The forecast for Flagstaff, Williams, and the Mogollon Rim calls for sunny days during the week and into the weekend. Strong winds are expected for Wednesday and Thursday. Highs will be in the 60s to 70s and lows will be in the 30s to 40s. Water temperatures will be in the 60s to 70s. Lower elevations around the Verde Valley will see sunny days this week and into the weekend. Highs will be in the 80s to 90s with lows in the 40s to 50s.

Now is a great time to pursue one of the Department's Trout Challenges (https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/fishing-challenges/azgfd-trout-challenge/) or Bass Challenges (https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/fishing-challenges/arizona-bass-challenge/). Water temperatures have hit the mid 60s in the lakes around Williams and Flagstaff, which means warmwater species (largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and black crappie) are active. The lakes are also still cool enough that trout are still biting. Fishing should be excellent this week. Try fishing for trout early in the morning and late in the evening and fish for warmwater species during the middle of the day.

Bait Anglers: Worms, corn, and PowerBait will be your best bets for trout this week. Nightcrawlers are a good bet for walleye, and anchovies are a good approach for northern pike. Catfish are commonly caught on worms, hot dogs, and anchovies. Small pieces of nightcrawlers and mealworms on small hooks are a good approach for panfish (bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, and yellow bass). Reminder, the use of live minnows and fish as bait is not allowed on any waters in Coconino County, including all of the bodies of water listed below. 

Lure Anglers: Lures with flash and vibration such as Joes’ Flies, Panther Martins, Mepp’s spinners, Kastmasters, Rooster Tails, crayfish imitations, Pistol Petes, and Dare Devils are good choices. Think small for trout, 1/8 – 1/12-ounce lures are best (silver, gold, or copper). For warmwater species, crankbaits, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits have been working well. Pay attention to what is working and duplicate that presentation. Warmwater species like largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie are moving in shallow. 

Fly Anglers: Producing flies this week include #10 bead-headed Simi-seal leeches (brown, black, olive, and wine), #10 bead-headed Wooly Buggers (brown, black, olive, and wine), #10-12 Zug Bug, #12-10 Dragonfly Larvae (olive), #18-16 Zebra Midge, #16-#12 Pheasant Tail, #12-14 Prince Nymph, #12-14 San Juan worm, hoppers, damselfly, stonefly, mayfly, hopper, and caddis fly patterns.

Check the fishing regulations before heading out as many of the lakes around Williams and Flagstaff have special regulations. Reminder, the use of live minnows and fish as bait is not allowed on any waters in Coconino County, including all of the bodies of water listed below. Your licenses pay for the fish you catch; poachers are stealing from YOU. It is illegal to transport and release live fish in Arizona including all of the waters listed below; the illegal introduction of unwanted species is costly and diminishes the quality of our fisheries. If you observe a violation, please report it to the Operation Game Thief Hotline (OGT) at 1-800-352-0700.