White Mountains
September 18th, 2009
Note: Contact the US Forest Service in Springerville for up to date information on forest conditions at (928) 333-4372.
BECKER LAKE— Fishing is fair to good. The boat ramp is accessible. Becker is open to artificial lures and flies only, barbless hooks, and a 2-trout bag and
possession limit. Try lures such as Super Dupers, spinners (Panther Martin and Rooster Tails), rainbow colored Z-rays, and KastMasters. Try flies such as peacock
ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers in brown, black or gray, brown nymphs, semi-seal leeches, prince nymphs, zug bugs, pheasant tails, hares ears, small scuds,
and zebra midges.
The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. There is a fishing pier located on the northwest shoreline of the lake. This lake has easy
boat and shore fishing access.
BIG LAKE — Fishing is good. Boat ramps are accessible. Anglers are catching mostly rainbow and cutthroat trout in the deep areas of the lake, but some brook
trout are starting to show up. Trout are being caught closer to the surface as cool weather and rainstorms occur.
Try worms, Power bait, corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, Panther Martin), Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, Crickhoppers
(yellow and orange), and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, semi-seal leeches, peacock ladies, and nymphs in black, brown, or green. Boat
anglers are catching trout using cowbells with an attached lure, fly or worm. Shore anglers should try fishing off deep rocky shorelines with yellow or green Power
Bait and night crawlers.
The lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp. gas motors. The store is open and has boats for rent. This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access.
The South Cove boat dock has been installed.
CARNERO LAKE— Fishing is fair to good. Carnero is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks only, and a 2-trout bag and possession limit. Try small
lures such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, and spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin and Rooster Tails), and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, scud
patterns, prince nymphs, zug bugs, hares ear nymphs, and peacock ladies. Also try small nymphs in black, brown, green or gray colors.
Only electric trolling motors are allowed. The lake is very weedy around the shoreline areas and is best fished with a small boat, float tube or kayak.
CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair to good for warm water fish species and poor for trout. The northwest boat ramps are accessible. Try fishing
with a bobber, split shot and worms near rocky shoreline areas for sunfish and bass. Also try fishing off the bottom with worms, hot dogs, and stink baits for
bullheads and channel catfish.
Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), Z-rays, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas, and flies
such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, semi-seal leeches, and peacock ladies.
There are no motor restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir. This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access.
CONCHO LAKE — There are currently no fishing opportunities. The lake is extremely low and very weedy. The only fish present are a couple dozen carp
stranded in a small pool in front of the dam. We are encouraging anglers to remove the carp, as they are bad for the lake. Do not transport the fish alive if
removing them from the lake. There is only 2-3 inches of water in some areas of the lake. The lake is mostly dry. There is private property (closed to the public)
on the northwest side of the lake.
CRESCENT LAKE — Fishing is good to excellent. Trout have been active with the cooler weather associated with rainstorms and shore and boat anglers have
been successful at catching fish. All boat ramps are accessible; however, the west and south boat ramps are deeper than the ramp on the north end of the lake.
Try worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as small Z-rays, Super Dupers, KastMasters, and spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster Tail),
and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, leech patterns, peacock ladies, Warden Worrys, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. Also try small nymphs in brown,
black or green. Fly-fishers have been catching rainbow and brook trout, about 12-15 inches, on brown nymphs. The shore fishing has been very good, especially
off the west side boat dock and rocky points.
Crescent is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp. gas motors. The store is open. This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access. There is a fishing
pier located at the south end of the lake, and a boat dock located at the west side boat ramp.
FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — Fool Hollow Lake State Park is open and fishing is fair. All boat ramps are accessible. Anglers have been catching bluegills and black
crappies off the fishing piers. For bluegill, use small hooks, light lines, just a piece of worm, and no weight for fish that you can see but are not biting. Some nice
sized bass are being caught on lures and night crawlers.
Catfish and walleyes are being caught on night crawlers at night. Also, try hot dogs and stink bait for catfish. Try worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait, lures
such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster Tail), spoons (Super Dupers, Z-rays, and KastMasters), rubber lead head jigs, and Rapalas, and flies such as
wooly worms, wooly buggers, and semi-seal leeches. Try fishing around rocky areas, tree stumps and fishing piers for black crappies, bluegills, bass, and walleyes.
The lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp gas motors. This lake has easy boating and shore fishing access.
GREER LAKES — Fishing is poor to fair. All three Greer Reservoirs have been drawn down significantly for irrigation downstream. No boats can be launched
at Bunch and River Reservoirs because water levels are very low and the concrete curb at the end of the two boat ramps are out of water. Try worms, corn,
salmon eggs, and Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, KastMasters, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock
ladies, and small nymphs in black, brown or green colors.
Bunch Reservoir and Tunnel Reservoir are open to electric trolling motors only, and River Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp. gas
motors. These lakes have easy small boat, float tube, and Kayak fishing access, as well as shore access.
HULSEY LAKE — Fishing is poor. The lake is nearly full. Weeds are present around shoreline areas. Try worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait, small
lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster Tail), and small spoons such as Super Dupers, KastMasters, and Z-rays, and flies such as peacock
ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and woolly worms.
The lake is open to electric trolling motors only, but there is no boat ramp. Hulsey has easy shore fishing access. There is a short hiking trail to the lake.
LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair. Try lures such as spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), small spoons such as Super Dupers,
KastMasters, and Z-rays, and flies such as peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, hares ear, scud patterns, wooly worms, and small nymphs in black, brown or
gray colors.
Lee Valley Lake is open to artificial lures and flies only, with a 2-trout bag and possession limit. There is a 12-inch minimum length limit on all fish. No bait fishing
is allowed. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. There is easy boat and shore fishing access.
LUNA LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. There is a green algae bloom on the lake. Some anglers have been catching trout on yellow Power Bait and night crawlers.
Try worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait, lures such as Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps spinners, small spoons like KastMasters, Z-rays, and Super
Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and black, brown or green colored nymphs.
The store is open sometimes. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp. gas motors. This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access.
LYMAN LAKE — Lyman Lake State Park is open and fishing is good. Anglers have been catching channel catfish on worms, hot dogs, and stink baits.
Largemouth bass are being caught on lures and night crawlers. Sunfish are being caught on worms. Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as
spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), crankbaits, and Rapalas. Try fishing lures along rocky areas for bass and walleye. The Lyman Lake
recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available.
There are also cabins for rent. There is a fish consumption advisory here, so check with the State Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the Arizona
Game and Fish Department’s Region 1 office at (928) 367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake. The store is open.
NELSON RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair. The boat ramps at the dam and southern end are accessible. There is unlimited harvest of rainbow and brown trout
from Sept. 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), small spoons such as
KastMasters, Z-rays, and Super Dupers, jigs, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. Also try nymphs in
black, brown or green colors.
Nelson Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp gas motors.
RAINBOW LAKE — Fishing is poor for trout and fair for warm water species. Bullheads are being caught off the fishing pier. The lake is down about 4 feet and
weedy. The weed harvester has been cutting weeds at the lake. A very strong blue green algae bloom is causing very high pH levels, measuring 9.7 on Sept. 8. The
boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps) spoons (Super Dupers, Z-rays, Daredevils), and
Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, and peacock ladies.
Rainbow Lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp gas motors.
SCOTTS RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair. Try worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps),
spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, and KastMasters, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. Try fishing
with worms, hot dogs, and stink baits for catfish. A 17-pound channel catfish was caught in early September.
Scott Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors only. There is easy boat and shore fishing access. The water level is about 7 feet low, so use caution when
launching a boat. The boat ramp is accessible.
SHOW LOW LAKE — Fishing is fair. The boat ramp is accessible. The fishing piers have been straightened out and are accessible. There is also a boat dock by
the boat ramp. The boat dock at the boat ramp is only for boat anglers, no fishing or swimming is allowed. Anglers have been catching rainbow trout on worms. A
few bass are being caught on lures. Try trolling Rapalas early in the morning and late in the evening for walleyes. Try worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait,
lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, rubber lead head jigs, Rapalas, and flies such
as wooly worms, wooly buggers, semi-seal leeches, prince nymphs, peacock ladies and black, brown or green colored nymphs. Also try fishing worms, hot dogs, and
stink baits for channel catfish.
The lake is open to electric trolling motors and up to 10 hp gas motors. The store is open. This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access.
WOODLAND LAKE — Fishing is poor. New regulations went into effect at Woodland Lake on Jan. 1, reducing the daily bag and possession limit to four trout.
The lake is low and very weedy. The boat ramp is weedy but usable for small boats, float tubes, and kayaks. The weed harvester has finished cutting weeds at the
lake. Try worms. Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, and
KastMasters, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs.
Woodland Lake is open to electric trolling motors only. This lake has easy boat and shore fishing access.
WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS:
WEST FORK BLACK RIVER — Fishing is fair. The stream is at base flows. The trout stocking season has ended but there is a good population of resident
brown trout in the lower and middle reaches of the West Fork. Try drifting worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs through pools or casting small spinners
such as Mepps, Rooster Tails, and Panther Martins, small spoons (KastMasters, Z-rays, and Super Dupers), Rapalas and flies such as wooly worms or wooly
buggers and small weighted nymphs in black, brown, and green colors.
EAST FORK BLACK RIVER — Fishing is fair. A 21-inch brown trout was caught near Diamond Rock on worms in early September. The stream is at base
flows. The trout stocking season has ended but there is a good population of resident brown trout in the stream. Try drifting worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon
eggs through pools or casting small lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, Rooster Tail), small spoons (KastMasters, Z-rays, and Super Dupers), Rapalas
and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers and small weighted nymphs in black, brown or green colors.
SHEEP CROSSING — Fishing is fair. The stream is at base flows. The trout stocking season has ended. Try drifting worms, corn, salmon eggs, and Power Bait
through pools or casting small lures such as spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, and KastMasters, and flies
such as wooly worms, and small nymphs in black, brown or green colors.
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER GREER — Fishing is fair. Stream flows are at base flows. The Little Colorado in Greer was last stocked on Sept. 9, which was
the last stocking for the season. The trout stocking season has ended. Try drifting worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs through pools or casting small lures
such as spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, and Panther Martin), spoons such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, and KastMasters, and flies such as wooly worms, and small
nymphs in black, brown or green colors.
SILVER CREEK — Fishing is fair. Silver Creek was last stocked on Sept. 9, which was the last stocking for the bait fishing season at this stream. Silver Creek on
the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is open to bait, lures or flies, with a bag and possession limit of six trout from April 1 through Sept. 30. The
upper section is closed to fishing until Oct. 1.
Try small lures such as Mepps, Rooster Tails, and Panther Martin spinners. Fly-fishers may want to try wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince
nymphs, zug bugs, shrimp patterns, midge patterns, and small bead head nymphs. Also try drifting worms off the bottom of pools or along undercut banks or
vegetation.
All Information supplied by Arizona Fish and Game
Area Fishing Report
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
