Spring is here and the fishing continues to heat up. Here's the Arizona Fishing Report for April.
Lee’s Ferry - Good
Some days have been a grind on the Ferry this spring, but fishing should improve as warmer weather moves in and midge activity increases.
Rainbows should still be spawning, so be mindful of fish handling and don't target any fish sitting on beds. BWOs and midges should become more and more prevalent into April and will get the fish actively feeding through shallower riffles.
When fishing the deeper pools, try fishing double nymph rigs with a smaller fly below a brighter attractor pattern, like a worm or bugger. Sink tip lines are also a good technique for swinging streamers.
Best Bets:
Rim Creeks - Good
Fishing is picking up across the Rim. Right now, the water is a bit high and colored, making it a great time to move around without spooking too many fish.
Work the pools and undercuts with small streamers.
Dry fly activity is heating up, with lots of BWOs and a handful of small stoneflies. It's not too early to start throwing terrestrials - beetles and ants will both catch fish!
Best Bets:
Oak Creek - Good
Like the Rim water, Oak Creek canyon is starting to heat up. Try prospecting with dry dropper rigs and covering the deeper water with small streamers on sink-tip lines.
When fishing the runs, smaller bead head nymphs will produce fish on Oak Creek. If fish are being picky, try downsizing your point fly and adding an attractor pattern above it.
Best Bets:
Silver Creek - Average
The catch-and-release season has CLOSED on Silver Creek, and this water is now open to bait fishing. With other lakes and streams now open across the Whites, it's probably better to fish elsewhere.
Best Bets:
Verde River - Good
Trout stocking ended in March. Bookmark this page to stay up to date on the AZGFD fish stocking schedule.
This time of year, the Verde can turn into a solid bass fishery. Target these fish with baitfish patterns and poppers, primarily in the mornings and evenings.
Best Bets:
San Juan - Excellent
As spring temperatures rise and the water clears up a bit, expect to see tons of baetis and midges. Weighted double nymph rigs will remain the go-to set up for catching the most fish. Try fishing them with an attractor pattern on top and make sure you're using enough weight to get the flies ticking just above the bottom.
While nymphing is the most productive on the Juan, don't be afraid to throw both streamers and dry flies. Large fish in the system will eat a streamer (even during the day) and fish will rise for surface presentations.
Best Bets:
Salt River - Excellent
Trout stocking will continue through April, but on a more infrequent basis. You can catch these fish by drifting nymphs through riffles and swinging nymphs and soft hackles through runs.
Bass fishing is heating up! Hit the banks with small streamers and strip through the deeper holes with sinking line. During the mornings/evenings, try throwing poppers for the topwater bite.
While not at their summer highs, water levels are above the winter low flows, which makes wading and sight fishing some areas difficult.
Best Bets:
Dead Horse Ranch- Good
Expect the bite to pick up with the warmer April weather. Bass are in pre-spawn mode and are starting to eat a lot. These fish are active and hitting lots of streamers and baitfish patterns.
Best Bets:
White Mountains Lakes - Good
Ice is off in the Whites and the fishing is heating up. Expect better action as the month goes on. Fish balanced leeches and midges under an indicator. Any chop on the water should be enough to add movement to the leech. If the water is completely calm, try slowly stripping this rig.
Best Bets:
Black River - Good
Like other waters in the Whites, the Black River is heating up this month. Heavy nymph rigs and streamers are the ticket right now, especially as any runoff moves through.
Be on the lookout for mayfly activity, and expect to get into some good hatches, especially during overcast afternoons.
Target smallmouth with streamers, especially crayfish patterns.
Best Bets:
Phoenix Urban Waters - HOT
It is a GREAT time to get out on our local waters in Phoenix.
The canals are clear, and carp (especially the grass!) are actively taking dry flies.
On the reservoirs, pre-spawn bass are setting up in the shallows and are being caught on baitfish patterns.
For a fun and unique challenge, watch for tailing carp in the reservoir shallows. These fish will readily take a fly and are a blast to sight fish.
Looking for a rig to get you on our urban waters? Check out the new NRS Herron 110 Fishing SUP.
Best Bets:
#8 Fulling Mill Baby Fat Minnow
#8 MFC Chan's Las Vegas Booby Leech
That's a wrap on the April Arizona Fishing Report.