been congregating at the south end of the lake near Havasu Springs and Site 6. The most productive striper lures were Bass Assassin or Keitech swimbaits rigged on a lead jighead, or Alabama Rigs with two hooks (AZGFD regulation). Troll or cast near shad schools during early morning hours. Fishing with live shad as bait was still producing quality-sized stripers from 2.5 to 12 pounds. Use a 4-foot throw net (the largest legal size) or a snag hook to catch shad to use as live bait. Anglers using shad or red-colored swimbaits and crankbaits have been successful with Havasu’s smallmouth bass. Redear sunfish were schooling in deeper water in 25 to 40 feet of water off main lake points. Report courtesy of John Galbraith, Bass Tackle Master, via Arizona State Parks.

 

At Roper Lake, a recent report indicated trout fishing is still considered good. The albino trout have been a nice addition. Garlic-scented prepared dough baits like Berkley PowerBait and nightcrawlers seem to be working well. Small spinners like Rooster Tails and Panther Martins have also been working. Bass fishing has been slow, but keep in mind this relatively small lake warms up quickly in the spring and they should spawn sooner than larger lakes in Arizona. Report courtesy of Park Ranger Michael DeLeon, Arizona State Parks.

 

For Lake Powell, see Wayne Gustaveson's report.

 

For Lees Ferry, see report from Lees Ferry Anglers.

 

Remember to see our winter fishing forecast for different regions of the state. 

 

Angler posts

For each edition of the Fishing Report, we'll select some photos and reports submitted by members of the angling public either through the Fish AZ Facebook Group or through the bfishing@azgfd.gov email address. If you'd like your photo/report considered for publication here, please indicate the species, place, date, name (we only publish first name and last initial), and any other information you'd like to provide. For more photos (including new photos each day), visit the Fish AZ Facebook Group.

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Wyatt R. recently caught this nice-sized bluegill.

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Jonathan T. reported, "My little cousin outfished me today. But I was so happy to see him smile and got excited when that pole pulled down!" 

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CV M. was rewarded for braving the cold with this nice catch! Anglers are reminded they should always check ice conditions before fishing on an ice-covered lake.

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Sal R. caught this 4.25-pound largemouth bass at Roosevelt Lake on his 16th birthday.

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Jim N. said bass fishing on Lake Pleasant was very good a few weeks ago. Roboworms, Carolina rigged on light tackle provided fish up to 8 pounds. Got an 18-inch white bass on grubs/jigheads. Caught crappie on small swimbaits (Mister Twister), shads were best.

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Proud dad, Steve W., shared with the Fish AZ group these precious photos of his 9-year-old son, who caught two fish within 20 minutes. Good job, buddy!

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Lester P., who hadn’t fished in years, was motivated by the Fish AZ group to break out the old tackle. He did and caught a 15-inch trout at Gilbert Regional Park. 

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Ariana O. caught these four at Pioneer Lake. Friday fish fry, here we come!

 

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