April 14th, 2025
At Bartlett Lake (report courtesy of pro angler Gary Senft) - Gary and his group caught 31 bass pretty evenly between drop shot and Texas rig on April 4. Drop shot performed best for the bigger fish later in the day. Air temp was about 43 degrees at start, water temp about 57 F. Used small worms, 5150s, Curley Tails. Cloudy conditions, barometer was falling. Fish were caught mostly in 12-20 feet.
Lake Pleasant (report courtesy of Sportsman's Warehouse) - Striped bass are actively feeding on shad and perch jerk baits, 8-inch spoons, and anchovies. Bass are currently shallow, chasing baitfish and poppers, with water temperatures around 55 F. Catfish are biting on nightcrawlers and stink baits. For more active fishing, anglers can use Senkos, drop shots, Ned rigs, and skirted jigs for bass. Crappie fishing has also improved, with success using 2-inch grubs bounced off the bottom. Fishing in the Agua Fria arm and Cottonwood Creek has been productive, especially at night around submerged trees and brush using shad or minnows. In early March, the water temperature was reported at 73 F. Bass were found in shallow areas, with anglers stripping minnows and small leeches. Carp were abundant, with catches using carp craws stripped slowly in muddy areas.
Lower Salt River (report courtesy of Sportsman's Warehouse) - The Lower Salt River offers diverse fishing opportunities and fishing has been rated as very good. Anglers have reported success catching trout, bass, and catfish. Water levels have been high since early February, but fishing remains productive. Trout fishing: The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the river with catchable-size trout from late October through April. Effective techniques include using worms, PowerBait with garlic scent, Panther Martin spinners, Rooster Tails, and Joe's Flies. Bass fishing: Largemouth bass are present year-round. As of mid-March, bass are moving to depths of 15-20 feet near structures and submerged trees. Recommended lures include Berkley soft baits and large Yamamoto Senko worms. Fly fishing: Fly anglers have found success with streamer and leech patterns, particularly those with hot head variations. Small red or black zebra midges are also productive. A suggested rig is a hot head pheasant tail as the point fly with a small red zebra midge as the dropper.
At Roosevelt Lake (report courtesy of Sportsman's Warehouse), fishing is rated good. Bass are moving to depths of 15 to 20 feet, favoring structures and trees. Effective lures include Berkley soft baits, Yamamoto large Senko worms (4.5 to 7 inches) in Wacky, Carolina, and Texas rigs, Robo Worms for drop shots, Z-Man chatter baits, Strike King spinnerbaits, Keitech swim baits, and Missile flipping jigs. Topwater options like Spooks, Whopper Ploppers, and Ricos are also productive. In deeper waters, consider Strike King and Rapala crankbaits and jerk baits. Catfish are biting well on bottom worms, stink baits, minnows, and chicken liver. Crappie fishing is improving, with success reported using Crappie Magnet white/chartreuse minnows or grubs around trees. Catfish are biting on stink baits (dips and nuggets) and punch baits, using circle and treble hooks. back...
Lake Pleasant (report courtesy of Sportsman's Warehouse) - Striped bass are actively feeding on shad and perch jerk baits, 8-inch spoons, and anchovies. Bass are currently shallow, chasing baitfish and poppers, with water temperatures around 55 F. Catfish are biting on nightcrawlers and stink baits. For more active fishing, anglers can use Senkos, drop shots, Ned rigs, and skirted jigs for bass. Crappie fishing has also improved, with success using 2-inch grubs bounced off the bottom. Fishing in the Agua Fria arm and Cottonwood Creek has been productive, especially at night around submerged trees and brush using shad or minnows. In early March, the water temperature was reported at 73 F. Bass were found in shallow areas, with anglers stripping minnows and small leeches. Carp were abundant, with catches using carp craws stripped slowly in muddy areas.
Lower Salt River (report courtesy of Sportsman's Warehouse) - The Lower Salt River offers diverse fishing opportunities and fishing has been rated as very good. Anglers have reported success catching trout, bass, and catfish. Water levels have been high since early February, but fishing remains productive. Trout fishing: The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the river with catchable-size trout from late October through April. Effective techniques include using worms, PowerBait with garlic scent, Panther Martin spinners, Rooster Tails, and Joe's Flies. Bass fishing: Largemouth bass are present year-round. As of mid-March, bass are moving to depths of 15-20 feet near structures and submerged trees. Recommended lures include Berkley soft baits and large Yamamoto Senko worms. Fly fishing: Fly anglers have found success with streamer and leech patterns, particularly those with hot head variations. Small red or black zebra midges are also productive. A suggested rig is a hot head pheasant tail as the point fly with a small red zebra midge as the dropper.
At Roosevelt Lake (report courtesy of Sportsman's Warehouse), fishing is rated good. Bass are moving to depths of 15 to 20 feet, favoring structures and trees. Effective lures include Berkley soft baits, Yamamoto large Senko worms (4.5 to 7 inches) in Wacky, Carolina, and Texas rigs, Robo Worms for drop shots, Z-Man chatter baits, Strike King spinnerbaits, Keitech swim baits, and Missile flipping jigs. Topwater options like Spooks, Whopper Ploppers, and Ricos are also productive. In deeper waters, consider Strike King and Rapala crankbaits and jerk baits. Catfish are biting well on bottom worms, stink baits, minnows, and chicken liver. Crappie fishing is improving, with success reported using Crappie Magnet white/chartreuse minnows or grubs around trees. Catfish are biting on stink baits (dips and nuggets) and punch baits, using circle and treble hooks. back...
