SOUTHERN WATERS

Note: The Tucson and Sierra Vista Angler roundtable meetings are:
* Tucson – 7-9 p.m., March 18, AZGFD Regional Office, 555 N. Greasewood Rd.
* Sierra Vista, 7-9 p.m. March 19, Fry Fire District, Station #2, 4817 S. Apache Ave.

Topics:
* Results of last years fish surveys
* Upcoming improvements to boat ramps at Patagonia and Arivaca (yes help is finally on the way!)
* Pena Blanca Lake sediment removal project update with lots to report!
* Pena Blanca Lake fish habitat project update; It’s time to get started and we need volunteers!
* And anything else you anglers want to talk about
TUCSON URBAN — Good fishing for trout will continue through March as all lakes receive their final stocking the week of March 2-7.  Most trout are falling for Power Bait fished on the bottom.  Other good baits include worms, corn and salmon eggs.  The cool morning hours are the best times to target the trout.

As waters warm up, try fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill that are now moving closer to shore as they prepare to spawn and search for food. Regulations require that all bass under 13 inches must be released unharmed immediately. Reports keep coming in of anglers catching catfish, even though it has been nearly four months since the last cats were stocked.  Speaking of catfish, the catfish stocking season starts on Thursday, March 19 at Tucson area urban waters.

All lakes and ponds in the Phoenix and Tucson areas will be stocked with 15- to 20-inch channel catfish on Thursday, March 19.  Catfish will be stocked through June at rates averaging from 40 to 60 fish per acre.  Nearly 14,000 pounds of Arkansas farm-raised catfish will be delivered and stocked into 20 Urban Fishing Program lakes every two weeks by Mr. Fish, our outstanding fish contractor for many years.

Where:Lakeside
When:02/07/09
Caught:18.25″, 2.25 # Rainbow Trout
Technique:Trolling with misc. lures
Comments:
First time trolling Breaking in a friends new boat !!! Thanks, to Terry for buying a boat !!
Name:mark Metcalf

RIGGS FLAT — The lake is closed for the winter.

CLUFF RANCH — The lake was stocked last week with 1,500 rainbows and the water temperature was 63 degrees.  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.

Where:Cluff Ponds
When:03/07/09
Caught:4 Rainbows
Technique:Power bait (corn yellow) and yellow Panther Martin spinner
Comments:We only fished for an hour or two but it was a beautiful morning. No wind, the sun was shining and the water was calm. The fish were biting the best just after sunrise. Not many people there which is surprising considering it was the beginning of spring break and they had just stocked the pond. I did not appreciate the gentleman who was blasting his music loud enough to scare the average teenager. Isn’t there anywhere left to get some peace and quiet? Fortunately he didn’t stay long. I think he scared all the fish away and must have got bored. Please be considerate of other outdoorsmen.
Name:Dave

ROPER LAKE — The lake was stocked last week with 1,500 rainbows and the water temperature was 65 degrees.  No recent reports of success. For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

DANKWORTH POND — No recent reports of success. Due to the lack of open water and poor angler access the Department has decided not to stock this lake until conditions can be improved.  For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

FRYE MESA RESERVIOR – Poor road conditions are preventing any further stockings.  Plans are underway to get the road repaired.  Although the lake has been stocked, no reports of success have been received.  Early morning and late evenings should produce fish though.

KEARNY LAKES — Conditions at this lake have taken a turn for the worse and golden algae has caused a fish kill.  The Department and the town of Kearny continue to work on the problem.

ARIVACA — Please use caution on the sides of the ramp. Erosion has caused some problems and we are working to repair it as quickly as possible. The fishing remains slow but a few anglers are catching some bass on crankbaits.  Anglers are asked 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.

Where:arivaca
When:03/01/09
Caught:6 bass 1.5 to 2.25 lb
Technique:Rat L Trap, stop-and-go retrieve
Name:joe
Where:Arivaca
When:02/22/09
Caught:1 Largemouth Bass and a few other bites missed
Technique:Artificial Worms and Spinners
Comments:Water still very cold, low, and a lot of algae on top of the water but nice fishing with few snags and others anglers were having some success as well
Name:Mike

PENA BLANCA – Pena Blanca Lake is closed.

PATAGONIA —No reports of angler success have been received.  Warmwater species are slow but anglers are reporting a few bass on plastic worms.  Some anglers are catching bass as well while flipping the cattails.

Where:Patagonia
When:03/07/09
Caught:Bluegill and 1 Catfish while jigging for Crappie
Technique:Spinners, jigs, worms
Comments:Nothing much working for us or most of the anglers
Name:Mike

Where:Patagonia Lake
When:03/07/09
Caught:4 Largemouth Bass
Technique:Crank baits
Comments:A 4lb, a 1Lbs7oz and a 1lbs4oz and little 7oz
Name:James Sorensen

Where:Patagonia
When:03/06/09
Caught:20 Bluegills, 1 Largemouth bass
Technique:Worms under a bobber
Comments:bass was only 10 inches, and bluegills were about 6 inches (all fish released)
Name:Ben Mader

Where:Patagonia
When:03/03/09
Caught:Sunfish, Crappie, BassTechnique:
Spincast and retrieve Kalin Plastic Grubs with 1/16 oz jig head, caught Sunfish, Crappie and small Bass. Caught one 3 lb Bass trolling a large Rattle Trap Silver Shad (DT-16).
Comments:Crappie are beginning to Spawn. Caught six Crappie in shallow water.
Name:Billy Dean
Where:Patagonia
When:02/22/09
Caught:2 Bass
Technique:Crank Baits, Plastics Worms
Comments:Caught the bass after 2 days, one was 3.10 pounds the other was about .7oz. No other fish all weekend.
Name:James Sorensen

PARKER CANYON — Scheduled for stocking with rainbow trout this week. The store at Parker Canyon is closed.  Anglers needing a license will need to purchase that prior to arriving at the lake.  The fishing has been fair with some angler success coming in the early morning just after sunrise. Anglers are reporting that worms and Power Bait are working the best currently.

Where:Parker Canyon
When:03/07/09
Caught:Bass, Trout
Technique:trout spinners and spoons, shakey head, drop shot, jig and trailer
Comments:Weather was cold and windy, clear day after that front made it real tough. still managed 3 bass. The bit was super soft…
Name:Ben Payne
Where:parker canyon lake
When:03/10/09
Caught:rainbows limit
Technique:Power Bait
Name:Donald

Where:Parker Canyon Lake
When:03/02/09
Caught:Bass
Technique:it came to the shallows so i grabbed him with my hands
Comments:One of the park guys told me that treble hooks are illegal to use. Most lures you buy come with treble hooks. Do I have to change all my lures over to singles? Ive never heard of that before? Is this true? Please respond… Thank You
Name:Matt Caceres

Editor’s Note: Treble hooks are okay at most fishing waters unless there are special regulations in place requiring single barbless hooks.
Where:parker canyon lake
When:02/24/09
Caught:limit on rainbows
Technique:Power Bait all colors on bottom 18-20in
Comments:patience, patience is the key
Name:Donald Pieper

ROSE CANYON LAKE — Fishing is reported to be slow with a few fish being caught on spinners.  The road is closed for the winter and anglers wishing to fish this lake will have to hike in.