Angler reports:
Where: Alamo Lake
When: 11/15/08
Caught: 6 bass 37 catfish 4 carp
Technique: Old Faithful (Worms)
Comments: My wife and I got to the lake at 7:30am fished all day till 4:30pm. It was windy and the water was pretty choppy. Anchored in the upper end pass the second buoy line near the limbs sticking out the water. We caught two nice 3 pound bass and two 4 to 6 pound catfish. The carp was 4 to 6 pound also. We had the best time ever.
Name: Kenny Walker

LAKE HAVASU/TOPOCK GORGE – Let’s start off with a great angler report:

Where: Lake Havasu
When: 11/28/08
Caught: 25 large and smallmouth bass
Technique: Live shad
Comments: All bass were between 3 and 7 lbs.
Name: Jerry Martin

The following report is courtesy Georgia with Capt. Doyle’s River Excursions/Fun Fishing Guide Service: Fish report from Topock Gorge: Some small crappies are being caught at North Dike on minnows. Also being taken at North Dike are largemouth bass on both minnows and crawfish colored jigs as well as 6-inch trick worms in a black and chart color. With the water level low, the bass could be away from the weed in the afternoon and evening. I suggest a slow retrieve.

Water temperature in the Topock Gorge is down to a chilly 57 F. With the exception of a plump 8-pound striper, the overall striped bass action is modest. The big line-side was taken from the shore under the pipeline. A couple of Washington residents missed five hefty fish. Two were definitely stripers, but the others could have been anything. A catfish in the 9-pound category was hooked but unfortunately, the fish was too big for the net. With one last turn of the head and roll of the body, it broke the leader and escaped. The striper action still sluggish, but the channel cats remain active.

OUTLOOK:

SOUTHWESTERN WATERS (Fall Outlook 2008):
Alamo Lake:

The lake elevation continues to be good, at 1,115-1,118 feet, and both the main and Cholla ramps will be usable.  Largemouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be good to excellent throughout the fall.  Recent fisheries surveys showed a significant number of bass growing out of the slot, and there are many smaller fish below the slot.  Apparently we have had very good spawns the past two years, as there are plenty of young bass in the population.  Crappies are also doing well and fishing should be good throughout the fall.

There are an impressive number of channel catfish in Alamo Lake, especially in the upper portion of the lake.  Many of these are on the small side, but there are significant numbers in the 2 to 3-pound size range, as well as occasional individuals of 7 to 8 pounds, and larger.

There are other fish present such as bluegill, redear sunfish, tilapia and carp that are a lot of fun to catch.

During the fall surveys we noted an abundance of decent-sized redear sunfish, up to a pound.  This species commonly reaches sizes of over two pounds, although we have not yet observed redear sunfish of this size in Alamo Lake.

All types of bait, plastics, spinner baits and top-water lures should work.  As the weather cools off, try slowly working plastics in deeper water for bass.  For channel catfish any of the prepared catfish baits will work, as well as chicken livers or your own secret concoctions. Bass anglers even catch channels on crankbaits here.

Although the store at Alamo Lake is still closed at this point, the Alamo Lake State Park is planning on having it open by the first of the calendar year.  The store will be operated by the Park.  Gas, bait, ice and limited supplies and tackle will be available. You should plan on bringing with you any supplies you will need, in case the store does not open as planned, or does not carry what you need.  If you run short of anything, you might be able to pick it up at the Wayside Inn in Wayside, or in Wenden. The certified scale is presently located at the Alamo Lake State Park office, but will likely be moved to the store (which is located in the same location as the old store), once that facility is open. Currently the Alamo State Park Office and the park office sell live bait for crappie fishermen.

Lake Havasu & Topock Gorge:
Fishing for largemouth bass, as well as smallmouth bass, is expected to be good to excellent. Sizes will range from 13 inches and up, with an occasional fish greater than 4 pounds. Striped bass will continue to be excellent for small fish (12-18 inches) with occasional fish over 8 pounds. Channel catfish as well as bluegill and redear sunfish will be fair to good. Flathead catfish fishing should be fair at the lower end of the lake (Bill Williams River Arm) throughout the fall. Flathead catfish can reach 40 pounds or better in the lower portion of the lake. When fishing for them select the interior points in the coves and the areas where artificial structure has been placed.

The cooler weather causes the bite to slow down, so it is important to work your lures more slowly, and in deeper water.  Put away your topwater lures and switch to plastics, crank baits, spinner baits, jigs, etc.
Colorado River (Parker Strip Area):

Smallmouth bass with fish over two pounds in size are expected to be fair this fall.  In addition, redear sunfish should also be fair in the pound-plus sizes. The Parker Strip is well known for its smallmouth bass fishing, especially in the area from the dam to several miles downstream. The Parker Strip is also home to some really impressive, dinner-plate sized redear sunfish of two pounds or larger. Channel and flathead catfish fishing is always fair in this section of the Colorado River.  Below the dam, striper fishing should also be fair, using live shad or anchovies this fall.

Colorado River (between Palo Verde Diversion Dam and Walter’s Camp):
This area should be fair for both smallmouth bass (in the channel) and largemouth bass (in the backwaters) throughout the entire area. Channel and flathead catfish are always fair to good in this section of the Colorado River. Most of the flathead catfish will be in the 2 to 5 pound size range with an occasional fish over 30 pounds. The time for fishing for both species of catfish is in the evening to midnight.

Colorado River (between Walter’s Camp and Picacho State Park):
This section of the Colorado River is relatively remote and can only be accessed by boat from either end. Fishing is expected to be fair to good for flathead catfish with sizes over 40 pounds. The best time for fishing for both species of catfish will be in the evening to midnight.  Largemouth bass and bluegill are also present in the various backwaters and slack water areas. Other species available in the main river are smallmouth bass, and striped bass.

Colorado River (between Picacho State Park and Imperial Dam):
This area is expected to be fair to good for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Bass and channel catfish in excess of 5 pounds are present along with flathead catfish as large as 40 pounds, or larger.  Bluegills are also present in the various backwaters and an occasional striped bass will be caught in the main river channel.
Colorado River (between Laguna and Morelos dams):

This area will be fair for largemouth bass and flathead catfish. Bass in excess of 5 pounds are common and flathead catfish over 20 pounds are a good bet. In this area accessibility to the river is dependent on the amount of water being released. Usually shallow draft boats work the best. The lower end has had some dredging work done and larger boats may be able to get on the river in that area.

With the increase in border issues and illegal activity on the lower end of this stretch, we recommend exercising extreme caution, avoiding nighttime use, or even staying away from the area altogether (Pilot Knob to Moreles Dam).

Regional Hot Spots:
Alamo Lake will be the hot spot for largemouth bass and channel catfish.  There are many fish in the lake at the present time (especially channel catfish), and keeping some to eat will not impact the population in the slightest, and will perhaps even enhance it.  Next choice would be Lake Havasu for striped bass, Lake Havasu and the Parker Strip for smallmouth bass, and Martinez Lake and Imperial Division backwaters for largemouth bass.   For the die-hard flathead catfish angler, large catfish can still be caught from Walter’s Camp down to Imperial Dam, although fishing likely won’t be as effective as in the warmer months.
If you need any additional information or assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the Yuma Regional office at (928) 341-4052 and we will be happy to give you whatever information we have.