LAKE HAVASU — Lake Level 448.24

Report courtesy John Galbraith of Anglers Pro Shop
Lake Havasu City

Striped bass bite is fair with limits of medium size stripers coming on trolled cut anchovies rigged on a 2/0 hook, 3-4 ft. leader and a 1.5 to 3-ounce banana sinker or fish seeker used to keep the anchovy skipping on the bottom.  Bottom bouncers work well too.  Still some action during the dark hours of the morning using Stump Jumpers, Pointers and glow Sassy Shads around Thompson bay and south at Havasu Springs.

Smallmouth bass hitting red craw colored crankbaits and drop shotted curly-tail Robo Worms in oxblood or red craw colors fished in 8 to 20 feet of water.
Fishing report for courtesy Karen Coats, Sandpoint Bait and Tackle Shop: A few small–and I stress small–catfish are being taken at North Dyke in the Topock Marsh. Fishing news from the Topock Gorge is light. Striper action may be off, but the smallmouth and largemouth bass bite remains solid.

The smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn and expected to hit their stride soon. But alas, another chill befell our area which sent the water back down to 50 degrees. It isn’t as cold, so bass aficionados expect the temperature to be back up in no time.

Some anglers have been power fishing with white and chartreuse spinnerbaits and others have been using white swim baits. Still others prefer finesse fishing with motor oil colored plastic worms. Both techniques have been producing fish up to 4-pounds.
ALAMO LAKE – Well, folks, things are picking up out here.  In a nut shell bass fishing is pretty good.  I’ll go more into that in a minute.  I’m happy to report the inflow into the lake has slowed down, which in turn has caused the water to clear up and, and the best part is that they ( CORP) cut there releases from 500 cfs back to 60 cfs.  That leaves the lake level a smidge over 1,125 (target evevation) and with a little luck nobody messes with it and there’s a good spawn all the way around.  A few anglers have reported seeing a few buck bass on beds but that’s about it.  The crappie should be heading into spawn any week now.  According to all the bass planners I’ve kept over the years, the last week of March and the first week of April have been really good for me to catch allot of crappies throwing 1/8-ounce jigs with a white/ chartreuse skirt right up to the shoreline.  Of course things chance but I think this year it’s going to be close to that time frame.  Anglers are averaging 10 to 30 crappies a day.  That means some days 10 and other days 30.  It’s really starting to pick up.  Same ol’ drill.  Load up with a few dozen minnows and roadrunner jigs and head up to the cluster at the end of the lake.  Crappies are in about 19 to 12 feet of water right now.  Last I heard water temp was 55 in morning and 60ish in afternoons.  I know from 4 in the afternoon there’s a killer evening bite going on.  Training wheels and plastics both seem to work.   O.K., one t thing you really gotta keep in mind for the next few months is that were going to have afternoon winds everyday starting around noon till around 5.  You can get in some clam waters to fish crappies in from dark thirty till around 11.  If you in a small 12- to 14-foot boat with a 25 horse, or less get off the lake at the first signs of white caps.  Make sure bilge pumps works or at least have a bucket handy.  Worse case scenario, head into a cove and wait it out.  Hyperthermia can set in minutes if you fall in with a shirt and shorts.  This time of year I always keep an extra pair of sweets and a shirt with me.  You just never know.  Ask Randy, Dec. 19, 6:30 a.m. 2006. I’m sure he remembers it well.  I think he finally stopped shivering around June.    Anyway watch the weather.

Cat fishing is still o.k. up in the river area.  I’m sure as the inflow slows down the cats will move on to the back of coves and other food sources. One thing to be aware of this weekend we have a pretty big bass tournament scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.  They should start pre fishing around Wed. As much as I enjoy the tournaments, and the people, this always one I’m glad to see over with. I think most of our hook sites will be filled by Friday night, but, if you’re willing to dry camp for a day or two then I have never had to turn anyone away.  The temp has been cold in the morning and warm in the afternoons so remember jackets , bug spray and sun block.  You know, I mentioned that I would try to keep this report a little more updated like I did in the past few years but running a new store is been a learning experience to say the least.  I’m starting to get organized and should start having a little more time to inform everyone of current events.   All in all our new store turned really nice, or I’m just going numb with it, maybe both.  Well that’s all I got.  mark

Angler reports:

Where:lake alamo
When:02/07/09
Caught:large mouth bass
Technique:4”- SENKOS SMOKE WITH RED FLAKE RIGGED WACKY STYLE- ASO ORANGE COLORED CRAKS SHALLOW RUNNERS
Comments:ARRIVED LATE SATURDAY NITE STARTED FISHING AROUND 0730 SUNDAY POINTS AND INSIDE COVES WEST SIDE OF LAKE TOTAL FISH COUNT FOR TWO DAYS 83 BASS BIGGEST BASS 4LBS
Name:gary shanley

Where:Alamo Lake
When:01/17/09
Caught:3 – 2lb – 3lb Largemouth Bass and more.
Technique:Drifted past north lake points approaching into the sun and into the breeze…15-20 feet of water…using smoke colored 6 in. Lizard by Zoom. Also hooked good numbers on a bluegill colored 6 in worm by Zoom.
Comments:Arrived on main spot at 10AM – off the lake by 2:30PM- too windy
Name:Jason Whitaker
Where:Alamo
When:01/02/09
Caught:Catfish
Technique:Worm on Red and Green Jig heads
Comments:My son and I got on the lake about 11 a.m. fished in a bay with no luck, we went to a tree at the mouth of the bay. Dropped the jig head with worm down into the tree. My son caught 17 and I caught 21 we missed about 20 they hit like Bluegil real light. All were 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pound. We let them all go back to grow to 5 & 6 pounders
Name:Bob Zvara

Where:Alamo
When:01/03/09
Caught:Afternoon
Technique:Junebug colored Berkley worms.
Comments:Cove on North side of lake. Caught 3 large mouth bass. Caught 1 catfish on live worm.
Name:Monty

Where:Alamo Lake state park
When:02/04/09
Caught:largemouth bass
Technique:Texas-rigged watermelon red baby brush hogs, black and shad colored lizards, spinner baits and buzz baits
Comments:Jaime Zachea and Dave Newsom of Las Vegas fished Wednesday the 4th and Thursday the 5th. Great weather before the front moved in. Caught 20 on Wednesday between them and 12 more for half a day on Thursday. Top water bite at dusk on Wednesday in the back of coves on white/silver buzz bait. All cookie cutters in the 1 to 2 pound range with a couple a little larger. Good winter fishing!
Name:Jaime Zachea
SOUTHWESTERN WATERS (Winter Outlook 2008-2009):

Winter Outlook 2009:

Alamo Lake:

Alamo Lake is not expected to increase much in surface acreage from its present 3,700 acres, as the Corps of Engineers changes its release regimes from Alamo Dam to maintain the reservoir at the targeted 1,125-foot level.

However, increased inflow into Alamo Lake brings in additional nutrients, which generally improves the fishery, sometimes dramatically. The largemouth bass and black crappie populations at Alamo Lake are currently healthy, and poised to benefit from an increased food supply.

The primary prey base of these species is the threadfin shad.  Increased nutrients in the system should stimulate the plankton community, upon which the shad feed.  This should, in turn, stimulate increased production of shad, which could be a very good thing for growing bass and crappie this year.

Bass numbers are good in Alamo Lake, but large bass are relatively uncommon.  Given abundant food resources, bass can grow quickly, and we are hoping the largemouth bass population will respond accordingly.  Regardless, the current lake elevation, resulting from the last two years of decent inflow, should ensure that fishing at Alamo Lake will be good to excellent for the next couple of years.
Lake Havasu & Topock Gorge:

Fishing for largemouth bass, as well as smallmouth bass, is expected to be fair. The size 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.

The lake is also full of smaller stripers, which will make it challenging to catch the larger fish.

Channel catfish as well as bluegill & redear sunfish will be fair to good. Flathead catfish fishing should be fair at the lower end of the lake (Bill Williams River Arm) through the fall. Sizes of flathead catfish can reach as high as 40 pounds. 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, cut fish, live shad, etc.

Colorado River (Parker Strip Area):

Smallmouth bass with fish over two pounds in size are expected to be fair this winter.  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 are always fair in this section of the Colorado River.  Below the dam, striper fishing should also be fair, using live shad or anchovies this winter.

This stretch of the river will be low during the month of January so access will be limited.  The good news is that the fish will be concentrated during that time period.

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. Bluegill 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.