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

LAKE PLEASANT — Lake level has risen to 81 percent of capacity. White bass and stripers have been very active in the upper Agua Fria River Arm. A nine-pound bass was also taken up in the river last week. Access to this section of the lake is via Table Mesa Road. Anglers cannot reach this area from the main lake due to the bald eagle nesting closure. Be aware of rising water and flooded washes following storms. Fishing in the main lake has been slow. The best action for bass and catfish has been in the upper lake, near Castle Creek and Humbug Cove, which tend to warm the fastest.

ROOSEVELT LAKE — Lake level has risen to 28 percent. Crappie fishing remains good near Windy Hill on minnows and small jigs. The crappies are starting to move up a bit, with anglers finding them in 10-20 feet of water. Males are starting to show breeding colors and anglers are reporting 10-25 crappie a day. Bass fishing remains fair; crankbaits and spinnerbaits remain the best bait of late.

UPPER SALT RIVER — Flows averaging 631 cfs into Roosevelt. No Reports. Be aware of rising flows following storms. If you catch a flathead catfish with a Game and Fish tag attached to it, please note the weight, length and river location, then call the Game and Fish Dept. at (480) 981-9400 ext.214 (you can keep the fish). Part of the Salt River above the diversion dam is in a wilderness area; be sure to know the rules.

APACHE — Lake level remains at 92 percent. There have been very good reports from Apache this week. Smallmouth bass are getting ready to spawn. They are hitting crawdad pattern crankbaits and plastic jigs from the shoreline to 10 feet. Some nice largemouth have been taken as well. Walleye have been hitting crankbaits; try fishing an hour before sundown to an hour after sundown. That two-hour period has seen the most walleye activity of late. Use electronics to locate schools of yellow bass and vertical jig them with spoons, minnows or Cicadas.

CANYON — Lake Level is 92 percent. There are still some big fish being caught. A 12-pounder was brought in Monday on a 10-inch Basstrix. Last week an angler caught an 11-pounder on a jig. Remember there is a certified scale at the marina if anglers would like to get an official weight of their fish before releasing it. Go to the marina to find out more about the certified scale. Two witnesses are needed for the weight to be official. Trout stockings are scheduled for this week. Trout have been hitting Power Bait, dillies and spinners. Try cicadas or minnows for the yellow bass. Walleye have been active during dusk; try throwing shad pattern crankbaits off major points in 10-20 feet.

SAGUARO — Lake level is 90 percent. Bass fishing is good. Anglers have been reporting good success on spoons, crankbaits and even top water baits at times. Most of the action has been in 25 feet to the shoreline. A fisheries survey last week had some very interesting findings. In just two hours of netting over 140 walleye were caught. Almost all of the walleye were 17-19 inches in length and caught near the shore in 30 feet or less during and just after dusk. Anglers should try throwing shad patterned crankbaits off points just after dark for the best chance of catching a walleye. Anglers are encouraged to release all walleye less than 14 inches. Trout stockings are scheduled for this week. However, trout anglers in Butcher Jones and Keyhole continue to report good fishing on Power Bait, dillys and minnows. Yellow bass are hitting minnows and jigs off the fishing piers. Try waterdogs or mackerel for channel cats.

BARTLETT — Lake is at 62 percent capacity. Crappie fishing has been fair. Night fishing under crappie lights is starting to produce some nice catches. A 2.5-pound crappie was weighed in at the marina last week. Indications are that when the lake warms up, the crappie fishing should be fantastic -- and they should be big. For now, keep moving and use your electronics. Bass fishing has been slow as well. Crankbaits, jigs and plastics are your best bet in the mornings and crankbaits in the afternoon. Catfishing remains slow.

HORSESHOE — Lake is at 11 percent capacity. Fishing is poor. There have been few channel catfish and a crappie or two taken below the dam but it has been slow for the most part. Fishing in the lake itself has been poor. Remember that the Colorado pikeminnow and the razorback sucker are endangered and must be released immediately. Upstream from Horseshoe Dam is an unlimited harvest area for all game fish.

VERDE RIVER (above Horseshoe) — Flows were 466 at Camp Verde and 842 going into Horseshoe Lake. No reports. Remember that no baitfish can be transported into this part of the river. For further information concerning regulations, call AGFD at (602) 789-3257.

LOWER SALT RIVER (below Saguaro Lake) — Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam is 8 cfs. Verde River into the Salt is 350 cfs. Trout were stocked last week at Phon D. Sutton and Granite Reef. Trout fishing has been excellent on spinners, Power Bait and dillys.

LAKE MEAD — The lake level is currently at 1196.6 feet and is projected to maintain that level throughout the week. Rain through Thursday, cold and cloudy the remainder. No one is, or has been fishing as of late. Spring is approaching so get your gear ready for the water. Things will turn on all at once with this extended cold weather.

LAKE MOHAVE —Mohave elevation 640.6 feet, but will gradually drop one foot over the course of this week. Rain most of the week, yucky weather the rest. Gear up for spring.

TOPOCK MARSH — Poor weather and fishing all week.

PARKER STRIP — Water levels should remain steady throughout the week. One angler reported catching a 10-pound largemouth bass on a brown "pig-n-jig". A recent bass tournament on the strip had one participant who weighed in 11 pounds of bass. Smallmouth should be biting this week as a low-pressure system moves through the area over the weekend. Look for windblown rocky shorelines for the best action. Bluegill might be hitting on small plastic worms, try grass beds between Buckskin and Parker Dam. Some trout still remain in the lagoon at La Paz County Park. Power Bait is working for trout. For those anglers who like a little more action try a red and white spoon.

MITTRY — Fishing should get better this month. Warmer conditions should help the channel catfish and bass bite. Try plastics and spinnerbaits for bass. Shore anglers can also pick up a bass or two. The minimum length for keeping bass is 13 inches at Mittry. Channel catfish can be a fun fish to catch off the shore fishing jetties. Chicken liver and worms are your best bet. The Teal Alley area is now open for use.

YUMA AREA RIVERS/CANALS — Bass action should start picking up within the next month or so and the Colorado River in Yuma can be one of the best bass fishing spots in Arizona. There are several access points to the Colorado River from Moralos Dam up to Bruce Church. Boats can launch at some of these sites depending on water levels. Check land status before traveling roads. Bass fishing is a little slow on the river right now. Anglers can try spinnerbaits, topwater or waterdogs along the shore vegetation line or in side pockets. Deep holes or undercut banks are usually prime habitat for Flathead catfish, which can reach weights up to 55 pounds. Live bluegill and tilapia work great for bait.

Canals are producing some channel catfish on chicken liver and stink bait. The Gila Main Gravity canal, which winds from the Imperial Dam through Mittry Lake and across Highway 95, can hold many fish species. One angler reported catching a 10-pound monster largemouth bass in the Gila Main. He was using a jig (smoke colored) in deep water.

FORTUNA POND — Anglers are still having fun catching rainbow trout. Green worms, Power Bait, worms and spinners all work. Anglers this past week were averaging three fish each in a few hours. Remember to purchase a trout stamp! Channel catfish are also being caught on occasion on worms, chicken liver and stink bait. Bluegills prefer mealworms and night crawlers. For directions to the pond call the Region IV Game and Fish office at 342-0091.

REDONDO POND — Fishing this little pond can be fun for bass and bluegill anglers. Bluegill will bite any type of worm, flies or spinners. Usually where one is caught, many more are nearby. Bass can be found in and underneath structure. Try plastic worms to draw them out. There is a two-bass limit per day with a 13-inch minimum length. Bluegills are unlimited. A 5-pound channel cat was caught last week.

EHRENBERG — Flathead and bass dominate the catch on this stretch of the Colorado River. Bass fishing can be good in the main river, but great at times in the backwaters. Use plastics, spinnerbaits or natural baits for bass. Flatheads prefer live baits such as bluegill and goldfish; fish these baits over deep holes. Channel catfish are also present and like stink bait and chicken liver.

ALAMO- The annual clean up is March 3. Registration begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 2 at the Alamo Lake group use area of the Cholla campground. Clean-up work begins 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 3. Bring gloves. Arizona State Parks will waive the camping and boat launch fee for the group use area for the cleanup participants. There will be door prizes for registered guests. Fishing is a must on the lake as anglers are enjoying crappie and bass fishing. Cold and wet weather dampened fishing conditions on the lake this past weekend. Anglers still managed to enjoy the elements and catch both largemouth and crappie. Bass were 1-2 pounds on average and hitting crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastics (pumpkinseed colors). The crappies are a bit lethargic but will bite sporadically. Minnows top the bait list along with crankbaits and jigs. Work the trees and the vegetation in the East End of the lake. Warmer conditions in the coming weeks should really heat up crappie action on the lake. Reminder that you can now only keep one bass in the slot limit -- 13-16 inches. The possession limit is now six bass (formerly 12).

CATARACT LAKE – Gate is closed.

CITY RESERVOIR - Poor access.

DOGTOWN LAKE – Gate is closed.

WHITEHORSE LAKE – Extremely poor road conditions – not recommended

JD DAM - No report. Extremely poor road conditions – not recommended

SANTA FE – Lake has been drained. No fish.

LOWER LAKE MARY – Lake is dry.

UPPER LAKE MARY - Mostly frozen.

ASHURST LAKE – Lake is open. No report.

KINNIKINICK LAKE – No report.

OAK CREEK – Good for rainbows and browns.

LONG LAKE – Lake is frozen. Anglers need to complete the creel cards available at the lake in order to insure that the trout stockings will continue.

SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX – Lake is frozen.

BEAVER CREEK - No report.

WEST CLEAR CREEK - No report.

STONEMAN LAKE - Lake is frozen.

BLUE RIDGE – Road is closed.

KNOLL LAKE – Road is closed.

LYNX LAKE — Trout were stocked on the 12th. Poor weather and length of time since the last stocking have combined for poor fishing at Lynx.

FAIN LAKE —Trout were stocked last Tuesday. Try Power Bait and spinners. Poor weather this week will discourage fishing pressure; may be a chance to bear the elements for a few quick fish.

VERDE RIVER —Stockings took place last Tuesday. Fish were planted at Deadhorse State Park last Monday. Poor weather expected to prevail all week. No reports from last week were available. Trout will be stocked at the following Verde Valley locations throughout the winter: Tuzigoot Bridge crossing, Cottonwood Riverside, Deadhorse State Park, Bignotti, and the White Bridge crossing in Camp Verde. The Bignotti and Tuzigoot sites are good fly fishing areas.

CHEVELON CANYON - No reports. Expect partial, if not full ice conditions. Access lake via Forest Road 504 from Heber and then south on FR 169. Trout may be taken with artificial lures and flies only, and trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be possessed.

BEAR CANYON - No reports.

BLACK CANYON - No reports.

WILLOW SPRINGS - No reports. Lake is iced over, and access road to boat launch is closed.

WOODS CANYON - No reports. Lake is iced, and access gate is locked. Store is closed for the winter. Anglers will need to walk to water's edge.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE — This lake is part of the urban fishing program and requires an urban fishing license. Anglers are catching limits of good-sized rainbow trout.

BECKER LAKE - Lake has skimming ice in early morning, and is usually open by mid-day. Trout fishing is fair to good. Boaters should try trolling very slowly with small lures, such as rooster tails, Z-rays, or Panther Martins. Both shore and boat anglers could also use small flies, size 12 hook or less, in brown or black patterns. Trout may be taken with artificial lures and flies only from Oct. 1 to May 25, and limit is two fish.

BIG LAKE - All access roads have been closed due to snow.

CONCHO - Lake is mostly open from ice. Trout fishing is fair to good. Shore fishermen are catching nice-sized fish using yellow or red baits, such as corn, salmon eggs, or worms suspended about five feet under a small bobber. Boaters should try trolling small lures such as Panther Martins or Rooster Tails, or small peacock lady flies.

CRESCENT - All access roads have been closed due to snow.

FOOL HOLLOW - Trout fishing is fair; use worms, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. Shore fishermen should use a bobber and suspend bait three feet above bottom, or try a worm with a marshmallow to float it up from the bottom. Bass fishing is fair; try the shallow water in the upper arm of the lake with lures or black or purple worms. For walleye, fish during low light hours, early or late in the day, using sinking Rapala lures near rocky shorelines or ledges.

GREER LAKES - Public is cautioned about checking ice thickness at each reservoir. A few people have fallen through the ice at these lakes this year. Holes should not be drilled close proximity to each other. Trout fishing is good using corn, worms, or salmon eggs.

HULSEY LAKE - No reports. Lake is iced over.

LEE VALLEY - All access roads have been closed due to snow.

LUNA LAKE - Ice fishing for trout is fair to good near the dam. Check at the store concession for current updates. The store also has bait.

LYMAN - Catfish and carp are being caught at the upper end of the lake in one to three feet of water using worms, corn, chicken livers, or anchovies. Bass and walleye are being caught near rocky outcrops using worms or lures in low light hours, early morning or late afternoon.

NELSON - Trout fishing is fair to good. Shore fishermen should try corn or worms 10 to 20 feet from shore. Trout limit is removed from Nelson Reservoir from Sept. 1 to May 1.

RAINBOW - Little fishing activity.

SCOTT'S RESERVOIR - No reports. Water level is near minimum pool.

SHOW LOW - Trout fishing is fair; use red or yellow baits such as worms, salmon eggs, or Power Bait.

WOODLAND - No reports; lake has open water.

SILVER CREEK - Trout fishing is good. Use small flies, size 12 hook or less, in black or brown patterns. Best imitations are small midges or scuds. Silver Creek within the boundaries of the Arizona Game & Fish Commission owned property (excluding the portion designated as state fish hatchery) is catch and release only using only artificial lures and flies from Oct. 1 to April 1. To insure optimum fish survival, barbs should be removed or pressed flat against hooks and all fish should be released immediately.

WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS - Most access roads have been closed due to snow.

RIGGS FLAT — The gate is closed for the winter.

CLUFF RANCH — Will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. For lake information call (520) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — Will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. For lake information call (520) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — Will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. For lake information call (520) 428-6760.

KEARNY LAKE – Has been stocked with rainbow trout week. Try Power Bait, corn or cheese.

ARIVACA — Anglers should be aware that harvest regulations on largemouth bass have been restricted to catch and release only on all largemouth bass caught at this lake. Surveys show fair numbers of small bass, but almost no fish exceeding 12 inches. No other fish stockings are planned until the water quality stabilizes. Due to elevated mercury readings in the warm water species, (bass, sunfish and catfish) it is recommended that these fish not be eaten until further notice. Catch and release should be practiced.

PENA BLANCA — Pena Blanca was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Trout fishing has been very good. Try Power Bait, corn or cheese. Fishing is slow for bass. Fall surveys show a healthy bass population with good numbers of fish in the 15 to 18-inch range. Use artificial worms in rocky areas where the aquatic vegetation is less dense for largemouth bass. The weeds have been cut, so fishing access has improved. Due to elevated mercury readings in the warm water species (bass, sunfish, crappie catfish), it is recommended that these fish not be eaten until further notice. Catch-and-release should be practiced. Since trout are stocked in this lake, they are OK to eat. For lake information call (520) 281-2296.

PATAGONIA — Was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Trout fishing has been good. Try Power Bait or small spinners in the marina or rock shelf area. Fishing is slow for warm water species; bass, sunfish and catfish. For lake information call (520) 287-6063.

PARKER CANYON — Has been stocked with rainbow trout. Trout fishing has been good. This is an excellent time to try fly-fishing. Trout have been observed feeding on the surface in the evenings and early mornings in the backs of the coves near the island. Try flies, corn, worms, and Power Bait, crankbaits and spinner baits. Fishing is slow for warm water species (bass, catfish and sunfish). Try artificial worms or night crawlers. The limit on northern pike has been removed and all northern pike that anglers intend to keep must be killed immediately. Anglers are encouraged to try to catch this illegally introduced species. Boat launching is not a problem. For lake information call (520) 455-5847.

PICACHO RESERVOIR — No report

ROSE CANYON LAKE - The gate has been closed for the winter. For lake and camping information call (520) 749-8700.