It's a great time to fish Dead Horse Lakes in the Verde Valley.


This week we're stocking both Dead Horse Ranch State Park lagoons near Cottonwood, and next week (beginning Jan. 26) we'll begin stocking the Verde River between Cottonwood and Camp Verde. These two fisheries make a great duo for a family adventure. If you have a loved one with mobility issues, Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a top spot. It has some mini-fishing piers that you can almost drive right up to -- keeping in mind that it is first-come, first-served.

As was predicted in last week's fishing report, Alamo Lake has been a good crappie hole. Keep in mind that Alamo can have an early bass spawn. Anglers also can sight-fish bass beds at Lake Havasu in late February and early March, especially in the man-made channel for the London Bridge. Anglers may be about to catch some plate-sized redear up to two pounds or so at Havasu, and just upriver in the picturesque Topock Gorge.

More on trout stockings. The focus this week is on Tucson. We're stocking Cluff Pond, Dankworth Pond and Roper Lake.

Ready for a bonus Community waters stocking? Good news -- we're adding a bonus trout stocking the week of Jan 26-31 at our expansion waters: Pacana (Maricopa), Discovery (Gilbert), McQueen (Gilbert), Freestone (Gilbert), Roadrunner (Phoenix), Eldorado (Scottsdale), and Bonsall Glendale).

See the CFP stocking schedule to see if a water near you is being stocked.

Going bassin'? Last week's report also had some tips and tricks about winter bass tactics.

Be sure to check the Arizona Department of Transportation website for the latest road conditions. Some of the White Mountains lower elevation lakes continue to thaw out with the warm weather and a few more are open and accessible. See more details in the full report.


FREE FISHING EVENTS

Saturday, Jan. 31 - Big Game Fish Bowl, 8-11 a.m. at Peoria's Pioneer Park lake at 8755 N. 83rd Ave.

It's going down the day before the Super Bowl! Wear your favorite team's jersey and enjoy a variety of activities.

The fishing portion, an Arizona Game and Fish Department fishing clinic, is free. Rainbow trout will have been stocked just prior to the event. Loaner rods and reels will be available, and bait will be provided. No license is required for those who register.

We have lots of upcoming, free fishing clinics and events open to the public in the Phoenix, Tucson and southwest Arizona areas.