Outdoor Writer Report post Posted December 14, 2019 FISHING REPORT Dec. 13, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department TIP OF THE WEEK With rising water levels at Bartlett Lake (1,766 feet) and Roosevelt Lake (2,125), our artificial habitat sites will be at more appropriate depths for potential crappie schools to target. See maps for Roosevelt and Bartlett. A reminder that we’re looking for volunteers on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, and Saturday Jan. 11 to install used Christmas trees at Bartlett Lake that will help ensure robust fish populations at this Tonto National Forest impoundment. We’ll be starting at 8:30 a.m. each day from the yellow cliffs boat ramp. Just bring a pair of gloves and help conserve sport-fishing opportunities for future generations. Contact Bryant Dickens at 623-236-7593 if you have any questions. This coming week, we're bringing 4 tons of fun in the form of 8,200 pounds of rainbow trout to waters statewide. Here's a list of where you can plan to find some great holiday-time trout fishing the week of Dec. 16. Stay tuned to next week's Reel Deal report for confirmed stockings as some of these are subject to change due to factors such as water quality and weather. These stockings will take place during two select days: Statewide: Verde River, Goldwater, Watson Lake Community "core" waters (except Cortez due to golden algae). See the schedule of "core" waters. Expansion waters: McQueen, Freestone, Water Ranch, El Dorado, Greenfield, Fain, Yavapai, Dave White Pond, Pacana Pond. Trout anglers can check out the latest trout stocking schedule. The Lower Salt River, pictured above from this week, is a great winter trout fishing spot and is being stocked with trout through the winter. Try the Phon D. Sutton and Granite Reef recreation sites. Some high country lakes are starting to ice over: we consider all such ice in Arizona unsafe. Get to your favorite high country trout hole before things really freeze. For bass fishing in lower elevations, water temperatures have dropped enough to send high populations of bass into deeper water where the water temperature is higher. Be sure to have a bait in the water when the sun comes out and there's a spat of warmer weather. This can be a good time of the year to jig spoons in deep water for yellow bass at Salt River-chain lakes Apache, Canyon and Saguaro. Catch of the Week Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov -- one will be selected for Catch of the Week Lake Mead Joe, from Alaska, caught this 18-inch striper - his first striper -- at Temple Bar on Nov. 20. What's been stocked this week ("Catchable" sizes only; water temp in parenthesis if available) Rainbow trout: Parker Canyon Lake (Dec. 4). 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". SEE MORE REPORTS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
