PINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has recently stocked thousands of catchable size rainbow trout into many of the White Mountain lakes. This gives anglers an extra incentive to get out to the lakes this fall.

Show Low Lake was stocked with 4,000 rainbow trout. Bear Canyon and Willow Springs Lake received 5,000 fish each. Another 7,000 trout went into Woods Canyon Lake. Fool Hollow Lake and River Reservoir each received 8,000 trout.

The AZGFD hatcheries had a surplus of fish that needed to be stocked into lakes to make room for next year’s trout. These fish were all stocked within the last 2 weeks, and the fishing should be great—especially with the cooler temperatures of fall.

This time of year, try fishing for rainbow trout using green, garlic scented PowerBait or worms. Tiger trout were also stocked for the first time in Arizona this year into Willow Springs and Woods Canyon lakes. Catch tiger trout using lures—they are more aggressive than rainbow trout. Bear Canyon Lake is a hike-in-only lake, but worth the short, steep hike. All others are easily accessible.