'Fish Arizona'

Tip Of The Week

If you're bass fishing and having a hard time with standard techniques such as the dropshot or Texas rig, try something a little different: Flick-shaking.

This method can include a 1/16-ounce jig hook, and a 5 ½-inch flick shake worm (made by Jackall or Bass Pro Shops). Hook the worm right in the middle so that it’s whacky style. Try a spinning rod and 8-pound test line.

As the jig sinks, pull up a bit to see if a bass is hitting the worm on the fall. Once the bait hits the bottom, pop it a bit and wait. Make sure there is little slack in the line so you can feel the bite.

This method was successful in early June for one angler at Bartlett Lake, and it might work for you.

Good luck!

The Reel Deal

High-country trout hot spots include Crescent Lake, Big Lake, Nelson Reservoir, and the Greer lakes in the Springerville and Greer areas, Woods Canyon and Willow Springs lakes in the Rim lakes area, and Show Low Creek, Show Low Lake and Silver Creek in the Show Low-Pinetop area.

Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow Lake, in particular, have great trout fishing, as well as walleye, some of the best eating fish in the state. The state inland waters, hook-and-line walleye record was caught at Show Low Lake. It was a 16-pound, 1.76-ounce toad landed by Gregg Munch of Show Low on Nov. 18, 2002. If records were made to be broken, this one’s more than a decade overdue.

In the Flagstaff area, Kaibab Lake is scheduled to be stocked with trout and has been giving up some rainbows on worms fished 3 feet under a bobber. The lake contains self-sustaining populations of bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish and largemouth bass.

The Warmer, The Better

Fishing for these species is better during the warmer parts of the year. In 2011, juniper trees were placed in the lake to increase the habitat for the warm water species, especially the bass, bluegill and crappie.

Give Kaibab a try. If you’re targeting trout, successful trout anglers typically use 4 or 6 pound test line — never heavier. The lighter the line, the more invisible it is to the trout. Use smaller hooks (No. 8 and smaller) when fishing for trout. Two of the most successful baits for trout are scented dough bait, such as Power Bait, and worms.

Warm-water fish such as bass and crappie are starting to get more active on the lakes around Williams on microjigs and small bead-head flies fished under a bobber or with a fly rod. Fossil Creek, by the way, is closed to fishing.

The Fish&Boat map includes locations and directions for all these fisheries. Keep in mind that the Google-based maps are for reference only and don't guarantee the fastest route.

Also, view the entire summer trout-stocking schedule.

Rosie, Havasu, And Powell

A hot spot for top-water action has been at Roosevelt Lake. Although James Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods said that the top-water bite has slowed a bit, it’s a good bet that anglers can watch bass crash their lures early and late in the day. Bass are feeding on shad schools, so watch for those boils that indicate bass are chasing shad. At Rosy, this usually occurs in shallow water coves or on shorelines, but boils have been reported all over the lake.

Another morning surface-busting striper bonanza is going off at Lake Havasu from 5:30-7 a.m.

Finally, it’s a great time of the year to visit Lake Powell. See Wayne Gustaveson’s tips on page 7 of this issue. Slurping boils are strong in the morning and evening from Oak Canyon to the muddy waters of the San Juan. The hottest spot now, Gustaveson wrote, is directly under the chain link fence marking the power plant intake east of Antelope Point Marina. Although some 90 percent of anglers target stripers, the smallmouth bass and walleye action can be fast and furious as well.

Arizona Proud

At the Urban Fishing program waters, the spring catfish-stocking season, which included seven deliveries of fish every other week, has ended with its final stocking from June 10-15.

Are you a proud Arizona angler? Show off that pride by picking up the latest design of the “Fish AZ” bumper sticker. Since the last edition, this back end ornament has gone from yellow to gold — pretty slick.

The sticker can be picked up at the front counter of Game and Fish offices in Phoenix, Mesa, Pinetop, Flagstaff, Kingman, Yuma and Tucson. See the office locations.