Spring is on the way and water is heating up! Here is our monthly Arizona Fishing Report
Lee’s Ferry - Average
Flows have been fluctuating between 8,000 and 12,000 CFS, with water temperatures in the upper 40s. Expect to continue seeing signs of rainbows spawning throughout March. You'll spot these fish above gravel redds in the shallows. This is a fun time to get to watch some of the fish in this system, but make sure you aren't disturbing spawning activity when wading through tailouts and riffles.
With spring on the horizon (and more sun in the bottom of the canyon), expect to start seeing more bug activity on this tailwater. BWOs and midges should be plentiful. Keep an eye out for rising fish and continue targeting deeper water with sink tip lines and double nymph rigs.
Best Bets:
#20 Bead Head Biot Midge Emerger
Rim Creeks - Average
In March, the Rim waters (and the trout they hold) are typically in a transition period as we move into spring. Smaller BWO nymphs and midge larva are good choices right now. Expect clear water, unless there's been a recent storm or a higher altitude run-off event. As the weather continues warming, the fishing should start heating up quickly as we get closer to April.
Best Bets:
Oak Creek - Average
Late winter storms near Sedona and Flagstaff can trigger very fun streamer fishing on Oak Creek. Be on the lookout for cloudy water and higher flows, which can get the larger browns aggressive. During calmer conditions, nymph rigs have been working, although it's starting to get closer to the beginning of dry-dropper season on Oak Creek. Be on the lookout for early spring hatches, especially on warmer overcast days.
Smaller bead head nymphs remain the most reliable way to put fish in the net this time of year. Fish will still be holding in deeper spots and soft edges, but expect to start finding feeding fish in riffles as the weather continues to warm up.
Best Bets:
Silver Creek - Good
March is the final month for the catch-and-release winter season up on Silver Creek. The fish have seen plenty of flies and action at this point in the year. Be stealthy, patient, and observant to net these late-season picky fish.
Best Bets:
Verde River - Good
Trout stocking continues this month, with two planned stocking events (the week of 3/9 and 3/23). Check the stocking schedule here to stay up to date on the AZGFD stocking program. Stocking primarily occurs between Cottonwood and Camp Verde.
When fish are fresh from the hatchery, they key in on junk flies that might resemble hatchery food sources: mops, eggs, and worms. As fish settle into their new environment, they will begin feeding on more natural presentations, like caddis and mayfly nymphs. An effective way to fish for these stockers is to use an attractor pattern up top and a smaller, more natural presentation below.
Best Bets:
San Juan - Good
This continues to be an excellent time to fish the San Juan. Although it can be chilly, this desert tailwater has a fraction of its normal crowd in the winter. In March, pack plenty of BWOs. Late winter and early spring hatches should really get going, especially on overcast days.
Best Bets:
White Mountains Lakes - Average
Winter is waning in the Whites, and the lakes will start fishing better with the arrival of spring. The classic leech/midge combo fished under an indicator will catch fish. Slowly stripping smaller streamers will produce fish as well. As always, the best way to access and fish these small lakes is by small craft. Check out our selection of inflatables HERE.
Best Bets:
Black River - Average
Expect muddy roads and fish that are starting to get active again. Light runoff can trigger a solid streamer bite. Crayfish, leeches, and buggers are effective for both the larger browns and smallmouth. In the earlier part of the month, expect to find fish in deeper pools; as we get closer to April, fish will begin moving into the riffles to feed.
Best Bets:
Salt River - Excellent
Trout stocking will happen every week in March on the lower Salt. The trout will be plenty active with the warmer weather. Like the stockers on the Verde, use a mix of attractor patterns (worms, eggs, mops) and natural presentations. Stripping and swinging wooly buggers is also a great way to hook fish.
Bass fishing is starting to heat up. Small streamers fished right up against brush piles are effective. In low light conditions, work small poppers away from the banks and across the heads of deeper pools.
Best Bets:
Dead Horse Ranch- Good
Trout stocking will continue every other week in March (the week of 3/9 and 3/23). Slowly stripping woolly buggers is an effective way to target both trout and bass in the lagoons. An indicator rig with a balanced leech and a natural nymph below it is also a great rig for trout.
Bass are becoming much more active as they move into pre-spawn mode. Minnow patterns and crayfish are effective. There are some large fish in this system - don't be afraid to throw something a big bigger, especially in low light hours!
Best Bets:
Phoenix Urban Waters - Excellent
Spring weather hits the Valley before the rest of the state, and with it comes some of the best backyard fishing of the year. Around town, bass are moving into pre-spawn mode and chasing down minnows and crayfish. Carp are back in the canals and feeding on weightless mops and eggs subsurface and boobies on top.
Reservoirs around town are rapidly warming up and the fishing is heating up accordingly. As Lake Pleasant begins to flood into the shallow flats, expect to start seeing lots of tailing carp (AKA desert bonefish). These fish are an absolute blast to target from a small craft. Get geared up with one of our float tubes today!
Best Bets:
#8 MFC Chan's Las Vegas Booby Leech
That's a wrap on the March Arizona Fishing Report.