Mogollon Rim & White Mountains
Includes: Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs, Big Lake, Greer Lakes, Fool Hollow Lake and Show Low Lake.

Ads by Google
Courtesy of Arizona Game & Fish.

» Return to Fishing Index: Weekly Fishing Report
Go to: Upper Colorado River & Northwestern Waters
Go to: Flagstaff Area Lakes
Go to: Phoenix Area Lakes
Go to: Yuma & Southwestern Lakes
Go to: Tucson & Southern Lakes


MOGOLLON RIM ---> (UP)



CHEVELON CANYON LAKE - Fishing has picked up a little. According to anglers, it doesn’t appear that brown trout have entered their pre-spawning activity mode yet. Maybe in the next week or so.

This lake was stocked with 20,000 sub-catchable rainbow trout three weeks ago. Even though anglers may hook into some of those now, those smaller stockers are really aimed it providing future fishing opportunities. This not is a put-and-take lake.

This is a hike-in lake via a steep slope. There is not a lot of shore access. It is best fished from a float tube, inflatable or canoe. The lake is open to artificial lure and flies only, trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be possessed, and the bag limit is six trout. Try lures such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and other small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.


BEAR CANYON LAKE - Fishing is good. It has been recently stocked and there is little fishing pressure right now. This is a hike-in lack down short but steep and winding paths. There is pretty good shore access. This deep canyon lake is great for those with float tubes. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, hares ear and pheasant tail nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

Angler report
Where:Chevelon and Bear Canyon Lake
When:09/16/08
Caught:6 Trout
Technique:Fly fishing from a canoe.
Comments:I fished Chevelon from 7:30 a.m. til 4 p.m. and fought hard winds with very little fish sign. Mostly blind casting. Caught one 14-inch rainbow. Made it to Bear Canyon for the magic hour before dark and the surface bite was on. The fish were hitting and diving hard. Then it was too dark to see. Thanks for all the fun.
Name:Todd DeAngelis


BLACK CANYON LAKE - Fishing is good. The lake is full and it has been recently stocked. Angling pressure has not been great, but the reports we get indicate that the ones fishing are typically doing well.

Boat anglers have been catching trout on green and yellow Power Bait. Also try trolling cowbells with an attached worm, lure or fly. The best bite is at first and last light. Boat anglers have been catching trout on green and yellow Power Bait.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, or flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms and wooly buggers, and Yeager buggers.


WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE - Stocked this week with 2,500 rainbow trout, including some incentive fish. Fishing should be good to excellent when trout are actively feeding at the surface. The lake is down about two feet.

When the trout are active at the surface, fly-fishers may want to try dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, and midge patterns in sizes 16-20. Spin anglers should try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas.

This is one of the largest lakes along the Mogollon Rim. As the nights get cooler than the water, you will often be treated to a fall mist on the water – bring your camera, especially at sunrise.

Anglers have been catching trout using cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 15 feet during early morning and evening hours.

The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

This lake also has largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and small crappie. The best fishing for these warmer water species is in the early afternoons after the trout bite typically slows to nothing.

Angler report
Where: Willow Springs and Woods Canyon
When:08/21/08
Caught:Rainbow Trout
Technique:Trolling with small crankbaits, Power Bait and curly tail/jig combos
Comments:I made a two day trip to Woods Canyon and Willow Springs. The fishing was absolutely spectacular. I caught a total of 26 fish (released) in two days from my kayak. Trolling with flat lines and small crankbaits worked really well in the morning, so did the Power Bait fished on the bottom at 15-18 feet. In Willow Springs I got all of my fish jigging a green Power Bait micro grub on a 1/32-ounce jighead and 2-pound line fished in 20 feet of water. Had to anchor because of the wind but the action was almost constant with hits on the bottom or on the fall. I've seen guys with down riggers or flat-lining cowbells hooking up, but going ultra light was more fun and more productive. I also noticed that fish in Woods Canyon were slightly larger and thicker than at Willow Springs. Water is warmer than air in the morning, so paddling in the fog was really cool.
Name:D. Czupak


WOODS CANYON LAKE - Fishing is good. This popular lake is stocked weekly and routinely provides anglers limits of stocker trout. It also has lots of crayfish to catch and eat (don’t transport them alive).

The lake is full. The boat ramp is accessible.

Boat anglers are catching trout by trolling KastMasters and Panther Martins. Also try trolling cowbells with attached worms, lures, and flies. Trout have been active at the surface down to 10 feet early in the morning and late in the evening.

By the way, this lake has plentiful crayfish -- bring along a bucket and get a passel of crayfish to augment your trout dinner and turn your camping adventure into a five-star dining experience.

Trout have been active at the surface down to 10 feet early in the morning and late in the evening. When the trout are active at the surface, fly-fishers may want to try dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, and midge patterns in sizes 16-20.

For rainbows, try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, small spoons (Super Dupers, and Z-rays), and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, Peacock ladies, and nymphs in black, brown, or green colors. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

There is a store and marina at this lake - you can rent a boat.

Angler reports
Where:Woods Canyon Lake
When:09/13/08
Caught:Rainbow Trout
Technique:worms
Comments: We fished from shore, using worms and a bobber (about 4-5ft from the hook) and over the weekend we landed between the two of us 16 fish in 2 mornings including two that were about 14-16". All in all, not too bad.
Name: Nathan

Where:Woods Canyon
When:09/23/08
Caught:trout
Technique:1/8 oz. KastMaster in silver and cricket hoppers in brown
Comments: Fished from 7 a.m. till about noon and caught about 18 fish, the biggest went about 17 inches and weighed just over 2 pounds. None were less than 12 inches and fat and healthy!
Name: Frankie

Where:Woods Canyon
When:09/16/08
Caught: trout
Technique:Trolling with baby cowbells. No. 10 hook tipped with 3" of worm about 18" 4# leader.
Comments:Caught some very good sized fish between 8 a.m. to noon. biggest was about 17" and weighed in at 2 pounds. Biggest trout I have ever caught at this lake! Action was almost non-stop.
Name: Frankie


KNOLL LAKE - We aren’t hearing much from anglers right now, but this lake has been consistently good all season and should get even better as we transition from summer to autumn conditions. This is also a great lake to hear bugling bull elk this time of year.


GREEN VALLEY LAKE - Trout are stocked at two week intervals from October to May. Catfish, bass, and sunfish are not stocked.


STREAMS - No report

WHITE MOUNTAINS ---> (UP)

Note: ACCESS NOTE: State Highway 261 is open to Big Lake and Crescent Lake, as well as most main Forest roads, including the road to Reservation Lake on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

State Highway 273 on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is undergoing reconstruction and realignment and the following closures are in effect from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake, which is closed to all traffic, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is complete.

BECKER LAKE - Fishing is good. The lake is down about four feet but the boat ramp is accessible.

Try small lures such as Super Dupers, spinners, and Z-rays. Fly-fishers have been catching 10- to 18-inch rainbow trout. Try small nymphs such as zebra midges, scuds, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, wooly worms and wooly buggers, dragon fly patterns, peacock ladies, and brown Montana stone nymphs.

Fish off the bottom along weed beds and retrieve your fly slowly. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors. This lake is artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks, and with a two-trout limit.


BIG LAKE - Fishing is generally good for rainbow trout, fair for cutthroat trout, and poor for brook and Apache trout. With the shorter, cooler nights, fishing for all species can take off any time.

This lake was stocked with 20,000 sub-catchable sized fish the first week of September.

Jenca said great fall bite for shallow-feeing trout should be just around the corner. He added that the lake level is way up right now and might be the highest it has been in a lot of years (but it isn’t full yet).

This fishery has rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout and native Apache trout. Big Lake is 450 surface acres and sits at 9,000 feet in elevation. Despite its size and depth, cold night temperatures at this altitude can cool down the water and prompt the trout to feed aggressively.

Anglers have been catching rainbow and brook trout on worms, Power Bait (yellow) and salmon eggs. Boat anglers are doing well using cowbells with an attached worm, lure or fly. Also try lures such as spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, and Mepps), Z-rays, Super Dupers, spoons, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, semi-seal leeches, and Yeager buggers, prince nymphs, and zug bugs. The store is open and there are boat rentals here. The launch ramps are in the water, but Railroad Cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats.

On any given day, Big Lake can be the best trout lake in the state. There is a store and boat rentals available and some of the prettiest scenery in Arizona.

Main access roads are open, including Highway 261 from Eager/Springerville. State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will remain closed until the road construction project is completed. Fishing is good. The lake is up about 3 feet from last year, but still 3.4 feet below spill. All boat ramps accessible, however, Railroad cove may still be fairly shallow for launching larger boats.

Angler report
Where: Big Lake
When:09/12/08
Caught:12 Rainbow Trout
Technique: Bottom fishing worm.
Comments: Started about 8 in the morning caught 5 nice keepers and threw back 7. Left about 11 when it started raining.
Name: R. Holstad


CARNERO LAKE - Fishing is good, but the lake is very weedy. The weeds along the shoreline are very thick. Pontoon boats, kayaks, small boats or canoes than can skim over weeds work best. Anglers using float tubes are having difficulty getting out to open water.

Try fishing open water areas. As summer progresses, weeds will become a problem for anglers. The lake is open to lure and flies only, barbless hooks, and a two-trout bag limit. Try small lures such as spinners and spoons (Super Dupers and Z-rays), and flies such as wooly worms, peacock ladies, small nymphs such as hares ear, pheasant tails, prince nymphs, zug bugs, damsel fly and dragon fly nymph patterns, and midge patterns. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.


CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair to good for warm water fish such as bass, sunfish and catfish should also be picking up. The east side boat ramp is accessible and the only ramp to use. The old boat ramp is blocked off and no longer usable.

Try worms, Power Bait, Salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, Z-rays, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as woolly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies. There are no motor restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir.


CONCHO LAKE - Fishing is very poor. The lake is extremely low and weedy. There is practically no water at the boat ramp. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, and Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.


CRESCENT LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. This shallow lake can cool down rapidly and turn on at any time.

Highway 261 to Big and Crescent Lakes is open. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is open to Forest road 87 but is closed beyond the 273/87 junction to Crescent Lake 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, due to continuing road construction.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, and small nymphs like prince and zug bugs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

The only boat ramp accessible is the south boat ramp because of construction on roads leading to the dam area and the other two ramps.


FOOL HOLLOW LAKE - Fishing is fair to good and will be stocked this week with trout. The lake is down about two feet and the boat ramps are accessible. For kids, try fishing one of the fishing piers for bluegills. Use a small piece of night crawler on a small hook and small to no weight straight down 1-3 feet under the fishing pier. Kids have been catching bluegill and crappie using this technique.

Fool Hollow Lake has been stocked with sub catchable and catchable (1.5-2 pound) channel catfish.

Anglers have been catching smallmouth and largemouth bass, plus walleyes on lures (crankbaits, plastic jigs with attached worms, and Rapalas) at the dam and along the east arm of the lake. Try fishing around structures such as rocks, trees, stumps, and fishing piers.

Walleye fishing can really pick up at night during the fall.

Shore anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (chartreuse green and pumpkin colors) in the southwest area of the lake. Channel catfish are being caught on worms and stink baits. Bluegills and black crappies have been caught around the fishing piers on worms and small flies.


GREER LAKES - Fishing is fair. All reservoirs are very low. Tunnel Reservoir’s boat ramp is still accessible but the lake is very low. Do not attempt to launch a trailered boat at Bunch and River Reservoir because of the concrete lip pad at the end of the concrete boat ramp.

Anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms and Power Bait (green and yellow) at Bunch, Tunnel, and River Reservoir.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and small nymphs. Bunch and Tunnel Reservoir are open to electric trolling motors only. River Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors.


HULSEY LAKE - Fishing is poor. Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey Lake is open to electric trolling motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short hiking trail to the lake. During the hot summer months, try fishing early in the morning and late in the evening.
Try worms fished deep under a bobber or on the bottom. Hulsey Lake is open to electric trolling motors only, but small boats would have to be carried down the short hiking trail to the lake.


LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR - The roads to Lee Valley Lake are still closed. Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation is still closed due to continuing road construction and is closed just north of the junction of Highway 273 and Highway 261.


LUNA LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. The lake is down about 15 inches and the boat ramp is accessible. The store and marina has closed down for the season. Boat and shore anglers have been catching a few trout on Panther Martin spinners, yellow Crick hopper lures, Power Bait and worms.

Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, and nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors.

Report from Bob Claborne: Week ending 08/08/08: Fishing fair to good in early mornings. Trout in the 12- to 18-inch range on lures from shore at the dam area. Good results with spinners and spoons with yellow and gold colors. Consult Luna Lake Yacht Club proprietor for lure recommendations.

Angler Report
Where: Luna Lake
When:08/30/08
Caught:Rainbows
Technique:Trolling-Yellow Panther Martin spinner, Black Pistol Pete, Black Leech Pattern Fly, Yellow Power Bait
Comments: Fishing was slow all morning. But it was nice to be one of only two boats on the lake. We caught three average rainbows trolling. We decided to try just drifting with worms and yellow Power Bait. We were about two minutes from packing up and going home and that's when the monster hit. He cleared the water 5 times and took off, snapping the line before I could adjust the drag. No doubt, he was long, had a big fat belly and a hook jaw. It was nice to have a monster on the line even if I couldn't land him. I'd rather lose a monster than catch 20 stockers any day. We opened up the ones that we had caught - they were full of damsel fly nymphs.
Name: Dave


LYMAN LAKE - Fishing is fair to good for catfish. The water is turbid. Anglers have been catching channel catfish on worms and stink baits and largemouth bass on lures.

Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas.

The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also some new cabins for rent.

There is fish consumption advisory here, so check with the State Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Region 1 Office at (928) 367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.


NELSON RESERVOIR - Fishing is poor to fair. Use the boat ramp near the dam, as the ramp at the upper end of the lake will put boaters into thick weeds. The lake was stocked with catchable size rainbow trout in May. Use the boat ramp near the dam, as the ramp at the upper end of the lake will put boaters into thick weeds. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-rays, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and peacock ladies.

The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors. During the hot summer months, try fishing early in the morning and late in the evening. There is an algae bloom present in the lake.


RAINBOW LAKE - Fishing is poor to fair.

Improvements to the parking area at the boat ramp are scheduled this summer and will require a short closure (2-3 days) during the construction. Signs and notices will be posted when the construction dates are set.

Sub catchable and catchable (1.5-2 pound) channel catfish were stocked in early June. The lake is down about 1.5 feet and the boat ramp is accessible. As summer progresses, weeds will become a problem.

Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-rays, spinners, crank baits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies.

Anglers are catching bullheads on night crawlers from the fishing pier. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.

Angler report
Where: Rainbow Lake
When: 09/18/08
Caught: Largemouth Bass
Technique: Used a Berkley Power Worm, caught 2lb Largemouth
Comments: Caught a second Largemouth about a pound. Saw and had a lot of trout. Also saw a 10-pound Largemouth Bass by dock
Name:M. Rossi


SCOTT'S RESERVOIR - Fishing is fair. The lake is nearly full and the boat ramp is accessible. Anglers have been catching trout, bass, and channel catfish on worms.

Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as Super Dupers, Z-rays, spinners, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, and prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only. Recent surveys revealed good numbers of rainbow trout (average size, 11 inches), fair number of largemouth bass (average size, 12 inches), and some nice sized channel catfish (average size, 25 inches). The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.


SHOW LOW LAKE - Fishing is fair to good. This lake should have been stocked with catchable size rainbow trout. The lake is about 18.4 feet to accommodate bridge construction over Show Low Creek, but the boat ramp is still accessible. Show Low Lake has been stocked with catchable size rainbow trout and sub catchable size channel catfish.

Boat anglers have been catching trout and walleyes trolling cowbells with and attached worms, lures, and flies. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, rubber lead head jigs, crankbaits, and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, and peacock ladies.

The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.


WOODLAND LAKE - Fishing is poor. The water temperature was 75 degrees and the pH was 8.99. The lake is full and the boat ramp is accessible. Weeds are present along the shoreline. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, and small spoons, and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, and Hares ears nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.


SILVER CREEK - Fishing is poor to fair. Silver Creek will be stocked this week with catchable size Apache trout. Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is now open to bait fishing and statewide fishing regulations are in effect until Sept. 30. The upper section is closed to fishing.

Try small lures such as Mepps, Rooster tails, and Panther Martin spinners. Fly-fishers may want to try wooly worms, wooly buggers, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, zug bugs, shrimp patterns, midge patterns, and small bead head nymphs. Try small dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, midge and caddis fly patterns. Bait fishermen should try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs.


WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Fishing is good. The West Fork was stocked at the campground with catchable size Apache trout last week and will be stocked again this week.

Wild brown trout are also present in the lower portion of the river. In the campground area, try worms, salmon eggs, small lures such as spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, wooly worms, small nymphs like hares ear, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and caddis imitations.

The upper portion of the river, upstream of the confluence with Hayground Creek and including the Forest Road 116 crossing, is open to artificial lures and flies only, with catch and release regulations.

EAST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – Fishing is good. The East Fork is stocked with catchable size Apache trout each week.

Wild brown trout are also present throughout the river. Try worms, salmon eggs, small lures such as spinners, and flies such as Peacock ladies, woolly worms, small nymphs like hares ear, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and caddis imitations.

SHEEPS CROSSING – Highway 273 is closed for the year due to road construction and an area closure is still in effect around Sheep Crossing, 24 hours and 7 days a week.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – GREER – Fishing is good. The LCR in Greer was stocked with catchable size Apache trout. Try worms, salmon eggs, small lures such as spinners, and flies such as peacock ladies, woolly worms, small nymphs like hares ear, pheasant tails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and caddis imitations.


» Return to Fishing Index: Fishing Report

(UP)