Fishing Forecast: Central region
Fishing at Bartlett Lake should be good this spring. Increased water levels should help lead to a great spawn for largemouth bass and crappie.
Roosevelt Lake
Fishing Rating: Hot
Lake temperatures will be warming up from mid 50s in March to low 70s in May. Typically largemouth bass spawning is cued when temperatures reach 60 to 70 degrees. Above-average winter precipitation and snow pack means higher water levels as we get farther into summer. Water levels in early March were around 2,110 feet (58% ) and steadily increasing. See water levels from SRP. The latest prediction is that if we continue to get normal precipitation, the lake could rise to 72 percent.
Look for spawning crappie to be spread out over submerged trees as opposed to artificial habitat. The full moon phases should add to the spawning process for crappie and bass. At times, many fish can be seen in less than 5 feet of water. AZGFD recently stocked around 10,000 3-inch black crappie that hopefully will grow to a catchable size by fall.
Bass spawn in three phases: pre-spawn, spawn and post-spawn. Bass in a pre-spawn or post-spawn phase and can generally be caught in 15-30 foot depths on reaction baits, artificial worms, jigs and crawdad baits.
Use our artificial habitat map with G.P.S. points of underwater habitat to target other other congregated fish. With increased water levels, fish should have plenty of habitat thanks to all the hard work by all our partners and volunteers on fish habitat improvement sites.
Fish tend to be most active during the 90-minute windows surrounding the sun and moon rise and fall. When the moon is at full or new moon stage, the effect is stronger. There are many apps that you can use that display this information for you. As fishermen know, severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. If a cold front is approaching the fish tend to move deeper into the water and lay low. Barometric pressure is a good indicator. If it changes quickly the fish tend to be less likely to show interest in your bait. If the change is gradual the fish will respond favorably.
For largemouth bass, as the weather warms, shift from slowly working plastics in deeper water to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and top-water lures for bass. When in doubt throw a live worm on the bottom and see what bites!
It’s expected to be a decent year for crappie and we anticipate fishing to be good. Try heading towards the Salt River arm and fishing around the submerged trees or around the newly placed habitat. Fishing for channel catfish and flathead catfish should be excellent this spring and throughout the summer. The best place to fish for trophy-size flathead is the Salt River arm and along the north side of the lake near the Salt River arm.
Lake Pleasant
Fishing Rating: Good
Lake temperatures are warming up from mid 50s in March to low 70s in May. Typically largemouth bass spawning is cued when temperatures reach 60 to 70 degrees. Water levels will be pretty consistent from March through April throughout the spawn. Water levels should be at their highest during May through June and then slowly decline as water is drawn through the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal. See the latest water reports.
White bass also tend to spawn during spring while there is flowing water and water temperatures bin the mid-50s to mid-60s. Target some of the northern coves.
From Dec. 15 to June 15, an eagle closure prohibits boaters from reaching the upper end of the Agua Fria River via the main lake. The area above the closure provides prime spawning grounds for striped bass. These stripers tend to congregate in the Aqua Fria River arm during the closure. The Department, in coordination with Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management, have worked to get more angler access without causing a negative effect to bald eagles. The joint effort has resulted in reopening the access road off of Table Mesa Road and constructing a primitive boat launch area that is open for a brief time period each spring allowing access to Lake Pleasant above the eagle closure. To catch striped bass, try using live shad, anchovies, silver Kastmasters, plastic swimbaits, and top-water lures.
Largemouth bass numbers are fewer here than other lakes in central Arizona and fishing is expected to be fair throughout the spring. Try using white or clear spinners and crankbaits. The natural worm colors are working well for anglers especially when the water is clear. Bow fishing for carp in the back of coves is picking up this time of year as they move into shallower warmer water.
Flathead catfish are present throughout the lake but are more common in the Aqua Fria River arm or by the dam. Look for spots where the water is murkier with vegetation or rocky covering nearby. Fishing for catfish should be great this spring. Try using catfish baits like chicken livers for smaller catfish. To catch a trophy size, try using live gizzard shad, sunfish or carp.
Saguaro Lake
Fishing Rating: Fair
Lake temperatures are warming up from mid 50s in March to low 70s in May. Typically largemouth bass spawning is cued when temperatures reach 60 to 70 degrees. Water levels this spring should be relatively stable with minimal fluctuation. See water levels from SRP.
In March, AZGFD collected water samples and did not detect the presence of golden algae from the 4 stations where water samples were collected. Despite increased winter precipitation over last year, golden algae could potentially still become a problem unless there is sudden precipitation (it could be until May before water from Roosevelt Lake is released into the rest of the Salt River-chain reservoirs.) Saguaro Lake dissolved oxygen concentrations exhibit changes with depth when spring warming creates thermal resistance to mixing. The thermocline is usually around a depth of 15 to 25 feet.
Fish tend to most active during the 90 minute windows surrounding the sun and moon rise and fall. When the moon is at full or new moon stage the effect is stronger. There are many apps that you can use that display this information for you. As fishermen know severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. If a cold front is approaching the fish tend to move deeper into the water and lay low. Barometric pressure is a good indicator. If it changes quickly the fish tend to be less likely to show interest in your bait. If the change is gradual the fish will respond favorably.
Largemouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be fair throughout the spring as they move into shallower water. As the weather warms, shift from slowly working plastics in deeper water to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and top-water lures for bass. When in doubt throw a live worm on the bottom and see what bites! Try a drop shot rig with purple or morning dawn-colored Roboworms. When focusing on largemouth bass, fish near shady areas with overhangs or drop-offs. When water temperatures rise, look for jumping shad and toss your line in.
Yellow bass are abundant throughout the lake and fishing should be great. The current state record yellow bass is 1 pound, 15.8 ounces. This lake has the ability to leave that record in the dust. Try using jigs, spoons, spinners, small crankbaits, minnows and worms. During warmer months, yellow bass swim in 10–14 feet of water off major outside points of the lake or prominent submerged shelves or ledges adjacent to shorelines. Schools look for groups of shad, so if the bite slows, don’t be too impatient to move off a good point you’ve located. Use sonar from a boat to locate shad groups more precisely — yellow bass are not far behind. They may be below or to the side of schools. Pitch your lure adjacent to or drop it through the school, allowing it to settle to the bottom. Many times bass take the lure on the way down and you won’t feel a bite until you reel in and tighten your line.
If you crave catfish, set your line near the bottom and use worms, minnows and chicken livers as bait. Try fishing for catfish where water flows into the lake from a side canyon, especially if the side canyon waters flow into a deep hole.
For shore anglers, try fishing along the docks and shore near the second ramp. You also can follow a trail beyond the docks that winds along a cliff from which you can fish. Butcher Jones Recreational Area is another shore-access fishing site that has a trail leading to a fishing dock as well as a side cove along the cliffs. Don’t forget to try fishing at the marina, where bass tend to congregate.
Canyon Lake
Fishing Rating: Fair to good
Lake temperatures are warming up from mid 50s in March to low 70s in May. Typically largemouth bass spawning is cued when temperatures reach 60 to 70 degrees. Water levels this spring should be relatively stable with minimal fluctuation.
Despite increased winter precipitation over last year, golden algae could still become a problem unless there is sudden precipitation (it could be until May before water from Roosevelt Lake is released into the rest of the Salt River-chain reservoirs.)
Fish tend to most active during the 90-minute windows surrounding the sun and moon rise and fall. When the moon is at full or new moon stage the effect is stronger. There are many apps that you can use that display this information for you. As fishermen know severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. If a cold front is approaching the fish tend to move deeper into the water and lay low. Barometric pressure is a good indicator. If it changes quickly the fish tend to be less likely to show interest in your bait. If the change is gradual the fish will respond favorably.
Largemouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be good throughout the spring as they move into shallower water. Canyon is known for its large bass; however, it’s a little harder to catch fish here if you aren’t familiar with the lake. As the weather warms, shift from slowly working plastics in deeper water to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and top-water lures for bass. Try using spoons such as Kastmasters and Super Dupers along the ledges close to drop offs, drop them in then bounce it along the bottom.
Yellow bass are abundant throughout the lake and fishing should be great. During the last fish survey in 2014 we caught a few yellow bass larger than the current state record of 1 pounds, 15.8 ounces. There are likely some record-breakers in this lake. Try using jigs, spoons, spinners, small crankbaits, minnows and worms.
Bartlett Lake
Fishing Rating: Good
Lake temperatures are warming up from mid 50s in March to low 70s in May. Typically largemouth bass spawning is cued when temperatures reach 60 to 70 degrees. Water levels hit 100-percent full in mid-March and should stay consistent through the spawning period, hopefully leading to a great spawn for largemouth bass and crappie. See water levels from SRP.
AZGFD recently stocked around 10,000 3-inch black crappie that hopefully will grow to a catchable size by fall.
Largemouth bass are present in all sizes, and fishing is expected to be good throughout the spring as they move into shallower water. As the weather warms, shift from slowly working plastics in deeper water to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and top-water lures for bass. When in doubt throw a live worm on the bottom and see what bites! When focusing on largemouth bass, fish near shady areas with overhangs or drop-offs. When water temperatures rise, look for jumping shad and toss your line in.
Fish tend to most active during the 90-minute windows surrounding the sun and moon rise and fall. When the moon is at full or new moon stage the effect is stronger. There are many apps that you can use that display this information for you. As fishermen know severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. If a cold front is approaching the fish tend to move deeper into the water and lay low.
Barometric pressure is a good indicator. If it changes quickly the fish tend to be less likely to show interest in your bait. If the change is gradual the fish will respond favorably.
It’s expected to be a decent year for crappie and we anticipate fishing to be fair. Try fishing around submerged trees or on shelves. Try using live minnows or jigs tipped with minnows. Flathead catfish are present throughout the lake but are more common upriver or by the dam. Look for spots where the water is murkier with vegetation or rocky covering nearby. Fishing for catfish should be great this spring.
Try using catfish baits like chicken livers for smaller catfish. To catch a trophy size try using live sunfish or carp.
Lower Salt River
Fishing Rating: Good
The Lower Salt River’s flows and water temperatures are largely controlled by the release of water from Saguaro Lake at Stewart Mountain Dam, and from Bartlett Lake via the Verde River. During the winter and much of spring, releases from Saguaro Lake are slowed to a trickle, creating more intermittent pools and shallow water along the stretch of river upstream of Phon D Sutton recreation site where the Verde River comes in. Daily water reports showing current river flows and lake levels are located on SRP’s website.
With all the March run-off, expect higher-than-average flows from Phon D. to Granite Reef.
Access to the river is mostly through Tonto National Forest Recreation Sites where a Tonto Pass is needed to park. In order from Saguaro Lake downstream to Power road, these sites are: Water Users, Blue Point Bridge, Coons Bluff, Phon D Sutton, and Granite Reef Dam recreation sites.
Trout stockings usually occur twice a month* during the winter throughout the spring, making trout fishing in the desert a worthwhile endeavor. Try drifting a weightless earthworm through moving water, or dropping in some PowerBait in the deeper pools. This is also a great opportunity to try your hand at fly fishing, and a size 8 wooly bugger will catch just about anything that swims.
Bass can be found throughout the river, but during the period of low flows are generally stacked in the deeper holes. The Granite Reef Dam recreation area is a popular spot for kayak bass fishermen, and because it is below where the Verde River comes in, water levels stay more consistent throughout the year. Try using square bill crankbaits and spinnerbaits when the fish are more active and slowing it down with a dropshot rig when nothing else seems to be working.
The Lower Salt River has a variety of other species to offer that can be caught on rod and reel including carp, catfish, yellow bass, and native desert and Sonoran suckers. These species are rarely targeted along the river but can be just as much fun to catch.
*As a guideline, trout are primarily stocked at Phon D Sutton and Granite Reef recreation sites during the winter, and Water Users and Blue Point Bridge during the summer.
Apache Lake
Fishing Rating: Slow to fair
Lake temperatures are warming up from mid 50s in March to low 70s in May. Typically largemouth bass spawning is cued when temperatures reach 60 to 70 degrees. Water levels this spring should be relatively stable with minimal fluctuation. Despite increased winter precipitation over last year, golden algae could still become a problem unless there is sudden precipitation (it could be until May before water from Roosevelt Lake is released into the rest of the Salt River-chain reservoirs.)
Fish tend to most active during the 90-minute windows surrounding the sun and moon rise and fall. When the moon is at full or new moon stage the effect is stronger. There are many apps that you can use that display this information for you. As fishermen know severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. If a cold front is approaching the fish tend to move deeper into the water and lay low. Barometric pressure is a good indicator. If it changes quickly the fish tend to be less likely to show interest in your bait. If the change is gradual the fish will respond favorably.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be good throughout the spring as they move into shallower water. As the weather warms, shift from slowly working plastics in deeper water to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and top-water lures for bass. When in doubt throw a live worm on the bottom and see what bites!
Yellow bass are abundant throughout the lake and fishing should be great. During the last fish survey in 2014 we caught a few yellow bass larger than the current state record of 1 pounds, 15.8 ounces – a record breaker could come from this lake. Try using jigs, spoons, spinners, small crankbaits, minnows and worms.
Shore fishing is best at the main launch area and at Burnt Corral. Dirt roads allow you to drive around the lake, take a short hike to the water and fish from the shore. The lake provides many coves to fish by boat. For walleye fishing, head toward the upper area of the lake past the no-ski buoys and fish Bronco Creek. A successful walleye technique involves a trolling shad pattern with crank baits in 10 to 30 feet of water.
Tempe Town Lake
Fishing Rating: Fair
(Community Fishing Program water)
Tempe Town Lake was stocked March 4 with rainbow trout from the AZGFD Page Springs Fish Hatchery and water temperatures at the time of the stocking was 67 degrees. Channel catfish are scheduled to be stocked during the weeks of April 22, May 13 and June 3.
After a winter fish kill in 2017, largemouth bass, yellow bass, sunfish, tilapia, and carp populations greatly decreased. The lake has since been slowly rebounding. The only fish winter kills recently reported have been of tilapia, a common winter occurrence when water temperatures fall.
Boating anglers beware: powerboats are restricted to single electric motors and operators must have a City of Tempe annual boating permit. Proper floatation devices are required on board. The boat ramp is located on the north side of the lake near the marina.
Shore anglers may want to find some shade around the lake. A good spot is under the Mill Ave or Scottsdale Road bridges on both the north and south side of the lake.
