FISHING REPORT
Short casts
Anglers traveling State Route 88 (the Apache Trail) from Apache Junction to Canyon Lake and other recreation facilities should expect 20-minute delays the next two months due to repairs on road damage caused by recent monsoon storms. The work was to begin earlier this week in half-mile increments, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Repair work will take place between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through late October.
Central lakes Canyon
Crankbaits, jerkbaits and dropshot rigs are taking largemouth bass. One angler reports catching five bass that weighed a total of 20 pounds. Anglers without boats should know the new Boulder fishing pier is up and running, thanks to the U. S. Forest Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The new pier replaces a 20-year-old model that was damaged by storms. Funds for the new pier came from fees collected at develop Forest Service recreation sites. A minor fish kill recently occurred. Game and Fish Department officials said the dieoff was the result of a golden algae outbreak. Information: (480) 986-2515.
Roosevelt & Apache
Jim Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods in Payson reports excellent fishing conditions at these two lakes. As the ambient water temperatures begin to fall, says Goughnour, the bass are becoming more active and aggressive. Bass can be seen pushing schools of shad into shallow areas just before the sun rises. Also bass are breaking the surface in the middle of the lakes in over 100 feet of water. Be ready with top-water lures as well as crankbaits and jerkbaits. Information: (928) 468-0263.
Pleasant
Top-water swimbaits are working very well, reports Scooter Griffith of the Arizona Fishing Guides. Check northern coves for striper boils. Striped bass fishing is said to be excellent at depths of 40 to 70 feet for anglers using anchovies. Some hefty stripers are being caught while trolling the blue water outside the bays and along the edges of the original riverbed and island drop-offs in 75 to 100 feet of water. Use heavy rods in rod holders while trolling and once a big fish is caught anglers can pick up more of the same. Information: (480) 7728460.
Alamo
Mark Knapp of Alamo Lake State Park reports decent bass fishing early in the mornings and in the evenings. He says the average bass is 8 inches long and can be found in 2 to 5 feet of water. Throw plastics along with crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting some plastics as well as bait and crappies have turned on near the dam with anglers catching 15 to 20 a night. Some are reportedly as large as 2 pounds. Both ramps continue to be in operation. Information: (928) 669-2088.
» Visit fishing.azcentral.com for more.
Information for the Fishing Report is periodically provided by anglers, as well as the experts at the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Anglers, Liar’s Korner, Phoenix Fishing Supply, Pinetop Sporting Goods, Pro Bass Adventures, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Lake Mary Country Store, Parker Canyon Lake store, Fly Fish Arizona and Beyond and H&M Landing in San Diego.