Note: Northern Pike have been illegally stocked in Francis Short. If you catch a Northern Pike at Francis Short Pond please REMOVE IT FROM THE POND.
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WILLIAMS LAKES:
KAIBAB LAKE — Campground area is closed. Main parking lot and boat launch open for day use only. Has been stocked with 2,700 rainbows and the temperature was 53 degrees. Fishing should be good.

CATARACT LAKE — Campground is closed. Lake is open for walk in fishing. Some fish being caught.

CITY RESERVOIR — Road is open. Lake is full.

DOGTOWN LAKE — Picnic area, main parking lot and boat launch are open for day use only. No Report Some browns are being caught on lures. Scheduled to be stocked the week of April 14.

Where:
Dogtown and White Horse
When:
04/02/08
Caught:
trout
Technique:
Power Bait
Comments:
both the lakes are 100-percent full and the roads to them are clear of snow a car could get into these lakes. Hope the get stocked soon.
Name:
Jared Pensinger

JD DAM — Road is open.

RUSSEL TANK - Scheduled to be stocked.

SANTA FE — Lake is full.

Where:
Santa Fe Lake, Williams
When:
04/05/08
Caught:
tiny stocker trout
Technique:
yellow Power Bait eggs with a bobber about 3 feet from hook, near the dam
Comments:
was VERY windy both there and at Kaibab, where we caught nothing due to the screaming children on the pier
Name:
Phil

WHITEHORSE LAKE — After having low lake levels the past couple of fishing seasons, this lake is now full and has been stocked with 2,500 trout and the water temperature was 59 F. Campground is closed. Lake is open for walk in fishing.

FLAGSTAFF LAKES:

LOWER LAKE MARY — A total of 28,000 trout have been stocked into the lake fishing is fair to good depending on the wind.

Angler report: I just would like to say ‘thanks’ for your articles in the Daily Sun. A thought I would offer: I went to Lower Lake Mary this past weekend (3-30-08) to try out a new fly rod, and had a blast catching/releasing the little stockers. I noted about a dozen other folks doing the same, however it looked like may were not fishing barbless, and appeared to be pretty rough on the little guys in the manner in how they got their hooks removed before they released them. Maybe in one of your upcoming articles you could address the importance of barbless hooks if a person intends to release their catch, and maybe mention the idea of pinching down the barbs for those that don’t realize the concept. Just a thought, and thanks for the good work – Larry Thomas

Editor’s note: Good points Larry. Also, if you can keep the trout in the water and minimize your handling of them, you will lesson any potential delayed mortality if you are catching-and-releasing. Try using long-nosed pliers (very long) or forceps and reach down, then with a flick of the wrist pop out the hook and release the trout. It takes a little practice, but with the possible catch rates at the Lower Lake, you might just become a master.

Angler report

Where:
Lower Lake Mary
When:
03/30/08
Caught:
35 rainbow trout
Technique:
gold and silver spoons
Comments:
My son and I had a blast. We caught and released all 35 in about 2 1/2 hours. We would’ve caught more but decided 35 was good number to stop at. I should add that these trout are still small and need a couple of weeks to get bigger and that’s another reason we stopped fishing. As fertile as this lake is it should only take a couple of weeks!

Where:
Lower Lake Mary
When:
03/31/08
Caught:
Rainbow Trout
Technique:
Fished a small black fly with red tail an hour before sunset. Caught one on the first cast, 12 inches. Also fished a black and yellow Panther Martin, caught a 10-inch one on that.
Comments:
South side of the lake has lots of weeds to snag on. Try areas with steeper banks.
Name:
Bob Harris

Where:
lower lake mary
When:
04/04/08
Caught:
not one nibble
Technique:
WORMS,3 KINDS OF POWER BAIT &CORN
Comments:
STOP SENDING PEOPLE TO LOWER LAKE MARY THE FISHING IS THE WORST. IN FACT THIS WAS THE WORST FISHING EVER IN ARIZONA. ONE GUY CAME ALL THE WAY FROM PHX STARTED OUT AT 3 IN THE MORNING AND DROVE 300 MILES. HE CAUGHT A 4 INCH TROUT AND HAD TO THROW IT BACK. THE FACILITES ARE CLOSED,AND THIS WAS THE WORST FISHING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN ARIZONA. PEOPLE ARE WASTING GAS TO RUN UP THERE WITH NO RESULTS.I CAUGHT A FISH IN THE VERDE RIVER IN 15 MINUTES ON MY WAY HOME. PEOPLE ARE WASTING TIME AND MONEY GOING TO LOWER LAKE MARY IT COST ME 30 BUCKS IN GAS. I WOULD NOT HAVE GONE BUT THE FISHING REPORT WAS REPORTING (you can’t miss this) FISHING. 29,000 FISH I THINK THE BIRDS GOT THEM. THE FISHING STINKS AT LOWER LAKE MARY NOBODY CAUGHT ANYTHING WORTH KEEPING. THERE WERE ABOUT 50 PEOPLE AROUND THE LAKE
Name:
Pat Jacobson

Where:
Lower Lake Mary
When:
03/29/08
Caught:
nothing
Technique:
Power Bait (various types) small spoons and spinners
Comments:
not many people were catching anything. We fished for about 4 hours.

Where:
Lower Lake Mary
When:
03/20/08
Caught:
Rainbow Trout
Technique:
I was using a small silver spoon and a small gold Z-ray. With both lures I retrieved it very slow.
Comments:
The lake was just recently stocked with some decent size fish. The biggest I caught was over 12 inches and weighed a pound. It was fun just to go out and catch these little guys. The fish were also biting on Power Bait but I was having more success with the spoons. The key with the spoons is that it is retrieved very slow.
Name:
Walter Sprengeler, Jr.

UPPER LAKE MARY — The lake is full and spilling down the overflow. Some anglers have reported catching huge northern pike on frozen anchovies fished with little or no weight on steel leaders.

Angler reports:
Where:
Upper Lake Mary
When:
04/05/08
Caught:
5 northern pike 1@ 30 inches , 3 @ 24 inches 1@ 20 inches
Technique:
anchovies , no weights,
Comments:

Name:
Tom Garbade

Where:
Upper Lake Mary
When:
03/15/08
Caught:
Northern Pike
Technique:
Anchovies on steel leaders with no weight and large catfish hooks.
Comments:
My fishing buddies and I have been sneaking in a little time around work to fish the freshly thawed/thawing upper lake. I caught pike to 28 inches, my neighbor, Bob Bax caught Pike to 31 ½ inches and my friend Brandon Baxter caught pike to 24 inches. We like to marvel at just what a scary, scary fish Pike are! There is a pre-hook set heart pounding that occurs knowing that you are hooking into an extraordinarily aggressive, toothy and unwary species! As a special tip, these fish were really vulnerable right after the ice began to melt (inhaling the chovies). Now, these fish are in a bite, hold-and-run pattern which means, if you intend to keep these fish, open your bail and WALK AWAY from your rod at the first sign of a bite. We have seen too many trigger happy fisherman slamming the hook way too early on these fish. Fish shallow with no weight! Despite minimalistic warnings for mercury, I have been hearing lots of confusion over the safety of consuming these water dragons out of Mary. Either way, we are eating our 8 oz portions! Best of luck! We got ours! We are hoping to see wiskerfish in the lower lake soon.
Name:
Danny Iberri-Shea

ASHURST LAKE — The lake is full and the road is open. Stocked last week with 3,600 rainbow trout and the water temperature was 49 degrees. Anglers might also catch some nice hold-over trout. This lake also has some huge pike (the 32-pound state record came from here). But it is normally the trout anglers who find huge pike surprises on the ends of their lines.

Where:
Ashurst Lake
When:
04/05/08
Caught:
trout
Technique:
rainbow KastMaster, trolling
Comments:
The fishing is slow but patience will be rewarded. There are some huge hold-overs
Name:
Corey Myers

FRANCIS SHORT POND – Fishing was fair to good for trout on flies or Power Bait. Scheduled to be stocked this week. Please remove all pike caught to save stocked trout for the anglers!!!

KINNIKINICK LAKE — Road closed.

MARSHALL LAKE — Scheduled to be stocked this week.

Angler report:
Where:
marshall lake
When:
04/09/08
Caught:
rainbow trout
Technique:
spinner/spoon slow retrieve with an occasional jerk of the rod. fish are about 6-10 in in length
Comments:
caught all at the boat launch.
Name:
Brian Atkins

OAK CREEK — Fishing is slow. A few small rainbow trout are being caught on flies. Scheduled to be stocked this week.

LONG LAKE — Lake is open. Water level is good. Lake has been stocked with 4,300 trout. Some nice fish are being caught near the ditch.

SOLDIERS & SOLDIERS ANNEX — Lakes are open. No report.

BEAVER CREEK — Has been stocked with 900 rainbow trout and the water temperature was 53 degrees. No reports.

WEST CLEAR CREEK — Has been stocked with 450 rainbow trout and the water temperature was 55 F. No report.

STONEMAN LAKE — NO FISH.

MINGUS LAKE –Trout were stocked last on the week of Oct 15. Stocking should resume early in May. Try bright-colored Power Bait like chartreuse, salmon eggs, or various spinners. The gate is closed until the spring, but you can walk in and fish.

Someone illegally stocked yellow bullhead into Mingus several years ago. These fish compete directly with the trout and keep growth rates very low. If you witness anyone, anywhere, moving fish like bass, bluegill, catfish and stocking them, please report it to our Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-353-0700.

DEAD HORSE STATE PARK – Fishing has been hit-and-miss. While some angler’s are doing well, others are not as successful. One angler was having success on artificial flies. You might also try using KastMaster, worms, or Power Bait. Trout were last stocked the week of April 1; this was the last scheduled stocking for the year. The largemouth bass are starting to get active, so you may want to try throwing some plastics.

Catfish were stocked the week of Sept. 24, for Verde River Days festivities. Several largemouth bass, including a 10-plus pounder were caught last summer in the middle lagoon. In-line spinners, plastic grubs, and small crankbaits have been the ticket. The bluegill fishing has been good using a salmon egg or small worm on a small bait hook below a bobber. The bluegills are plentiful in both the middle and lower lagoons, so between trout and catfish stockings try your luck with the bluegill.

Where:
Dead Horse Lake
When:
04/03/08
Caught:
Rainbow trout
Technique:
fishing worms under bobber
Comments:
(2) river otters living in pond stealing hooked fish off of peoples lines while reeling in their fish: not many people very pleased.
Name:
Donald Sanders

VERDE RIVER (throughout Verde Valley) – Trout were last stocked the week of March 17. This was the final stocking for the year. On Saturday March 8, Camp Verde Parks and Recreation and Arizona Game and Fish provided a fishing clinic at the White Bridge. While success was limited, all participants seemed to enjoy themselves.

Stocking sites were at Tuzigoot Bridge outside of Clarkdale, the bridge that leads to the Dead Horse State Park, at Dead Horse State Parks access point called the Jacks, at the White Bridge in Camp Verde, and at Bignotti Beach. The department stocks trout in these waters from November through March, when the water temperature can support a trout fishery. Cold winter water temperatures keep the other game fish fairly inactive until about mid-March.

Tuzigoot Bridge (leading to Tuzigoot National Monument) has decent rainbow trout fishing early and late in the day. Most fishermen concentrate near the bridge, but the pools and currents downstream within 300 yards of the bridge hold lots of trout and do not see much fishing pressure. Small spoons such as Z-rays, Mepps and Panther Martin spinners, and Power Bait all work well.

Fly-fishermen seem to prefer fishing the Verde River between Riverfront Park and Dead Horse Ranch State Park in the town of Cottonwood. The trout aren’t too fussy about the type of fly/lure or presentation. The best success here has been first thing in the morning until about 10 a.m.

Bignotti Beach (between Cottonwood and Camp Verde, near Thousand Trails RV Park) has had decent fishing as well. Anglers tossing in-line spinners, small spoons, or fly-fishing with dark, gold-bead nymphs are doing best during mid-day, while fly-fishermen floating a variety of dry flies are having good success early and late in the day.

The White Bridge in Camp Verde (Highway 260 bridge over the Verde River) is an under-utilized trout fishery. A U.S. Forest Service picnic area above the river provides convenient parking and a short walk to the Verde River. Try fishing the riffles and pools upstream of the bridge. Mepps in-line spinners, small KastMaster spoons, and bright-colored Power Bait (fished on a treble hook above a sliding egg-sinker) have been the most productive offerings.

LYNX LAKE — Rainbow trout were last stocked the week of March 10 and are scheduled for the week of April 14. The fishing should improve following this stocking. Some 7-inch brook trout were stocked the week of Feb 25.

Game and Fish Biologists installed PVC fish structures on Jan. 3. These structures should protect small fishes from predation.

Brook trout were stocked in September. The brooks were in the 5-inch range, but hopefully they will be catchable size for the fishing in the spring. Game and Fish stocked catfish the week of June 4. There were 200 pounds of bluegill stocked on March 29. Game and Fish biologists surveyed Lynx in May and found that the brook trout stocked in September 2006 were still present.

FAIN LAKE —Fain was stocked rainbow trout the week of March 24 and is scheduled to be stocked again the week of April 14. The fishing should be very good following the stocking. Use spinners or bright colored power bait. Shore fishing area may be limited, as sediment deposits have resulted from the rains. Fain lake was stocked brook trout on Feb. 25.

GOLDWATER LAKE — Trout were stocked on Friday March 21 and are scheduled to be stocked again this week, April 7. The fishing has been hit-or-miss. While there is no shortage of fish, most people report catching only one or two fish. Try using KastMasters. If that does not work you may try worms or Power Bait. Early in the morning and in the evening the bite may be a little better. Some days the fishing seems to be better than other days as well. Bluegills were stocked Feb 25. Game and Fish biologists weighed a 22-pound channel catfish that was caught out of Goldwater late in March.

Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Goldwater during the middle of May last year and found the trout and sunfish plentiful. While the number of catfish and bass was low, the quality was exceptional. One 16-pound catfish was sampled and released. The bass averaged about 3.5 pounds. On March 29, 2007, there were 400 pounds of bluegill stocked. These fish were hand-sized and should be easily caught. Try using worms or mealworms on a bobber. Small spinners may work as well. If you fish Goldwater and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.