Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Tip Of The Week

For our desert lakes, predatory fish activity will be building toward a fall-time frenzy. Bass in particular will feed heavily to prepare for winter conditions. For anglers, that means now is the best time to hook into actively feeding bass.

The Reel Deal

The first hints of fall means fishing is about to bust loose. Nights are getting noticeably cooler, putting bass in the mood to chase reaction baits and trigger some of the best high-country trout fishing of the year. Remember: During fall fishing conditions, go with springtime tactics.

Meanwhile, summer trout stockings are winding down.

Hot spots include Pleasant, Woods Canyon, Silver Creek, Saguaro, Bartlett, Apache, Havasu, Powell, Canyon Creek, and Kinnikinick. Scenic Oak Creek has been stocked weekly.

See complete fishing resources on our Web site's fishing page, and check out the latest headlines from our Fish AZ blog.

Some More Updates

Community cats are coming back. Channel catfish have returned to most Community Fishing Program lakes and ponds. It's a good to time renew that fishing license. Get them online, which helps conserve all species of wildlife, and get ready for fall fishing galore.

Catch-And-Release Silver Creek

Trout fishing opened Saturday, Oct. 1. This opening has become a festival of sorts and the public is invited. This seasonal fishery is catch-and-release only.

Silver Creek is five miles east of Show Low on U.S. Route 60. Turn north off Highway 60 onto Bourdon Ranch Road for five miles to Hatchery Road.

Then head east on Hatchery Road one mile to the Silver Creek Hatchery, park in the parking lot, and follow the signs to the creek.

C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge Reservoir) Closed To Fishing

ROPER HAS FISH -- This angler is trying his luck at Roper Lake. Located in Safford, Ariz.,Roper Lake State Park is well maintained and has good fishing. For lake information, contact Roper Lake State Park at (928) 428-6760.

Blue Ridge Reservoir/C.C. Cragin is closed to fishing due to low water levels. All accessible water is in an area closed for the next phase of the ongoing renovation of boating-access facilities.

AZ Trout Challenge: Up for It?

Go explore our trout waters by taking the Arizona Trout Challenge. See details, and a map, of applicable waters on our Web site.

Thank You, Sport Fish Restoration Program

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 funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education.

Note: Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@AZGFD.gov.