Starting January 1, 2023, the catch-and-release section on Oak Creek was expanded to include Oak Creek from the Highway 89A bridge at Slide Rock State Park upstream to the Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery property boundary including the West Fork Oak Creek. This section will be catch and release only for trout, artificial fly and lure only, barbless hooks only. Stream flow spiked at 103 cubic feet per second (cfs) on 8/23/2023 but had dropped to 40.3 cfs by 8/29/2023. Anglers are finding success on spinners and flies. Hellgrammite, zebra midge, elk hair caddis, hoppers, and mayfly patterns are a good bet. Rainbow trout were stocked last week. Oak Creek has the potential to flash flood during monsoon season. Please check the weather and be aware of potentially hazardous conditions, especially in the most canyon-bound reaches.