Short cast

Since September is here, can catfish be far behind in the urban waters? No, reports the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

All waters in the Community Fishing Program will receive catfish the week of Sept. 18-23. The plants will continue through October followed by trout plants in mid-November.

Central lakes Pleasant

Guide Scooter Griffith reports excellent striped bass fishing with lots of top-water action in the mornings until early afternoon. He adds that lots of largemouth bass are being taken in the surfacing school along with the stripers. However, he says anglers have to look a bit harder to find them. Check out depths of 40 to 70 feet. Night fishing is excellent under a full moon. Information: thearizonafishingguides.com.

Bartlett

Gary Senft of Mesa Bass Pro Shop says anglers need to keep moving to locate shad and the nearby bass. He adds that the bass are not typically in the same place from the day before. Use small top-water baits such as Pop-Rs and rip baits early in the day and then go to dropshot Robo worms in morning dawn and brown colors later in the day. Also try a flick shake rig, whatever that is. Information: (602) 606-6500.

» Visit fishing.azcentral.com for a full report.

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.