FISHING
REPORT EDITOR:
Rory
Aikens, (602) 789-3214
Regional editors:
Pinetop Region - Richard
Dreyer, (928) 367-4281
Flagstaff Region - Chuck
Benedict, (928) 774-5045
Kingman Region - Andy
Clark, (928) 692-7700
Yuma Region - Brad
Jacobsen (928) 342-4051
Tucson Region - Don
Mitchell, (520) 388-4451
Mesa Region - Richard
Wiggins, (481) 324-3544
December
18,
2008
TUCSON
URBAN - Rainbow trout stockings have started and will continue
all winter long at two week intervals. Trout will be stocked this
week. Trout range in size from 11-12 inches in length, with some
recently stocked fish in the 14-18 inch range.
Fishing is good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits
(such as Power Bait), worms or small trout lures. Small spinners
such as Rooster Tails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as KastMasters
and Super Dupers work well for trout in the early morning. In addition
to a good morning bite, some anglers have reported excellent fishing
midday and late afternoon. Patience is the key, as the trout bite
sporadically throughout the day. When the bite is on, anglers are
catching limits in an hour. Action for catfish, bass and bluegill
is poor due to colder water temperatures that slow down the activity
of these warm water species. Trout fishing is good to excellent
at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, worms and small
spinners working best.
2008 Urban fishing licenses (Class U) is 50-percent off until
the end of the year. Some vendors may not know of the 50-percent
off status. Please remind them, and they can call Game and Fish
to confirm.
We have some impressive entries so far in the Urban Fishing Program
2008 Big Fish-of-the-Year contest. Topping the list as a 10.2-pound
channel catfish caught by Shay Denniston from Lakeside Lake in
Tucson. A 5.25 pound incentive stocked rainbow trout was caught
from Water Ranch Lake in January by Tony Morello. Louis Hoeniger
has been busy with three catch and release records all from Papago
Ponds: a 25-inch catfish, 18-inch largemouth bass and an 8-inch
bluegill.
With only two months to go, there are plenty of chances to report
your big fish catches in either of two categories; kept or released.
Application forms and instructions for the contest are in the current
Urban Fishing Program brochure or AZ Fishing Regulation booklet.
Updates on the current leaders can be checked out on our website
at www.azgfd.gov. Each year’s winners receive a certificate, hat
and other gifts.
Where:Lakeside lake
When:11/18/08
Caught:One three pound catfish one keeper trout and my bag limit
of sunfish
Technique:Fish off the handy-cap pier using a bobber and night
crawlers for bait
Comments:took my sister and my brother-in and my two nephews
Name:Michael Macbeth
RIGGS
FLAT - The lake is closed for the winter.
CLUFF
RANCH - The lake was stocked last week with trout. A new
fishing pier has been installed which should provide a large increase
in access for shore anglers. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.
ROPER
LAKE - The lake will be stocked last week with trout. For
lake information call (928) 428-6760.
DANKWORTH
POND - No recent reports of success. Due to the lack
of open water and poor angler access the Department has decided
not to stock this lake until conditions can be improved. For lake
information call (928) 428-6760.
FRYE
MESA RESERVIOR - The lake has been stocked this week but
no reports of success have been received. Early morning and late
evenings should produce fish though.
KEARNY
LAKES - Fishing is likely poor - there was a recent fish
kill and biologists are trying to determine the causes.
ARIVACA - A 9-pound largemouth bass was reported recently. No other
reports have been received. The lake level continues to drop however
anglers are not reporting problems with launching. Please use caution
on the sides of the ramp. Erosion has caused some problems and
we are working to repair it as quickly as possible. The fishing
remains slow as water temps continue to cool. Anglers are asked
to please be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other anglers
fishing from other boats and the shore. Remember that all bass
must be immediately released back to the water.
PENA
BLANCA - Pena Blanca Lake is closed.
PATAGONIA - The lake will be stocked this week with
trout. No reports of angler success have been received. Warmwater
species will continue to slow as cooler temperatures prevail.
Where:
Patagonia Lake
When: 11/29/08
Caught: 3# Crappies
Technique: Slip bobbers w/Shad Minnows over deep water structure.
Comments: We new they were slabs. Dan at the Marina weighed them
in at 3#. We stopped at (10), they filled up the live well. I tried
to post the pictures, but was unsuccessfull.
Name: Crappie Jalopy
Where:Patagonia Lake
When:11/21/08
Caught:Largemouth Bass
Technique:Yellow spinnerbait, gold Willow leaf
Comments:Patagonia Nov. 21, Friday. Got there before the sun came
up and launched. One other boat on the lake and another joined
us later. Man, was it windy and the water temp was 56 degrees.
I fished a yellow spinnerbait, on the bottom in 20 -30 feet of
water and picked up three bass before 8 A.M. A 16-inch, 14 ¼-inch
and a 13-inch and then it stopped around 8 A.M. Tried for catfish
from 9 to noon and no bites so I went back to the dock. Three "youngsters" were
fishing off the dock and had a nice stringer of rainbow trout.
Quality wise, they didn't appear to be over 12 inches, but a nice
stinger just the same and a great big "Way To Be" to
them. One of them said he caught a 22-pound catfish the evening
before which is a good catch. Also saw a few whitetail deer off
in the mountains feeding away which reminds me I am heading to
my deer lease in Kansas after Thanksgiving to harvest a few deer.
We can take up to five, but only one buck. Happy Thanksgiving and
take a kid fishing down to Patagonia for trout. They put 22,000
in there Nov. 18 I was told.
Name:TeddyJackEddy
PARKER
CANYON - The store at Parker Canyon is closed and currently
there are no plans by the Forest Service to re-open it. Anglers
needing a license will need to purchase that prior to arriving
at the lake. The aquatic vegetation has been cut but anglers may
still experience difficultly. The lake was stocked last week.
ROSE CANYON LAKE - Anglers are having some success catching trout.
Recent reports are that anglers are having success catching Brown
trout. The lake is closed for the winter and anglers wishing to
fish this lake will have to hike in.
OTHER
WAYS TO GET THE FISHING REPORT:
Fax-On-Request line (602) 530-2210, Document
#4001
Internet Home Page www.azgfd.com
Recorded Public Call-In Line (602) 789-3701
1-800-ASK-FISH
