CHEVELON LAKE — Fishing is fair to good, but picks up considerably right before monsoon storms. Anglers have been catching rainbow trout on spinners. Try lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster tail), and spoons such as Super Dupers, KastMasters, and Z-Rays, and flies such as Peacock ladies, Woolly worms and woolly buggers, and semi-seal leeches. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only. Trout between 10 to 14 may not be possessed The lake is open to electric trolling motors and /or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

This is a steep-sided canyon lake that is not shore angler friendly and is best fished from a float tube, canoe or kayak. There is hike-in lake with a steep, challenging trail.

The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only. Trout between 10 to 14 may not be possessed The lake is open to electric trolling motors and /or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

BEAR CANYON LAKE —  Fishing is fair to good.  This is a short but steep hike into this lake. The lake was stocked in June with catchable sized rainbow trout. There are also larger holdover trout in this deep canyon lake. Try worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), Super Dupers, Z-Rays and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and small nymphs in black, brown or green. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

BLACK CANYON LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. The lake was stocked in May with catchable size rainbow trout. The Arizona Game and Fish Department can’t stock this lake during the summer months because of high water temperatures and pH’s.   Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-Rays, Super Dupers, and spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, Peacock ladies, and small nymphs.
The lake is open to electric trolling motors only and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

BLUE RIDGE – An angler reports that the smoke from a fire in the general vicinity has created visibility problems at this lake. Also, he said there are hordes of hungry and aggressive green sunfish.

There is a heavy algal bloom. Has been stocked. Fishing is fair. It may be possible to catch some nice holdovers here at times, but the lake is not very shore-angler friendly. This lake is best fished from a small boat, kayak, canoe or float tube.

KNOLL LAKE – This lake is full. Fishing is fair to good, and can be excellent in the hours before thunderstorms hit. But if there is lightning, be sure to get away from the water.

This spring-fed lake may be a little more difficult to get to (20-plus dirt road miles), but a dusty excursion along the FS 300 Road (Rim Road) can be a treat in itself for those who enjoy spectacular vistas along steep escarpments.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as Z-Rays, Super Dupers, and spinners  (Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs.
Daniel: Fished Knoll on Sunday, July 12th in the AM. Caught 3 Rainbows – all stockers. Caught them by fishing off the bottom using green Power Bait.

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — Fishing is fair to good for trout, fair for bass, and poor for crappie. Has been stocked recently. Trout fishing has generally been good for boat anglers who fish early morning, and fair for shore anglers. Fishing can slow considerably during the heat of the day, unless monsoon thunderstorms visit the area. Bass fishing should be best in the afternoons.

The best trout bite has been at first and last light, or when the storm clouds start pilling up. Willow Springs also has plenty smallmouth and largemouth bass. There are no limits of the bass. There are even some crappies here. Fish the stickups using 4-inch worms or lizards. Drop-shotted Robo worms can sometimes produce a bonanza of bass, trout and crappie.

Anglers are catching trout on worms. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-Rays, spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors.

Angler report:

Hi Rory,
I took my nephew Derek to Willow springs lake again. I wanted to show him how the technique would change from 2 months ago. We had a Good day, but we really had to work for the fish. We boated 24 trout (mostly catch-and-release) and 1 smallie. It was a blue bird day and the water temperature was 72, so the trout were running a little deeper. We were slow trolling small Rebel crankbaits (medium to dark colors) weighted down with a split shot a couple of feet up from the lure to get it down to the fish. We did have some very nice quality between 12″ and 14″, some days you just have to work at it a little harder to find the right color and the right depth. Take a teenager fishing up on the Rim, give them a break from the computer, they will love it !!!!!!!

Thank again AZ. Game and Fish !!!
Kevin Thompson

WOODS CANYON LAKE — Fishing is fair to good. Stocked weekly with rainbow trout. There are some bass in this lake. Woods Canyon is also a great place to load up on delectable crayfish. Also, before leaving home try catching some cicadas or grasshoppers for bait.

There are nesting bald eagles here, so please do not discard fishing line. In fact, please pick up any line discarded by sloppy anglers.

Updated information – There is a small area (well signed) on the southwestern (Not east as was first reported) end of the lake is that closed due to nesting bald eagles. Please respect the closure – it should not interfere with your fishing. This also means that the nesting eagles are aggressively foraging for fish at Woods Canyon and at nearby Willow Springs, so take along your binoculars, it’s a treat. You might even see an exciting wildlife drama unfold when a bald eagle tries to take a fish away from an osprey.

Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster Tail), small spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and KastMasters, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, small nymphs in black, brown or green. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

Trolling Super dupers or Cowbells has proven very effective lately, as has trolling wooly buggers. If you can get some live cicadas to use, you might load up on trout.