FISHING
Collaborative conservation in White Mountains leads to delisting recommendation for Apache trout
AZGFD-PINETOP, Ariz. – Due to half a century of collaborative conservation efforts between federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental organizations, the Apache trout has a brighter and more sustainable future. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Christmas Tree Lake
…and the rare and beautiful Apache Trout that live there
Tony Martins
If you have not been to Christmas Tree Lake on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, you should make plans to visit this historic and stunningly beautiful 41-acre lake. Constructed at the junction of Sun Creek and Moon Creek at an elevation of 8222 feet in the heart of the eastern third of the Reservation in 1965, this is truly a crown jewel of the Reservation in Arizona’s White ..
Update on boat launch situation at Big Lake
Due to current low water levels at Big Lake, the South Cove ramp is the only ramp out of three where launching a boat is even possible. Unfortunately, due to low water and ice damage (pictured above), launching boats at the South Cove ramp will be very difficult, if not impossible, for larger boats this spring. AZGFD is working on a solution, but anyone planning to use the ramp should be aware of the situation before making the long trip to Big Lake.
AZGFD and Pinetop-Lakeside partner
on habitat project at Woodland Lake
The Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) recently partnered to add aquatic habitat to Woodland Lake. The opportunity to make habitat improvements came up during repair work on the Woodland Lake Dam that required the lake be drained. AZGFD staff were able to secure leftover materials from previous habitat projects that could be used for this one at no extra expense.
In February 2021, staff from AZGFD and the Town constructed 26 aquatic habitat structures over two days to store until spring snowmelt would fill Woodland Lake. When spring snowmelt was less than anticipated, the Town continued to store the habitat structures. Eventually, two large monsoon rainfalls led to appropriate water levels in Woodland Lake. Town staff assisted with the transportation of the aquatic habitat structures while AZGFD staff installed all 26 of them.
With improvements to the habitat and increased water levels, AZGFD stocked more than 4,500 rainbow trout into Woodland Lake in late October and early November to provide good fishing over winter 2021-2022. Additional stockings are planned for 2022 with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. These should provide excellent opportunities for locals and visitors to catch fish in the future.
AZGFD gets cutthroat trout from
Wyoming for stocking in Big Lake
In November, two AZGFD wildlife specialists traveled to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) Dan Speas Fish Hatchery to pick up 37,000 Bear River cutthroat trout. This trip came about after AZGFD regional biologists requested cutthroat stockings to maintain the unique fishery in Big Lake. Meeting this request was a challenge because none of AZGFD’s hatcheries are currently producing cutthroat trout. Department personnel began planning this trip nearly a year ago after reaching out to multiple states that could possibly supply cutthroats.
The trip and following stocking took three days and included cross training between AZGFD staff and WGFD staff, doing everything from general fish culture work to setting brown and brook trout eggs. On day three they met up with the Dan Speas hatchery staff at 5:30 a.m. to load fish for the trip back to Arizona. After a very long return trip and a late-night stocking, the Bear River cutthroats made it to Big Lake.
Reminder: Daily bag limit for trout is 4
Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit for trout (includes rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook, tiger, Gila and Apache trout; grayling) is four. The bag limit was formerly six. This change does not affect bag limits on Community Fishing Program or special regulation waters. All anglers are responsible for checking and knowing the current regulations for each water they fish.
Baiting Mayfly for Lakeside Dinner
Photos & Text by Annemarie Eveland
I can stay focused for a period of time, but when it comes to fishing, I want to drop a line in the water and presto: a hungry fish becomes my fish dinner. That’s probably why I can’t be counted as a genuine “fisher-person.”
So, when I talked to Jim Strogen (fly fisherman extraordinaire) - a reel (pardon the pun) expert on fishing, a whole new world opened to me. Jim’s unassuming demeanor and casual down-to-earth conversation was punctuated with nuggets of what fly fishing really is and what it can do for a person. Jim said, “What is most appealing to fly fishers is that everything feels bigger on a fly rod. Another important benefit of fly fishing is that the fisher must focus on what they are doing all the time. And there is the creative challenge of accuracy… presenting the fly to the fish.” When he said “presenting,” it sounded like a gourmet chef presenting his specially prepared gastronomical delight to a diner. Jim agreed that the winning touch was finding what tasty morsel the “water diner” would like. He added, “Present a fly that is tempting to a fish that represents their natural food. (For example in fly fishing: a dry fly, the fisher’s fly rides, or floats on top of the water.) A fly fisher needs to be aware of currents in the stream, because they also are
Polishing Pinetop's
Crown Jewel
BY DAN GROEBNER
Woodland Lake Park in Pinetop is considered the “shining centerpiece” of this mountain community by visitors and residents alike. The Park exemplifies the surrounding area in a much smaller and
Southwest Sportfish
Angling for Native
Verde Trout
BY ANDREW LARSON
Looking for a fun and new angling opportunity in the Southwest? Tired of catching the same old Rainbow Trout or Largemouth Bass that everyone else can't seem to get enough of? Listen up to
Springtime is Here
and It’s Time
to Go Fishing!
Hulsey Lake
It’s only five acres in size but Hulsey Lake is an unexpected surprise to those who are on their way up to Escudilla Peak for the first time. To those in the know, it’s an out of the way and beautiful little lake to fish.
HIGH COUNTRY FISHING
BECKER LAKE
Becker Lake is managed as a catch-and-release, trophy trout lake with special regulations. Located near Springerville, it also includes the 622-acre Becker Wildlife Area, where wintering bald eagles can be spotted most years in nearby cottonwood trees. Built around 1880, Becker Lake is one of the oldest reservoirs in the White Mountains. The Arizona Game and Fish Department acquired the lake in 1973. The lake is located at 6,910 feet. Easily accessible, it is a mere two miles from the center of Springerville, off the west side of U.S. Highway 60. READ MORE...
WOODS CANYON LAKE
The Arizona Game & Fish Department built Woods Canyon Lake for aquatic recreation. Woods Canyon has easy access, close proximity to Phoenix and excellent visitor facilities. It’s a beautiful, canyon bound, deep lake with plenty of trout fishing opportunities. Woods Canyon Lake has produced a couple of winners of the Department’s “Big Fish-of-the-Year” Program in the rainbow trout categories, including a 10-lb. brown trout in 1999. Now, very few, if any, brown trout are present. However, tiger trout were stocked here beginning in Spring, 2016. Green sunfish can usually be caught easily from the shore. READ MORE...
GREER LAKES
Anglers young and old will enjoy the opportunity to fish pristine mountain lakes and streams in Greer. The Greer Lakes are reknowned for their trophy trout. You’ll find brown, Apache and rainbow trout species in the Greer lakes, Bunch Reservoir, Tunnel Reservoir, and River Reservoir, as well as in the Little Colorado River. Stream fishermen will enjoy the seclusion and search for trout on the East or West Fork of the Little Colorado River. Truly a sport fishing paradise!
Bunch Reservoir, Tunnel Reservoir & River Reservoir
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER - GREER
in Greer includes the East, West and South Forks. Elevation ranges from 7,000 – 9,000 feet. This river was originally called Flax River by early Spanish explorers because of the abundance of wild flax growing along its banks. The East Fork is about six miles of very narrow creekbed and flowing water from Colter Reservoir to Greer. Just a few small brookies and rainbows swim here. The West Fork begins atop Mt. Baldy and flows north of Lee Valley to Sheep’s Crossing on into Greer. In the upper reaches, you’ll find
