WHITE MOUNTAIN LAKES – Streams are flowing high. Higher elevation lakes are still ice-covered. Lower elevation lake’s are ice–free and are slightly turbid to turbid. State Highway 261 is closed to Big Lake and Crescent Lake, as well as most interior Forest roads. State Highway 273 on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is undergoing reconstruction and realignment and the following closures are in effect. State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed to all traffic, including snowmobiles, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is complete.

BECKER LAKE – Fishing is fair. It has slowed down quite a bit from last week. The lake is ice free and almost full. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout limit. Try small lures such as Super Dupers, spinners, and Z-rays. Fly-Fishers have been catching 15-18 inch rainbow trout. Try small nymphs such as zebra midges, scuds, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, wooly worms and wooly buggers, dragon fly patterns, peacock ladies, and brown Montana stone nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water was clear and the water temperature was 52 degrees on April 4.

BIG LAKE – The roads to Big Lake are still closed. State Highway 261 from Eager is still closed due to snow drifts. State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week for road construction. Big Lake is still ice covered.

CARNERO LAKE – Forest roads 117 and 117A to Carnero Lake are still inaccessible, due to snowdrifts. The lake may still have some ice-cover that should be considered unsafe. The lake likely winterkilled, so there is little incentive for anglers to attempt to reach the lake until a stocking truck can get in to it. Limnology surveys have indicated there was very little dissolved oxygen under the ice during January and February. Some improvement in dissolved oxygen levels was noticed in March but the lake had likely winterkilled by then.

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR – Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is full and spilling. The lake will not be stocked with trout until the flows over the spillway come down. The east side boat ramp is accessible and the best ramp to use. The north boat ramp (steep hill) may have soft sand and would be difficult to launch a boat. Try worms, Power Bait, Salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, crank baits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. There is no motor restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir.

Where:
Clear Creek Reservoir
When:
04/01/08
Caught:
nothing
Technique:
everything we had
Comments:
the lake is blocked completely about a mile in by a series of huge dams created by wood from stick to log size.
Name:
Steve Garro

CONCHO LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. The lake is ice-free and full. The boat ramp is accessible. Recent surveys revealed carryover rainbow trout ranging from 12-16 inches, with an average length of 13 inches. These carryover trout are smaller than usual, likely due to illegally stocked carp that are now established in the lake and impacting benthic invertebrates. The lake was recently stocked with catchable size rainbow trout. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, and Super Dupers, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water was clear and the water temperature was 52 degrees on April 4.

CRESCENT LAKE – The roads to Crescent Lake are still closed. Highway 261 from Eager is closed due to snowdrifts. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is still closed due to continuing road construction. Crescent Lake is still ice covered, although it should be considered unsafe. Fishing is likely poor due to a probable fish kill. Limnological surveys in March indicated there was very little dissolved oxygen under the ice and the lake has likely winterkilled. The lake will be restocked with catchable rainbow and brook trout, and subcatchable rainbow trout, once the roads open and the lake can be surveyed to determine if any fish survived in the lake.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE – Fishing is fair. The lake will be stocked with catchable size rainbow trout this week. The lake is ice-free and full. The water clarity is turbid. All boat ramps are accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, crank baits, and Rapalas, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers. Anglers have been catching bass on lures. Fish around structure such as rocks, tree stumps and fishing piers. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of walleyes (average size, 23 inches), a few large northern pike (average size, 30 inches), a couple of big smallmouth bass (4.5 pounders), some largemouth bass (average size, 17 inches), trout (average size, 10 inches), and small black crappies and sunfish. The water temperature was 56 degrees on April 4.

GREER LAKES – Fishing is fair. River, Tunnel and Bunch reservoirs are all ice-free and full. Tunnel and Bunch were stocked with catchable size rainbow trout last week. All three reservoirs will be stocked next week (week of April 14). Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and small nymphs. Bunch and Tunnel Reservoir are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors. Water temperatures were 50 degrees at Tunnel, 48 degrees at River, and 52 degrees at Bunch on April 4. The water is fairly clear at Tunnel and River, and slightly turbid at Bunch.

HULSEY LAKE – Fishing is poor since the lake has not been stocked yet. Forest road 56 is open and clear to the lake. The lake is full, and spilling. Hulsey Lake is a short hike in fishery. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The water was clear and the water temperature was 49 degrees on April 4.

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR – The roads to Lee Valley Lake are still closed. Highway 261 from Eager is closed due to snowdrifts. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is still closed due to continuing road construction. Lee Valley Lake is still ice covered, although it should be considered unsafe.

LUNA LAKE – Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-free, full, and spilling. The boat ramp is accessible. Recent surveys revealed low numbers of large trout in the lake. The rainbow trout averaged 17 inches and the cutthroat trout averaged 15 inches. The lake will be stocked with subcatchable (4-6 inch) and catchable size rainbow trout this week. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors. The water was slightly turbid and the water temperature was 50 degrees on April 4.

LYMAN LAKE – Fishing is fair. The lake level has come up quite a bit, catching a lot of water with snowmelt runoff, and is only 10 feet below spill. The water is turbid. Anglers have been catching largemouth bass on lures and channel catfish on worms and stink baits. Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas. The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also some new cabins for rent. There is fish consumption advisory here, so check with the State Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region 1 Office at (928) 367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.

NELSON RESERVOIR – Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is full, ice free, and spilling. The lake will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout when the lake stops spilling over the dam. The two boat ramps are accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water was slightly turbid and the water temperature was 49 degrees on April 4.

RAINBOW LAKE – Fishing is fair. The lake is ice free and nearly full. The boat ramp is accessible. Rainbow was stocked last week with catchable size rainbow trout and will be stocked again next week. Recent surveys revealed lots of northern pike (mostly 1-5 pounders but included two over 20 pounds), bullheads, a fair number of largemouth bass (1-5 pounds), and some large bluegills (1 pound). Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-Rays, spinners, crank baits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors. The water was clear and the water temperature was 59 degrees on April 4.

SCOTTS RESERVOIR – Fishing is fair. Anglers have been catching trout, bass, and channel catfish on worms. The lake will be stocked this week with catchable size rainbow trout. The lake is full, ice-free, and spilling. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of rainbow trout (average size, 11 inches), fair number of largemouth bass (average size, 12 inches), and some nice sized channel catfish (average size, 25 inches). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The water is slightly turbid and the water temperature was 53 degrees on April 4.

SHOW LOW LAKE – Fishing is fair. The lake will be stocked this week with catchable size rainbow trout. The lake is ice-free and about 6 feet below spilling. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, rubber lead head jigs, crank baits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of large walleyes (average size, 23 inches), including two 12-pounders, good numbers of rainbow trout (average size 14 inches), largemouth bass (average size 14 inches), and small black crappie. The water was slightly turbid and the water temperature was 57 degrees on April 4.

WOODLAND LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. The lake is full and spilling. The lake was stocked last week with catchable size rainbow trout and will be stocked again next week. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, and small spoons, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and hare’s ear nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent surveys revealed nice sized largemouth bass (average size, 14 inches), and 1 channel catfish (21 inches). The water is clear and the water temperature was 58 degrees on April 4.

WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS:

WEST FORK BLACK RIVER – The stream is flowing high. Forest roads have some snow drifts. Highway 261 and 273 are closed.

EAST FORK BLACK RIVER – The stream is flowing high. Forest roads have some snow drifts. Highway 261 and 273 are closed.

SHEEP’S CROSSING – Highway 273 is closed for the year due to road construction and an area closure is still in effect around Sheeps Crossing, including snowmobiles.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER GREER – Fishing is poor. The stream is flowing high due to spring runoff and has not been stocked yet. The water temperature was 44 degrees on April 4.

SILVER CREEK – Fishing is good. The stream is clear and has been stocked. Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is now open to bait fishing and statewide fishing regulations are in effect until September 30. The upper section is closed to fishing. Try small lures such as Mepps, Rooster Tails, and Panther Martin spinners. Fly-fishers may want to try wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, shrimp patterns, midge patterns, and small bead head nymphs. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge and caddis fly patterns. Bait fishermen should try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – GREER – The stream is flowing high.
SOUTHERN WATERS
Southern Arizona Fishing Outlook
The ample winter rains and snow fall have kept all the regional lakes full. This combined with a large spawn last year should lead to great year of fishing. Water temperatures will warm up soon putting fish into pre-spawn mode causing them to feed voraciously; many personal bests could be beaten this year.

If the summer rains come again like last year, look for easy access at all you favorite southern Arizona lakes, keeping the experience enjoyable. As always, we recommend that lake conditions be checked before heading out to find your lunker