Fall is finally here in State 48, and now is a great time to hook up with a trophy trout. Here's the Arizona Fishing Report for October.
Lee’s Ferry - Good
Water release from the dam continue to fluctuate from about 7,000 CFS up to 12,000 CFS. The water temperature is staying steady around 60 degrees.
As always, midges and worms work great on this system. Make sure your rigs are weighted appropriately to get the flies all the way down to the bottom of the river.
While nymph rigs will always work, now is a great time of year to start throwing some meat. Cast streamers across the current and let them swing through riffles and pools as you work your way downstream. Streamer fishing is most effective here with a sink-tip.
Best Bets:
Rim Creeks - Excellent
Water temps across the Rim are staying reliably cooler, which should continue as we move into October.
In the early part of the month, terrestrials will continue catching plenty of fish. Hoppers are especially productive, but make sure to pack a few ants and beetles as well. Try them with a dropper or fish them by themselves.
Caddis hatches have been prevalent, along with some small BWO activity. Focus on fishing gray, brown, and tan patterns.
Best Bets:
Oak Creek - Excellent
Now that summer crowds have left, now is a great time to explore the water outside of Sedona. Pre-spawn fish will be hungry, especially when the water conditions are cloudy and high. After rain, strip and swing streamers throughout the canyon. On days with clearer water, fish dry dropper rigs through riffles and at the heads of pools.
As we move deeper into October, keep an eye out for spawning brown trout. They'll be sitting on redds in the shallow tail-outs of pools. Give these spawning fish a break so our fisheries stay healthy and strong!
Best Bets:
Silver Creek - Poor
The winter catch-and-release season on Silver Creek has closed as of March 31. The creek is currently open to barbed hooks and bait fishing.
The action is probably better at nearby White Mountains lakes.
Best Bets:
Verde River - Good
Expect bass to be active in the month of October. As temperatures finally begin to cool, you should start seeing more productive fishing throughout the day (not just at dawn and dusk).
Try stripping and swinging small streamers across the edges of seams and around structure. In low light hours, work poppers near shore.
While fall trout stocking will being in October on many local waters, the Verde won't be stocked until November this year. Check out this page to stay up to date on the AZGFD fish stocking schedule.
Best Bets:
San Juan - Excellent
The San Juan will continue fishing well in October. Flows have been lower recently (600 cfs), which makes wading this cold water a bit more appealing. Focus your efforts on fishing small midges, and make sure your rig has enough weight to get these tiny flies into the strike zone.
As always, streamer fishing is quite productive in this system. Swing streamers through riffles and tailouts during low-lights hours to switch things up from the nymph fishing during the day.
Best Bets:
Salt River - Good
Trout stocking will return to the Salt in October. Stockings will begin the second week of the month and continue weekly throughout the rest of the year. If you're new to fly fishing for trout, this is an excellent opportunity to get out and practice close to home!
Focus your efforts above the confluence with the Verde and try to hit the water during the week.
Flows on the lower Salt remain at their summer highs; expect the daily flows to drop significantly this month as SRP transitions to their winter water schedule.
Best Bets:
Dead Horse Ranch- Average
This state park has great access and is an awesome spot to learn how to fly fish or hone your casting skills. Fishing is improving into October. You’ll have the opportunity to catch a variety of species, from channel catfish and largemouth bass to bluegill.
As the water cools off, expect better fishing throughout the mid-day hours. Fish activity will still be best early or late. Topwater poppers and small streamers are the best bets for bass.
Best Bets:
White Mountains Lakes - Good
Water temperatures have dropped across the Whites, and most lakes are fishing quite well.
Stripping streamers and leeches remains the best way to get fish in the net on these lakes. Try using an intermediate sinking line. You can also fish a double nymph rig under an indicator; if the surface is choppy, that movement provides plenty of action for a bite.
Best Bets:
Black River - Excellent
October is a great month to hunt big fish on the Black. Dry droppers will be productive - try using terrestrials and caddis. If nymphing, throw bead-headed flies with legs. Now is the perfect time of year to commit to streamers. Hungry, pre-spawn browns will be active, especially if water levels rise.
Best Bets:
#10 Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs
Canals - Excellent
Canals and ponds continue to fish well across Phoenix. Water temperatures will cool down throughout the month and the fish will become more active throughout the day.
Looking forward to a saltwater trip over the winter? Fishing for our local carp is a great way to really dial in your casting and fly presentation!
First time venturing out for carp? Stop in the shop for intel on the best spots around Phoenix!
Best Bets:
That's a wrap on the October Arizona Fishing Report. Stop by the shop to get set up for your next outing!