MOGOLLON RIM
Note: This is the transition time from summer to autumn fishing conditions. As the nights get longer and cooler (sometimes cold) and the lake temperatures drop, corresponding trout activity levels will increase as the salmonids try to put on fat before winter conditions arrive. This is one of the two best times of year to catch trout.

CHEVELON LAKE - Fishing is has been a little slow, although some anglers have reported doing well.

This lake was also stocked with 20,000 sub-catchable rainbow trout two weeks ago. Even though anglers may hook into some of those now, those smaller stockers are really aimed it providing future fishing opportunities. This not is a put-and-take lake.

This is a hike-in lake via a steep slope. There is not a lot of shore access. It is best fished from a float tube, inflatable or canoe. The lake is open to artificial lure and flies only, trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be possessed, and the bag limit is six trout.  Try lures such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and other small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

BEAR CANYON LAKE - Fishing is good. It has been recently stocked and there is little fishing pressure right now. This is a hike-in lack down short but steep and winding paths. There is pretty good shore access. This deep canyon lake is great for those with float tubes. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, hares ear and pheasant tail nymphs.  The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

Where:Chevelon and Bear Canyon Lake
When:09/16/08
Caught:6 Trout
Technique:Fly fishing from a canoe.
Comments:I fished Chevelon from 7:30 a.m. til 4 p.m. and fought hard winds with very little fish sign. Mostly blind casting. Caught one 14-inch rainbow. Made it to Bear Canyon for the magic hour before dark and the surface bite was on. The fish were hitting and diving hard. Then it was too dark to see. Thanks for all the fun.
Name:Todd DeAngelis

BLACK CANYON LAKE – Fishing is fair to good. The lake is full and it has been recently stocked. Boat anglers have been catching trout on green and yellow Power Bait. Also try trolling cowbells with an attached worm, lure or fly. The best bite is at first and last light. Boat anglers have been catching trout on green and yellow Power Bait.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, or flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers.

Where: Black Canyon Lake
When: 08/02/08
Caught:Rainbow trout
Technique: Rainbow Power Bait
Comments: Me & me 10-yr-old son caught 5 fish between noon & 4 o’clock. They bit best when cloud cover came over
Name: Travis Sierman
BLUE RIDGE — Road is open. Fishing is poor to fair.

Where:Blue Ridge
When:08/15/08
Caught:10 rainbows, one large sucker
Technique:bait, fished DEEP.
Comments:Hot, sunny, clear days are not the days to fish Blue Ridge. we go every Friday all summer, and hot clear weather turns the fishing off. Perversely, the fishing really turns on when the clouds darken and lightning turns on, but it’s not worth getting fried for some fish…..also, fish are not really hungry, there are zillions of minnows and the fish are so gorged they vomit fat minnows when caught.
Name:steve garro

Where:Blue Ridge Res.
When:08/07/08
Caught:11 rainbow trout, 9-13 inches.
Technique:Orange Power Bait, 2 feet off bottom, from shore between outhouse and dam.
Comments:Beautiful lake! Hadn’t been there in many years. My wife of 20 years finally bought a license and out fished me!
Name:Jim Bickle
Angler report:
Where: Blue Ridge Reservoir
When: 07/25/08
Caught: Rainbow Trout
Technique: Yellow/Black Rooster Tail Black/Red Panther Martin Neon Yellow Z-Ray
Comments: Spinners from a boat worked pretty well in the afternoon near the dam. Weather was mostly cloudy, light wind. Let spinners sink about 10-15ft before a moderate retrieve. Also tried next morning–full sun and no wind, and no luck either.
Name: Scott Townley

KNOLL LAKE — We aren’t hearing much from anglers right now, but this lake has been consistently good all season and should get even better as we transition from summer to autumn conditions. This is also a great lake to hear bugling bull elk this time of year.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE – Stocked this week with 2,500 rainbow trout, including some incentive fish. Fishing should be good to excellent when trout are actively feeding at the surface. The lake is down about two feet.

When the trout are active at the surface, fly-fishers may want to try dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, and midge patterns in sizes 16-20. Spin anglers should try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas.

This is one of the largest lakes along the Mogollon Rim. As the nights get cooler than the water, you will often be treated to a fall mist on the water – bring your camera, especially at sunrise.

Anglers have been catching trout using cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 15 feet during early morning and evening hours.

The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.
This lake also has largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and small crappie. The best fishing for these warmer water species is in the early afternoons after the trout bite typically slows to nothing.

Where: Willow Springs and Woods Canyon
When:08/21/08
Caught:Rainbow Trout
Technique:Trolling with small crankbaits, Power Bait and curly tail/jig combos
Comments:I made a two day trip to Woods Canyon and Willow Springs. The fishing was absolutely spectacular. I caught a total of 26 fish (released) in two days from my kayak. Trolling with flat lines and small crankbaits worked really well in the morning, so did the Power Bait fished on the bottom at 15-18 feet. In Willow Springs I got all of my fish jigging a green Power Bait micro grub on a 1/32-ounce jighead and 2-pound line fished in 20 feet of water. Had to anchor because of the wind but the action was almost constant with hits on the bottom or on the fall. I’ve seen guys with down riggers or flat-lining cowbells hooking up, but going ultra light was more fun and more productive. I also noticed that fish in Woods Canyon were slightly larger and thicker than at Willow Springs. Water is warmer than air in the morning, so paddling in the fog was really cool.
Name:David Czupak

WOODS CANYON - Fishing is good. This popular lake is stocked weekly and routinely provides anglers limits of stocker trout. It also has lots of crayfish to catch and eat (don’t transport them alive).

The lake is full. The boat ramp is accessible.

Boat anglers are catching trout by trolling KastMasters and Panther Martins. Also try trolling cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 10 feet early in the morning and late in the evening.
By the way, this lake has plentiful crayfish — bring along a bucket and get a passel of crayfish to augment your trout dinner and turn your camping adventure into a five-star dining experience.

Trout have been active at the surface down to 10 feet early in the morning and late in the evening. When the trout are active at the surface, fly-fishers may want to try dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, and midge patterns in sizes 16-20.

For rainbows, try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, small spoons (Super Dupers, and Z-rays), and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, Peacock ladies, and nymphs in black, brown, or green colors.  The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.
There is a store and marina at this lake - you can rent a boat.
Where:Woods Canyon
When:09/16/08
Caught:trout
Technique:Trolling with baby cowbells. No. 10 hook tipped with 3″ of worm about 18″ 4# leader.
Comments:Caught some very good sized fish between 8 a.m. to noon. biggest was about 17″ and weighed in at 2 pounds. Biggest trout I have ever caught at this lake! Action was almost non-stop.
Name:Frankie