Fishing Report !

White Mountain Fishing
White Mountains Online is delighted to bring you this report.
The report that follows is the latest available from the
Arizona Game & Fish Department.

Fishing report for The White Mountains Lakes & Streams updated...
                           July 9th, 2008.
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The White Mountains & The Rim Lakes

Report Courtesy: Arizona Game & Fish Department

Rory Aikens Tip:
This is it – the cicada bite is on at Lees Ferry. This is some of the most exciting surface action for trout a fly or spin angler can experience. If you don’t know the Ferry, get a guide. If you do know it, just get there. Don’t worry about the air temperatures; the chilly water and deep shadows of Marble Canyon Gorge will keep your goose bumps alive and well, especially in the cooler mornings.
This is the first quarter of a waxing moon, making it a superb time for night fishing in the desert lakes, or the more accessible mountain lakes as well.
A tip for mountains anglers fishing for trout at night is to consider what trout love to eat – flying insects. If you can somehow have a light positioned just above the water to attract those insects, they will in turn attract trout.

We used to hang lanterns from our boats, inner tubes etc. and then fish from shore (to stay out of the insects). There are so many floating lights available now that you can simply take your pick. I like the LED ones – they don’t ruin your night vision, which is important if you want to watch the stars, satellites and possibly shooting stars in the night sky.

Even with spinning gear you can use casting bubbles or floats and have a leader (even a tapered fly leader) with something like a wooly bugger attached. The old standby, worms, can work well under a bobber. Get the youngsters to catch a container full of grasshoppers and you just might experience hungry trout jumping on hoppers.

By the way, for those of you who are outside on the evening of July 9, Jupiter will make its closest approach to Earth for all of 2008. For more information, visit http://spaceweather.com.

In the desert lakes, the best night fishing is for catfish and carp. You are allowed two hooks per line – with bottom fishing; you’ll want to take advantage of that legal opportunity. Set on hook up with a catfish bait, such as a hot dog or stink bait, and the other with a carp bait, such as corn or dough balls.

Try to find a shallow flat adjacent to the main body of the lake, or a major point. Catfish and carp patrol at night for food. You’ll want to attract them on their rounds. Try chumming with whatever bait you are using. Bottom feeders are attracted by scent.
For boat anglers, I have super reports for night crappie fishing at Alamo toward the dam using live minnows and small jigs. I have mixed reports for crappie anglers at Roosevelt and Bartlett.
This is also the time of year to fish for warmwater species in the high country. For walleye, try Show Low Lake or Fool Hollow; they are both located in the city limits of Show Low. There are bass and crappie in Willow Springs Lake on the Rim.
Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff also has walleye, but it is usually night anglers who tie into the larger ones. Those heading to Lake Mary will want to take along some frozen anchovies for the huge northern pike. Speaking of frozen anchovies, one angler recently asked how to keep unfrozen anchovies on the hook. I don’t even try to. Once they become soft and soggy, they take on a different name and function – chum.

By the way, my old friend Mike Walker, of the Walker Agency, an outdoor industry PR firm in Scottsdale, took his grandchildren fishing and provided the following:
I took my granddaughter, 10, and grandson,7, on their first fishing trip during all the hoopla about National Fishing and Boating Week. It was around the time of the free fishing day. They both loved it and Abby is quite a caster now. I did all the right things, took them to Sportsman’s Warehouse, bought them their own gear and the right stuff they’d need. I’d explain to them what the stuff was, and then they made their own selections.
I didn’t drop a line, but they sure did and we fished Willow Springs. They experienced nibbles and bait-stealing, but didn’t catch anything. And it didn’t seem to make a difference to either of them. They just loved being outdoors and fishing.
Abby of course had to explore the shoreline where she found a bunch of fishing line, rusty hooks, bobber and one old crankbait. On the way home, she asked if we could stop at Wal-Mart as she wanted to see if they sold the same lure that she found; she was curious about it.

Mike Walker
Walker Agency
So follow Mike’s example and get your young relations out fishing, hiking, camping or whatever in the outdoors. They might forget the last video game they played, but they will always remember a camping, fishing or hiking trip. Go catch some memories. Maybe I’ll see you out there.

 
THE RIM LAKES
  • Blue Ridge: Fishing is fair to poor. Fish at first and last light. This is a deep canyon lake that is tough for shore angling, but great for small boats and canoes, or float tubes. In fact, trolling is probably the most effective method right now
  • Bear Canyon: Fishing is fair. The lake is down about one foot and the boat ramp is accessible. The water temperature last week was 72 degrees. The best bite is at first and last light. Boat anglers have been catching trout on green and yellow Power Bait. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, or flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers.
  • Black Canyon: Fishing is fair. Those trolling from boats are doing best. Try Super Dupers or cowbells. Trolling wooly buggers can also produce. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, or flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers. Where:black canyon lake When:06/07/08 Caught:rainbows Technique:worms on a bobber for dad, 5 rainbow, worms on the bottom for my son, 8 trout, both hooks set at 4 feet up and down.7 of these were holdovers. Comments:The day was beautiful; the bite lasted till about 12:30 p.m. I am guessing the late afternoon fish were equally as well! Name:jeff and alex fritz

  • Knoll Lake: – Fishing is good at first and last light. There is a launch ramp, and fishing from a boat is best right now, but it's a long, dusty road to get here. Where:Knoll Lake When:06/29/08 Caught:Rainbows Technique:Fly fishing from a float tube Comments:Caught 6 in a couple of hours in the morning. All on black ants in the shadows near the shore
    Where: Knoll Lake When: 06/15/08 Caught: three rainbow trout Technique: worms under a bobber and a floating bait leader where the weight goes to the bottom and the two hooks float. Comments: Trolling was working really good.Lots of people were catching fish. Name: Chase Barrett
  • Chevelon Canyon: Fishing has really dropped off and is poor to fair for fly and spin anglers. This is a hike-in lake via a steep slope. There is not a lot of shore access. It is best fished from a float tube, inflatable or canoe. Fishing is fair to good. The lake is full. Anglers have been catching good numbers of moderate size trout. The lake is open to artificial lure and flies only, trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be possessed, and the bag limit is six trout. Try lures such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and other small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.
  • Willow Springs: The fishing is fair to good, with the best bite at first and last light. The lake is down about two feet and the boat ramp is accessible. Scheduled to be stocked this week with catchable size rainbow trout. The water temperature last week was 70 degrees. Anglers have been catching trout using cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 15 feet during early morning and evening hours.
  • Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, and nymphs in black, brown, or green colors. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors. This lake also has largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and small crappie. The best fishing for these warmer water species is in the early afternoons after the trout bite typically slows to nothing.
  • Where:Willow Springs Lake When:06/27/08 Caught:Rainbow Trout Technique:Worms on the bottom Comments:The bite was great first thing in the morning, tapering off about 10 a.m.. Worms were the only thing working for me that day. We released many small ones, but easily got our limit of some very nice ones, including 13" rainbow. We would have stayed all day but were forced to leave due to a HUGE thunderstorm. Still, it was a great way to spend my birthday! Name: Lori Firestone
  • Woods Canyon: Fishing is fair to good. Stocked weekly. The lake is full. The water temperature last week was 72 degrees. Boat anglers are catching trout by trolling KastMasters and Panther Martins. Also try trolling cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 10 feet early in the morning and late in the evening. By the way, this lake has plentiful crayfish -- bring along a bucket and get a passel of crayfish to augment your trout dinner and turn your camping adventure into a five-star dining experience. For rainbows, try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, small spoons (Super Dupers, and Z-rays), and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, Peacock ladies, and nymphs in black, brown, or green colors. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. There is a store and marina at this lake – you can rent a boat.
  • Where:Woods Canyon Lake When:06/21/08 Caught:Rainbow Trout Technique:drifted my inflatable all along the northern shore with dry fly yellow hopper (#12) Comments: Caught about 6 fish from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Fish really active in narrow section on west side of lake. Cast into the shaded areas about 5 to 15 feet from shore. Name: Steve Prokopek
  • Where:woods canyon lake When:June 7-8 Caught:rainbow trout Technique:trolled lures from a boat, fly fished from a float tube, and bait fished from shore. Comments:While fishing from shore all day Saturday, we only got one stocker rainbow. We used all different techniques including worms on the bottom and a bobber we had no luck at all with Power Bait. Sunday we slow-trolled with worms under cowbells and had an amazing day. We landed over thirty with many more hooked. I also trolled a wooly bugger from a float tube and caught twelve trout, one being a nice 18 inches. Overall a great lake and recommend renting a boat if you go. Name:Gabriel Martinez
  • Green Valley Lake: No Report.

THE WHITE MOUNTAINS LAKES

    Rory’s Tip: NOTE: State Highway 261 is open to Big Lake and Crescent Lake, as well as most main Forest roads, including the road to Reservation Lake on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. State Highway 273 on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is undergoing reconstruction and realignment and the following closures are in effect from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake, which is closed to all traffic, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is complete.
   
  • Becker Lake: Fishing is fair to good, but is best at first and last light. The lake temperature last week was 70 degrees. The lake is a little lower now but the boat ramp is accessible. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout limit. Try small lures such as Super Dupers, spinners, and Z-rays. Fly-Fishers have been catching 10- to 18-inch rainbow trout. Try small nymphs such as zebra midges, scuds, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, wooly worms and wooly buggers, dragon fly patterns, peacock ladies, and brown Montana stone nymphs. Fish deep and slow. The water temperature on May 4 was 63 degrees and the pH was 8.8. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.

  • Big Lake: Fishing is fair to good with the best bite at first and last light. Anglers have been catching rainbow and brook trout on worms, Power Bait (yellow) and salmon eggs. Boat anglers are doing well using cowbells with an attached worm, lure or fly. The store is open and there are boat rentals here. The launch ramps are in the water, but Railroad Cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats. By the way, Big Lake is not stocked during spring and summer – it is stocked in the fall with a couple hundred thousand fingerling trout. The trout you catch here are close to being wild. On any given day, Big Lake can be the best trout lake in the state. There is a store and boat rentals available and some of the prettiest scenery in Arizona. Main access roads are open, including Highway 261 from Eager/Springerville. State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is completed. Fishing is good. The lake is up about 3 feet from last year, but still 3.4 feet below spill. All boat ramps accessible, however, Railroad cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats. Anglers have been catching rainbow and brook trout on worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs. Also try lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, spoons, and Rapalas, and flies such as Peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors.)
  • Where:Big Lake When:07/04/08 Caught:Rainbows, Cutthroat, Brookies Technique:Power Bait off the bottom from the shore and a boat, as well as a spinners from shore. Comments: Fishing was great from the shore during the morning hours. The bite stopped around 10 a.m. Fishing in the evening from a boat was also great as long as there was cloud cover. (this goes for the bank fishing also) When the sun came out the fish stopped biting. Name: David Taylor
  • Where:Big Lake/West/East Fork When:07/01/08 Caught:Brown Trout Technique:Lures Comments: Went up to Big Lake and fished there from the shore and fishing was poor only thing caught was crawdads, everyone i spoke with said that they had never seen it where the fish was poor to fair, then went to the West Fork and the river was low fish again bad caugt four keepers between three of us next day Big Lake using a boat with cowbells and spinners one fish all day two other boaters and one in one boat of two and three fish in another with four fishing. next day went to East fork river was running with good depth and the fishing was poor only four keepers others in the area had one to three fish. this was between July 1st thru July 4th river was not stock during that time. fishermen were at the cleaning station at Big Lake with nice catch but they left the Big Lake area and went to Sunrise, Cresent. The trip still turned out to be an enjoyable one since my grandkids had a great time catching crawdads that in its self is more enjoyable to watch then catching my limit. Name: Bobby Castaneda
  • CARNERO LAKE — Fishing is fair for stocker rainbows with the best bite at first and last light. Carnero Lake experienced a winter kill, however the lake was re-stocked in April and May. The lake is very weedy. Try fishing open water areas. As summer progresses, weeds will become a problem for anglers. The lake is open to lure and flies only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout bag limit. Try small lures such as spinners and spoons (Super Dupers and Z-rays), and flies such as wooly worms, peacock ladies, small nymphs such as hares ear, pheasant tails, prince nymphs, zug bugs, damsel fly and dragon fly nymph patterns, and midge patterns. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only .
  • Where: Canero Lake When: 06/12/08 Caught: Lot's of Rainbows,larger than stockers in the 2# rnge Technique: Mostly spinners of any kind. Comments: Took our Boy Scout Troop on a fishing activity. This lake did not dissappoint. Between 7 of us we caught 150-175 fish in two days.Even caught some on a yellow crappie jig with a spinner. Name: GW

  • Concho Lake: Fishing is fair. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake was stocked catchable size rainbow trout in early April and another load in the first week of May. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, and Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.

  • Crescent Lake: Fishing is fair for stockers. Crescent Lake experienced a winter kill; however the lake has been restocked with over 14,000 catchable size brook trout in the last week of April and first week of May. Crescent was also stocked with almost 5000 catchable rainbow trout in mid-May. . Highway 261 to Big and Crescent Lakes is open. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is open to Forest road 87 but is closed beyond the 273/87 junction to Crescent Lake 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, due to continuing road construction. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, and small nymphs like prince and zug bugs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors. The only boat ramp accessible is the south boat ramp.

  • Fool Hollow Lake: The lake is down about 1-1.5feet and the boat ramps are accessible. The water clarity is slightly turbid. Fool Hollow Lake has been stocked with sub catchable and catchable (1.5-2 pound) channel catfish. Anglers have been catching smallmouth and largemouth bass and walleyes on lures (crankbaits, plastic jigs with attached worms, and Rapalas) at the dam and along the east arm of the lake. Fish around structure such as rocks, trees, stumps, and fishing piers. For kids, try fishing one of the fishing piers for bluegills. Use a small piece of night crawler on a small hook and small weight straight down and fished just above the lake bottom. Kids have been catching bluegill and crappie using this technique. Shore anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (chartreuse green and pumpkin colors) in the southwest area of the lake. Channel catfish are being caught on worms and stink baits. Bluegills and black crappies have been caught around the fishing piers on worms and small flies.

  • Greer Lakes: Fishing is fair to good. All reservoirs are down. All boat ramps are still accessible. All three reservoirs were last stocked with catchable size rainbow trout the week of June 23. The water temperature last week at Bunch Reservoir was 68 degrees; Tunnel Reservoir was 66 degrees; and River Reservoir was 68 degrees Anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (green and yellow) at Bunch, Tunnel, and River Reservoir. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and small nymphs. Bunch and Tunnel Reservoir are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors.
  • Where:Little Colorado at Greer When:06/27/08 Caught:Apache Trout Technique:Worms CommentsMy kids and I caught about 15-20 fish in the creek. They had a great time!

  • Hulsey Lake: Fishing is fair. Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey Lake is open to electric trolling motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short hiking trail to the lake. During the hot summer months, try fishing early in the morning and late in the evening. Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey Lake is open to electric trolling motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short hiking trail to the lake.

  • Lee Valley Reservoir: The roads to Lee Valley Lake are still closed. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is still closed due to continuing road construction and is closed just north of the junction of Highway 273 and Highway 261. Lee Valley Lake probably has some ice cover, although it should be considered unsafe.

  • Luna Lake: Fishing is fair. The lake is down about 1 foot and the boat ramp is accessible. The lake has been stocked with catchable size rainbow trout during April and May. Anglers have been catching some nice sized trout at the dam on worms, lures, and flies. Boat anglers have been catching trout on Panther Martin spinners and yellow Crickhopper lures. There is an algae bloom present in the lake. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors. The water temperature last week was 50 degrees.

  • Lyman Lake: Fishing is fair to good for catfish. The lake level has come up quite a bit, catching a lot of water with snowmelt runoff. The water is turbid. Anglers have been catching channel catfish on worms and stink baits. Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas. The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also some new cabins for rent. There is 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.

  • Nelson Reservoir: Fishing is fair to good. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow trout in May. Use the boat ramp near the dam, as the ramp at the upper end of the lake will put boaters into thick weeds. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water temperature last week was 50 degrees.

  • Rainbow Lake: Improvements to the parking area at the boat ramp are scheduled this summer and will require a short closure (2-3 days) during the construction. Signs and notices will be posted when the construction dates are set. Fishing is fair. Sub catchable and catchable (1.5-2 pound) channel catfish were stocked in early June. The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, crank baits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. The water is clear. The water temperature last week was 74 degrees.

  • Scott's Reservoir: Fishing is fair to good. The water temperature last week was 73 degrees. Anglers have been catching trout, bass, and channel catfish on worms. The lake is nearly full and the boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of rainbow trout (average size, 11 inches), fair number of largemouth bass (average size, 12 inches), and some nice sized channel catfish (average size, 25 inches). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. The water is clear. The water temperature last week was 73 degrees.

  • Show Low Lake: Fishing is fair to good. The lake is about 18 feet to accommodate bridge construction over Show Low Creek, but the boat ramp is still accessible. Show Low Lake has been stocked with catchable size rainbow trout and sub catchable size channel catfish. Boat anglers have been catching trout and walleyes trolling cowbells with and attached worms, lures, and flies. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, rubber lead head jigs, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of large walleyes (average size, 23 inches), including two 12-pounders, good numbers of rainbow trout (average size 14 inches), largemouth bass (average size 14 inches), and small black crappie. The water is slightly turbid. The water temperature last week was 52 degrees.
  • Where: Show Low Lake When: 06/21/08 Caught: 21" 1.75 LBS Rainbow trout Technique: Fishing with a Walleye jig and a night crawler Comments: We caught our limit by 8:30 a.m. To bad the city messed up by lowering the lake way too much. It would have been a great year for fishing the lake this year. Name: Chris Wilmann
  • Woodland Lake: Fishing is fair. The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible. Weeds are present along the shoreline. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, and small spoons, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and Hares ears nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent surveys revealed nice sized largemouth bass (average size, 14 inches), and 1 channel catfish (21 inches). .

  • CHOLLA LAKE — Cholla Lake is closed to the public and the county park has been dissolved.

  • CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — Fishing is fair. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow trout in mid-May. Fishing for warmwater fish such as bass, sunfish and catfish should also be picking up. The east side boat ramp is accessible and the only ramp to use. The old boat ramp is blocked off and no longer usable. Try worms, Power Bait, Salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, Z-rays, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as woolly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. There are no motor restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir.

  • SILVER CREEK — Fishing is fair to good. The stream is clear and will be stocked this week with catchable size Apache trout. Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is now open to bait fishing and statewide fishing regulations are in effect until Sept. 30. The upper section is closed to fishing. 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. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge and caddis fly patterns. Bait fishermen should try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs.

THE WHITE MOUNTAINS STREAMS
Occasional rain storms are still occurring and can cause flooding and muddy conditions, so use caution when fishing White Mountain rivers or streams.

STREAMS


SHEEPS CROSSING —Highway 273 is closed for the year due to road construction and an area closure is still in effect around Sheep Crossing, 24 hours and 7 days a week.

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER Fishing is good. The West Fork was stocked at the campground with catchable size Apache trout last week and will be stocked again this week. Wild brown trout are also present in the lower portion of the river. In the campground area, try worms, salmon eggs, small lures such as spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, small nymphs like hares ear, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and caddis imitations. The upper portion of the river, upstream of the confluence with Hayground Creek and including the Forest Road 116 crossing, is open to artificial lures and flies only, with catch and release regulations.

EAST FORK OF THE BLACK RIVER — Fishing is good. The East Fork was stocked with catchable size Apache trout last week and will be stocked again this week. Wild brown trout are also present throughout the river. Try worms, salmon eggs, small lures such as spinners, and flies such as Peacock ladies, woolly worms, small nymphs like hares ear, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and caddis imitations.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER, GREER — Fishing is good. The LCR in Greer was stocked with catchable size Apache trout last week and will be stocked again this week. Try worms, salmon eggs, small lures such as spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, woolly worms, small nymphs like hares ear, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and caddis imitations.
Silver Creek - Fishing is fair to good. The stream is clear and will be stocked this week with catchable size Apache trout. Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is now open to bait fishing and statewide fishing regulations are in effect until Sept. 30. The upper section is closed to fishing. 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. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge and caddis fly patterns. Bait fishermen should try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs.
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Note: Bear Wallow Creek and Snake Creek have been closed to fishing, effective Jan. 1, 2004, to allow Apache trout populations to stabilize.

The Arizona Game & Fish Department is responsible for managing Arizona's fish and wildlife resources as an enduring public trust. In addition, the Department is charged with promoting safe and responsible use of watercraft and off-highway vehicles. Funding is provided from the sale of licenses and permits; watercraft registration fees; federal excise taxes on firearms, fishing equipment, boats, and other sporting goods; State lottery revenues; donations on State Income tax forms; and various contracts and grants. Department policy is set by the Arizona Game & Fish Commission, whose five members are appointed by the Governor.

Because trout and other fish need healthy waters to naturally reproduce and grow, clean water is the key to strong fish populations and to good fishing! Help keep our lakes and rivers clean !

Want to know more about our streams ? Visit our Streams Page to see a full listing of Arizona's White Mountains streams including a brief description for each one.

For information on The White Mountains Lakes, click here !
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For information on The White Mountains Streams, click here !
For information on Camping & Campground Information, click here !
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