Excerpts From AZGFD Fishing Report

Tip Of The Week

From the fishing log: Around this time last year, and in similar water temperatures, the smallmouth bass bite was hot on the Parker Strip section of the Colorado River. Anglers had success on nightcrawlers and assorted soft baits.

Worms were also working well for the large hybrid redears known to occupy this stretch of river.

Keeping a fishing log - recording dates, times, moon phases, what bait worked (or did not work) for what species and at what water depth/temperature, etc. - is invaluable in figuring out a fishery and as a reference when fishing in the same season and similar conditions.

The Reel Deal

ADOT reported opening three routes to some White Mountains lakes, including Big Lake. The routes are: State Route 261 between Eagar and Big Lake; State Route 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake; and State Route 473 between State Route 260 and Hawley Lake.

Bass fishing that might have been spotty in the desert regions in early April should change. Consistent warm temperatures should trigger a bass and crappie spawn. Many bass are in post-spawn mode (some will be in pre-spawn, and full spawn, through June).

Any reaction baits such as jerkbaits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits can be the ticket as hungry bass recover from their spawn.

Some reported water temperatures recently: 70 degrees at Roosevelt Lake and 69-70 at many Community lakes, where sunfish have been stocked and catfish plants continue.

Take The Arizona Trout Challenge

Headed to the high country? Complete one of our trout challenges. Any angler completing the Challenge will receive a certificate featuring the species caught along with dates and locations. The first group of anglers to complete the Challenge will receive Trout Challenge "schwag" that could include a sweatshirt, hat and/or water bottle.

More High Country Highlights

Knoll Lake is now open off Highway 87 on the Coconino National Forest side of the Mogollon Rim.

If you plan on hitting the East Fork of the Black River, anglers could catch a tagged trout.

Dogtown Lake south of Williams should still be a hot spot for brown trout.

Keep following for more tiger trout updates. In May, the tigers are coming to Arizona for the first time to Carnero, Becker, Willow Springs and Woods Canyon lakes.

A Refurbished, Replenished Tempe Town Lake

Back in the Phoenix area, Tempe Town Lake was expected to have completed the new dams and refilling and be open again April 30.

Crappie Update: Alamo, Rosy Good Bets

At Alamo Lake, some anglers have been having success catching crappie with dropshot rigs and minnows. Crappie are in all three phases of spawn at Roosevelt Lake.

More Tackle Box Tools

Fishing is family fun at an incredible value, so go make some memories. For more information, follow our Fish AZ blog. (Look for the prompt to "follow" in the upper right to receive an email with each post).

Looking for fast stocking updates? Search Twitter for #AZfishtracker (@NickFishAZ) for real-time updates.

Our fishing licenses are valid for 365 days, so get 'em online and help support all of our wildlife species.

Latest News From The Fish AZ Blog

"Flagstaff/Williams fishing: hit Dogtown before dog days of summer." No question about it : Dogtown Reservoir south of Williams is one of Arizona's trout fishing hot spots.

'Tiger Trout Are Coming To Town'

Arizona's newest trout species will make its debut in four select waters in May.

Angler Reports

(Send reports and pictures to BFishing@AZGFD.gov)

El Dorado Pond (Scottsdale)

David W.: Just sharing this gem which I was able to reel in today. I was fishing El Dorado and caught a10-inch black crappie at around 5:30 p.m. Fish was hooked approximately 15-20 feet from the shore. I was using a 3.5-inch, 3/8-ounce Yo-Zuri 3DB Suspending Jerkbait w/green prism finish (pictured). I was primarily targeting bass, and was quite surprised when I pulled this crappie onto the bank!

Granada Park Pond (Phoenix)

Jorge M.: I just wanted to share the experience I had at Granada Park. I went there with the intention to catch largemouth bass and ended up landing, I'd estimate, a 5-plus-pound flathead catfish. I wasn't able to get a measurement but I estimate that it was about 24 inches.

It was a surprise since I was using a small plastic paddletail swim bait. I've never caught a catfish with a lure. I'm assuming since it was a bluegill imitation that it was too tempting for the flathead to pass up. I didn't end up catching any bass but I had fun since I caught this one.

Thank You, Anglers!

Arizona fishing opportunities wouldn't be possible without the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It was created through the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act) and the Wallop-Breaux amendments of 1984.

Through a federal excise tax paid by manufacturers on fishing gear and motorboat fuels, it provides grant funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education.