Lees Ferry Report

Colorado River - Lees Ferry

Tom H. sent this in, writing "Killer 3 days at Lees Ferry-Horseshoe Bend. All catch and release barbless. We were using midges with different depths on the indicator floats."

by Arizona Game & Fish Department
5-8-2025
Website

Lees Ferry - Water Temperature: 49.8-51.6 F; Dissolved Oxygen: 8.1-10.3 mg/l; pH: 7.9-8.3 std units; Discharge Rate: 9,240-11,600 cfs; Turbidity at 0.4 FNU as of 5/6/2025.

Upriver fly-fishing report courtesy of Skip Dixon, Lees Ferry Angers (https://leesferry.com/river-report/). The river flows allow anglers a few different options. Drifting or anchoring on deeper shelves has been productive. With abundant midge hatches, we have seen some very beautiful and robust fish landed. Black and silver midges, along with Midge X in sizes #16 through #22, are recommended. 

Some areas are currently wadeable. You will find the dry-dropper rig effective in these areas. For anglers who have difficulty seeing dries, a pinch-on foam indicator with two midge patterns below works nicely.

The sink-tip bite has also been productive, especially with olive woolly buggers on a 200-grain sink tip.

These flows are subject to change. In the event of rising water conditions, ginger scuds and larger San Juan Worm patterns are excellent choices.

At this time, the water seems to be dropping rather quickly around noon. Be sure to keep an eye on your vessel to avoid becoming stranded.

Also, be aware of changing weather conditions and dress appropriately. Sunscreen and floppy hats are highly recommended to protect against sun exposure.





Arizona Game & Fish Department Reports
for Wednesday, April 16th

Silver Creek AZ: April 1 was the opener of the “catch-and-keep” season at Silver Creek
Kaibab Lake: The lake is very low and launching a boat is doable but challenging
Cataract Lake: Deployed approximately 25 juniper trees in the lake as fish habitat to benefit warmwater species
City Reservoir: The lake is full
Dogtown Lake: Spring fishing is starting to kick off
Santa Fe Lake: Rainbow trout were stocked last week
J. D. Dam Lake: Anglers are starting to catch a few tiger trout
Whitehorse Lake: Folks willing to walk in have been catching largemouth bass
Russel Tank: The water level of Russel Tank has dropped from last spring
Upper & Lower Lake Mary: Lower Lake Mary is very low
Francis Short Pond: Fishing has been good for trout
Ashurst Lake: This is a good time of year to target the large holdover trout that Ashurst Lake is known for
Kinnikinick Lake: Kinnikinick Lake Report
Oak Creek: Anglers are finding success on inline spinners and flies
West Clear Creek: Stream flow is at base flow with a recent reading of 11.9 cfs
Wet Beaver Creek : Stream flow is stable with a recent reading of 6.84 cfs
Bartlett Lake: Bartlett Lake Report
Lake Pleasant: Striped bass are actively feeding
Lower Salt River: The Lower Salt River offers diverse fishing opportunities and fishing has been rated as very good
Roosevelt Lake: Bass are moving to depths of 15 to 20 feet, favoring structures and trees
Blue Ridge Reservoir: The gate at the top of the boat launch is locked
Knoll Lake: The lake level is low
Huffer Tank: The tank is full
Lake Powell: Lake Powell Fishing Report
Alamo Lake: At Alamo Lake fishing is rated as good