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

TUCSON URBAN — Fishing activity at Urban Fishing Program lakes is excellent with anglers reporting nice stringers of catfish, aggressive bluegill and hybrid sunfish, some nice bass and a few remaining trout. Fish have been stocked three weeks in a row, with channel catfish stockings starting March 21, followed by hybrid sunfish March 27-28 and more catfish coming the week of March 31-April 5.

On top of all the stockings of big fish, the lakes are producing good action for largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish as all three of these species are in spring spawning mode and moving close to shore. Stockings of the 1-3 pound catfish will continue every two weeks through June. So get out now during these cool spring days to enjoy fishing that is hot, hot, hot!
Worms, stink baits, and shrimp fished on the bottom with a sinker attached about a foot above the baited hook should work well for catching catfish.

Where:Sahuarita
When:04/05/08
Caught:limit of catfish 15″-20″
Technique:standard slip sinker
Comments:I noticed when i was filletiong the fish that a 19″ catfish had the dorsal and pectoral fins from another catfish ion its stomach. They were approximately the same length as the fins on the catfish that must have eaten them. I thought it was interesting that this fish must have eaten at least part of another catfish but i cant figure out how it ate another catfish of similar size. any ideas on how that may have happended? There is no way the fish i filleted could have eaten another catfish of that size. So i am wondering if during the 40hr drive there may have been a dead fish in the tanker and was eaten by the transported fish?? I just thought it is interesting.
Name:Steve

Where:LAKESIDE = TUCSON
When:04/02/08
Caught:4-CATS
Technique:Casting from the bank, STINK BAIT.
Comments:I THINK THAT YOU FINNALLY, GOT IT RIGHT. The fish were perfect, healthy, active really nice looking,,,, & good size. The ones I caught were about 3 pounds each. We had one for dinner , it had an excellent clean-non- greasy taste. Yes, I saw several larger ones caught, 6 to 7 lb. size. We used to drive many miles, took several hours & $100 or more for gas. It’s sure nice to drive 1 mile & spend the time fishing. SO! THE URBAN FISHING PROGRAM IS FOR ME, I’M 71 & IT’S ALL FREE= FOR THE =OLD PIONEER = THANK YOU GLENN
Name:Don Lawing
Where:Silverbell Lake (Urban)
When:03/22/08
Caught:2 Channel Catfish-17 and 19 inches (2 got away, one was over 20 inches)
Technique:Stink bait and earthworm with a 3/4 ounce weight on the bottom on a tight-line rig
Comments:Used 6 lb. Berkley line; broke with big fish. The cats really biting from 8 AM to 10 AM, then it slowed.
Name:Todd Hout
Where:Lakeside Park
When:04/17/08
Caught:Catfish
Technique:overhead cast with 3/4 weight followed with a hook about 20 inches from the sinker. Used hotdog meat as bait and the fish loved it. The big catch of the day was a 19 inch 4 pound catfish. I would recommend anglers use hotdog meat instead of worms and shrimp. It will save you money.
Name:Gustavo Figueroa

Where:Silverbell Lake
When:04/17/08
Caught:Bluegill
Technique:Fiberglass Shakespeare pole/reel. Stink, bacon, hot dogs, liver, garlic cheese dough, worms and corn.
Comments:
4/17th,18th,19th&20th,night/day we caught nothinig, but small bluegill.I feel not enough fish are being added during stocking. Help! I want some good eating fish.
Name:Shawn Peltier

RIGGS FLAT — The lake open and there should be plenty of trout left over from last year to keep anglers busy. Due to fuel costs, the lake will only be stocked once a month summer.

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 lake remains fishless due to golden algae problems.

ARIVACA — Bass fishing continues to pick up with anglers reporting success using swim baits 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.
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Where:Arivaca Lake
When:04/12/08
Caught:Large Mouth Bass
Technique:Fly Fishing out of float tubes, using wooley buggers and streamers.
Comments:Very tough fishing. Between three of us only 15 Bass in a day and a half. Not one Red Ear caught, which was unbelievable. The lake got slammed on Saturday with many boats working the shores.
Name:Ken Buvala

PENA BLANCA – PENA BLANCA – Anglers wishing to comment on the proposed dredging of this lake should contact the U.S. Forest Service at (520) 281-2296. Also, recent wild fires in the area have forced the Forest Service to close the road to Pena Blanca Lake. Please contact the Forest Service at the above number of road information as well.

Crappies are being found in shallow water near brush piles. Fishing for trout is still good using flies on the surface and some using Power Bait. Bluegills are picking up using worms and some bull heads are being caught with worms on the bottom. Bass are beginning to get ready for the spawn and are on their beds. Be aware that the lake will be drained and renovated late this summer to remove mercury. There is still a mercury warning for all fish in the lake except trout. The lake now has a 10 HP limit but be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other people fishing in boats or on shore. 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. 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 — PATAGONIA — Bass fishing remains slow with the bass getting on their beds to spawn. Anglers are reporting success with bass by flipping jigs in the cattails. Cat fishing is doing well especially at night on flatheads. Some nice ones are coming in by using live bluegill or redear that are caught easily in the lake. Hook them up with a hook under the dorsal and a slip weight. Some trout are still being caught in the deeper water near the dam.
Where:Patagonia lake. AZ
When:04/16/08
Caught:Largemouth Bass
Technique:Hula grub(chartreuse with red flecks) with bite on weight 18 inches up from hook
Comments:Very slow bite. Winds are bad too. Caught 3 1/2lb bass in the reeds. Cattails are starting to green up.
Name:Doug Anglemyer
Where:Patagonia Lake
When:04/13/08
Caught:3lb Largemouth Bass
Technique:Texas-rigged green power worm
Comments:Dead Noon, first cast.. not a single bite after!
Name:Vince Moreno
PARKER CANYON —Trout fishing is fair to good with limits of 10-12 inch fat rainbows being taken. All bait types, including live worms, power baits, salmon eggs, and lures, are producing fish. One angler reported that sherbet power bait was working best and that the bite turned off about 11:00 a.m.. With the water level being high, spawning areas will not be limited as in past years when the level was down. April through the end of May is a great period for anglers to catch a variety of cold and warm water species.

Where:Parker Canyon Lake
When:04/19/08
Caught:Trout
Technique:Rainbow Power Bait
Comments:Fishing off the dock is the way to go. We and several others caught our limit of 6 within 2 hours. While on a walk around the lake, shore fishermen did not catch a thing (not even a bite).
Name:Wendy
Where: Parker Canyon Lake
When:04/26/08
Caught:5 Largemouth Bass, 14 Panfish,4 Trout
Technique:Nightcrawlers on a hook no weights and fished the shallows all from the shore. the bass were a pound and a half. the panfish were all about a pound give or take a little
Comments: It was a great fishing trip and a beautiful day just a little wind but other then that it was awesome.
Name: Dan W
PICACHO RESERVOIR — No Report but it is reported that the lake is full. AZGFD has no plans to stock this lake or try and manage it for a fishery at this time.

ROSE CANYON LAKE — The access road is now open for the season. Anglers were having success today catching hold over trout from last year. The lake was stocked last week with over 4,000 catchable trout. Due to the cost of fuel, the lake will only be stocked once a month this summer. The next scheduled trout stocking will be near the end of May.