Tip of the Week
Looks like some pleasant-and-erratic weather is predicted for the upcoming week. Try fishing just before a storm — but be safe! Coming off the recent spell of hurricane remnants that brought much-needed moisture to the state, bass fishing could be somewhat unpredictable. For trout, the storms could have been just the remedy to knock water temperatures a bit more into their comfort level. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we just had our warmest Jan.-Aug. on record.
Channel catfish stocked into Community waters is a sure bet as they come — this week we’re stocking our primary (core) waters.
See all the stocking schedules.
As we know, fall in Arizona is a great time to get outdoors. Catfish are back in Community waters (pictured above), trout stockings are ramping up statewide, General Tree Squirrel season begins Friday and the General Quail season returns Oct. 19.
In the north central region, fishing should pick up this month at Dogtown and Ashurst. U.S. Forest Service campgrounds near the lakes are closed or are closing. Campgrounds are closed at Kaibab Lake and Dogtown Reservoir. If you’re into the “Best of Both Worlds” — a cast and blast — our Combo Hunt and Fish license, valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Funds go back into wildlife conservation!
Silver Creek catch-and-release opening day
The opening day of the catch-and-release season at Silver Creek was Monday. Anglers were catching and turning back lots of big stocked rainbow and Apache trout.
The upper section also opened to fishing for the first time since early spring. This catch-and-release section of Silver Creek requires trout to be immediately released unharmed (no trout may be kept), and is artificial flies and lures only with single barbless hooks. This segment of Silver Creek is open for fishing from Oct. 1 through March 31 of each year.
This week’s stockings
Rainbow trout: Frances Short Pond (63-degree water temperatures) Silver Creek.
Brown trout: Dogtown Reservoir (68).
Channel catfish: “Core” Community fishing waters.
Catch of the Week
Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@AZGFD.gov — one will be selected as Catch of the Week.
Roosevelt Lake
R. May caught this reported 4.7-pound largemouth bass at Roosevelt Lake on Sunday, Sept. 30.
Family Fishing Events
Note: At these free fishing clinics, loaner rods are provided, bait is free, and no license is required for those who register at the AZGFD booth during event hours.
Saturday
Family Fishing Fun. 8 a.m – noon. Cesar Chavez Park (Alvord Lake) 7858 S. 35th Ave Phoenix. For more information please contact the Sport Fishing Education Program at (623) 236-7240.
Grand Opening Clinic. 8 a.m.-noon, Mansel Carter Oasis Lake, 19535 E. Appleby Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
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.
Save time, buy online
Grab a license online (that helps conserve all species of wildlife, not to mention provides funding that goes back into fishing opportunities) and go “Fish AZ”.
