Arizona Fishing

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.

Pena Blanca Lake continues to hide some quality largemouth bass that remain under fished with 10 pound bass reported last year. Fishing at night or with lighter line is recommended to sneak up on these large fish in the clear waters of Pena Blanca. Aquatic vegetation can be a problem at this lake during the warmer spring and summer months but relief is on the way. The commission voted to change the motor restriction from electric only to a 10 hp or less gasoline engine. Not only will this make getting around the lake easier, but it will provide the department with funds to make some much needed improvements at the lake.

The Forest Service will begin a dredging project this fall to remove mercury laden sediment. This will cause a closure of the lake while the project is in place, but during the closure, we will be building a new boat ramp in an area where year-round access will again be possible, and putting in fish structure for a new population of fish that will be mercury-free. Look for a brand new lake in 2010!

Patagonia Lake continues to produces some of the big fish of all species. Surveys show strong numbers of large redears and bluegills, and plenty of bass up to 8 pounds. Flipping the edges of the reeds continues to yield large bass, concentrate on points and areas adjacent to deeper water for larger bass. Flathead catfish anglers should definitely plan on spending their summer nights fishing for monster flatheads on Patagonia Lake. Flatheads in the 50-pound range were again reported last year. Using 4-6 inch sunfish as live bait suspended near deep-water shelves along rocky shorelines can produce a violent tug of war that tests an angler and his equipment.

Angler access will be improved this summer at Patagonia with a dredging of the marina boat ramp and the addition of floating courtesy docks at both ramps. Anglers are encouraged to call Patagonia Lake State Park for current conditions while construction is underway.

The northern pike population at Parker Canyon Lake appears to be depressed as none were caught in our winter surveys again, and the sunfish and bass populations have rebounded.

Catfish anglers will near record size bullheads and huge channel cats were reported again last year. Look for deeper water near the dam with adjacent shallow flats to try your luck at night fishing for these giants. The state record channel cat was taken from Parker Canyon as well as the record black bullhead, let’s go cat fishing! The stocked winter trout can be caught occasionally as well at this lake well into the summer. Angler access is not a problem at this time.

Arivaca Lake has rebounded from the fish kills several years ago. Bass anglers are again reporting 50-plus fish days with several 8-plus-pound fish landed. Arivaca also had its motor restriction changed from electric only to 10 hp or less gasoline engines. The change will provide funding for the department to make access improvements at the lake. One such change will be the aquatic vegetation; we have completed compliance paperwork and will be treating the lake with an herbicide to help control the coontail weeds that tends to take over the shallow areas of the lake.

Look for further ramp and parking lot improvements in the future. While many bass anglers report great success throwing a 4-inch worm, those interested in larger bass should not overlook the jig and pig. There are some large bass in the lake again, and they tend to bite the jig more often than the smaller baits.

Sunfish anglers will be excited to know that Arivaca is again home to many memorable and trophy sized red-ear and bluegill sunfish. A terrific spawn last year brought on by a full lake for the entire summer should guarantee a healthy population for next few years. Look for spawning beds in the shallows of protected bays and hang on tight to your ultra-light or fly rod. Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught at Arivaca Lake must be released immediately.

TUCSON URBAN — Trout will be stocked this week. We’ll be switching to catfish fairly soon.

TUCSON URBAN — Channel catfish are being stocked this week.

RIGGS FLAT —Lake is closed for the season.

CLUFF RANCH — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 485-9430.

ROPER LAKE — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

FRYE MESA RESERVIOR – No recent reports.

KEARNY LAKES — The golden algae is blooming and the test fish we placed in the lake died almost immediately. The Department has no further plans at this time to try and restock the lake. Later this year once temperatures begin to warm and the threat form golden algae diminishes the Department will re-evaluate the situation.

ARIVACA — Bass fishing has been slow with the cooler temperatures. However anglers are reporting some bass being caught with crankbaits and Senkos. Jan. 1 marks a change in the motor restrictions at this lake. Motors 10 horsepower or less will now be legal for use at Arivaca. Remember that all bass must be immediately released back to the water.

PENA BLANCA – No recent reports of success. The fishing pier has been repaired and anglers can once again access it. The mercury advisory for all warm water fish is in effect. Bass less than 13 inches long must be immediately released. The daily bag limit for bass is four. Also, be advised that Pena Blanca is not an urban lake; therefore an urban fishing license is invalid to fish at this lake. Jan. 1 marks a change in the motor restrictions at this lake. Motors 10 horsepower or less will now be legal for use at Pena Blanca.

PATAGONIA — A recent tournament at this lake was won by an angler that caught three largemouth weighing over 6 pounds each. No other recent reports.

PARKER CANYON — The lake is full and it appears that the algae bloom has subsided. Fishing remains slow but there are plenty of trout to be caught. Early mornings and late evenings are producing fish.

PICACHO RESERVOIR — No Report.

ROSE CANYON LAKE — The access road is now closed for the season. Anglers can still access the lake by walking in.