Bass fishing in the desert regions could pick up next week, maybe a few days after this cold front has run away and some expected weather with steady high temperatures in the 70s and maybe even low-80s rolls through.

The top early birds for bassin' that can have rapidly warming water temperatures are Alamo, Havasu, and Martinez.

Another top pick for bucketmouths will be Saguaro. Although it is a little deeper than Alamo Lake and not quite the solar bowl, Saguaro can heat up as well -- in more ways than one.

Trout and yellow bass are options if the largemouth bass are finicky. It's also the early bird for channel catfish that like to feed on shad. Plus, Saguaro is just downright gorgeous.

Considering Canyon? If you want decent catch rates, avoid it. If you want one or two wall-hangers, you might want to go exercise your swim baits.

Some anglers' favorite fishing-camping spot is Apache Lake. The smallmouth are still on the comeback, while the largemouth bass and yellow bass populations are superb. You might even catch a delectable walleye or two.

The early walleye bite should be coming up at Lake Powell. Stay tuned for updates.

Winter trout stockings still abound. Check our stocking schedules.

Top picks for crappie are Bartlett and Alamo lakes.

Also, on Saturday is the Big Game Fish Bowl, a fishing event/clinic and prelude to the Super Bowl in our home state. See more information in the free fishing events listing below.

Don't forget we have the International Sportsmen's Exposition coming up Feb. 19-22. Game and Fish will once again have a significant presence at this huge outdoor exposition at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.