After a prolonged drought, having an "average" winter is actually good news for the popular trout fisheries in the White Mountains.

The winter weather in the White Mountains this year has been near average in terms of precipitation, temperature, and high-country snow pack.

"This is great news for trout in the upcoming months, especially coming off several previously dry and warm winters," said Jim Novy, Pinetop regional fisheries program manager.

As the snow pack melts in late winter and early spring, Novy explained, water flow in the creeks and rivers will top out at the highest that they will run all year. "These high flows will flush silt and sediment out, exposing gravel beds needed for spawning by trout, and also result in a higher production of aquatic insects. These high flows will also add much-needed water to our high-country reservoirs and lakes."

Ice usually melts off the higher elevation lakes, such as Big Lake and Crescent Lake, in early- to mid-April, and the interior forest roads typically open at that time also. Fishing can be great immediately after the ice first disappears from these high elevation lakes.

Food items for trout are usually at their lowest levels towards the end of winter because of the lack of sunlight penetrating through the ice, so the trout will be hungry. Trout will become increasingly active, especially as water temperatures increase.

If fishing early, avoid crossing ice to reach an open portion of the lake, regardless of how stable it seems. Open water means that is has been warm enough to melt ice in the first place and any remaining ice is definitely not trustworthy. In general, any ice, including full-coverage ice, is not stable late in the season and should be avoided. Under no circumstances should holes be drilled in the ice in close proximity to each other.

Lakes to try immediately after ice-out are Big Lake, Lee Valley Lake, Luna Lake, River Reservoir, Bunch Reservoir, Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and Chevelon Lake.

"Spring fishing is usually best at Big Lake, where anglers quickly catch their limits. Most of these fish fall in the 8-10-range, but larger rainbows and cutthroats that survived the winter are common. Trout in the three- to five-pound range are not rare, and Big Lake is the best bet on the mountain to catch large trout," said Bruce Sitko, Pinetop regional information and education program manager.

Fishing a medium-sized spinner or spoon, or a small to medium-sized Rapala lure should help you avoid many of the small fish. Fly-fishing or trolling with flies is also very productive. Night crawlers, Power Bait, and corn work very well. "but also take that as a word of warning: if you are looking to enjoy a full day of fishing in fine spring weather, you may find yourself with a limit of fish far earlier than expected," Sitko advised.

If you plan to keep only the bigger fish, take care when handling those you intend to release, especially when bait fishing. Do not try to retrieve a hook lodged in the throat of a trout, as it will most likely die minutes, hours, or even days later. Instead, cut the line as close to the hook as you can. A released fish is more likely to survive and be caught another day with the hook in its throat, which will rust and disintegrate over time. Hooks stuck in the lip or inside of the mouth can be easily removed.

A concessionaire is located at Big Lake, with fishing and food supplies and boat rentals, but may not be open yet if you're fishing early. Check with a reliable source before your trip when planning to use the services of the concessionaire.

Luna Lake usually opens earlier than Big Lake, and also has some good fishing. Becker Lake is another good bet early on. At Becker Lake, only artificial lures and flies may be used from Oct. 1 to May 25, and the limit is two fish. Trout come into the gravel areas in the shallows near the boat ramp at Becker to spawn, usually in April.

Nelson Reservoir may be slow in the spring by most standards, but all trout will be large, in the two- to three-pound range. A concessionaire exists at Luna Lake, and services and supplies can be found in nearby Alpine, Springerville, or Eagar when fishing Luna, Becker, or Nelson.

In the Mogollon Rim area, late winter and early spring fishing at Chevelon Canyon Lake usually produces some large brown trout. Anglers should note that the lake is situated in a deep canyon, and vehicle access to the dam and water's edge is not available. A somewhat strenuous, downhill quarter-mile hike to the nearest point of water is necessary. This is a great lake for float tubes, but the water can be very cold.

The trout limit at Chevelon Canyon is six fish, however, trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be possessed. Those in that size range must be released immediately. And, like Becker Lake, fishing is with artificial lure and fly only.

Other good trout waters on the rim to concentrate on in the spring are Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake. Black Canyon Lake was very low all last year and could not be stocked, therefore, numbers of carry-over trout will be low this spring.

Some effective techniques for boat anglers include trolling small lures or spinners, including Panther Martins, Rooster Tails, Z-rays, Super Dupers, KastMasters, or Crickhoppers. Also try trolling black, brown, or green-colored wooly worms or wooly buggers. Shore fishermen should try Power Bait, worms, corn, or salmon eggs.

Anglers should concentrate on the lakes during the spring, as the creeks and rivers will be running high with water, which is usually turbid. Special techniques are required to fish streams under these conditions, however, flows should start returning to normal levels in May.

Trout stocking normally begins in April, if conditions allow, at the following lakes: Fool's Hollow Lake, Show Low Lake, Rainbow Lake, Woodland Lake, Willow Spring Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Concho Lake, Luna Lake, Bunch Reservoir, Tunnel Reservoir, and River Reservoir.

EDITOR: Rory Aikens at (602) 789-3214 or email raikens@gf.state.az.us or Frosty Taylor at (602) 789-3223