Fall Fishing in the White Mountains By Diane Tilton, AZGFD With the leaves beginning to change colors and a noticeable crispness to the air, fall is almost upon us in the White Mountains. With the cooler temperatures come the expectation of more successful fishing! Here are some lakes and streams which are expected to have good fishing opportunities this fall: Mogollon Rim Lakes: Bear Canyon Lake Bear Canyon is a steep, deep lake. There is little shallow water except at the upper end of the lake. Fish using small spinners and lures. If fishing off the bottom, avoid casting out too far where the water is very deep. Bait anglers should try fishing with a worm and bobber. Fly anglers using a float tube or kayak can find solitude at Bear Canyon Lake, especially on weekdays. Fly-fishing from shore or wading is difficult because the tree line comes right to the water s edge and the water gets deep close to shore. Rainbow trout are stocked once in late September and trout will be catchable several weeks after stocking. Water quality is good despite water levels being low. Chevelon Canyon Lake A deep canyon and well-forested edges---and somewhat challenging access---make this lake a great fall fishing destination for float-tubers. Some lures to try are: Kastmasters, Panther Martin spinners and Rapalas for stocked rainbows and wild brown trout. Fly-fishermen should try wooly buggers or wooly worms in black or brown colors, crayfish-colored patterns and brown or black Simi Seal leeches, peacock ladies or other large streamers. Chevelon Canyon is stocked with fingerling trout in the spring and managed as a put-and-grow fishery. Lake levels are way down and launching boats will be difficult this summer. Chevelon Canyon Lake is a hike-in or ATV accessible lake only, with a two trout limit and artificial fly/lure only regulations. As fall progresses, watch out for spawning brown trout upstream of the lake. Try not to target fish on redds (spawning nest) or step on redds in the stream. This lake has a great population of wild browns. Protecting spawning fish will allow these populations to thrive. Willow Springs Lake Lake levels are low this year but boat launching is still good. As daytime temperatures cool, water stratification breaks up and trout disperse throughout all depths. Willow Springs is stocked with catchable rainbow trout weekly until the end of September and tiger trout were stocked in May. Large numbers of trout remain uncaught into the fall and continue to provide excellent opportunities for anglers. Try Kastmasters, small Rapalas or Panther Martins for either species.
Shore anglers fishing for trout can try nightcrawlers or PowerBait. Green sunfish and smallmouth bass were illegally introduced into this lake. Try a small hook with a worm under a bobber, even during the warmer parts of the day. Woods Canyon Lake Just like nearby Willow Springs Lake, water temperatures should be mixing and letting fish move freely into deep water. Large numbers of trout remain uncaught into the fall and continue to provide excellent opportunities for anglers. If fishing for trout from shore, try PowerBait or worms. Fly anglers may have luck on dry flies or small nymphs right at sunset. Boaters can try trolling a Super Duper or tiny gold Kastmaster lures. The lake is loaded with crayfish. Try fishing for large trout with spinners or lures that imitate crayfish patterns. Fish for illegally stocked green sunfish along the rocky shore with nightcrawlers. Woods Canyon Lake is stocked weekly throughout September with rainbow trout and, in May, with tiger trout. White Mountain Lakes: Becker Lake Becker Lake can only be fished with artificial flies and lures with a single point barbless hook, catch-and-release only for trout. Big rainbow and tiger trout lurk along the weed beds on the south end but can be found in the middle of the lake by boat and float tube as well. Flies to try are midges, Prince Nymph, brown Montana stone and KP bugger. There is limited opportunity for shore fishing and wading especially due to low water but there is a floating fishing pier that is handicapped accessible. Spin fishermen can try Z-rays, small Kastmasters or Panther Martins with the treble replaced with a single point barbless hook. In early fall, fishing is best in the morning before the wind picks up and evenings after the monsoon storms have passed. In late fall, when daytime temperatures are cool, all day can be very productive. A 2018 spring fish population survey found lots of rainbow trout from 14 to 20 (most in the 18-19 range). Illegally introduced largemouth bass can also be found in this lake and anglers are encouraged to harvest bass to help the trout populations. Big Lake Cooling daytime temperatures and afternoon monsoon storms are helping to break up algae blooms and improve visibility in Big Lake. Because of its size, productivity and visitor amenities, Big Lake is considered one of the White Mountains best fishing lakes. Anglers should see increased bite as the weather cools and trout become more active. Bait and shore anglers can try anything from worms to PowerBait. Fishing from a boat is generally more successful in the early fall than fishing from the shoreline when the fish move into deep, cooler water. As temperatures cool, trout will be found in shallower water but shore angling remains difficult due to low water levels. Boaters should try trolling spinners and flies. Rainbow trout often forage on bottom while cutthroat may be a couple feet higher in the water
column. To attract cutthroat, use lures that resemble crayfish or their movement. Brook trout will hit flies but also try nightcrawlers on the bottom. Spring 2018 fish population surveys found healthy numbers of rainbow and cutthroat trout, including cutthroat up to 20 and over 3 pounds. Carnero Lake Fishing from the shoreline or using spinners or lures is difficult at this lake because of the weeds. The best way to fish is from a small boat, canoe/kayak or float tube. Fly fish for rainbow trout and tiger trout with wooly buggers, Prince Nymphs or light-colored nymphs in open areas. The water is deepest near the islands on the north end of the lake. Water levels are low this year and poor water quality was an issue in the summer. However, there are fewer weeds than normal and more open water. Water quality is already improving and will only get better throughout the fall. Access is still difficult and requires a slog out into the mud to get a float tube or kayak in (chest waders are also a good choice). Carnero won t fill back up until winter storms. Fool Hollow Lake With a variety of fish species, Fool Hollow Lake offers something for everyone, from first-time anglers to seasoned veterans. For kids and novice anglers, nightcrawlers on the bottom or under a bobber in rocky areas are a good way to go for bluegill or green sunfish. More experienced anglers can try spinner baits, jigs and nightcrawler rigs around underwater rocky structure where large smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye lurk. This is a great lake to catch trophysized walleye. Catch catfish in early fall with nightcrawlers or chicken livers on the bottom. Despite low water levels this year, water quality remains good. Try small bass and sunfish mimic lures for walleye in the rocky shallows during the evening. Luna Lake Luna Lake is the last chance to fish in eastern Arizona before the New Mexico state line. Large, scenic, with lots of visitor amenities and close to the town of Alpine, Luna Lake offers good spring, early summer and fall fishing for locals and visitors alike. This lake holds the current state record for cutthroat trout at 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Summer algae blooms and water quality issues should be clearing up in the fall and really improve fishing. Try wooly buggers, a Prince Nymph, simi seal leech and other large wet flies. Nightcrawlers and PowerBait fished off the bottom also work well. Shore and boat anglers both have success at Luna. Patterson Ponds Located in St. Johns, this Community Fishing Water is stocked with rainbow trout in fall. Try using small Panther Martins or gold Kastmasters. Bluegill are stocked in early summer and channel catfish are stocked in the later summer months. Try fishing for these carryover fish in fall as temperatures cool. Fish with chicken livers or nightcrawlers on bottom during the evening and night when catfish are most active. A general fishing license or a Community Fishing license is required to fish here. The pond daily bag limits in community fishing waters (2 trout; 2 catfish; 5 sunfish) apply.
Show Low Lake With campground, bathrooms, fish cleaning station and boat rentals, Show Low Lake is a great place to get away from it all while having amenities close by. Rainbow trout are stocked in spring and summer, while naturally reproducing walleye, sunfish, bass and channel catfish provide fishing opportunities the rest of the year. Fingerling channel catfish were stocked this year to increase populations in the future. Use nightcrawlers or chicken livers on bottom to target catfish. In fall, water stratification breaks up thanks to cooler days. Trout remaining after the last stocking are more active and disperse throughout the lake. Fishing for trout is best in the morning and in the evening as the sun sets; use worms, PowerBait, or small lures. The Arizona state record walleye was caught here weighing in at 16 pounds! Use fish mimics throughout the water column, especially in the evenings and near rocky structures. 2018 spring population surveys showed nice smallmouth bass; the largest fish was over 3 pounds and found right by the dock. White Mountain Streams: Show Low Creek Meadow This new Community Fishing Water, located at the Show Low Bluff trailhead in Show Low, provides multiple opportunities for anglers and families alike. Hiking trails and a disc golf course provide extra fun! Show Low Creek Meadow will be stocked with catchable sized rainbow trout each month throughout the fall. Fishing will continue to improve as water temperatures cool. There should also be holdover bluegill and large channel catfish from summer stockings. Angling is permitted from the trailhead and bridge, upstream to the Hampton Inn on Hwy 260 / White Mountain Blvd in Show Low. Bait can be used but daily bag limits are 2 trout, 2 catfish, 1 bass (minimum size 13 ) and 5 sunfish. Silver Creek Silver Creek is stocked weekly through September with Apache trout. Silver Creek is open to harvest from April 1 until September 30, including bait fishing, Six trout daily bag limit. NO HARVEST IS PERMITTED AFTER SEPTEMBER 30. On October 1, the catch-and-release season begins. Only artificial lure or fly with single point barbless hook may be used. Super catchable rainbow trout will be stocked on October 1. Fishing at Silver Creek will be very good except during the hottest and brightest parts of the day. Sight fish with dry flies or small nymphs in the morning and evening. Nymphs and midges drifted through the largest pools can be effective during the day. Small single hook lures will also be effective. Silver Creek is a Game and Fish Commission-owned property; entry is only allowed from 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. During catch-and-release season in the fall and winter, both the upper and lower sections may be fished. No unauthorized entry is ever allowed in the hatchery grounds. Black River West Fork
Fishing is good for stocked Apache trout and wild brown trout. The stream is stocked weekly with Apache trout until mid-september. Flow levels are higher and slightly off color during monsoon run off but will drop and clear as monsoon storms subside. Try dry flies, nymphs, streamers, small lures or PowerBait for trout. Hoppers or hoppers with droppers will work well in early fall when insects are most active. West Fork Campground is now open, up to the first river crossing. When hiking upstream of the campground, West Fork Black River upstream of Hayground Creek is catch-and-release, artificial lure or fly only with single point barbless hook. Hayground Creek is closed to all fishing. As fall progresses, watch out for spawning brown trout. Try not to target fish on redds (spawning nests) or step on redds in the stream. This creek has a great population of wild browns. Protecting spawning fish will allow these populations to thrive. Black River East Fork Fishing is good for stocked Apache trout and wild brown trout. The stream is stocked weekly with Apache trout from May to mid-september. Flow levels are higher and slightly off color during monsoon run off but will drop and clear as monsoon storms subside. Try dry flies, nymphs, wooly buggers, streamers, small lures or PowerBait for trout. Hoppers or hoppers with droppers will work well in early fall when insects are most active. As fall progresses, watch out for spawning brown trout. Try not to target fish on redds or step on redds in the stream. This creek has a great population of wild browns. Protecting spawning fish will allow these populations to thrive. Little Colorado River Sheep s Crossing/West Fork The river will be stocked through September and cooling water temperatures will help improve fishing. Fishing for wild Apache trout will be even better if you re willing to hike upstream. Flow levels are higher and slightly off color during monsoon run off but will drop and clear as monsoon storms subside. Try dry flies like a Parachute Adams or small nymphs such as a Hare s Ear. Small lures or PowerBait can be effective as well. Little Colorado River Greer The stream was stocked this spring with Apache trout for the first time since 2015 and will be stocked weekly until early September. Stocked trout will likely persist for 1-2 months after final stocking. Fishing for wild brown trout should improve as water temperatures cool. Try dry flies, small nymphs, small lures or PowerBait for trout. Flow levels are higher and slightly off color during monsoon run off but will drop and clear as monsoon storms subside. As fall progresses, watch out for spawning brown trout. Try not to target fish on redds or step on redds in the stream. This creek has a great population of wild browns. Protecting spawning fish will allow these populations to thrive. For more information about Arizona fishing locations, visit azgfd.com/fishing/locations/. Buy your fishing license online at azgfd.com/.