Reel News
Denise Jones
Gila Outdoor
348-0710

RIGGS FLAT

The lake has been stocked, and anglers are reporting success.  Try small lures, Power Bait and corn. DANKWORTH POND

Sunfish are biting in the early morning before the day begins to heat up. Aquatic vegetation continues to be a problem for anglers.  For lake information call (928) 428-6760.

FRYE MESA RESERVOIR

Anglers continue to have the best success when fishing the early hours around sunrise on small lures silver in color.  

SAN CARLOS

The lake is shrinking, but bass fishermen are finding a few bites on quality fish up to 8 pounds. Use crankbaits. Lots of catfish, many in the 10- to 20-pound class, are available.

ROOSEVELT

One report says the fishing is on fire. Three anglers, including guide Brett Hite, had 120 to 180-bass days using dropshots this past week. Nearly all the fish measured in the slot with the largest 3 pounds. Keep a top-water rig handy as an occasional boil will surface. Also try spoons and dropshots.

APACHE

Lake elevation is 1,907 feet (92-percent full).  Surveys were conducted at Apache Lake last week, and there are a lot of small walleye out there.  They have dispersed throughout the lake and anglers are catching them on the points and in some coves while trying to catch yellow bass.  They are growing fast and don’t have the girth as of yet, so they are way too skinny for filets, but it was nice to catch so many. The stocking from two years ago is paying off.  Crabtree area is good. The points going into the cove revealed quite a few yellow bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass. The green sunfish are all well fed, and there were quite a few large bluegills.

CRESCENT LAKE

Fishing is fair. Fishing generally improves during the fall as water temperatures cool down.  All boat ramps are accessible; however, the west and south boat ramps are deeper than the ramp on the north end of the lake

Try worms, Power Bait, corn and salmon eggs, lures such as small Z-rays, Super Dupers, Kast-Masters and spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin and Rooster Tail), and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager bugger, leech patterns, peacock ladies, Warden Worrys, prince nymphs and zug bugs.  Also try small nymphs in brown, black or green.

LUNA

Fishing is poor to fair. There is a blue-green algae bloom on the lake, and the pH is still a little high, which is stressful to trout.  Try fishing in the morning, when pH levels are lowest.  Some anglers have been catching trout on yellow Power Bait and night crawlers. A 19-inch and 20 inch rainbow trout were caught during late September on night crawlers.  Try worms, corn, salmon eggs and Power Bait, lures such as Panther Martin, Rooster Tail and Mepps spinners, small spoons like KastMasters, Z-rays and Super Dupers, and flies such as wooly worms and wooly buggers, peacock ladies, zug bugs, prince nymphs and black, brown or green-colored nymphs.  The store is open sometimes.

BIG LAKE

Fishing is good, with rainbows and cutthroats being caught, although windy conditions this past weekend made it challenging at times. Boat ramps are accessible. Anglers are catching  rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout.  Some nice-sized, (up to 6 pounds), rainbow trout have been caught near the store. During the mornings and evenings, elk are routinely bugling.

Try worms, Power bait, corn and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail, Panther Martin), Super Dupers, Z-rays, KastMasters, Crickhoppers (yellow and orange) and Rapalas, and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, semi-seal leeches, peacock ladies and nymphs in black, brown, or green. Boat anglers are catching trout using cowbells with an attached lure, fly or worm. Shore anglers should try  yellow or green Power Bait and night crawlers.