ALAMO LAKE – Well folks I’m back, and just in time to tell yeah fishing is pretty lousy right now.  A few bass are being caught up in the brush in 5 to 10 feet of water.  Red flaked brush hogs worked for me last week.  All the fish were small.  I could not buy a fish in 20 to 30 feet of water. 

Crappie fishing has not turned on yet. Once it does it will time to head to the upper end of the lake and troll with roadrunner jigs and minnows. Right now a few anglers are catching 4 to 10 crappies on a good day. That’s not so great for being out on the lake for 6 hours.

Cat fishing is about the only thing that’s fair. Anglers are catching a few cats in the back of coves using stink bait or shrimp.

No reports on duck hunting. Since that covers fishing in a nut shell, I would like to take a minute and say thanks  to those that wished me well.  There’s nothing like an emergency neck surgery to set you back a few months.  I’m pretty sure I got enough plates, screws, and bolts shoved into my neck to rebuild a 150 Black Max outboard motor.  A special thanks goes to Jerry Connelly for taking out fishing, and managing to beat once.  To Bill and Tim from the Dept of Public Safety for there morbid sense of humor that kept me smiling. And to Kevin and Glenna (bubble gum lady) for the card and cookies.  It looks like State Parks is going to run the new store until we get  concessionaire in there.  With a lot of luck, we might have it opened in April or May.  Until then, we’re still selling fishing licenses, bait, ice, and firewood at the ranger station.  Office hours 8 to 5 daily.   You may or may not have heard the Wayside Inn burned down about a month ago. They arestill open for business and sell gas, propane, and food.  They make a killer green chili cheeseburger.  They are hoping to have there new building delivered this week. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and meet the new owners. There are really nice people.  The lake level is at 1,110.6 with releases of 25 cfs.  Both ramps are still in operation.  Bring warm clothes cause I’m here to tell yeah that blast across the lake a 50 miles an hour chills you right to the bones. 

Winter Outlook:

Alamo Lake:

The lake elevation continues to decline.  Largemouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be excellent to slow down throughout the winter. It looks like most bass will be entering the protected slot some time during the winter months. Crappies are also doing OK and should be good throughout the winter.  Channel catfish continue to look good and fishing should be good also. There are other fish present such as bluegill, redear sunfish and carp that are a lot of fun to catch this winter.  All types of bait should work right now and as the weather cools off a shift to slowly working plastics in deeper water for bass could improve your catch.  For channel catfish any of the prepared catfish baits as well as chicken livers and anything else you can think of should work. 

Both of the boat ramps are useable at this time but if the lake elevation continues to decline launching may become a problem. The store at the lake is still closed so you need to bring everything with you. If you run short of anything you might be able to pick it up at the Wayside Inn or in Wenden. The certified scale that was located at the store is now located at the Alamo State Park Office and the park office also has live bait for the crappie fishermen.

Lake Havasu & Topock Gorge:

Largemouth bass, as well as smallmouth bass are 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 striper that 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 slower 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. 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.
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 is common and flathead catfish over 20 pounds is 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 the larger boat will 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 area I would away from that area (Pilot Knob to Moreles Dam).

Regional Hot Spots:

Alamo Lake will be the hot spot for Largemouth bass and channel catfish.  Since there appears to be more fish in the lake at the present time I recommend keeping as many of the smaller bass as you can legally possess in order to try and reduce the population a little.  Next choice would be Lake Havasu for striped bass, Lake Havasu & Parker Strip for smallmouth bass, and the Colorado River below Walter’s Camp for flathead catfish.  

If you need any additional information or additional don’t hesitate to contact the Yuma Regional office at (928) 341-4051 and I will be happy to accommodate you.

Yuma Regional office at (928) 341-4051 and I will be happy to accommodate you.