As of Jan. 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 was 33.6 cfs on 1/22/2024. Cave Springs and Pine Flat Campgrounds are closed for the winter. Anglers are finding success on spinners and flies. Hellgrammite, Simi-seal Leech, Zebra Midge, Elk Hair Caddis, hoppers, and mayfly patterns are a good bet. The leaves are off of the trees and the mornings are COLD. Now is a good time to target the large brown trout that inhabit Oak Creek. Ice may start to form early in the mornings on the slower-moving sections of stream near the top of Oak Creek Canyon.