June 21st, 2023
AZGFD aquatic wildlife staff from the Yuma region sampled several sections of the lower Colorado River (the Yuma Division, Laguna Division, Parker Strip, and Martinez Lake) this spring. Overall, the numbers looked good, with lots of smallmouth bass and redear sunfish. Several of the redear sunfish were in the 1- to 3-pound range.
The Yuma Division had not been sampled in its entirety in a number of years, but with high water this year we were able to navigate more sections of the river and complete the bass survey there. Catch rates were up from the previous years with some pretty impressive pockets producing multiple bass in excess of 9 pounds.
The Laguna Division of the river was definitely our best section, producing great numbers and above-average weights (7+ pounds).
Parker Strip showed improvements in bass populations, which is very promising but still below objectives for that portion of the river. Difficult sampling conditions may be to blame there. The northern portion of the Parker Strip had great numbers when it comes to smallmouth bass.
Martinez Lake also showed great numbers and improvement from past years. It is considered a backwater of the Colorado River, but due to its popularity among local anglers, we have started to sample it as its own body of water and are developing management plans for it. Going off the management plans of Imperial Division backwaters, it is below objectives for catch rates but it showed substantial improvements and is definitely on the rise. back...
The Yuma Division had not been sampled in its entirety in a number of years, but with high water this year we were able to navigate more sections of the river and complete the bass survey there. Catch rates were up from the previous years with some pretty impressive pockets producing multiple bass in excess of 9 pounds.
The Laguna Division of the river was definitely our best section, producing great numbers and above-average weights (7+ pounds).
Parker Strip showed improvements in bass populations, which is very promising but still below objectives for that portion of the river. Difficult sampling conditions may be to blame there. The northern portion of the Parker Strip had great numbers when it comes to smallmouth bass.
Martinez Lake also showed great numbers and improvement from past years. It is considered a backwater of the Colorado River, but due to its popularity among local anglers, we have started to sample it as its own body of water and are developing management plans for it. Going off the management plans of Imperial Division backwaters, it is below objectives for catch rates but it showed substantial improvements and is definitely on the rise. back...
