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Cool summer angling at Prescott area lakes


6/18/2012 9:55:00 PM

 The outlook for anglers at Prescott area lakes, from the Arizona Game and Fish Department:

GOLDWATER LAKE - The lake is open again and trout were stocked for the Free Fishing Event on June 9.

Game and Fish has been trying to boost the some of the warm water species in Goldwater. Bass and catfish have been stocked three times over the last four years. The bass are being stocked to give a boost to a dwindling population in the lake and to reduce the excessive number of crayfish. Please practice catch and release with the bass, while the population gets re-established.

FAIN LAKE - The last stocking was the second week of May. The reports from regulars at the lake say the trout are biting; mornings are best. Anglers are having luck throughout the day using Power Bait and Berkley Gulp. Rainbow and yellow seem to be the popular colors.

Fishermen using their fly rod gear are having the best luck. Brown trout and rainbows are hitting the flies very well with one fisherman catching 47 fish (all browns) off the same fly. Flies are less likely to get swallowed so releasing the fish is easier.

GRANITE BASIN LAKE - The bass are biting now. Michael sent in a report of catching four largemouth in two hours with the biggest 3.5 pounds. He was using a rubber trout with a spinner tip and a rainbow trout spinner.

LYNX LAKE -Rainbow trout were last stocked in mid-May.

Cut anchovies, night crawlers or hot dog are your best bet for catfish. Lynx also can be an exciting place to fish for carp. Common carp are very strong fighters and will provide excellent table fare. A quick search on the Internet will produce tasty recipes for these robust fish. Corn and an assortment of other baits will attract these fish.

Lynx can be difficult to fish, if you are not catching anything try moving to a new spot. There are some good spots on the north end of the lake that don't get fished as heavily as the south end does.

MINGUS LAKE - The last stocking was scheduled fo the week of May 28. For trout the best bait is usually orange, pink, or white Power Bait, fished on the bottom with a treble hook and an egg sinker. Fishing can be really good at times, because angler use is lower than other lakes in the area.

Yellow bullhead catfish are active and easy to catch with nightcrawlers on the bottom.

This lake is more remote than the other Prescott area lakes and not very big. The lake is open as weather permits. Forest Road 104 is relatively impassable when wet. The lake is still open to foot traffic.

Someone illegally stocked yellow bullhead into Mingus several years ago. These fish compete directly with the trout and keep growth rates very low. If you witness anyone moving fish like bass, bluegill, catfish and stocking them, please report it to our Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700.

WATSON LAKE - The last trout stocking was the week of Feb. 13. Folks have caught 16- to 17-inch holdover trout from the shore near the new boat launch. Peter, fishing from a kayak, caught a 17-inch bass weighing approximately 3 pounds using a live worm. He saw several other large bass but was unable to catch them. The Wildlife Manager for the Watson area sent me a picture of some nice trout an angler caught from shore. Both of these fish looked like they had been in the lake for a period of time because of the size and condition of the fish.

Game and Fish Biologists surveyed Watson recently and found the bass, sunfish, and bullhead to be plentiful. Crappies were also doing well.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR - No report.



If you fish any of these lakes and are having luck, please e-mail gcummins@azgfd.gov.


 

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