URBAN LAKES – Catfishing at urban lakes continues to be good to excellent with fall stockings well underway. Not much change in the top baits for channel cats: shrimp, stink baits and hot dogs.  Activity is best in the evening and early morning with cooler temperatures making the cats active during mid-day periods as well. Catfish up to 4 pounds were included in the last load of fish.

Bluegill and bass are biting well in the early mornings as they seek to fatten up before winter arrives.
The cooler weather signals the time for fall stockings of sunfish.  These feisty 5-8 inch hybrid sunfish will be stocked the week of Oct. 20-25 into all 20 Phoenix and Tucson area Urban Fishing Program lakes and ponds.  A truckload of more than 11,000 fish will be delivered from Arkansas, with each lake receiving about 80-100 fish per surface acre.  This will also be the first sunfish delivery for the newest urban lake, Veterans Oasis Lake in Chandler.  Sunfish are fun to catch for all ages and will bite all day long.  Try using small pieces of worms or mealworms on small hooks fished under a bobber. Daily bag limits for sunfish are 10 fish per person at Urban Lakes and 5 fish per day at Urban Ponds.

Where:silverbell lake
When:10/08/08
Caught:22-pound 9-ounce carp
Technique:chicken liver, slip sinker ten inches above hook
Comments:biggest fish I ever caught.
Name:Ryan Coop
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 is scheduled to be closed Nov. 15 or earlier depending on winter weather.

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 lake has come up and anglers should have no problem launching their boats.   The fishing remains fair.  The top water 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 that all bass must be immediately released back to the water.

PENA BLANCA – Pena Blanca Lake is closed to public access until further notice.

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.

PARKER CANYON — The store at Parker Canyon is closed and currently there are no plans by the Forest Service to re-open it.  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 1 ½ -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.

ROSE CANYON LAKE — Anglers are having some success catching trout.  Recent reports are that anglers are having success catching Brown trout.  The lake is scheduled to be closed for the season Nov. 15.

Where:Rose Canyon/Mt. Lemmon
When:10/07/08
Caught:Rainbow Trout
Technique:Bottom fishing with pink/yellow Power Bait
Comments:What started out as what we thought was a “late start” (9:30 a.m.), turned out to be an awesome day for me, my buddy Robert and our little girls! We caught trout after trout…the Power Bait was ON! They all tasted great as well. Took our limit in 3 hours.
Name:Vince Moreno