It may not seem like it during the heat of day, but water temperatures in our lakes are gradually decreasing as the nights get longer (almost two minutes per day) and cooler. Storms can accelerate the cooling process.

Keep mind that the fall equinox is Sept. 22 – besides being the first day of fall, it is marks the point at which nights become longer than the days.

These cooling temperatures and shortening days combine to prompt trout, bass and other sport-fish predators to feed more aggressively to put on fat before winter conditions arrive. The action can reach a crescendo at many fisheries during the next few weeks.

This is the time of year when you can pick your favorite lake and just go – the angling action is heating up just about everywhere.

If you are planning a trip to the high country and want to maximize your recreational opportunities (and gasoline investment), don’t forget that the blue grouse season is Sept. 12 to Nov. 16 and the tree squirrel season is Oct. 3 to Dec. 31. Autumn is a great time for a hook-and-bullet expedition to the mountains. Hey, take a neighbor, friend or family member along and share expenses and experiences. Don’t miss out because of high gas prices – get creative.

The Mogollon Rim lakes such as Woods Canyon, Willow Springs, Bear Canyon and Knoll are all superb places to visit. The bull elk should start bugling soon, if the mating competition isn’t underway already.

Big Lake in the White Mountains offers the most diverse trout fishing opportunities to catch rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout and native Apache trout.

Streams can provide lots of fun action. We even have some great stream fishing opportunities for native Apache trout. Try the Little Colorado River in the Greer Valley, the East or West Fork of Black River or Silver Creek.

The constant 12,000 cfs water flows at Lees Ferry this month means that fishing from gravel bars is now viable. Plus you won’t have to fight the crowds for the best spots.

If you want to refine your trout fishing skills, try the Game and Fish Department’s Camp Trout at Becker Lake near Springerville on Saturday, Oct. 4 where experts will provide instruction on how to use lures and artificial flies. The program cost is $10. Interested parties must pre-register at the Game and Fish office in Pinetop – call (928) 367-4281.

Also, if you want a quick and simple lesson on how to fillet a trout or other fish, click on this link for short video on U-tube.

In the warmwater lakes, Lake Pleasant remains at hot spot for surface-feeding striped bass, white bass and largemouth bass. Go armed with topwater stick baits, soft-plastic jerkbaits, crankbaits and flutter-down baits like spoons and curly-tail jigs. If one doesn’t work, switch to the other.

Here’s a great tip for taking kids fishing. The fishing report editor in our Mesa Regional Office, Diana Rogers, has been doing well fishing for bluegill and green sunfish in the coves. Youngsters especially like the non-stop action you can often find while fishing for sunfish.

Right now, sunfish can be found in the backs of coves at just about any warmwater lake. For the kids, try night crawlers or meal worms on small hooks under a bobber. A good bet for adults is to try small spinners or mini-jigs – Diana has been doing well on a Blue Fox spinner. It’s a ball. Give it a try.

There is good news for those who like to fish close to home and save gas – the urban program waters are being stocked with catfish for the first time this season during the week of Sept. 15. So get your hot dogs, corn and chicken liver ready to catch these fun bottom dwellers.

Don’t forget that we are still taking comments on proposed fishing regulations changes for 2009. To see what is being proposed, click here. By the way, there are still three public meetings remaining to discuss the proposals at:

• Tucson, 7 p.m. Sept. 15, Tucson Regional Game and Fish office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.
• Yuma, 7 p.m. Sept. 17, Yuma Regional Game and Fish office, 9140 E. 28th St.
• Pinetop, 7 p.m. Sept. 22, Pinetop Regional Game and Fish office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd. Pinetop.