The rugged sides of this desert canyon, where the Salt River used to tumble its way toward the desert, are full of delectable hard-shelled creatures with claws -- crayfish. Canyon has plentiful threadfin shad, but the primary prey base is crayfish, especially in winter.

When fishing in late winter, also keep in mind that Canyon has plenty of smallmouth bass and walleye as well. A 4- or 5-pound smallie can put a smile on your face.

SAGUARO LAKE
Canyon may hold a world-record bass in its depths, but Saguaro holds the hearts of a legion of veteran Arizona anglers.

This 2,500 surface-acre impoundment in prime upper Sonoran desert habitat can consistently put more lunker bass over 3 pounds on the end of your line than any other fishery in Arizona. It's a fun lake to fish, especially in winter when most ski boats and personal watercrafts are sitting in garages gathering dust.

Saguaro has two connected basins, kind of like a barbell, plus a long river-like section rambling through a deep canyon connecting to Canyon Lake on the watershed above it. Like its namesake, this fishery is surrounded by Arizona's signature cactus, the saguaro. It's common in winter to see nesting bald eagles soaring above its waters looking for fish to feed their growing young, and an occasional osprey diving into the water. Mule deer, bighorn sheep, javelina and even secretive mountain lions can sometimes be seen along its shoreline, especially during dry winters when water sources can be lacking in the uplands.

The Four Peaks dominate the skyline. Sometimes in winter, Saguaro anglers are treated to the sight of snow on these towering desert peaks in prime black bear habitat.

Like Canyon, Saguaro has a plentiful crayfish prey base for predatory fish, but the two large basins also provide plenty of shallow spawning space for threadfin shad. Saguaro's two major prey bases of crayfish and shad offer anglers many winter angling opportunities. Try using a modified drop-shot rig that has a crayfish jig for the weight with a shad-like lure two or three feet above it.

Trout are stocked in the Butcher Jones Recreation Area, which is a large cove where boats are excluded. There is a fishing pier along the side of the cove. Trout are also stocked in the Keyhole area, which contains both of the small two-lane boat ramps. There are also fishing piers -- and some boat exclusions -- in the Keyhole area.

Saguaro is the perfect fishery for shore anglers hoping to get lucky on largemouth bass, or who just want to catch a couple of nice trout for dinner. I like to still-fish near the bottom using Power Bait, with my rod sitting on a forked stick stuck in the dirt, while using the big rig to cast and slowly work a trout-like swimbait.

The plentiful shore angling opportunities mixed with the variety of fishing piers adds up to a lot of fun for youngsters and adults. This is the winter lake for kids. The Butcher Jones area is also great for picnics. You can throw a blanket on the grass in the shade of a large mesquite tree or use one of the many picnic tables.

The area outside the boat exclusion buoys is a favorite place for anglers to slow-troll big trout-like swimbaits. Those with a two-pole stamp might consider trolling a large swimbait on one rig to catch big bass, and a small spinner or rainbow-patterned Rapala on the other to catch trout. It's a great one-two punch.

One time, I caught a 4-pound largemouth bass surprise on a Yellow Jacket spinner. Fighting a large bass on ultra-light tackle is a blast. Saguaro also has plenty of yellow bass (often called stripies in the Midwest) to keep life interesting. Trolling small spoons, such as KastMasters, can catch both rainbows and yellows.

Another key to Saguaro is the current caused by dam operations. Veteran anglers know that when the current is moving, the bass dinner bell can be ringing. As with Canyon Lake, it is good to determine the current's direction: Predatory bass often face into the current, or can be found waiting in ambush on the lee side of structure. Be sure to read the water.

Saguaro also has another fishing dimension -- plenty of cattails. Bass and shad like to hide in these cattail forests along the edges of coves, flats and benches. Try flippin' and pitchin' into the edges of tules, especially where there are ragged edges creating small pockets where bass can sit in ambush. Be sure to have a stout pole and tough line.

For the adventuresome, try using light line and tossing flutter-down baits adjacent to the plentiful stickups in some of the coves and flats. Having a 6- or 8-pound bass explode onto a Senko can get the adrenaline pumping! Landing those monsters on light line will test the skills of highly experienced anglers.