YOUR GUIDE TO ARIZONA RIM COUNTRY
PAYSON ROUNDUP
SUMMER 2013 • PAGE 19
Fishing FROM PAGE 18
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and will remain in effect until further notice. These restrictions include campfires and charcoal allowed in designated developed campgrounds only; smoking allowed only within enclosed vehicles, buildings or in developed campgrounds; and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and heaters that can be turned off are allowed. Also be aware that a red flag warning is different than fire restrictions and can be issued on any day with strong winds because of the heightened fire danger. All fires, except for pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and heaters that can be turned off, are prohibited on a red flag day. Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing is fair to good. The lake will be stocked this week with 749 rainbow trout. The lake is full. Black Canyon Lake: Fishing is fair to good. The lake was heavily stocked in midMay. Anglers are reporting high catch rates mostly of stockers, but also a few larger, carry-over fish. The water level is 6.6 feet below spill, so the boat ramp is still usable. Chevelon Lake: Fishing is good for boat anglers using lures and fair for shore anglers. The lake is full, but no longer spilling. Willow Springs Lake: Fishing is good. The lake will be stocked this week with 3,038 rainbow trout. The lake is full, but not spilling. Woods Canyon Lake: Fishing is good. The store is open, and boat rentals are available. Blue Ridge: Road is open and SRP has begun to draw the lake down for necessary repairs to the dam and associated piping. Will not be stocked this year due to plans to drain the lake for repairs to the dam. There are unlimited bag and possession limits until April 1, 2014. Knoll Lake: The road is open. Lake is full. Stocked with trout last week.
ROOSEVELT LAKE Lake elevation is 2,109 feet, 54 percent full). James Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods submitted this report: Good morning, Rim Country anglers. The water level in Roosevelt Lake remained steady this past week and currently stands at 54 percent full. Tonto Creek is flowing at 40 percent of its normal rate while the Salt
Tom Brossart file photo
Bass fishing at Roosevelt Lake was recently reported to be excellent by experienced anglers. The top-water bite has remained strong from early morning to mid morning for the past few weeks.
River is at 60 percent of its normal rate for this time of year. The water temperature is increasing and shallow water will now begin reach 80 degrees during the afternoon. The water clarity degraded this week with the algae growing and was called stained. The water has a green tint so baits that are a green or a bullfrog color were reported better than white color baits. Bass fishing was called excellent again this past week by local experienced anglers. The warmer water temperature, which is in the mid 70s in the morning and increasing to the low 80s in the afternoon, is moving bass into a summer pattern. Lots of anglers are wondering where all the fish they caught last month have gone. This
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transition is very typical for this time of year. Now the top-water bite we’ve been talking about the past few weeks remained strong this past week early in the morning. A Rio Rico top-water bait was reported very successful by several anglers from early morning until mid morning. Zara spooks, Reaction Innovation Vixen and shallow running jerk baits such as Lucky Craft Pointers were catching good numbers. As the sun gets higher, bass will seek deeper water and cover or structure to protect them. Try a weightless Senko, dropshot, Texas rig or Carolina rig in 15 to 25 feet of water. I had the opportunity to fish Roosevelt Lake yesterday and caught a
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new personal record for me, a 10-poundplus bass caught using a Reaction Innovation paddle tail swimbait in a bullfrog color. The bass had recently spawned and was caught on 15 feet water on a major point like the one you see at Chub Bay (little hint there). The crappie fishing improved this past week. The nighttime bite is still reported better than during the daylight but large crappie schools can be found during the daylight in 25 to 30 feet water and always in the brush. Trolling with a John Deere or black, blue and chartreuse color 2-inch grub tail was reported successful. For the nighttime crappie anglers, lights will be more effective this coming week as we move away from the full moon.
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