Arizona’s Game and Fish Department recently reported that fishing for catfish continues to be good to excellent during any week where they have stocked channel cats in local impoundments, but it continues to be fair after that. The warmer air and lake temperatures have made the catfish action best during low light or nighttime conditions. Anglers are using stink baits, shrimp or worms fished on the bottom and doing well. The state is indicating that the next catfish stocking is taking place this week – from June 14-19 at all Phoenix and Tucson area Urban waters.
Recent catfish deliveries to Alvord Lake and Water Ranch Lake were cancelled, but lake management actions have improved conditions at the lake, and they can now allow stockings to resume. The extra fish were stocked into nearby Urban lakes making for some exceptional fishing at Desert West, Cortez, Encanto, Kiwanis and Red Mountain.
On other fronts, the state department is reporting that the sunfish continue to bite well on small worms fished under a bobber.
An 8.7 pound, 29-inch channel catfish was recently caught at Kiwanis Lake in Tempe. That’s a nice catfish by anyone’s standards.
At Green Valley lakes (Payson) most of the trout have been caught, according to the Division, but anglers are enjoying great action on bluegill, crappie and bass. Try small jigs and worms fished under a bobber at Green Valley.
There’s plenty of great fishing available. Go enjoy it as we enter the summer months.
