April 1 was the opener of the “catch-and-keep” season at Silver Creek, located about 5 miles east of Show Low. Although flooding has decreased angler success for the opener in recent years, the “stars aligned” just right this year.

AZGFD modified stocking strategies and stocked the largest trout Silver Creek has seen, just over a 3.5-pound average. There also were no flooding or aquatic disease outbreaks. Despite April 1 being a Tuesday, with temperatures in the 30s with 60-mph wind gusts, 36 vehicles packed full of excited anglers were waiting for the gate to open at 5:30 a.m. 

Silver Creek did not disappoint them. Stringers of limits of large trout were abundant along with huge smiles. Some anglers even quit before they had their limit, stating they kept only what they could eat. As the day went on, the parking lot remained fairly full and lots of anglers went home with their biggest Arizona trout to date.

Only the lower section of Silver Creek is open to the public, and standard statewide regulations apply. Silver Creek will be getting stocked weekly with Apache trout starting the week of April 16.