Recent posts

#11
All Other Lakes / Re: January 2025 Crappie Fishi...
Last post by OneBlade - January 28, 2025, 08:03 AM
I just posted the February Newsletter (yeah early) and included in there is the latest fishing report. No changes since the last report except Randy did adjust what to try at Roosevelt lake, saying:
> look for roaming crappie one or two together and cast to them

I added:
> Take your time and be sure and cast accurately to them and then reel your jig past and slightly above the crappie.
#12
Crappie Questions / Crappie Limits Updated January...
Last post by OneBlade - January 28, 2025, 07:14 AM
Starting January 1, 2025, the new limits on crappie for Apache, Canyon, Saguaro, and Pleasant have been updated to 15 per day to match Bartlett and Roosevelt. Alamo Lake doesn't have a limit, but do keep in mind the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) recommends that the public not consume them from Alamo Lake because of potential higher levels of mercury. For more information, read the AZGFD 2025 & 2026 Fishing Regulations.
#13
General Discussion / AZCA Meeting with AZGFD Januar...
Last post by OneBlade - January 28, 2025, 07:13 AM
The Arizona Crappie Association met up with the Arizona Game & Fish Department (Curtis Gill, Amberle Jones, and Payson Ham) on January 24th to talk all things crappie and concluded the meeting with how we all can all help keep our lakes in tip top shape for crappie fishing for future generations.  We are working with AZGFD to get more specifics on things and I'll share them here, on our Facebook page, at our open meetings. 
#14
General Discussion / Arizona Reservoir Water Levels
Last post by OneBlade - January 26, 2025, 04:01 PM
Salt River Project (SRP) - Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, Saguaro, Bartlett, Horseshoe Lakes
Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, and Saguaro are part of the Salt system that SRP manages. And Bartlett and Horseshoe are part of the Verde system which SRP also manages. You can find current water level percentage full, elevation (ft), storage (af), 24-hour change, runoff (cfs), reservoir releases (cfs) and even boat ramp depths (ft) for water at the end of the ramp at SRP's Watershed Connection page: https://streamflow.watershedconnection.com/Dwr

Central Arizona Project (CSP) - Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant water is managed by CAP and you can find water surface elevation, storage volume, surface area, and percent of max values at CAP's Lake Pleasant page: http://www.cap-az.com/cap-system/water-operations/lake-pleasant/

US Army Corps of Engineers - Alamo Lake
The US Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District manages the Alamo Dam on the Bill Williams River. You can subscribe to the Alamo Dam News eLetter by subscribing at AlamoDamSPL@usace.army.mil. You can monitor real-time lake elevation and stream flows at https://resreg.spl.usace.army.mil/pages/alamo.php

United States Geological Survey - San Carlos
The USGS maintains a website that displays current and historic water levels for San Carlos, for instance you can go here to see the water level ups and downs since 2011: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09469000/#dataTypeId=continuous-00054-0&showMedian=true&period=P5000D

US Bureau of Reclamation - Colorado River Reservoirs Powell, Mead, Mohave, Havasu
Lower Colorado River Operations, provides information from the Colorado River Reservoirs – Powell, Mead, Mohave and Havasu and Dam Releases. You can find this at https://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html

All Other Arizona Lakes
A good source for Arizona lake levels and river flow information is Arizona Game and Fish Department's website: https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/where-to-fish/lake-levels/
#15
General Discussion / Arizona Crappie Fishing Tips f...
Last post by OneBlade - January 26, 2025, 03:31 PM
This was posted Tai Au on his fishing Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TaiAuFishing) and thought it was good info to share.  From Tai Au:

Over the past couple of months, I've been getting quite a few messages about crappie fishing.  I figured I do a little write up for those who are interested.

Right now, depending on which lake you're at, most of the crappie are going to be wintering in deeper trees (deep is relative to the lake).  I've been having better luck on main lake stuff, including mouths of coves, secondary points that aren't too far back into the coves, channel bends, etc.  As we approach February, they'll move off their wintering holes.  

During pre-spawn, the bigger females will suspend in the middle of the lake.  I'm not sure why they suspend like they do, I've just known this for the past 25 years of fishing for them.  My best guess would be they're getting acclimated from their deep wintering holes or sunning themselves.  Also, during this time, you'll find schools of male crappie roaming around as well.

Prior to forward facing sonar, we would simply troll a split shot minnow or grub varying the depth to see which depth gave us the best luck.  With forward facing sonar, I just put the trolling motor down and go until I find one to cast at.  In my case, a Lowrance Active Target 2.

**Settings: Noise cancellation off, stable view on, transducer up one click (to see lure splash in water), contrast low to high 80s, distance 60-100ft.  (If you use an aftermarket mount, you may need to click on pages, sonar, Active Target Installation, adjust offset and play with the settings there).

A few tips using FFS.  

When I'm looking for crappie on my Lowrance Active Target, I look for a return that is round and staying still.  I've seen them suspending 2-30ft under the surface over 50ft of water.  The goal is to find one staying still between 10-15ft.  The ones up too high or the ones down too deep are really hard to catch.  Also, pay attention to how the fish is acting.  Crappie don't move much.  

For winter- I mostly use a straight tail bait.  Bait color and size of jig head depends on conditions.  I simply cycle out different colors and let the fish tell me what they want.  For jig heads, I just want to pick one that will allow me to cast at a fish, keep the bait above their head without having to work/reel it too fast.  

As March rolls around, they'll make their way towards the bank to spawn.  The cool thing about crappie is that they'll spawn as a school.  If you find one, there will be many more to catch.  I have better luck finding early spawners in back of coves.  Mid-season spawners, mid-coves.  By the late season, most of the ones I find are towards the front of the coves.  

Following this general rule, I simply go down the bank, cast a grub and slowly reel it back.  I'll cover a ton of water until I find a few areas that they're spawning in.  Once I locate a few, I'll keep cycling those areas.  During the spawn, I mostly use a grub.  Vary colors until you find one that works and choose a jig head that isn't too heavy.  Remember, crappie like to feed up.

If you're looking to start crappie fishing, you don't need to invest in a ton of money.  Big Bite Baits Fishing Lures (https://www.facebook.com/BigBiteBaits) is having a sale on their Minnr and Grub kit.  Buy both and you're set.[/quote]
#16
Bartlett / Re: Alamo Jan 25, 2025
Last post by FishMan - January 26, 2025, 03:18 PM
At least I posted it in the Bartlett lake section. I'll change the title.
#17
Bartlett / Re: Alamo Jan 25, 2025
Last post by FishMan - January 26, 2025, 03:17 PM
Wow....now that's funny. No, this was Bartlett, no idea why I posted under Alamo and/or called it Alamo. Now that's funny.  I'll have me to blame the Michalobe Ultra.
#18
General Discussion / Re: Small Lakes/Ponds in Arizo...
Last post by crappiehooker - January 26, 2025, 02:47 PM
Thanks Fishless. I appreciate the suggestions. I'll keep them in mind come spring.
#19
Bartlett / Re: Alamo Jan 25, 2025
Last post by timbo - January 26, 2025, 01:07 PM
 :signspamani:
#20
Bartlett / Re: Alamo Jan 25, 2025
Last post by Fishless - January 25, 2025, 09:00 PM
Alamo?