URBAN LAKES – URBAN LAKES – Catfishing at Urban lakes has been good to excellent now that the fall stocking season has begun.
Anglers are catching 2-pound channel cats on shrimp, stink baits and hot dogs.  Activity is best in the evening and early morning, but action is starting to pick up during mid-day periods too. A couple nice 3- to 4-pound catfish were caught in the past week, and anglers are reeling in an occasional albino catfish, white in color, much to their surprise.

Bluegill and bass are starting to bite in the early mornings as cooler temperatures bring them closer to shore. Earthworms, mealworms or a piece of hot dog on a small hook under a small bobber will keep you and the youngsters busy catching bluegill.

A 6.5 pound largemouth bass was recently caught and released at Red Mountain.

At Green Valley Lakes (Payson) fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie is picking up for anglers using meal worms, curly tail grubs and small jigs.  Trout stockings are coming soon to Green Valley by mid October.

Where:Silverbell
When:09/20/08
Caught:Not a thing/not even a bite
Technique:Shrimp, hot dogs, night crawlers
Comments:for just stocking it was bad fishing
Name:kelly

RIGGS FLAT — Fishing is fair with reports of a few fish being caught in the late evenings on power bait and various spinners.  The lake was stocked last week.

Where:Riggs Flat
When:09/21/08
Caught:Rainbow
Technique:Salmon egg and corn combo struck on the surface; fly and green wooly worm on 4′ leader. placed just beyond the weeds.
Comments:Trout were 8-9″ and very quick to bite. Fins were worn down but otherwise in good shape. Fish were very active. Saturday 1.5 hr starting at 1400 and Sunday 45 min started at noon.
Name:Chuck

CLUFF RANCH — No recent reports of success.  A new fishing pier has been installed which should provide a large increase in access for shore anglers.  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 – Fishing remains slow as the fish have gone deep to beat the heat.  Early morning and late evenings are producing a few fish though.

KEARNY LAKES — The lake remains fishless due to golden algae problems.

ARIVACA — The water level has come up and anglers should have no problem launching boats. The fishing remains fair. The topwater bite continues to be good in the late evening. 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.

Anglers are encouraged to please be aware of your wake so as not to disrupt other anglers fishing from other boats and the shore.

Remember, it’s catch-and-release only for largemouth; all bass must be immediately released back to the water.

PENA BLANCA – Pena Blanca Lake will close to public access on Oct. 6.  The lake will be CLOSED for at least the next eight months while crews work to remove mercury contaminated sediment from the lake bottom.  There will be no access to the lake during this project so anglers should stay out of the area.

PATAGONIA — Catfishing remains good with large numbers of 12-16 inch channels are being caught as well as some nice flatheads. Bass fishing is a little slow with most being caught by flipping in the cattails. Bluegill and redear are being caught in good numbers. Try a fly rod with a wet fly in almost any area near cover.

Where:Patagonia
When:09/26/08
Caught:Bass, crappie, channel cats
Technique:Senko worms in the cattails and crankbaits.
Comments:I fish Patty once a week and early morning bass bites are more productive than late morning on crankbaits. Late morning, the Senko’s work well. 2 to 4 lb bass can be caught and a crappie or two. Channel cats on night crawlers work well with a bobber, but the bluegill like crawlers too, so you have to make quick casts. The cats usually hit the worm quick if you are in the right spot. I haven’t fished the evening this year, but I hear that is a great time for bass.
Name:TeddyJackEddy
Where:PATAGONIA
When:09/06/08
Caught:NOTHING!!!!!!
Technique:lures, stink, worms, jigs, rubber worms ETC
Comments:
there are way to many boats on the water to catch a cold. dont waste your time
Name:Disappointed Dave
PARKER CANYON — The store and marina has closed. Parker Canyon Lake is full due to above average amounts of monsoon moisture.  Weeds along the shoreline makes fishing from land difficult, but the Arizona Game and Fish Department weed harvester has been scheduled, which will allow shore fishing in the near future.  Also, the first trout stocking will occur in late October.

Currently, fishing is fair for largemouth bass and bluegill. There is a good number of 1½ -2 pound bass in the lake and are being caught on a variety of lures especially in the early mornings and evenings. Bluegills are being caught on worms. Very few trout are being observed in the creel, but that should change as cooler evenings are just around the corner.

Where:Parker Canyon Lake
When:09/21/08
Caught:Largemouth bass, bluegill
Technique:Jigs with crawdad trailers, texas rigged creatures and craws
Comments:I don’t know about the reports of nothing biting here and the fishing being bad. Fished from 2pm till dark and caught 7 bass. The first one I caught was about an hour into the fishing but it was a good one, about a 6 pounder from a tree about 6 feet from shore. Had a couple more good ones come off. Go and fish before the water drops. The murkiness in the water is no big deal, just BE PATIENT!
Name:Benjamin Payne
Where:Parker Canyon Lake
When:08/16/08
Caught:Bass
Technique:Jigs and worms, also drop shot here and there
Comments:fishing was good, went for half the day and caught about 8. Nothing big, my buddy caught 5.
Name:Benjamin Payne

ROSE CANYON LAKE — Anglers are having success catching trout.  The lake will be stocked for the last time this season this week.