Southwest Walleye Anglers of AZ

copyright! Eye small KNB..GIF (6857 bytes)

The Southwest Walleye Anglers

We are a non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement of the walleye
fishery in the state of Arizona and the future fishing for our youth, since 1994

 

MESA Meeting, AZ Game & Fish, 7200 E. University, Third Thursday of Each Month at 7:30 PM.

PHOENIX Meetings, American Legion Club, 10625 N. Cave Creek, Third Tuesday of Each Month at 7:30 PM

Neal Cissel- President

John Vosika - Vice President

Pete Bumbernick - Secretary

Jack Andre - Treasurer

AzWalleye@aol.com

DEC- GUEST SPEAKERS

 

Phoenix Chapter 12/16, 2003

 

Our speaker will be , Jeff Sorensen, AGFD. Jeff will discuss the ongoing Crayfish Studies

 

Mesa Chapter 12/18, 2003

Our Speaker will be, Mark Brouder, US Fish & Wildlife Service, San Carlos. Mark will discuss San Carlos Lake and the Black River.

 

 

Wildlife Conservation Council

$1 of your dues goes toward our membership. We join with over 30 other Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor clubs to work with G&F and other agencies to improve your outdoor experience.

The Council meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at Parkway Inn 8617 N. Black Canyon Freeway, East side of Freeway, Between Northern & Dunlap. 6:30 PM

AGFD Director Duane Shroufe and different members of his staff are normally there to present programs and answer our questions. As members, you are invited to attend these meetings. Chuck Howey and I normally attend. Call 480-946-5975 if you are interested .

 

Conservation License Plates

Help support Wildlife Conservation projects by getting the special automobile license plates. The cost is $25 per year in addition to the normal cost. The State gets $8 while the Councils share is $17, which will be used for Habitat Projects. www.wwrendezvous.com/wcc1.htm

 

 

Our Club

We have two chapters in Arizona. Our new club meets at the American Legion
Hall, 10625 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix, every third Tuesday of the month. Our
original club meets at Arizona Game & Fish, 7200 E. University Drive in Mesa, every third Thursday of the month. The meetings start at 7:30 PM.

Individual memberships are $20.00 per year or $30.00 per family.

A special $200 Desert White Eyes Membership includes a days fishing with one of

our experienced members who will demonstrate methods used at our local lakes.

We also publish a monthly newsletter and have a quarterly weekend outing,

plus midweek outings for our many retired members.

We also do Walleye trips to Lake Powell, including our annual trip in April.

Our annual Kids Fishing Clinic will be held at Red Mountain Park Lake.

 

Our waters are too warm for natural reproduction so we must continually stock.
Arizona Game & Fish had been stocking walleye sac fry for several years,

But the survival rate was only 1 to 4%

In 1995, our new club bought 60,000 1" fingerlings that were stocked in Apache Lake. The results were very good, fingerlings were the way to go.

In 1997 we tried to grow the fingerlings in a pond, but had poor results.

Our club obtained enough pond liner to do half the pond.

The 1998 attempt was better, but thick weeds only allowed the netting of 17,000.

Another weekend project lined the rest of the pond to reduce the weed problem.

May of 1999, 115,000 1 ½" fingerlings were raised in a AZ Game & Fish pond and stocked in Apache Lake. The end of October 1999, again cooperating with Az Game & Fish, using a Sportfish Restoration grant, plus $4101.00 from our club, jointly purchased 15,000 5 – 7" walleye fingerlings that were trucked from Minnesota and stocked in Saguaro Lake. Because of our warmer waters the walleye grow very quickly, an inch or more per month.

 

We hold a number of fundraisers to assist Arizona Game & Fish in the purchase of walleye fingerlings or equipment and supplies to pond raise fingerlings.

The walleye fingerlings are stocked in area lakes (Apache, Saguaro, Canyon).

 

CLUB INFORMATION:

Southwest Walleye Anglers
P.O. Box 8592
Mesa, AZ 85214

Past Updates

Biggest Arizona Walleye

A question a couple weeks ago prompted me to look at the walleye in Saguaro, Canyon, and Apache lakes, as compared to northern AZ waters. Below are some fish data that I was able to track down. This is by no means all inclusive, as old data is stored all over the place, hard copy and electronic, and I didn’t spend days to get it. There are no hard conclusions that can be drawn from these numbers; however, it does provide some anecdotal information on the potential for each of the lakes. What is amazing is the number of 9+ pounders in Apache and an inability to crack 10 pounds. We will hopefully know much more about their growth and biology when our Research Branch completes their walleye study of the 3 lakes.

Dave Weedman, Region 6 & Ty Gray, AGFD

From Fisheries Branch records for Big Fish of the Year submissions on the Salt reservoirs

2 lb 13.44 oz - 20 in. - Apache Lake - 1/1/95

4 lb 1 oz - 22.11 in. - Saguaro Lake - 2/16/00

4 lb 0.16 oz - 22 in. - Saguaro Lake - 2/16/00

4 lb 6.4 oz - 22 in. - Saguaro Lake - 6/16/02

From AGFD Fisheries Surveys

Show Low Lake

1990 12.3 lbs

1990 12.6 lbs

1992 11.8 lbs

1993 12.9 lbs

1995 11.7 lbs

1996 13.7 lbs

1997 12.8 lbs

1997 12.7 lbs

1997 14.3 lbs

1999 12.4 lbs

1999 11.7 lbs

2000 13.4 lbs

 

Fool Hollow Lake

1995 12.2 lbs

1999 13.0 lbs

 

Saguaro Lake Walleye over 4.0 lbs. (surveys in 1998 and Oct. 2002 had no walleye over 4 lbs.)

Nov 1995 23 in 4.2 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.1 lbs

Nov 1995 19 in 4.2 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.5 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.6 lbs

Nov 1997 24 in 4.7 lbs

March 2000 28 in 7.5 lbs

Dec. 2001 22 in 4.7 lbs

Dec. 2001 21 in 3.8 lbs

Dec. 2001 21 in 4.0 lbs

June 2002 27 in 6.8 lbs

 

Canyon Lake Walleye all fish sampled over 4.0 lbs. (survey in 1997 had no walleye over 4 lbs.)

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.1 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 5.3 lbs

Nov. 1995 23 in 4.0 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.5 lbs

Nov. 1995 23 in 4.5 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.2 lbs

Nov. 1995 27 in 8.4 lbs

Nov. 1998 25 in 6.1 lbs

Nov. 1998 27 in 6.9 lbs

Nov. 1998 22 in 4.4 lbs

Nov. 2000 27 in 7.5 lbs

Nov. 2000 26 in 6.3 lbs

Nov. 2000 24 in 4.6 lbs

Feb. 2001 25 in 5.7 lbs

Oct. 2001 24 in 5.2 lbs

April 2001 24 in 4.2 lbs

Oct. 2002 23 in 4.8 lbs

 

Apache Lake (5 largest each year and only those over 4.0 lbs.)

Oct. 1986 25 in 5.8 lbs

Oct. 1986 27 in 6.4 lbs

Oct. 1986 27 in 6.6 lbs

 

Oct. 1991 27 in 8.2 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 8.4 lbs

Oct. 1991 27 in 8.6 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 9.5 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 9.2 lbs

Oct. 1992 25 in 6.7 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 7.0 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 7.3 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 8.7 lbs

Oct. 1992 29 in 9.0 lbs

 

Jan. 1995 27 in 9.1 lbs

Jan. 1995 28 in 9.2 lbs

Jan. 1995 22 in 4.1 lbs

Jan. 1995 21 in 4.4 lbs

Jan. 1995 28 in 9.2 lbs

Jan. 1995 --- 9.7lbs (SWWA mount)

Jan. 1995 --- 9.6lbs (SWWA mount)

 

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.0 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.0 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.3 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.4 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.6 lbs

 

Jan. 1997 23 in 4.9 lbs

Jan. 1997 25 in 6.1 lbs

Jan. 1997 24 in 5.2 lbs

Jan. 1997 24 in 5.2 lbs

Jan. 1997 23 in 5.3 lbs

 

Jan. 1998 26 in 7.4 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.1 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.5 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.4 lbs

Jan. 1998 26 in 6.8 lbs

 

Feb. 1999 25 in 7.3 lbs

Feb. 1999 23 in 7.7 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 9.1 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 7.6 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 8.8 lbs

 

Feb. 2000 28 in 9.6 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.0 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 9.5 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.4 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.6 lbs

Feb. 2001 27 in 8.8 lbs

Feb. 2001 28 in 8.3 lbs

Feb. 2001 26 in 7.6 lbs

Mar. 2001 26 in 6.4 lbs

Nov. 2002 26 in 5.7 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

CANYON LAKE WALLEYE

We all know what a quality big bass fishery Canyon Lake is, but what about the walleyes? Are there numbers of quality walleye here? Are there trophy fish here? Are the walleye here aggressive? Well, the answer to all of these questions is an overwhelming yes. In fact, this is the best walleye fishery in the state as far as I'm concerned. As a full-time guide on Canyon and Saguaro Lakes, Joe M. Owens of Bassbacker Guide Service spends about five days per week on these Lakes. Walleye are no different from other species in one respect. Their locations are dictated by the Lakes primary forage, in this case, the threadfin shad. I'm sure there are dozens of productive methods of catching these fish, but I rely on just a proven few that consistently produces. During the daytime, I prefer hard suspending jerkbaits, tail spinners, and chartreuse crankbaits. At night, I stick with crankbaits. Bomber 7A crankbaits, Norman DD14 crankbaits, and Rapala shad raps all produce well. I choose my crankbaits based solely on the depth of the walleyes and shad. During the daylight hours the bigger walleyes will suspend along shaded vertical walls, or position on rocky structures in the cooler more oxygenated water up the rivers. At night however, I do better on rocky flats in the river, or around the artificial lights in the marina area. Big walleyes have another thing in common with big bass, and that is they will always position themselves close to a breakline next to a steep drop that offers immediate deep water access. Every year from March until late November, we average about 4 to 6 walleye each time were on the water, and most of these fish are caught while fishing for bass. I also look for current when searching for walleyes, the current will push algae and zooplankton against the shorelines. This in turn will bring in the shad, which brings in the walleye. Even though we release all of our fish, including the walleye. If I had to suggest one period that should produce numbers of quality fish, I would recommend the full moon phases of June, July, and August. During these periods at night we have caught numbers of walleye over 5lbs, as well as a few that topped 7lbs. One interesting aspect of cranking walleyes at night is that you do not need to maintain bottom contact with your crankbait. Most of our better fish hit over open water within 10' of the boat. It is however vitally important that when you first get bit, to let the walleye load your rod before setting the hook, if you set instantly, you will loose half of the fish on the hook set. Equally important is the fact that you must eliminate dead water. Walleye are schooling fish, when you find them it is common to catch several good fish in a small area. To locate schools of walleye during the day light periods, quality electronics are a necessity. These fish will often school in very compact areas. My choice of electronics is Bottomline. In addition to showing structures beneath the boat, Bottomline units also incorporate side finder capabilities into the same transducer, which allows you to see suspended fish on both sides of the boat. At night when the fish scatter and feed heavily, I concentrate more on covering water to locate active fish. I'm also a scent fanatic, I use scent on all of my baits, and carry both the smelly jelly as well as the kick N bass brands. Try using these methods and let me know how you do, I'm sure you will do fine.

Joe M. Owens
Bassbacker Guide Service
Bassbacker@aol.com
  480-962-8088

 




 

The Southwest Walleye Anglers

We are a  non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement of the walleye fishery in the state of Arizona and the future fishing for our youth, since 1994

 

MESA Meeting, AZ Game & Fish, 7200 E. University, Third Thursday of Each Month at 7:30 PM.

PHOENIX Meetings, American Legion Club, 10625 N. Cave Creek, Third Tuesday of Each Month at 7:30 PM

SEPT- GUEST SPEAKERS

 

Phoenix Chapter 9/16

 

Our speaker will be Jim Warnecke, AGFD. Jim will talk about the history of Walleye stocking and results in Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes. We will then discuss what the future plans for stocking should be.

 

Mesa Chapter 9/18

We will have 2 speakers. Marianne Meding, AGFD. Marianne will present the results of a two year Walleye Research program on Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes.

Jim Warnecke, AGFD, will talk about the history of Walleye stocking and results in Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes. We will then discuss what the future plans for stocking should be.

 

Outdoor Recreation Expo

We will have a booth at the Expo, September 5-7, at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Stop by and let’s talk about Walleye Fishing

 

Kids Fishing Day

November 8th, 2003 will be our 6th Annual Free Kids Fishing Day at Red Mountain Park Lake, 7500 E. Brown Rd, Mesa, AZ. Signup 7:30 AM, Fishing until noon, free Hot Dog and pop, free raffle at noon. A Kids Casting Contest will be put on by members of Canyon Bass.

Catfish and Hi-Bred Sunfish will be stocked ( the club is buying additional Hi-Bred Sunfish )

Anglers Roundtable

 

The Quarterly AGFD Anglers Roundtable will be held September 22, 6-9 PM at the Mesa AGFD building, 7200 E University Dr. Come and exchange ideas with AGFD and other anglers on a variety of topics.

Wildlife Conservation Council

$1 of your dues goes toward our membership. We join with over 30 other Fishing, Hunting

and Outdoor clubs to work with

G&F and other agencies to improve your outdoor experience

The Council meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at Parkway Inn 8617 N. Black Canyon Freeway, East side of Freeway, Between Northern & Dunlap. 6:30 PM

AGFD Director Duane Shroufe and different members of his staff are normally there to present programs and answer our questions. As members, you are invited to attend these meetings. Chuck Howey and I normally attend. Call 480-946-5975 if you are interested .

 

Conservation License Plates

It took almost a year for MVD to start producing them, but the special plates are now available. The cost is $25 per year in addition to the normal cost. The State gets $8 while the Councils share is $17, which will be used for Habitat Projects. www.wwrendezvous.com/wcc1.htm

 

 

Our Club

We have two chapters in Arizona. Our new club meets at the American Legion
Hall, 10625 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix, every third Tuesday of the month. Our
original club meets at Arizona Game & Fish, 7200 E. University Drive in Mesa, every third Thursday of the month. The meetings start at 7:30 PM.

Individual memberships are $20.00 per year or $30.00 per family.

A special $200 Desert White Eyes Membership includes a days fishing with one of

our experienced members who will demonstrate methods used at our local lakes.

We also publish a monthly newsletter and have a quarterly weekend outing,

plus midweek outings for our many retired members.

We also do Walleye trips to Lake Powell, including our annual trip in April.

Our annual Kids Fishing Clinic will be held at Red Mountain Park Lake.

 

Our waters are too warm for natural reproduction so we must continually stock.
Arizona Game & Fish had been stocking walleye sac fry for several years,

But the survival rate was only 1 to 4%

In 1995, our new club bought 60,000 1" fingerlings that were stocked in Apache Lake. The results were very good, fingerlings were the way to go.

In 1997 we tried to grow the fingerlings in a pond, but had poor results.

Our club obtained enough pond liner to do half the pond.

The 1998 attempt was better, but thick weeds only allowed the netting of 17,000.

Another weekend project lined the rest of the pond to reduce the weed problem.

May of 1999, 115,000 1 ½" fingerlings were raised in a AZ Game & Fish pond and stocked in Apache Lake. The end of October 1999, again cooperating with Az Game & Fish, using a Sportfish Restoration grant, plus $4101.00 from our club, jointly purchased 15,000 5 – 7" walleye fingerlings that were trucked from Minnesota and stocked in Saguaro Lake. Because of our warmer waters the walleye grow very quickly, an inch or more per month.

 

We hold a number of fundraisers to assist Arizona Game & Fish in the purchase of walleye fingerlings or equipment and supplies to pond raise fingerlings.

The walleye fingerlings are stocked in area lakes (Apache, Saguaro, Canyon).

 

CLUB INFORMATION:

Southwest Walleye Anglers
P.O. Box 8592
Mesa, AZ 85214

Neal Cissel- President

John Vosika - Vice President

Pete Bumbernick - Secretary

Jack Andre - Treasurer

AzWalleye@aol.com

Past Updates

Biggest Arizona Walleye

A question a couple weeks ago prompted me to look at the walleye in Saguaro, Canyon, and Apache lakes, as compared to northern AZ waters. Below are some fish data that I was able to track down. This is by no means all inclusive, as old data is stored all over the place, hard copy and electronic, and I didn’t spend days to get it. There are no hard conclusions that can be drawn from these numbers; however, it does provide some anecdotal information on the potential for each of the lakes. What is amazing is the number of 9+ pounders in Apache and an inability to crack 10 pounds. We will hopefully know much more about their growth and biology when our Research Branch completes their walleye study of the 3 lakes.

Dave Weedman, Region 6 & Ty Gray, AGFD

From Fisheries Branch records for Big Fish of the Year submissions on the Salt reservoirs

2 lb 13.44 oz - 20 in. - Apache Lake - 1/1/95

4 lb 1 oz - 22.11 in. - Saguaro Lake - 2/16/00

4 lb 0.16 oz - 22 in. - Saguaro Lake - 2/16/00

4 lb 6.4 oz - 22 in. - Saguaro Lake - 6/16/02

From AGFD Fisheries Surveys

Show Low Lake

1990 12.3 lbs

1990 12.6 lbs

1992 11.8 lbs

1993 12.9 lbs

1995 11.7 lbs

1996 13.7 lbs

1997 12.8 lbs

1997 12.7 lbs

1997 14.3 lbs

1999 12.4 lbs

1999 11.7 lbs

2000 13.4 lbs

 

Fool Hollow Lake

1995 12.2 lbs

1999 13.0 lbs

 

Saguaro Lake Walleye over 4.0 lbs. (surveys in 1998 and Oct. 2002 had no walleye over 4 lbs.)

Nov 1995 23 in 4.2 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.1 lbs

Nov 1995 19 in 4.2 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.5 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.6 lbs

Nov 1997 24 in 4.7 lbs

March 2000 28 in 7.5 lbs

Dec. 2001 22 in 4.7 lbs

Dec. 2001 21 in 3.8 lbs

Dec. 2001 21 in 4.0 lbs

June 2002 27 in 6.8 lbs

 

Canyon Lake Walleye all fish sampled over 4.0 lbs. (survey in 1997 had no walleye over 4 lbs.)

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.1 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 5.3 lbs

Nov. 1995 23 in 4.0 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.5 lbs

Nov. 1995 23 in 4.5 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.2 lbs

Nov. 1995 27 in 8.4 lbs

Nov. 1998 25 in 6.1 lbs

Nov. 1998 27 in 6.9 lbs

Nov. 1998 22 in 4.4 lbs

Nov. 2000 27 in 7.5 lbs

Nov. 2000 26 in 6.3 lbs

Nov. 2000 24 in 4.6 lbs

Feb. 2001 25 in 5.7 lbs

Oct. 2001 24 in 5.2 lbs

April 2001 24 in 4.2 lbs

Oct. 2002 23 in 4.8 lbs

 

Apache Lake (5 largest each year and only those over 4.0 lbs.)

Oct. 1986 25 in 5.8 lbs

Oct. 1986 27 in 6.4 lbs

Oct. 1986 27 in 6.6 lbs

 

Oct. 1991 27 in 8.2 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 8.4 lbs

Oct. 1991 27 in 8.6 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 9.5 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 9.2 lbs

Oct. 1992 25 in 6.7 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 7.0 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 7.3 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 8.7 lbs

Oct. 1992 29 in 9.0 lbs

 

Jan. 1995 27 in 9.1 lbs

Jan. 1995 28 in 9.2 lbs

Jan. 1995 22 in 4.1 lbs

Jan. 1995 21 in 4.4 lbs

Jan. 1995 28 in 9.2 lbs

Jan. 1995 --- 9.7lbs (SWWA mount)

Jan. 1995 --- 9.6lbs (SWWA mount)

 

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.0 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.0 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.3 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.4 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.6 lbs

 

Jan. 1997 23 in 4.9 lbs

Jan. 1997 25 in 6.1 lbs

Jan. 1997 24 in 5.2 lbs

Jan. 1997 24 in 5.2 lbs

Jan. 1997 23 in 5.3 lbs

 

Jan. 1998 26 in 7.4 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.1 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.5 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.4 lbs

Jan. 1998 26 in 6.8 lbs

 

Feb. 1999 25 in 7.3 lbs

Feb. 1999 23 in 7.7 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 9.1 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 7.6 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 8.8 lbs

 

Feb. 2000 28 in 9.6 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.0 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 9.5 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.4 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.6 lbs

Feb. 2001 27 in 8.8 lbs

Feb. 2001 28 in 8.3 lbs

Feb. 2001 26 in 7.6 lbs

Mar. 2001 26 in 6.4 lbs

Nov. 2002 26 in 5.7 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

CANYON LAKE WALLEYE

We all know what a quality big bass fishery Canyon Lake is, but what about the walleyes? Are there numbers of quality walleye here? Are there trophy fish here? Are the walleye here aggressive? Well, the answer to all of these questions is an overwhelming yes. In fact, this is the best walleye fishery in the state as far as I'm concerned. As a full-time guide on Canyon and Saguaro Lakes, Joe M. Owens of Bassbacker Guide Service spends about five days per week on these Lakes. Walleye are no different from other species in one respect. Their locations are dictated by the Lakes primary forage, in this case, the threadfin shad. I'm sure there are dozens of productive methods of catching these fish, but I rely on just a proven few that consistently produces. During the daytime, I prefer hard suspending jerkbaits, tail spinners, and chartreuse crankbaits. At night, I stick with crankbaits. Bomber 7A crankbaits, Norman DD14 crankbaits, and Rapala shad raps all produce well. I choose my crankbaits based solely on the depth of the walleyes and shad. During the daylight hours the bigger walleyes will suspend along shaded vertical walls, or position on rocky structures in the cooler more oxygenated water up the rivers. At night however, I do better on rocky flats in the river, or around the artificial lights in the marina area. Big walleyes have another thing in common with big bass, and that is they will always position themselves close to a breakline next to a steep drop that offers immediate deep water access. Every year from March until late November, we average about 4 to 6 walleye each time were on the water, and most of these fish are caught while fishing for bass. I also look for current when searching for walleyes, the current will push algae and zooplankton against the shorelines. This in turn will bring in the shad, which brings in the walleye. Even though we release all of our fish, including the walleye. If I had to suggest one period that should produce numbers of quality fish, I would recommend the full moon phases of June, July, and August. During these periods at night we have caught numbers of walleye over 5lbs, as well as a few that topped 7lbs. One interesting aspect of cranking walleyes at night is that you do not need to maintain bottom contact with your crankbait. Most of our better fish hit over open water within 10' of the boat. It is however vitally important that when you first get bit, to let the walleye load your rod before setting the hook, if you set instantly, you will loose half of the fish on the hook set. Equally important is the fact that you must eliminate dead water. Walleye are schooling fish, when you find them it is common to catch several good fish in a small area. To locate schools of walleye during the day light periods, quality electronics are a necessity. These fish will often school in very compact areas. My choice of electronics is Bottomline. In addition to showing structures beneath the boat, Bottomline units also incorporate side finder capabilities into the same transducer, which allows you to see suspended fish on both sides of the boat. At night when the fish scatter and feed heavily, I concentrate more on covering water to locate active fish. I'm also a scent fanatic, I use scent on all of my baits, and carry both the smelly jelly as well as the kick N bass brands. Try using these methods and let me know how you do, I'm sure you will do fine.

Joe M. Owens
Bassbacker Guide Service
Bassbacker@aol.com 480-962-8088

 

 

Fall 2002 Apache Lake Survey

 

On November 4-6, 2002 Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists conducted a fish survey at Apache Lake. Gillnets were set in attempts to capture, tag and release walleye. Nineteen sites were selected in the lower two-thirds of the lake representing 51 separate gillnet sets. Most of our nets were set for 4-6 hours and others set overnight. Average set time was six hours per net, with a total of 302.5 net hours fished. There were 624 fish caught representing 14 different species. Overall Catch Per Unit Effort was 24.72 fish/NNU and 0.95 for walleye specifically. CPUE was calculated from net hours (NNU = net night unit = 12 hour period of set time). All fish were counted; some individuals were randomly sampled for weight/length frequency data.

Smallmouth bass were the most abundant species caught (n=290) in the survey representing 46% of the total catch . Fish averaged just over 1-½ pounds; the largest fish weighed 3.3 pounds and was 18 inches long. Yellow bass were the second most abundant fish caught and comprised 31% by number (n=192). Forty-seven largemouth bass were also sampled, the largest measuring 21 inches and weighing 5.1 pounds. Largemouth bass made up 8% of the total catch. The big fish of the survey was a 35 pound plus black buffalo fish measuring over 3½ feet in length.

Of particular importance were the walleye sampled. Eight of the twenty-four walleye netted were tagged and released with a numbered spaghetti type (floy) tag (See Table ). Walleye ranged from 11-26 inches and weighed ½- 5 ¾ pounds. Eighty percent of the walleye caught measured between 15-19 inches in total length. These fish are between 18 months and two years of age.

Results indicate that the fish surveyed are healthy and are comparable with the state averages for each species. Large and smallmouth bass are within a two percent standard deviation of the state average Ktl respectively. Yellow Bass are within five percent and walleye are within three percent deviation of statewide averages.

The mortality rate of walleye caught is concerning. Two thirds of the walleye captured were not tagged and died due to suffocation while trapped in the gill nets. In northern states electrofishing, trap nets, and mid water trawls are methods used to conduct walleye surveys. None of these methods have proved to be effective to survey walleye in the Salt River canyon reservoirs and are not a viable option for capture of large numbers of fish. Mark Brouder, formerly of the Arizona Game and Fish Research Branch was successful capturing and tagging walleye in the months of February and March. He used back-to-back two-hour gill net sets and observed mortality rates were less than 10%. Fifty to sixty fish per night were sampled. Timing of the lunar cycle also was important. Dark nights with no moon produced higher capture rates. I recommend we adopt this method on a trial basis with a one night sampling effort during the end of February 2003. If results look positive, I would propose a more intensive surey in March 2003 during a "new moon".

 

Submitted by

Richard Wiggins

Reg. VI Fisheries Biologist

AGFD

February 12, 2003

 

Our waters are too warm for natural reproduction so we must continually stock.
Arizona Game & Fish had been stocking walleye sac fry for several years,

But the survival rate was only 1 to 4%

In 1995, our new club bought 60,000 1" fingerlings that were stocked in Apache Lake. The results were very good, fingerlings were the way to go.

In 1997 we tried to grow the fingerlings in a pond, but had poor results.

Our club obtained enough pond liner to do half the pond.

The 1998 attempt was better, but thick weeds only allowed the netting of 17,000.

Another weekend project lined the rest of the pond to reduce the weed problem.

May of 1999, 115,000 1 ½" fingerlings were raised in a AZ Game & Fish pond and stocked in Apache Lake. The end of October 1999, again cooperating with Az Game & Fish, using a Sportfish Restoration grant, plus $4101.00 from our club, jointly purchased 15,000 5 – 7" walleye fingerlings that were trucked from Minnesota and stocked in Saguaro Lake. Because of our warmer waters the walleye grow very quickly, an inch or more per month.

 

We hold a number of fundraisers to assist Arizona Game & Fish in the purchase of walleye fingerlings or equipment and supplies to pond raise fingerlings.

The walleye fingerlings are stocked in area lakes (Apache, Saguaro, Canyon).

Past Updates

Biggest Arizona Walleye

A question a couple weeks ago prompted me to look at the walleye in Saguaro, Canyon, and Apache lakes, as compared to northern AZ waters. Below are some fish data that I was able to track down. This is by no means all inclusive, as old data is stored all over the place, hard copy and electronic, and I didn’t spend days to get it. There are no hard conclusions that can be drawn from these numbers; however, it does provide some anecdotal information on the potential for each of the lakes. What is amazing is the number of 9+ pounders in Apache and an inability to crack 10 pounds. We will hopefully know much more about their growth and biology when our Research Branch completes their walleye study of the 3 lakes.

Dave Weedman, Region 6 & Ty Gray, AGFD

From Fisheries Branch records for Big Fish of the Year submissions on the Salt reservoirs

2 lb 13.44 oz - 20 in. - Apache Lake - 1/1/95

4 lb 1 oz - 22.11 in. - Saguaro Lake - 2/16/00

4 lb 0.16 oz - 22 in. - Saguaro Lake - 2/16/00

4 lb 6.4 oz - 22 in. - Saguaro Lake - 6/16/02

From AGFD Fisheries Surveys

Show Low Lake

1990 12.3 lbs

1990 12.6 lbs

1992 11.8 lbs

1993 12.9 lbs

1995 11.7 lbs

1996 13.7 lbs

1997 12.8 lbs

1997 12.7 lbs

1997 14.3 lbs

1999 12.4 lbs

1999 11.7 lbs

2000 13.4 lbs

 

Fool Hollow Lake

1995 12.2 lbs

1999 13.0 lbs

 

Saguaro Lake Walleye over 4.0 lbs. (surveys in 1998 and Oct. 2002 had no walleye over 4 lbs.)

Nov 1995 23 in 4.2 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.1 lbs

Nov 1995 19 in 4.2 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.5 lbs

Nov 1995 23 in 4.6 lbs

Nov 1997 24 in 4.7 lbs

March 2000 28 in 7.5 lbs

Dec. 2001 22 in 4.7 lbs

Dec. 2001 21 in 3.8 lbs

Dec. 2001 21 in 4.0 lbs

June 2002 27 in 6.8 lbs

 

Canyon Lake Walleye all fish sampled over 4.0 lbs. (survey in 1997 had no walleye over 4 lbs.)

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.1 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 5.3 lbs

Nov. 1995 23 in 4.0 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.5 lbs

Nov. 1995 23 in 4.5 lbs

Nov. 1995 22 in 4.2 lbs

Nov. 1995 27 in 8.4 lbs

Nov. 1998 25 in 6.1 lbs

Nov. 1998 27 in 6.9 lbs

Nov. 1998 22 in 4.4 lbs

Nov. 2000 27 in 7.5 lbs

Nov. 2000 26 in 6.3 lbs

Nov. 2000 24 in 4.6 lbs

Feb. 2001 25 in 5.7 lbs

Oct. 2001 24 in 5.2 lbs

April 2001 24 in 4.2 lbs

Oct. 2002 23 in 4.8 lbs

 

Apache Lake (5 largest each year and only those over 4.0 lbs.)

Oct. 1986 25 in 5.8 lbs

Oct. 1986 27 in 6.4 lbs

Oct. 1986 27 in 6.6 lbs

 

Oct. 1991 27 in 8.2 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 8.4 lbs

Oct. 1991 27 in 8.6 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 9.5 lbs

Oct. 1991 28 in 9.2 lbs

Oct. 1992 25 in 6.7 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 7.0 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 7.3 lbs

Oct. 1992 27 in 8.7 lbs

Oct. 1992 29 in 9.0 lbs

 

Jan. 1995 27 in 9.1 lbs

Jan. 1995 28 in 9.2 lbs

Jan. 1995 22 in 4.1 lbs

Jan. 1995 21 in 4.4 lbs

Jan. 1995 28 in 9.2 lbs

Jan. 1995 --- 9.7lbs (SWWA mount)

Jan. 1995 --- 9.6lbs (SWWA mount)

 

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.0 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.0 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.3 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.4 lbs

Jan. 1996 22 in 5.6 lbs

 

Jan. 1997 23 in 4.9 lbs

Jan. 1997 25 in 6.1 lbs

Jan. 1997 24 in 5.2 lbs

Jan. 1997 24 in 5.2 lbs

Jan. 1997 23 in 5.3 lbs

 

Jan. 1998 26 in 7.4 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.1 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.5 lbs

Jan. 1998 25 in 6.4 lbs

Jan. 1998 26 in 6.8 lbs

 

Feb. 1999 25 in 7.3 lbs

Feb. 1999 23 in 7.7 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 9.1 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 7.6 lbs

Feb. 1999 26 in 8.8 lbs

 

Feb. 2000 28 in 9.6 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.0 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 9.5 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.4 lbs

Feb. 2000 27 in 8.6 lbs

Feb. 2001 27 in 8.8 lbs

Feb. 2001 28 in 8.3 lbs

Feb. 2001 26 in 7.6 lbs

Mar. 2001 26 in 6.4 lbs

Nov. 2002 26 in 5.7 lbs

CANYON LAKE WALLEYE

We all know what a quality big bass fishery Canyon Lake is, but what about the walleyes? Are there numbers of quality walleye here? Are there trophy fish here? Are the walleye here aggressive? Well, the answer to all of these questions is an overwhelming yes. In fact, this is the best walleye fishery in the state as far as I'm concerned. As a full-time guide on Canyon and Saguaro Lakes, Joe M. Owens of Bassbacker Guide Service spends about five days per week on these Lakes. Walleye are no different from other species in one respect. Their locations are dictated by the Lakes primary forage, in this case, the threadfin shad. I'm sure there are dozens of productive methods of catching these fish, but I rely on just a proven few that consistently produces. During the daytime, I prefer hard suspending jerkbaits, tail spinners, and chartreuse crankbaits. At night, I stick with crankbaits. Bomber 7A crankbaits, Norman DD14 crankbaits, and Rapala shad raps all produce well. I choose my crankbaits based solely on the depth of the walleyes and shad. During the daylight hours the bigger walleyes will suspend along shaded vertical walls, or position on rocky structures in the cooler more oxygenated water up the rivers. At night however, I do better on rocky flats in the river, or around the artificial lights in the marina area. Big walleyes have another thing in common with big bass, and that is they will always position themselves close to a breakline next to a steep drop that offers immediate deep water access. Every year from March until late November, we average about 4 to 6 walleye each time were on the water, and most of these fish are caught while fishing for bass. I also look for current when searching for walleyes, the current will push algae and zooplankton against the shorelines. This in turn will bring in the shad, which brings in the walleye. Even though we release all of our fish, including the walleye. If I had to suggest one period that should produce numbers of quality fish, I would recommend the full moon phases of June, July, and August. During these periods at night we have caught numbers of walleye over 5lbs, as well as a few that topped 7lbs. One interesting aspect of cranking walleyes at night is that you do not need to maintain bottom contact with your crankbait. Most of our better fish hit over open water within 10' of the boat. It is however vitally important that when you first get bit, to let the walleye load your rod before setting the hook, if you set instantly, you will loose half of the fish on the hook set. Equally important is the fact that you must eliminate dead water. Walleye are schooling fish, when you find them it is common to catch several good fish in a small area. To locate schools of walleye during the day light periods, quality electronics are a necessity. These fish will often school in very compact areas. My choice of electronics is Bottomline. In addition to showing structures beneath the boat, Bottomline units also incorporate side finder capabilities into the same transducer, which allows you to see suspended fish on both sides of the boat. At night when the fish scatter and feed heavily, I concentrate more on covering water to locate active fish. I'm also a scent fanatic, I use scent on all of my baits, and carry both the smelly jelly as well as the kick N bass brands. Try using these methods and let me know how you do, I'm sure you will do fine.

Joe M. Owens
Bassbacker Guide Service
Bassbacker@aol.com 480-962-8088

 

Wyoming Walleye Stocked

We stocked an estimated 70,000 1.5" fingerling walleye into Apache on Tuesday, July 9th. Jon Deihl and Frank Agyagos went to Wheatland, WY to pick up the fish and transported them about 1000 miles over a 28 hour period. The fish were in excellent condition with a mortality rate of less than 1%. Most of the fish were around 1.5", but some larger ones in the 2-3" range were observed including one around 4". Not surprisingly, the larger ones tended to have fins sticking out of their mouths.
Lake surface temp was 81.6 degrees. Wyoming F&G said they often stock walleye at 80 degree temps. The fish were tempered to 75 degrees and distributed throughout the middle portion of the lake around the marina in 80-90 feet of water. Fish seem to react very well when they hit the lake.
At Jon Deihl's suggestion (good idea by the way) we brought a live car along and attached it to the sheriff's aid dock. A hundred or so walleye were put in the 3 foot deep live car (still in 81-82 degree water). As of this morning, (Wednesday) all of those fish were still alive and doing well.
We will go out on Friday to look at them again and remove the live car. I imagine they will be fairly hungry by then assuming zooplanktors cannot get into the net (live car made with zooplankton net). Will keep you posted.
In summary, very good stocking and two very tired fish culturists. The effort is much appreciated. This brings the Apache total to 145,000 fingerlings this year.

Ty Gray, AGFD


Walleye Disease

I received this email from Allen Moser, who works on the Bartlett Fish Habitat with some of us.

Jerry,
I caught my first AZ Walleye on Sunday morning at Saguaro and had a question for you.
It was 20" length and 10" around the body by the front of the dorsal fin. How much did it weigh?
Also when cleaning it. I filleted and it had a reddish brown area in the meat that felt like sand paper and was gritty. It took up about 1/2 the meat area. I cut this out, is it bad or common? What is it? It ran from top to bottom of the meat and out of a 8" fillet it took up about 4" of it. Caught the fish in the canyon at 5:30 am on a fire tiger running about 12' deep.
Thanks, Allen

Allen,
The brown discoloration in the flesh of the walleye you caught is caused by a condition called walleye myopathy. Symptoms include variably sized regions of yellow or brown colored discoloration which feel gritty or rough in texture. This condition is fairly common and restricted to walleye. The causes of the disease in walleye are unknown, however, myopathies in other animals generally result from nutritional deficiencies.

Jeff Falke, Wildlife Research Technician (Fisheries)


Follow up by Ty Gray, AGFD

A little more on the subject. I just talked to the Fish Health Specialist in Nebraska who has dealt with this somewhat. First of all, it indeed is fairly common as Jeff pointed out. We have also seen it in our desert lakes in the 80's as well as now. From what I gather, there has not been a lot of concern or work done with it - but there is some. There is a professor at North Dakota State that has done some work on it who I am in the process of contacting. From what I have heard, Myopathy commonly referred to as "sandy flesh", does not seem to be detrimental to the affected fish or the
population as a whole. Another explanation or cause that has been suggested is that the condition is hereditary or genetically driven rather than nutrition. Not sure anyone knows for sure.
As far as eating affected fish - it was not recommended by the biologists I talked too. This has mostly, if not entirely, to do with taste and texture of the flesh - not safety issues which I have yet to learn of any. Personally, I still wouldn't eat it.
Apparently, there is also a parasite (heterosporum) that effects yellow
perch in midwest but might affect walleye that results in a similar look to the flesh minus the "grittiness" or sandy texture.
Bottom line, this does not seem like a major concern but we'll keep looking into it. To reiterate Jeff's request, If any of you come across an affected walleye let us know.
I notified Jim Thompson, the Department's Fish Health Specialist, who is also going to look for info on the subject.

Ty Gray

New AZ state record Walleye caught


Charles Sutherland of Show Low
caught the 30.5-inch, 13-pound, 11-ounce walleye fish at daylight fishing

from his boat using a black and silver 4-inch Rapala Husky Jerk on Sept. 7, 2001
Sutherland has caught monster walleye previously at Show Low Lake.
"I caught a 12 pounder last year. I even caught a 28-inch walleye Friday
morning before I caught the big one," Sutherland said, adding that the
28-inch fish he caught and released would probably have tipped the scales at
around 10 pounds.
Although the huge walleye was weighed on a certified scale and the species
certified by a Game and Fish biologist, the record does not become official
until certified by the Game and Fish Department's Fisheries Branch at the
headquarters in Phoenix, and then signed by Director Duane Shroufe.
Sutherland's toothy trophy will be replacing another Show Low Lake
fish in the record book. The sitting state record walleye was caught by Otis
Kingsbury of Lakeside Oct. 15, 2000, weighed 12 pounds, 14.4 ounces and
measured 30 inches long. Kingsbury's record lasted barely a year.
"I talked to Otis not long after he caught his record fish last
year. We both like to fish for big walleye. I know there are a number of 15
pounders up here in both Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow, so I don't know how
long my record will last," Sutherland said.
Sutherland pointed out that walleye are light sensitive, so the time
to catch them is at night, or at first or last light. "They like to come
into the shallows at low-light conditions. Catching them is a matter of
timing - being at the right place at the right time."
Sutherland had good timing last week, he got on the water around 3
a.m. to work the shallows when the moon was bright and caught the monster
right as the sun rose in the east.

Stocking Report

On Friday, May 18th, 2001, Region VI Fish Biologists Jim Warnecke, Ty Gray and Dave Weedman, Fish Culturists at Bubbling Ponds and volunteers from the Southwest Walleye Anglers joined forces to harvest, transport and stock 20,000 walleye fingerlings. The fish were harvested from a pond at Bubbling Ponds State Fish Hatchery where they had been raised from sac-fry to inch and a half long fingerlings over the last month.

After the fish were harvested they were put in transport tanks and driven to Apache and Saguaro Lake. Once the walleye reached the lakes they were met by more Department biologists and Southwest Walleye Anglers that offloaded the fish onto several boats and then distributed the tiny fish through out each lake. Approximately 8,000 walleye went to Apache lake and 12,000 went to Saguaro.

Apache Lake is stocked every year with walleye fingerlings. This will be the first time Saguaro has received a load of walleye since October 1999 when the Department and the SWWA again teamed up to purchase a load of 15,000 5-inch walleye from a private fish grower in Minnesota. Canyon Lake was also stocked three weeks ago with 180,000 sac-fry walleye that the Department received from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. This marks the first year since 1997 that all three Salt River Lakes have been stocked with walleye the same year which has been a primary goal of the Walleye Stocking Program.

By Ty Gray, Region VI Fish Specialist

Canyon Lake Receives 180,000 Sac-fry Walleye

On Monday, April 9th, Department biologists drove to Gallup, New Mexico and picked up a load of two-day old walleye sac-fry. The walleye were hatched at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Rock Lake Hatchery. Although the load only weighed 17 ounces, at 14,900 walleye per ounce the total number exceeded 250,000 walleye.

The tiny fish were brought back to Mesa, where 75% were taken to Canyon Lake and stocked that night. The other 25% were picked up by the Southwest Walleye Anglers who, with the help of a local private fish farm, are going to attempt to raise the 60,000 sac-fry to an inch or longer over the next few months. When the fish meet a suitable size, they will be stocked into Saguaro Lake. Studies have shown that raising walleye to an inch dramatically increases their chances of survival.

 

Currently, the Arizona Game and Fish Department raises sac-fry to one-inch fingerlings at Bubbling Pond’s State Fish Hatchery and stocks them into Apache Lake. This year’s load of sac-fry is scheduled to arrive at the hatchery some time this month. In past years, the Department has tried to raise two batches of sac-fry, the first for Apache Lake and the second for Saguaro Lake. However, due to high temperatures in late May and June the second batch has not been very successful. With any luck, the Southwest Walleye Club will be able to raise this batch in time for stocking before temperatures get to high in Central Arizona ensuring that Saguaro Lake will receive a quality load of young walleye this year.

By: Ty Gray

Region VI Fish Specialist

4/11/01

 

Game & Fish- netting surveys

Feb. & Mar. 2001 Feb. 12, 2001 Canyon Lake, 10 nets, set for 2, 2 hour periods in the early evening. 31 walleye, 10-25 inches, ¼ to 3 lbs, also caught; 35 LMB, 25 yellow bass, 16 channel catfish and 6 SMB.

Feb.19, Saguaro Lake, same netting procedure, 142 Walleye, 9-20 inches, ½ to 3 lbs, also; 14 LMB, 41 channel catfish, 19 threadfin shad- good walleye food.

March 5th, Apache Lake, 5 nets for one hour, 7 Walleye, 12-26 inches, 1 to 6 ½ lbs, also 5 LMB, 4 channel catfish, 7 threadfin shad, 2 crappie.

March 12th, Canyon Lake, 5 nets, 1 hour, 10 Walleye 9-20 inches, ½ - 3 lbs, 11 yellow bass, 3 channel catfish, 1 SMB.

We also conducted a great Kids Fishing Day at Red Mountain Lake with 278 kids, plus families participating.

Feb. 2001 Az Game & Fish has just begun a 3 to 4 year Walleye research program on Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes. In the past they did 1 large netting survey a year. Now they plan to do a smaller sample every 2 months. The first survey was at Apache Lake, Feb. 5th. 26 Walleye were netted and ranged from 8" (last Aprils stocking) to almost 9 lbs.

Last week the stocking committee visited the Pisces Fish farm (south of town) to setup an additional pond to raise Walleye fingerlings to 1 ½ " in April. We are also discussing a plan for them to attempt to grow Walleye fingerlings to 6" over the summer. Quite a task in 110 + degree desert heat, but their well puts out 78 degree water, also they are going to shade the runway, so it’s worth a try.

 

Send E-Mail to azwalleye@aol.com 

Canyon Lake Boasting Good Numbers of Quality Walleye

Arizona Game and Fish Biologists conducted a gill net survey at Canyon Lake on November 16, 2000. The purpose of the survey was to monitor the success of the 2 million sac-fry walleye stocked into the lake last May. The one-inch fish were given to the state via the New Mexico Game and Fish Department. The NMGFD hatchery truck was met in Holbrook, Arizona, where AGFD personnel transported the young-ones to Canyon and distributed throughout the lake that night. Department biologists also received help from volunteers of the Southwest Walleye Anglers Fishing Club.

 

The November survey produced 218 fish, representing eight different species. Walleye were the second most abundant fish species surveyed. Forty-two, representing 20% of the total catch, were caught in 10 gillnets set over one night. The largest walleye was a whopping 27 inches long and weighed 7.5 pounds. A vast majority of these walleye were 16-19 inches in length and weighed between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds, all very nice quality fish. Five (12%) of the walleye were 10-11 inches long, presumably members of the 2 million sac-fry stocked last May. The walleye were caught all over the lake in various depths ranging from 8 to 35 feet of water. Back-trolling with nightcrawler harness is a proven fishing technique in catching these toothy predators.

 

Yellow bass were the most frequently caught fish. Sixty of these tough fighters, averaging 11 inches and ¾ of pound were caught. Jigging spoons and minnows are traditionally the top producers for yellow bass. Shore anglers can take advantage as well; fishing off the pier in LaBarge Cove will catch these tasty fish as well.

 

Canyon Lake is famous for producing lunker largemouth bass over ten pounds. However, during this survey, the 40 largemouth caught averaged 12 inches with the largest measuring 16 inches and weighing just 2.5 pounds. Not to worry, resident anglers report catching some of the big guys, and with winter trout stockings in full swing, anglers fishing large imitation trout baits will get there best shot of year at them. There is a certified scale at Canyon Lake for anglers who wish to get official weights on big fish but want to practice catch-and-release.

 

Good numbers of smallmouth were caught also with most of them in the 12-13 inch range, the largest measuring 19 inches and weighing three pounds. Fishing rocky points and shore lines on windy and/or rainy days are the best strategies to catch smallies.

 

Catfishermen may want to check out Canyon Lake. Thirty-one channel catfish were caught and all were good sized. Nearly half of them were over five pounds, with the largest weighing twelve (also the largest fish of the survey). One 7-pound flathead catfish was caught.

 

By:

Ty Gray, Region VI Fish Specialist

Nov. 16, 2000

 

Lakeside Man Reels In State Record Walleye
Bruce Sitko
Region VI Education and Outreach Program Manager
Otis Kingsbury wasn't having much luck fishing on Show Low Lake last Sunday morning. When he decided to head in about mid-morning, the Lakeside resident only had a couple bites. He hadn't caught any fish in his previous four hours of trolling.
"The boat ramp was full and I decided to take one more swing by the dam," he related. "When the fishing pole bent over double and line began strip ping off the drag, I thought I had hooked a rock or snag." But when the line moved sideways and down, he knew he had something big on the other end. Because he was fishing alone, some anxious moments occurred during the ensuing struggle, like his net getting tangled with a hook on another pole in the boat. Twenty minutes after hooking up, Kingsbury was able to successfully land a Behemoth walleye that, a short time later, was officially weighed at 12 lbs., 14 ozs. on a certified scale.
Pending confirmation by the Arizona Game & Fish Department, Kingsbury's walleye will be the new Arizona state record. The previous walleye record was 12 lbs., 12 ozs., caught in 1989 by Bruce Mohning of Lakeside. Mohning's fish was also caught in Show Low Lake.

Kingsbury said he'd only been fishing for walleyes for about a month. This was the seventh one he'd caught; with a one-pound fish being the previous heaviest catch. He was trolling a segmented, diving Rapala lure and using ten-pound test line.

"This is an outstanding catch," commented Jim Novy, Region I fisheries program manager. "We'd like anglers to know that there are still plenty of lunker walleyes waiting to be caught in both Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow Lake." On gill net surveys conducted on both lakes the last two years, biologists have netted, measured, and released walleyes weighing 13 pounds or more. In July, a 10-pound walleye was caught in Show Low Lake by an angler slowly trolling nightcrawlers. A week later, another 10-pounder was caught in Fool Hollow on a Rapala lure. To catch walleyes, Novy advises using a diving lure, such as a Rapala, or n ight crawlers fished over rocky structure like the rip-rap along the Show Low Lake Dam or back in one of the lake arms. Best fishing times are during low light hours in early morning or evening. The form and instructions to enter a fish for a state record or for the Department's Big Fish-of-the-Year contest are found in the fishing regulations booklet, available at all Game & Fish offices, license dealers, and most sporting goods stores

 

Walleye that were planted a year ago in Saguaro are growing up

The 15,000 5" to 7" walleye that were purchased from Minnesota and planted just a year ago this October are have grown to 12" to 16"

 

Apache Lake Gets More Walleye

Just a few weeks after Canyon Lake received approximately 2 million sac-fry walleye, its upstream neighbor, Apache Lake received its yearly stocking of nearly 80,000 fingerling walleye. On May 10, 2000, Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists with the assistance of volunteers from the Southwest Walleye Anglers Club unloaded the walleye from a transport truck onto three boats and distributed the fish throughout the lake. The stocking took place after dark in order to give the small fish the best possible opportunities to avoid predators and more importantly find their primary food source, which are microscopic organisms called zooplankton. After a few months of growth, the walleye will change their feeding habits and start pursuing other small fish. In our warm central Arizona waters, walleye grow rapidly and may reach a length of 12 inches in their first year.

 

The fingerling walleye were sent from Minnesota to Bubbling Ponds Fish Hatchery near Cottonwood as sac-fry in mid-April. The fish were then raised in a one-acre pond for 25 days until they reached about one-inch in size. The walleye were harvested from the pond early in the morning by draining the pond down and seining the fish out. They were then placed in a hatchery raceway to separate the fish from any vegetation that was inadvertently collected during the seining process. Later that afternoon, the fish were loaded onto a 250-gallon hatchery truck and driven to Apache Lake to meet the boats. Because of their small size, it is not possible to count the number of fingerlings harvested. However, by weighing a few fish and determining how many it takes to equal one pound, biologists determined how many pounds of water were displaced in the stocking truck after all of the walleye were loaded and came up with a calculated estimate of 80,000 fingerlings.

 

Although Canyon Lake received 25 times more fish than Apache, anglers shouldn’t be concerned with the disparity. Studies have shown that it takes large numbers of sac-fry, which are essentially 3-5 day old fish only 5 millimeters in length often referred to as "two eyes and a wiggle" to equal fewer number of fingerlings stocked (one month old fish one-inch long) in terms of actual numbers of stocked fish that reach adulthood.

 

Apache Lake has been stocked with walleye fingerlings or sac-fry 9 out of the last 10 years. Over that period, strategies have been modified to improve stocking success. According to fish surveys conducted on Apache in February, last year’s stocking appeared to be extremely successful. Hopefully, this year’s stocking will be successful as well.

 

 

By: Ty Gray, Regional Fisheries Specialist

May 23, 2000


2002 Walleye Stocking in Central Arizona Lakes

 

In early May, 2002, Saguaro Lake was stocked with 19,000 one-inch walleye that were raised at Bubbling Ponds Fish Hatchery near Sedona. This was to be the first and only harvest of the year, but due to higher than normal pH levels; walleye were harvested early and stocked. The pond was then drained, refilled and another load of sac-fry were put in the pond and raised for four weeks. On May 30th, the pond was harvested again with much better results. Department biologists, hatchery personnel and volunteers from the Southwest Walleye Anglers Club joined forces to harvest 75,000 one-inch walleye that were stocked in Apache Lake. The fish arrived at the lake in very good condition and were distributed through out the lake by Department biologists.

Several improvements made to the hatchery pond last winter including a new fill pipe, bank stabilizations and a concrete platform helped decrease the amount of aquatic weeds and mud in the pond. This greatly improved the overall harvest process and in turn resulted in an increased number of fingerling walleye stocked out this year. Additionally, the Department received two shipments totaling 1.2 million 3-day old sac-fry from Garrison National Fish Hatchery in North Dakota. These fish were shipped overnight from North Dakota to the Mesa Regional office and stocked the next day at Saguaro Lake. Sac-fry are extremely fragile and the rigors associated with the 27 hour plus trip contributed to an estimated 30% mortality rate prior to stocking.

Canyon Lake, which is located between Apache and Saguaro Lakes on the Salt River, is usually stocked with walleye every year as well. However, this year the lake will not be stocked due to Department research biologists finding what may be naturally spawned walleye earlier this spring. Using drift nets up in the river end of the lake near Fish Creek in February biologists caught 30-35 sac-fry, which were thought to be walleye. These very small fish (< 5mm) were sent to Colorado State University in Fort Collins for verification where they were identified as yellow perch, a smaller cousin to walleye that are occasionally found in the Salt River system. Biologists plan to take another look at the sac-fry caught in February and compare them to the sac-fry stocked in Saguaro. If it turns out that walleye have reproduced in Canyon, which was previously thought to be highly unlikely at least in terms of sustainability, biologists will now be able to track the population throughout the summer and fall without confusing them with stocked hatchery fish.

There are currently plans to obtain an additional 50,000 1-2-inch fingerlings from

Wyoming and stock them in Apache Lake later this month, which will conclude

walleye stockings for this year.

By Ty Gray, Region VI Fish Specialist Email: tgray@gf.state.az.us

New AZ state record Walleye caught


Charles Sutherland of Show Low
caught the 30.5-inch, 13-pound, 11-ounce walleye fish at daylight fishing

from his boat using a black and silver 4-inch Rapala Husky Jerk on Sept. 7, 2001
Sutherland has caught monster walleye previously at Show Low Lake.
"I caught a 12 pounder last year. I even caught a 28-inch walleye Friday
morning before I caught the big one," Sutherland said, adding that the
28-inch fish he caught and released would probably have tipped the scales at
around 10 pounds.
Although the huge walleye was weighed on a certified scale and the species
certified by a Game and Fish biologist, the record does not become official
until certified by the Game and Fish Department's Fisheries Branch at the
headquarters in Phoenix, and then signed by Director Duane Shroufe.
Sutherland's toothy trophy will be replacing another Show Low Lake
fish in the record book. The sitting state record walleye was caught by Otis
Kingsbury of Lakeside Oct. 15, 2000, weighed 12 pounds, 14.4 ounces and
measured 30 inches long. Kingsbury's record lasted barely a year.
"I talked to Otis not long after he caught his record fish last
year. We both like to fish for big walleye. I know there are a number of 15
pounders up here in both Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow, so I don't know how
long my record will last," Sutherland said.
Sutherland pointed out that walleye are light sensitive, so the time
to catch them is at night, or at first or last light. "They like to come
into the shallows at low-light conditions. Catching them is a matter of
timing - being at the right place at the right time."
Sutherland had good timing last week, he got on the water around 3
a.m. to work the shallows when the moon was bright and caught the monster
right as the sun rose in the east.

 

 

 

 

Stocking Report

On Friday, May 18th, 2001, Region VI Fish Biologists Jim Warnecke, Ty Gray and Dave Weedman, Fish Culturists at Bubbling Ponds and volunteers from the Southwest Walleye Anglers joined forces to harvest, transport and stock 20,000 walleye fingerlings. The fish were harvested from a pond at Bubbling Ponds State Fish Hatchery where they had been raised from sac-fry to inch and a half long fingerlings over the last month.

After the fish were harvested they were put in transport tanks and driven to Apache and Saguaro Lake. Once the walleye reached the lakes they were met by more Department biologists and Southwest Walleye Anglers that offloaded the fish onto several boats and then distributed the tiny fish through out each lake. Approximately 8,000 walleye went to Apache lake and 12,000 went to Saguaro.

Apache Lake is stocked every year with walleye fingerlings. This will be the first time Saguaro has received a load of walleye since October 1999 when the Department and the SWWA again teamed up to purchase a load of 15,000 5-inch walleye from a private fish grower in Minnesota. Canyon Lake was also stocked three weeks ago with 180,000 sac-fry walleye that the Department received from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. This marks the first year since 1997 that all three Salt River Lakes have been stocked with walleye the same year which has been a primary goal of the Walleye Stocking Program.

By Ty Gray, Region VI Fish Specialist

Canyon Lake Receives 180,000 Sac-fry Walleye

On Monday, April 9th, Department biologists drove to Gallup, New Mexico and picked up a load of two-day old walleye sac-fry. The walleye were hatched at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Rock Lake Hatchery. Although the load only weighed 17 ounces, at 14,900 walleye per ounce the total number exceeded 250,000 walleye.

The tiny fish were brought back to Mesa, where 75% were taken to Canyon Lake and stocked that night. The other 25% were picked up by the Southwest Walleye Anglers who, with the help of a local private fish farm, are going to attempt to raise the 60,000 sac-fry to an inch or longer over the next few months. When the fish meet a suitable size, they will be stocked into Saguaro Lake. Studies have shown that raising walleye to an inch dramatically increases their chances of survival.

 

Currently, the Arizona Game and Fish Department raises sac-fry to one-inch fingerlings at Bubbling Pond’s State Fish Hatchery and stocks them into Apache Lake. This year’s load of sac-fry is scheduled to arrive at the hatchery some time this month. In past years, the Department has tried to raise two batches of sac-fry, the first for Apache Lake and the second for Saguaro Lake. However, due to high temperatures in late May and June the second batch has not been very successful. With any luck, the Southwest Walleye Club will be able to raise this batch in time for stocking before temperatures get to high in Central Arizona ensuring that Saguaro Lake will receive a quality load of young walleye this year.

By: Ty Gray

Region VI Fish Specialist

4/11/01

 

Game & Fish- netting surveys

Feb. & Mar. 2001 Feb. 12, 2001 Canyon Lake, 10 nets, set for 2, 2 hour periods in the early evening. 31 walleye, 10-25 inches, ¼ to 3 lbs, also caught; 35 LMB, 25 yellow bass, 16 channel catfish and 6 SMB.

Feb.19, Saguaro Lake, same netting procedure, 142 Walleye, 9-20 inches, ½ to 3 lbs, also; 14 LMB, 41 channel catfish, 19 threadfin shad- good walleye food.

March 5th, Apache Lake, 5 nets for one hour, 7 Walleye, 12-26 inches, 1 to 6 ½ lbs, also 5 LMB, 4 channel catfish, 7 threadfin shad, 2 crappie.

March 12th, Canyon Lake, 5 nets, 1 hour, 10 Walleye 9-20 inches, ½ - 3 lbs, 11 yellow bass, 3 channel catfish, 1 SMB.

We also conducted a great Kids Fishing Day at Red Mountain Lake with 278 kids, plus families participating.

Feb. 2001 Az Game & Fish has just begun a 3 to 4 year Walleye research program on Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes. In the past they did 1 large netting survey a year. Now they plan to do a smaller sample every 2 months. The first survey was at Apache Lake, Feb. 5th. 26 Walleye were netted and ranged from 8" (last Aprils stocking) to almost 9 lbs.

Last week the stocking committee visited the Pisces Fish farm (south of town) to setup an additional pond to raise Walleye fingerlings to 1 ½ " in April. We are also discussing a plan for them to attempt to grow Walleye fingerlings to 6" over the summer. Quite a task in 110 + degree desert heat, but their well puts out 78 degree water, also they are going to shade the runway, so it’s worth a try.

 

Send E-Mail to azwalleye@aol.com

 

 

Canyon Lake Boasting Good Numbers of Quality Walleye

 

Arizona Game and Fish Biologists conducted a gill net survey at Canyon Lake on November 16, 2000. The purpose of the survey was to monitor the success of the 2 million sac-fry walleye stocked into the lake last May. The one-inch fish were given to the state via the New Mexico Game and Fish Department. The NMGFD hatchery truck was met in Holbrook, Arizona, where AGFD personnel transported the young-ones to Canyon and distributed throughout the lake that night. Department biologists also received help from volunteers of the Southwest Walleye Anglers Fishing Club.

 

The November survey produced 218 fish, representing eight different species. Walleye were the second most abundant fish species surveyed. Forty-two, representing 20% of the total catch, were caught in 10 gillnets set over one night. The largest walleye was a whopping 27 inches long and weighed 7.5 pounds. A vast majority of these walleye were 16-19 inches in length and weighed between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds, all very nice quality fish. Five (12%) of the walleye were 10-11 inches long, presumably members of the 2 million sac-fry stocked last May. The walleye were caught all over the lake in various depths ranging from 8 to 35 feet of water. Back-trolling with nightcrawler harness is a proven fishing technique in catching these toothy predators.

 

Yellow bass were the most frequently caught fish. Sixty of these tough fighters, averaging 11 inches and ¾ of pound were caught. Jigging spoons and minnows are traditionally the top producers for yellow bass. Shore anglers can take advantage as well; fishing off the pier in LaBarge Cove will catch these tasty fish as well.

 

Canyon Lake is famous for producing lunker largemouth bass over ten pounds. However, during this survey, the 40 largemouth caught averaged 12 inches with the largest measuring 16 inches and weighing just 2.5 pounds. Not to worry, resident anglers report catching some of the big guys, and with winter trout stockings in full swing, anglers fishing large imitation trout baits will get there best shot of year at them. There is a certified scale at Canyon Lake for anglers who wish to get official weights on big fish but want to practice catch-and-release.

 

Good numbers of smallmouth were caught also with most of them in the 12-13 inch range, the largest measuring 19 inches and weighing three pounds. Fishing rocky points and shore lines on windy and/or rainy days are the best strategies to catch smallies.

 

Catfishermen may want to check out Canyon Lake. Thirty-one channel catfish were caught and all were good sized. Nearly half of them were over five pounds, with the largest weighing twelve (also the largest fish of the survey). One 7-pound flathead catfish was caught.

 

By:

Ty Gray, Region VI Fish Specialist

Nov. 16, 2000

 

Lakeside Man Reels In State Record Walleye
Bruce Sitko
Region VI Education and Outreach Program Manager
Otis Kingsbury wasn't having much luck fishing on Show Low Lake last Sunday morning. When he decided to head in about mid-morning, the Lakeside resident only had a couple bites. He hadn't caught any fish in his previous four hours of trolling.
"The boat ramp was full and I decided to take one more swing by the dam," he related. "When the fishing pole bent over double and line began strip ping off the drag, I thought I had hooked a rock or snag." But when the line moved sideways and down, he knew he had something big on the other end. Because he was fishing alone, some anxious moments occurred during the ensuing struggle, like his net getting tangled with a hook on another pole in the boat. Twenty minutes after hooking up, Kingsbury was able to successfully land a Behemoth walleye that, a short time later, was officially weighed at 12 lbs., 14 ozs. on a certified scale.
Pending confirmation by the Arizona Game & Fish Department, Kingsbury's walleye will be the new Arizona state record. The previous walleye record was 12 lbs., 12 ozs., caught in 1989 by Bruce Mohning of Lakeside. Mohning's fish was also caught in Show Low Lake.

Kingsbury said he'd only been fishing for walleyes for about a month. This was the seventh one he'd caught; with a one-pound fish being the previous heaviest catch. He was trolling a segmented, diving Rapala lure and using ten-pound test line.

"This is an outstanding catch," commented Jim Novy, Region I fisheries program manager. "We'd like anglers to know that there are still plenty of lunker walleyes waiting to be caught in both Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow Lake." On gill net surveys conducted on both lakes the last two years, biologists have netted, measured, and released walleyes weighing 13 pounds or more. In July, a 10-pound walleye was caught in Show Low Lake by an angler slowly trolling nightcrawlers. A week later, another 10-pounder was caught in Fool Hollow on a Rapala lure. To catch walleyes, Novy advises using a diving lure, such as a Rapala, or n ight crawlers fished over rocky structure like the rip-rap along the Show Low Lake Dam or back in one of the lake arms. Best fishing times are during low light hours in early morning or evening. The form and instructions to enter a fish for a state record or for the Department's Big Fish-of-the-Year contest are found in the fishing regulations booklet, available at all Game & Fish offices, license dealers, and most sporting goods stores

 

Walleye that were planted a year ago in Saguaro are growing up

The 15,000 5" to 7" walleye that were purchased from Minnesota and planted just a year ago this October are have grown to 12" to 16"

 

 

PAST UPDATES

 

Wyoming Walleye Stocked

We stocked an estimated 70,000 1.5" fingerling walleye into Apache on Tuesday, July 9th. Jon Deihl and Frank Agyagos went to Wheatland, WY to pick up the fish and transported them about 1000 miles over a 28 hour period. The fish were in excellent condition with a mortality rate of less than 1%. Most of the fish were around 1.5", but some larger ones in the 2-3" range were observed including one around 4". Not surprisingly, the larger ones tended to have fins sticking out of their mouths.
Lake surface temp was 81.6 degrees. Wyoming F&G said they often stock walleye at 80 degree temps. The fish were tempered to 75 degrees and distributed throughout the middle portion of the lake around the marina in 80-90 feet of water. Fish seem to react very well when they hit the lake.
At Jon Deihl's suggestion (good idea by the way) we brought a live car along and attached it to the sheriff's aid dock. A hundred or so walleye were put in the 3 foot deep live car (still in 81-82 degree water). As of this morning, (Wednesday) all of those fish were still alive and doing well.
We will go out on Friday to look at them again and remove the live car. I imagine they will be fairly hungry by then assuming zooplanktors cannot get into the net (live car made with zooplankton net). Will keep you posted.
In summary, very good stocking and two very tired fish culturists. The effort is much appreciated. This brings the Apache total to 145,000 fingerlings this year.

Ty Gray, AGFD


Walleye Disease

I received this email from Allen Moser, who works on the Bartlett Fish Habitat with some of us.

Jerry,
I caught my first AZ Walleye on Sunday morning at Saguaro and had a question for you.
It was 20" length and 10" around the body by the front of the dorsal fin. How much did it weigh?
Also when cleaning it. I filleted and it had a reddish brown area in the meat that felt like sand paper and was gritty. It took up about 1/2 the meat area. I cut this out, is it bad or common? What is it? It ran from top to bottom of the meat and out of a 8" fillet it took up about 4" of it. Caught the fish in the canyon at 5:30 am on a fire tiger running about 12' deep.
Thanks, Allen

Allen,
The brown discoloration in the flesh of the walleye you caught is caused by a condition called walleye myopathy. Symptoms include variably sized regions of yellow or brown colored discoloration which feel gritty or rough in texture. This condition is fairly common and restricted to walleye. The causes of the disease in walleye are unknown, however, myopathies in other animals generally result from nutritional deficiencies.

Jeff Falke, Wildlife Research Technician (Fisheries)


Follow up by Ty Gray, AGFD

A little more on the subject. I just talked to the Fish Health Specialist in Nebraska who has dealt with this somewhat. First of all, it indeed is fairly common as Jeff pointed out. We have also seen it in our desert lakes in the 80's as well as now. From what I gather, there has not been a lot of concern or work done with it - but there is some. There is a professor at North Dakota State that has done some work on it who I am in the process of contacting. From what I have heard, Myopathy commonly referred to as "sandy flesh", does not seem to be detrimental to the affected fish or the
population as a whole. Another explanation or cause that has been suggested is that the condition is hereditary or genetically driven rather than nutrition. Not sure anyone knows for sure.
As far as eating affected fish - it was not recommended by the biologists I talked too. This has mostly, if not entirely, to do with taste and texture of the flesh - not safety issues which I have yet to learn of any. Personally, I still wouldn't eat it.
Apparently, there is also a parasite (heterosporum) that effects yellow
perch in midwest but might affect walleye that results in a similar look to the flesh minus the "grittiness" or sandy texture.
Bottom line, this does not seem like a major concern but we'll keep looking into it. To reiterate Jeff's request, If any of you come across an affected walleye let us know.
I notified Jim Thompson, the Department's Fish Health Specialist, who is also going to look for info on the subject.

Ty Gray

 

2002 Walleye Stocking in Central Arizona Lakes

 

In early May, 2002, Saguaro Lake was stocked with 19,000 one-inch walleye that were raised at Bubbling Ponds Fish Hatchery near Sedona. This was to be the first and only harvest of the year, but due to higher than normal pH levels; walleye were harvested early and stocked. The pond was then drained, refilled and another load of sac-fry were put in the pond and raised for four weeks. On May 30th, the pond was harvested again with much better results. Department biologists, hatchery personnel and volunteers from the Southwest Walleye Anglers Club joined forces to harvest 75,000 one-inch walleye that were stocked in Apache Lake. The fish arrived at the lake in very good condition and were distributed through out the lake by Department biologists.

Several improvements made to the hatchery pond last winter including a new fill pipe, bank stabilizations and a concrete platform helped decrease the amount of aquatic weeds and mud in the pond. This greatly improved the overall harvest process and in turn resulted in an increased number of fingerling walleye stocked out this year. Additionally, the Department received two shipments totaling 1.2 million 3-day old sac-fry from Garrison National Fish Hatchery in North Dakota. These fish were shipped overnight from North Dakota to the Mesa Regional office and stocked the next day at Saguaro Lake. Sac-fry are extremely fragile and the rigors associated with the 27 hour plus trip contributed to an estimated 30% mortality rate prior to stocking.

Canyon Lake, which is located between Apache and Saguaro Lakes on the Salt River, is usually stocked with walleye every year as well. However, this year the lake will not be stocked due to Department research biologists finding what may be naturally spawned walleye earlier this spring. Using drift nets up in the river end of the lake near Fish Creek in February biologists caught 30-35 sac-fry, which were thought to be walleye. These very small fish (< 5mm) were sent to Colorado State University in Fort Collins for verification where they were identified as yellow perch, a smaller cousin to walleye that are occasionally found in the Salt River system. Biologists plan to take another look at the sac-fry caught in February and compare them to the sac-fry stocked in Saguaro. If it turns out that walleye have reproduced in Canyon, which was previously thought to be highly unlikely at least in terms of sustainability, biologists will now be able to track the population throughout the summer and fall without confusing them with stocked hatchery fish.

There are currently plans to obtain an additional 50,000 1-2-inch fingerlings from

Wyoming and stock them in Apache Lake later this month, which will conclude

walleye stockings for this year.

By Ty Gray, Region VI Fish Specialist Email: tgray@gf.state.az.us

New AZ state record Walleye caught


Charles Sutherland of Show Low
caught the 30.5-inch, 13-pound, 11-ounce walleye fish at daylight fishing

from his boat using a black and silver 4-inch Rapala Husky Jerk on Sept. 7, 2001
Sutherland has caught monster walleye previously at Show Low Lake.
"I caught a 12 pounder last year. I even caught a 28-inch walleye Friday
morning before I caught the big one," Sutherland said, adding that the
28-inch fish he caught and released would probably have tipped the scales at
around 10 pounds.
Although the huge walleye was weighed on a certified scale and the species
certified by a Game and Fish biologist, the record does not become official
until certified by the Game and Fish Department's Fisheries Branch at the
headquarters in Phoenix, and then signed by Director Duane Shroufe.
Sutherland's toothy trophy will be replacing another Show Low Lake
fish in the record book. The sitting state record walleye was caught by Otis
Kingsbury of Lakeside Oct. 15, 2000, weighed 12 pounds, 14.4 ounces and
measured 30 inches long. Kingsbury's record lasted barely a year.
"I talked to Otis not long after he caught his record fish last
year. We both like to fish for big walleye. I know there are a number of 15
pounders up here in both Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow, so I don't know how
long my record will last," Sutherland said.
Sutherland pointed out that walleye are light sensitive, so the time
to catch them is at night, or at first or last light. "They like to come
into the shallows at low-light conditions. Catching them is a matter of
timing - being at the right place at the right time."
Sutherland had good timing last week, he got on the water around 3
a.m. to work the shallows when the moon was bright and caught the monster
right as the sun rose in the east.

 

Stocking Report

On Friday, May 18th, 2001, Region VI Fish Biologists Jim Warnecke, Ty Gray and Dave Weedman, Fish Culturists at Bubbling Ponds and volunteers from the Southwest Walleye Anglers joined forces to harvest, transport and stock 20,000 walleye fingerlings. The fish were harvested from a pond at Bubbling Ponds State Fish Hatchery where they had been raised from sac-fry to inch and a half long fingerlings over the last month.

After the fish were harvested they were put in transport tanks and driven to Apache and Saguaro Lake. Once the walleye reached the lakes they were met by more Department biologists and Southwest Walleye Anglers that offloaded the fish onto several boats and then distributed the tiny fish through out each lake. Approximately 8,000 walleye went to Apache lake and 12,000 went to Saguaro.

Apache Lake is stocked every year with walleye fingerlings. This will be the first time Saguaro has received a load of walleye since October 1999 when the Department and the SWWA again teamed up to purchase a load of 15,000 5-inch walleye from a private fish grower in Minnesota. Canyon Lake was also stocked three weeks ago with 180,000 sac-fry walleye that the Department received from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. This marks the first year since 1997 that all three Salt River Lakes have been stocked with walleye the same year which has been a primary goal of the Walleye Stocking Program.

By Ty Gray, Region VI Fish Specialist

Canyon Lake Receives 180,000 Sac-fry Walleye

On Monday, April 9th, Department biologists drove to Gallup, New Mexico and picked up a load of two-day old walleye sac-fry. The walleye were hatched at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Rock Lake Hatchery. Although the load only weighed 17 ounces, at 14,900 walleye per ounce the total number exceeded 250,000 walleye.

The tiny fish were brought back to Mesa, where 75% were taken to Canyon Lake and stocked that night. The other 25% were picked up by the Southwest Walleye Anglers who, with the help of a local private fish farm, are going to attempt to raise the 60,000 sac-fry to an inch or longer over the next few months. When the fish meet a suitable size, they will be stocked into Saguaro Lake. Studies have shown that raising walleye to an inch dramatically increases their chances of survival.

 

Currently, the Arizona Game and Fish Department raises sac-fry to one-inch fingerlings at Bubbling Pond’s State Fish Hatchery and stocks them into Apache Lake. This year’s load of sac-fry is scheduled to arrive at the hatchery some time this month. In past years, the Department has tried to raise two batches of sac-fry, the first for Apache Lake and the second for Saguaro Lake. However, due to high temperatures in late May and June the second batch has not been very successful. With any luck, the Southwest Walleye Club will be able to raise this batch in time for stocking before temperatures get to high in Central Arizona ensuring that Saguaro Lake will receive a quality load of young walleye this year.

By: Ty Gray

Region VI Fish Specialist

4/11/01

 

Game & Fish- netting surveys

Feb. & Mar. 2001 Feb. 12, 2001 Canyon Lake, 10 nets, set for 2, 2 hour periods in the early evening. 31 walleye, 10-25 inches, ¼ to 3 lbs, also caught; 35 LMB, 25 yellow bass, 16 channel catfish and 6 SMB.

Feb.19, Saguaro Lake, same netting procedure, 142 Walleye, 9-20 inches, ½ to 3 lbs, also; 14 LMB, 41 channel catfish, 19 threadfin shad- good walleye food.

March 5th, Apache Lake, 5 nets for one hour, 7 Walleye, 12-26 inches, 1 to 6 ½ lbs, also 5 LMB, 4 channel catfish, 7 threadfin shad, 2 crappie.

March 12th, Canyon Lake, 5 nets, 1 hour, 10 Walleye 9-20 inches, ½ - 3 lbs, 11 yellow bass, 3 channel catfish, 1 SMB.

We also conducted a great Kids Fishing Day at Red Mountain Lake with 278 kids, plus families participating.

Feb. 2001 Az Game & Fish has just begun a 3 to 4 year Walleye research program on Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes. In the past they did 1 large netting survey a year. Now they plan to do a smaller sample every 2 months. The first survey was at Apache Lake, Feb. 5th. 26 Walleye were netted and ranged from 8" (last Aprils stocking) to almost 9 lbs.

Last week the stocking committee visited the Pisces Fish farm (south of town) to setup an additional pond to raise Walleye fingerlings to 1 ½ " in April. We are also discussing a plan for them to attempt to grow Walleye fingerlings to 6" over the summer. Quite a task in 110 + degree desert heat, but their well puts out 78 degree water, also they are going to shade the runway, so it’s worth a try.

 

Send E-Mail to azwalleye@aol.com 

 

To return to home page click here.
To go to our Kick'n Walleye page please click here

To go to our Canadian Connection page and visit with our Northern Brothers Click here.