URBAN LAKES – Justin, a “Been Fishing” reporter at Cortez Lake caught trout 8 or 9 feet offshore with lime green Power Bait eggs and minnows under a bobber.  He caught a small catfish using a live minnow on the bottom by the aerator.  His words of advice are:” Let them bite till they hook themselves and use a hook not too small but not too big. Take the kids, they will have a blast.”

Rainbow trout stockings have started and will continue all winter long at two week intervals.  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.

REMINDER TO STAY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR GOLDEN ALGA
It has now been three years since the problematic golden alga was first discovered in Urban Fishing Program waters.  Five of our lakes are known to be infested with the microscopic alga:  Alvord, Cortez, Desert West and Papago Lakes in Phoenix, and Water Ranch Lake in Gilbert. Urban Program biologists and park staff continue to stay on the lookout for the presence of golden alga in our waters.  Historically, golden alga becomes a problem as lake temperatures cool in the 50-60 degree range.  To date, there have been no blooms of the troublesome golden alga reported this fall.  Since 2007 there are no new lakes found with golden alga.  That is good news so far for anglers, lake managers, and, of course, the fish communities.

Golden alga is a microscopic organism that releases substances that are toxic to fish.  If left untreated, the tiny organism can dominate the plankton community in a lake and release enough toxins to kill off many fish.  The toxins only affect gill breathing fish and clams and pose no harm to humans or animals.  Game and Fish is working closely with our 11 city partners to regularly monitor for and control the algae.  When golden alga is discovered at low to moderate levels and the proper chemicals are applied right away, the treatments are highly effective in killing the golden alga and halting any fish kills.  For more information on golden alga, go to www.azgfd.gov and look for golden alga FAQs.  To report any suspicious observations of fish behavior or lake conditions that may be caused by golden alga, contact the Department at 623-236-7263 or 623-236-7268.  Please do your part to prevent the spread of golden alga by not moving water or wet objects or fishing equipment from lake to lake.  Remember to Clean, Drain and Dry!

Orlando fished Desert Breeze and caught a rainbow trout using a Panther Martin lure.  He suggests letting the lure sink for 3 seconds followed by a slow retrieve.

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 from Papago Ponds: a 25 inch catfish, 18 inch largemouth bass and an 8 inch bluegill.  With only a month 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.

TEMPE TOWN LAKE – Game and Fish stocked 3,500 trout along with some incentive trout on Nov. 25 for the “Welcome back the Trout” celebration. Anglers were catching bluegill, green sunfish and yellow bass on worms fished both under a bobber and without a bobber at the fishing area west of the Marina.  A couple catfish were caught and quite a few carp were caught using corn fished on the bottom.

Trout can be readily caught using Power Bait on slip sinkers or under a bobber. Worms are always good bait for just about everything in the lake.  Some anglers have been catching limits using corn. Sometimes a bobber is the way to go for the trout other times they like to pluck the worms from a catfish rig.  Be flexible…they are.

Andrew, a Been Fishing reporter, caught a small largemouth and a channel catfish using worms under a bobber.  He had lots of bites but had difficulty hooking the fish.

Another Been Fishing reporter, Brandin, caught three bass, one bluegill another sunfish and two yellow bass.  He used a white swim bait for the bass and the rest were caught on a worm under a bobber.

Where:Tempe Town Lake
When:12/03/08
Caught:Trout
Technique:Power Bait (orange and green) fished on the bottom, slip sinker, 4 lb leader, #10 hook
Comments:I fished south side of the lake, next to Power Rd bridge. Got my limit in about 30 minutes and left them biting. Guy next to me kept getting bit using corn as well. Most fish were average, small rainbows David Czupak
Name:David Czupak
LAKE PLEASANT – Water elevation is 1,663 feet, which is 59-percent full.
One angler fished the Aqua Fria arm and the water temperature was in the 50s and 60s.  He fished from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and caught a nice 2-pound white bass on a quarter-ounce KastMaster in about 40 to 50 feet of water.  He caught several hits but only boated the one.  Then he drop-shotted near a cliff wall with a morning dawn Robo worm.  Don’t forget the fish like to hit on the drop.

An angler fished Castle from 8 to 2 and caught eight stripers around 3 to 4 pounds on KastMasters.

Andrew fished Lake Pleasant and caught a 2-pound striper using anchovies from shore.

Stripers have moved more into the northern coves, especially the Agua Fria Arm of the lake. It sounds like quarter-ounce KastMasters are working well. Trolling shad-like crankbaits can be productive, especially over the submerged creek channels (underwater fish highways).

If you can net some live shad (there are huge schools roaming about), they make superb bait either straight-lined or slow trolled. Frozen anchovies can work especially well for roving schools of stripers patrolling the submerged creek channels. Don’t forget to chum.

Where:lake pleasant, castle creek
When:11/28/08
Caught:stripper
Technique:anchovy off shore
Comments:just caught the one stripper was there about 4 hrs before I caught it. 15″ 2lbs
Name:j phizzle
ROOSEVELT LAKE – Lake Elevation is 2,143 ft (90-percent full).  Tonto Creek runoff is at 13 cfs while inflow from the Salt River is at 241 cfs.

Bob, a Been Fishing reporter, caught a nice 25 inch largemouth bass using a top water popper.

An experienced angler fished the Salt end from 8 am to 1 pm.  He and his buddy trolled and caught two bluegills then switched to throwing spoons and caught seven largemouth bass; one was over the slot the rest were slot fish.  They used ¼-ounce spoons in 22 to 24 feet of water.

Rainy weather didn’t stop another couple fishermen.  Once the rain abated a tad, they fished main points and cuts. Their method of choice was drop shotting plastic worms and imitation crayfish.  They must have had some good weed proof lures since they fished in the submerged trees and caught quite a few slot bass.  They also threw top water lures over the submerged trees.
APACHE – Lake elevation is 1905 ft (91-percent full).

An angler caught a bunch of fish but he wouldn’t tell where he caught them.  Just as a reminder the marina area seems to be where the fish hang out.  Another few spots to try are Pine Cove, Horse Flat and the coves up against the Painted Cliffs for largemouth bass.  Drop shotting could work for you along the cliff walls and always check out the overhanging vegetation along the lake especially in the more shallow areas.  Tis the season for trout stocking and if trout isn’t your dinner fair, try 6 to 8 inch swimbaits to nab the largemouth bass and whatever else is lurking down there.

An angler caught a 17 inch Rainbow trout close to Turtle Island.  There is still good catfishing reported near the marina and they like the worms.  Carp fishing is always good in the coves.  Cover a treble hook with corn, set your drag on low and get ready for a big carp.  They are fun to catch.

CANYON LAKE – Lake elevation is 1,658 feet, which is 96-percent full. Winter trout stockings have begun.

Nick a Been Fishing reporter, caught catfish using Power Bait.  No indication on the location, but the Boulder Recreation site is a good place if you don’t have a boat.  Swim baits should work well since this is trout stocking season.
Where:canyon lake
When:10/12/08
Caught:7 Largemouth Bass
Technique:Silver and blue Rat-L-Trap and 4″ Senkos
Comments:Good to see Canyon coming back. Latched a 4 lb, 2 lb, and 1.5 lb. The rest were small but fun. All fish released.
Name:Bud Russman
SAGUARO LAKE – Lake elevation 1524 feet at 92-percent full. CJ, a Been Fishing reporter, fished Saguaro again and caught largemouth bass using rootbeer colored grubs on a football jig head.  He noted the water temperature was 64 degrees and a bit murky.  Crankbait and drop shot didn’t work for him this time around.

This advice from an experienced Saguaro Lake fishermen – Please take heed.
“I saw a nice bass boat being towed out of the river by the sheriff’s boat last weekend. I tried to find out what happened. It sounded like he yelled back, “Lower unit.”

If you haven’t ever been way up in the river at Saguaro, you’ll come to a buoy by a bend that says something like “DANGEROUS UPSTREAM NO MARKERS AHEAD”. When you’re heading in, stay to the LEFT. When you’re coming back out, stay to the RIGHT. There are some really big reefs that you can’t see until you’re on em and they come almost out to the middle of the channel. The reason they’re not marked is because the current’s too strong to keep the buoys anchored. I’ve seen several boats wedged on those reefs and have seen several toasted lower units, so I thought I’d pass it along.”

Every now and then you hear of anglers catching some largemouth lunkers out of Saguaro, they are in there with the smaller 1-2 pound bass.  One angler caught a bass nearly 5 pounds on a jig tipped plastic worm, while fishing on a Saturday from 7:30 to 2 pm.

Another couple anglers used jigs and drop shots for a while.  They had good luck using 4-inch Robo Bold Bluegills and Robo worms.  The largemouth bass were in 15 feet of water off the main lake points.  It was a light bite.
Where:saguaro
When:11/21/08
Caught:5 rainbow trout
Technique:green sparkly power bait and night crawlers
Name:mike
Where:Saguaro
When:11/20/08
Caught:Eight bass
Technique:Drop shot and Yamamoto 4 inch root beer wacky worm style.
Comments:Water temp is down to 68 degrees and the bite has slowed some in the last two weeks, persistence pays off however the fish are getting bigger. catch and release should be the rule until the fishery recovers from the golden algae of last season.
Name:CJ Greco

Where:Saguaro
When:11/24/08
Caught:Bass
Technique:Root beer colored grubs on a football jig head worked best.
Comments:Cranks,and drop shots are useless, water temp. is 64 and the water remains mirky.
Name:CJ Greco
Where:Saguaro
When:11/8/08
Caught:largemouth
Technique:Crankbait hitting bottom
Comments:Went out the week before and boated 29 all largemouth. Then went out to the same spot with the same crank and boated 39 all largemouth. Best fishing I’ve seen there in awhile. All the fish where in the one to two pound range small but fun.
Name:Ryan Stradling

BARTLETT LAKE – Lake elevation is 1,755 feet, which is 47-percent full.  Reservoir release is 410cfs.

An angler caught a few largemouth bass on cranks on the south end.  On the north end dark jigs in shallow water worked well.  Imitation crayfish enticed some bites.  Spinnerbaits were sought by largemouth.  Fish seem to be taking lures on the drop or with a slow retrieve.  Another good fishing pointer is when the washes are running the smallmouth bass especially like to wait for dinner to come down the pike.  Largemouth will also come to the dinner bell.

Temperatures taken by one angler were 62 to 64 on the south end and 58 to 61 on the north end.

Warren fished Bartlett and caught five largemouth bass using a 4-inch drop shot Robo worm and a Texas-rigged 4-inch watermelon lizard.  He also used a white Zara Spook – a very good lure.   The best fishing was 9 to 11:30 a.m. in 15 feet of water or less close to shore.  He said the chartreuse colors did very well fishing the bottom since the water was a bit stained. Water temp was 67 degrees.  Thank you Warren for this Been Fishing report.

Where:Bartlett
When:11/22/08
Caught:8 Bass,2 Catfish,4 Bluegills
Technique:Safety pin spinnerbait with a gulp minnow and a Panther Martin spinner. Drew used the Gulp and Dad the P.M. The Gulp caught the largest and most fish. We fished from the shoreline. Bass weighed 0.5-2 lbs.

HORSESHOE LAKE – Lake elevation is at 1,956 feet, no pool. This is barely more than a wide spot in the river. An angler fished the below Horseshoe and caught eight channel catfish using worms in small pools.

LOWER SALT RIVER (below confluence with Verde River) – Trout were stocked last week at the Phon Du. Sutton and Granite Reef areas. Try live night crawlers or grasshoppers with little or no weight cast into the riffles for rainbows. Cast slightly upstream and let the current carry your bait downstream, mending your line.

CREEKS – Brown trout spawning is probably over.  If you do see trout on reds please leave them alone.  The creeks have been running pretty clear making the fish real spooky.  Right now your best bet is throwing copper Johns, pheasant tailed nymphs and some semi seal leeches.  Rain is forecasted for later in the week water levels will go up and this will muddy up the creeks and maybe the fish won’t be so spooky.
Anglers are also using copper Johns, small flies, pheasant tailed flashbacks, Simi Seal leeches, and zug bugs.

Haigler Creek – Use small dry flies

Canyon Creek – Midge patterns

Tonto Creek – Midge patterns

Christopher Creek – No recent reports, but try live night crawlers on light line.

East Verde – One angler reported good fishing for larger trout in the deeper pools.

Workman Creek – No reports, but terrestrials should still work well.

HORSETHEIF BASIN LAKE – Probably not worth driving to just for fishing, but it might be worth a visit if you are prowling the Bradshaw Mountains and want to wet a line for some small sunfish or bass.