The submersible model is my favorite because it allows me to control the depth of light penetration and prevents drawing bugs to the glow. It also depends on your bait. Here, then, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department's top-5 fishing holes for this winter (see this article on the Fish AZ blog): 5. I have some theories about night fishing and some of these myths listed below but they’re pretty long winded. Although night fishing is pretty fun, i have to agree I have caught a lot more and bigger catfish right before dark as opposed to during dark. Arizona fishing licenses are valid at all state lakes, rivers and reservoirs except lakes and ponds managed under the state’s urban lake program. Fish statewide will tend to become more active at night with the drop in temperatures, and predatory fish become opportunistic. While you can fish during the day fishing for Crappies like Richard Gene does it can take its toll. FishAZ will be a creation of up-to-date information on numerous sportfish projects ongoing across the state. From bass-filled lakes to trout-filled rivers, these spots are brimming with large fish populations. Producer of FishShootouts.net and FishShootous.net/blog for fishing news, the world's largest fishing tournament database for freshwater, saltwater, reeling for dollars. And i also fish at night on fod and reel and i catch big cats . Here is a line up of some of the best fishing in Arizona. Great article! Also missed a couple of good bites. Im from a small town in illinois. As I’ve evolved as a fisherman I spend less and less time fishing at night. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a good night fishing trip now and then but fishing during the day is consistently more productive and generally much easier as well. I caught catfish in lakes where there where a lot of activity and still caught a good number of catfish. All the cats I caught their strike is with in +/-8 mins of casting out. Fish deep in the early morning or late afternoons. March bass begin to shake off winter lethargy by late February, depending on weather and water conditions, and prepare for the spring spawn by staging in schools. In Arizona, one may legally bag up to 10 toads with a fishing license, but it could constitute a criminal violation if it can be shown that one is in possession of this toad with the intent to smoke its secretions. Chad, I just moved to a new lake (well new for me) and am at a loss for what to look for when searching for cats. Going tonight with my sons just because it sounds like fun at night. I fish for all species of fish and there is no doubt that “dusk” period before sunset is a magical time. Someone setup right down from me and Wierded me out. I went fishing a few times a year for Bass and sunfish until this June, I caught my first channel catfish. i caught my first catfish during the day, wisconsin. For years summer catfishing for me meant heading out a few hours before dark and driving home at sunrise. There’s a growing group of anglers that target monster flatheads that fish exclusively during the day also and they do very well. Baker played free and confidently from the opening tip, scoring 19 points to eclipse his career high by halftime. Arizona Bowfishing Association. The following local shops have all your bait and tackle needs to catch your next trophy fish. You should be able to drop the light down a meter. Chad, I have seen all of your videos. Also, see a full list of fire restrictions in Arizona. Go out and catch a memory! Altho lately I’ve been trying to catch flatheads at a local lake that has 50+lb flat heads in but I’ve spent over 50 hours there within this past couple weeks and I havnt had a single bite, I havnt even caught any fish here other than shad with my throwing net. Buy A License. But I’ve caught catfish or as we call them up north, bulkhead, horned pout great eating too, I’ve been fishing my entire life and from my personal experience, fishing 5-8 (assuming it gets dark at 7:30 depending on daylight savings) I tend to get the most action. Unless you’re fishing as the sun takes its first peak at daytime, it’s night-fishing time. Fishing during the day (even in the heat) can also be incredibly productive, and is preferred by many catfish anglers. Much of this is due to the fact that there’s a number of patterns and techniques that work really well during the day that are impossible at night. Proper Night Fishing Equipment. After they get some of their basic inquiries out of the way regarding cost and other pertinent details the next thing that often gets asked is “what time do you start fishing”. Tweet. I did catch a 8&1/2 lb channel cat in October of last year about 2pm on a dead stinky worm. There are some truly unique fishing locales in landlocked Arizona. Lake Havasu State Park Find local fishing reports on the following websites to keep you up-to-date on local fishing information. Bass anglers: You can get by without an expensive reel. When it comes to catfishing though, there’s even more interest in night fishing than there is with any other species of freshwater fish. Thanks chad your the man! With its abundance of beautiful landscapes and natural wonders in Arizona, fishing enthusiasts flock to state parks, reservoirs and lakes for an idyllic day near the water. Sometimes you just have to keep trying different things. Your info has certainly improved the numbers and size of my catches. Community Fishing Program . Required fields are marked *. Let’s go fishing! About Arizona City (AZ) Fishing. I went fishing this weekend from Saturday morning until Sunday morning. When fishing these creeks, it’s not necessary to bring the master tackle box. I do get 1-7lbers though most every night. There’s a wealth if information to support this and some easy tricks you can do to learn on your own. It’s also a great time to fish the creeks below the Mogollon Rim. I am on the Lake of the Ozarks. A week later, I caught a 10.7 pound channel cat from the same pond around 7pm. Rules & Regulations. I totally agree on catfishing in the a.m. Get to both early for a camping spot. Because I’ve caught catfish at night, but caught even more in the day. Do you have a point of reference? Arizona Fishing Licenses Join us as we discuss the Arizona Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. The truth is night fishing has more to do with the angler than it does the actual ability to catch catfish. In the end daytime or night time its the location rather than boat traffic. I’ve had days on a river in the blazing heat catching a bunch of channel cats and a new pond I found coughed up a 5 pounder after fishing chicken livers for only 10 min. Also, you’re not allowed to take grass carp out of the canals because they are put in there to get rid of the weeds. If you’ve got the sense that when the sun goes down all of the catfish suddenly flock to shallow water, you’re wrong. I am a shore fisherman 90% of the time and when I’m catching fish by the numbers it’s usually late at night between 10pm 4am. Despite the fishing pressure, Woods Canyon Lake continues to be a hot spot. Most importantly is water level, the higher the better. There’s also a lot of misunderstanding and bad information surrounding night fishing and catfishing. You can fish at night, too, and that’s a great way to get catfish. Fishing Lake Pleasant, AZ on 12/7/2020 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from 12:00AM to 12:00AM. Summertime in Arizona is playtime on the lakes. We incorporated in 1994, as a not-for-profit sportsman’s group. We float pieces of cut bait over ledges with a bobber & hammer them many times. Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly. ARIZONA. If you ignore the daylight hours and brave the heat you might be surprised at what you find, and what you catch. 10 or 12) and light lines (around 6-pound test — fluorocarbon if possible). Good stuff. I think the daytime vs nighttime fishing comes down to if you have a boat or not… While durring the day I have caught my largest fish of all species I’ve caught but the numbers are way down by that I mean less fish. Set your Night Fishing Lighting at the Right Depth. As a general rule daytime fishing is much more productive. My largest catches, have always been, without exception, around shorelines that consist of huge rock, with water depth from 3 to 5 feet. A real giant for Illinois waters. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. If you think you need to fish at night to catch catfish (or any species of fish for that matter) and never venture out during the day, you’re missing out on some of the best fishing there is. Even in the brutal Texas summer I prefer fishing for catfish during the day. We can agree to disagree but I disagree with most of the article. The thought that you have to fish at night is nothing more than years of people passing along bad information. I only use a headlight, and NEVER a lantern. I also find that night fishing is more satisfying on the lakes. I love topwater fishing and the bite usually goes crazy at that time. Named after one of the best and most respected US Presidents of all time, Roosevelt Lake can be found in Tonto National Forest. Caught one a few weeks back during the day. Big Fish of the Year. Odds are, there is a canal near where you live, and it is perfectly legal to fish in them, but you do need an Arizona fishing license, not an Urban License. Here in Texas it’s like fishing on the sun when you hit the lake or river during the day in the summer. Hit Charles mill up north at about 11 pm and brought in 6 channel from 3 to 7 pounds. No. Arizona is blessed with diverse fishing opportunities, from the large reservoirs to the trout lakes in the mountains, and plenty of low-elevation fishing holes in between. After watching and hearing him catch 10 bass to our one, I started scouring my tackle box for any crankbait in white. Awesome article Chad. The fish are less likely to be active. Phoenix Bass Masters has fished Arizona waters since 1991. To date I’ve collected data on 160+ fish, sometimes the same fish more than once. Fact: Flathead catfish can be caught during the day or at night. Most of these secretive lights are nothing more than a ploy to catch fishermen and have little to do with actually attracting catfish. I’ve tested this theory this summer fishing almost exclusively in 3 local lakes and ponds for channel catfish. At a place called Goat Neck Texas he ran trotlines he would wait to bait just before dark and that’s the way I do it because he said the Flatheads bite best at night or right before daylight. Caught 4 catfish in a couple of hours on Arizona canals at night. Arizona Night Fishing. I fish at night were it was less activities on the lake caught catfish as well. I am not a wintertime fisherman ( Ohio is just cold in winter). Arizona may not be the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but that doesn’t mean it’s without great fishing spots. Arizona might not be the land of 10,000 lakes, but there’s no shortage of high-quality fishing spots spread across the state. Help yourself and your future loved ones. It’s all about the patterns and knowing where to fish. It’s no wonder. To post a fishing report,email info@hookedaz.com, or post it under the specific lake or river page. Do I pull in whoppers or trophy style cats? Fishing Forecast. Fish & Boat Arizona will take you to a map with the top fishing locations. Great article. If you are looking for the top-rated locations for trout fishing in Arizona, you’ve come to the right place. If you cant catch many fish where you go then do as i do and find you a small cove,deep creek, or a lake and your set. Daytime fishing I would have better luck with a boat because you can target the fish a lot better. Chad, thank you for all the great information! Im a fan of the sonnys blood formula dipbait. During the daylight hours, Arizona lakes are boiling with jet skiers, water skiers and high-speed joy riders. They are family memory makers, too. And about the flathead. Starting around March my phone starts ringing off the hook with people who want to fish with me or get information on booking guided catfishing trips. And targeted catfish in particular. Waters and species chart This portion of the state is mostly pine or fir forests above 6,500 feet. Arizona Fishing Reports. Not saying that night fishing isn’t productive. I started 5 years ago on Texoma and will never go back to exclusive night fishing. Camping, hiking, and fishing are available up to 10,000 feet in quality alpine settings. We stock about 55,000 fish per year into Woods. Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes. I usually fish at night, as during the day there is jet fleas, and ‘party boaters’ zipping the river. To fish at these lakes, you’ll need to buy an urban fishing license. The trout fishing community is a tight-knit group that is dedicated to these beautiful fish. Unless you’re fishing as the sun takes its first peak at daytime, it’s night-fishing time. If you want to “beat the heat” and avoid the boats and jet skis on the water then night fishing can be a great way to do so and it’s a great way to get out and catch catfish. Get more exclusive catfish fishing tips here by email, make sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow me on Instagram and Twitter. Yes fishing at night beats the heat. Catfishing tips, techniques and information from professional catfish guides anglers. I think both night and day fishing for catfish is good, but day is more productive. Carry insect repellent in the boat because … Catfish can easily be caught throughout the day regardless of season. Delaware ohio. But fishing for all three species seems to more productive in the PM. White Mountains. We do have a completely different range of catfish in this neck of the woods however. My next visit to that pond will be even later into the evening. Catfish Rods: The Ultimate Guide To Catfish Rods, Catfish Rigs: The Best Rigs For Catfishing, Best Catfish Bait: The Top 5 Catfish Baits Made Simple, Catfish Species Essentials: The “Big Three” Types Of Catfish. Roosevelt Lake. Stocking Schedule. Our mission is to provide good bass fishing opportunities for members, promote public awareness of bass fishing and support the Arizona Game and Fish Department. We advocate adherence to all conservation codes and good water quality standards. If your Uncle Joe handed down his list of catfishing tips and told you that you had to fish at night to catch catfish, you’re doing it all wrong. Fish with grubs or grasshoppers if you can find them and float them through the ripples with no weights on a small hook (No. Going after some more. Your email address will not be published. Fun to catch and good to eat, these fish are a bonanza to Arizona’s anglers. I seldom fish at night – you can see what you doing in daylight. Our Fish&Boat Arizona map will show plenty of options. The lights draw in bugs and bait fish which in turns can draw in fish. Myth: If you want to catch flathead catfish, you have to fish at night. As the water warms, they begin to push up into shallower water. At the Lower Salt River, below Saguaro Lake, is known for its Rainbow Trout, Catfish, Sunfish and Largemouth Bass fishing. Arizona is a pretty dry state, but we actually have a pretty large number of fishing options. There’s a common misunderstanding that when people say that the fish are in shallow water, or the fish are in deep water, all the fish will be there. I also think dusk is a magical time,,,even tho the mosquitoes want to eat you alive.i found bug spray and chicken livers left out in the sun for a day is helpful also,,,the kivers don’t go after the livers. We're informing, engaging, and providing transparency to our partners and customers. Great article. Arizona Fish Reports is the best source for update Fish Reports for all over Arizona. There is not much I enjoy more than fishing at night for crappies and specs during the summer months. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the Fishing Spot is open to the public, and respect all signs indicating private property or restricting access. Night fishing is a popular topic among all anglers and something that’s completely misunderstood. Very productive. Night fishing with lights in or shining on the water is a pretty common practice for many species of fish. If those times won’t work for you, 12:00AM to 12:00AM looks promising. Or, post your pics in the latest catches gallery.This Arizona fishing report is a realtime feed showing the latest 200 reports and pics, you can view more historic reports under the specific lake or river page. Fact: Catfish are active at all hours of the day and night, this includes all three species of catfish. Have a good one! We cover the entire state including the Colorado River, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Roosevelt Lake, Toprock Marsh, Lake Pleasant and more. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. Myth: Catfish move shallow at night in a “nighttime feeding frenzy”. Fishing Locations. Our goal is to showcase the state of Arizona as one of the most desired fishing states in the Nation and keep you informed on the projects that provide better fishing opportunities. Year-around, you can take advantage and enjoy the Lower Salt River's trout fishing. lol those are small my friend fox river has some giant cats my boy pulled a 28 pound flat head out last summer about 10 pm… nite fishing… 30 plus pretty common on the fox river…. Even flathead catfish can be caught in the day with a little skill and modification of your techniques. There was a point and time many years ago that I though that catching good numbers of catfish meant you had to fish at night. Who knew, right? I still catch the big boys at night during stronger feeding patterns. I have caught catfish at all different times of day except for one species bullheads for some reason in the rivers and creeks I fish I can only catch them at night not sure why, Your email address will not be published. Jamarl Baker scored 33 points and made seven 3-pointers, sending Arizona to a 96-53 rout of Northern Arizona on Monday night. Of Saturday i managed to catch 3kg catfish and then no bait the... Productive in the brutal Texas summer i prefer fishing for all the great information the night away to have sort! Especially if you are looking for, this includes all three species seems to more in... Richard Gene does it can take advantage and enjoy the Lower Salt River trout... Be afraid to mix it up pole, grab your bait, and that ’ completely! 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Good, but we actually have a pretty common practice for many species of fish and there jet. Evolved as a not-for-profit sportsman ’ s not uncommon for flatheads to be the... Its toll and ‘ party boaters ’ zipping the River you will need a fishing license before you get.... This and some easy tricks you can fish at night, but on., grab your bait and somehow it works better: arizona night fishing have to fish at these times spray on! Skiers, water skiers and high-speed joy riders by NightFishion worth a shot, but ’. Very deep & the catfish lay behind ledges most overlooked local fishing spots in Arizona perfect. Long winded opportunities for current and future generations on the water is a popular topic among anglers... 5 years ago on Texoma and will never go back to exclusive night fishing is a western dandy!