Recent posts

#61

Bartlett / Re: Bartlett Lake Water Level ...

Last post by Onetime - August 12, 2025, 10:08 AM

 "You can launch off the shore line at the Flats or SB but since they are not a designated boat launch it is at your own risk."

Never done that before, is that even possible with a bass boat or is it too sketchy?

#62

Bartlett / Bartlett Lake Water Level & Ra...

Last post by OneBlade - August 08, 2025, 03:54 PM

From Abel at Tonto National Forest:
> It is no secret that the water level at Bartlett Lake has been steadily dropping during this summer. SRP intends to release more water this month and their own words, "Bartlett Lake will continue to decline up to 1.5' per week and will drop another 5-6' down to 1747' elevation or slightly below over the next month (by week of August 11th) for SRP to complete inspections at Bartlett Dam the week of August 18th.  It may drop another few feet in mid-August before we plan to move additional water downstream to Bartlett from Horseshoe in late August (~Aug 21-28)." I do not have an exact time frame from SRP or the release date of Horseshoe to refill Bartlett Lake. What I do know is that Jojoba launch site most likely won't be back open till first week in September.

Then, from Grant LaBarge at Bartlett Lake Life:
> Hello everyone one! I'm the forest ranger for CCRD/Bartlett Lake. Yes we will be closing Jojoba boat dock along with the parking lot. But it will not be closed until Monday morning! You can launch off the shore line at the Flats or SB but since they are not a designated boat launch it is at your own risk. Any questions please contact our Ranger Station and you should see the official post go out on social media here soon.

#63

Roosevelt / Cholla Campground closed beg o...

Last post by abow - July 31, 2025, 07:10 AM

PUBLIC ACCESS NOTIFICATION
The #TontoNF will be closing Cholla Campground on August 1, 2025, while valve replacement maintenance is being done on the site. During this time, the entire campground and bathrooms will be closed. The boat ramp will remain open with a few portable bathrooms available. If you choose to use the boat ramp area during this time, please remember to purchase the appropriate Tonto passes ahead of arrival.
We anticipate the project will take 3 weeks to complete, but it may take longer if issues arise while performing the maintenance.

#64

Bob Hirsch Crappie Classic / Re: 2025 Bob Hirsch Crappie Cl...

Last post by OneBlade - July 30, 2025, 07:02 AM

From our tournament director -- The AZCA annual fall Bob Hirsch Crappie Classic (BHCC) is fast approaching (Saturday October 18th). This year the BHCC will be running concurrently with the Let's Talk Fishin (LTF) tournament. The LTF will be at the Bobcat ramp parking area in Windy Hill. Since the tournaments are running at the same time, every team will have the option to fish ONEor BOTHof these tournaments concurrently; there are separate entry forms and fees for each tournament. As the AZCA Tournament Director, I will accept BHCC entry forms starting on Wednesday prior to the tournament and up to 4:30am on tournament day, this year I'll be in the Coyote Loop at Windy Hill campground.
BHCC information: https://azcrappie.com/events-and-tournaments/bob-hirsch-crappie-classic/ and the rules/entry form located at: https://azcrappie.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025_BHCC_FishingTournamentEntryForm-2.pdf.

Entrants will receive a weigh tag/boat number after check-in if, ONLY fishing BHCC, boat numbers for BHCC will start at 51 and go up from there to alleviate any duplicates with LTF. Teams that are fishing both events will only receive one weigh tag/boat number; their boat number will be assigned by LTF and used for BHCC. If fishing LTF; teams will launch with LTF at designated launch and follow all LTF rules. (https://www.letstalkfishin.com/_files/ugd/143b50_5bfa257a250f4315857d1de044c8a18e.pdf)

Whether you fish BHCC or LTF, ALL weigh-ins will be conducted by LTF at the Windy Hill Bobcat ramp parking area. Crappie weigh-in scales will open at 2:00pm on tournament day. When approaching the scales for weighing please have fish bagged and big fish tagged. When presenting fish to be weighed, they immediately become the "official catch" of the contest, and they become the possession of the Weigh Master to measure, weigh and record as such (if you would like to keep the fish, let the Weigh Master know and he'll return the fish to you after weighing). Big fish should be tagged to help identify the big fish quickly. Any team arriving after 2:30pm could be disqualified, please contact Tournament Director for extenuating circumstances (distance from Windy hill is NOT an extenuating circumstance). (LTF rules are "all crappie participants must be in buoys of launch ramp NLT 2:00pm", for reference).
Immediately following weigh-in, LTF will announce winners and present prizes to teams fishing the LTF tournament. Following the presentation from LTF, all BHCC participants will reconvene at Coyote Loop campgrounds and announce BHCC winners at approx. 3:30pm. AZCA Tournament Director will collect team weights for all BHCC teams from LTF.

Teams can fish the BHCC and are not required to fish LTF. Likewise, teams may fish LTF and are not required to fish BHCC.
Any team that does not have a boat number at weigh-in will be disqualified.

If teams would like to fish BHCC but are unable to meet the check-in/entry times, please contact AZCA Tournament Director.

#65

General Discussion / July 2025 Newseletter

Last post by OneBlade - July 26, 2025, 08:41 AM

The summer 2025 newsletter just dropped. You can check it out here: https://mailchi.mp/efbbd294cf0d/azca-crappie-fishing-report-newsletter-1687

To receive future newsletters to your inbox, sign up here: http://eepurl.com/iSJWlc

#66

All Other Lakes / Summer 2025 Crappie Fishing Re...

Last post by OneBlade - July 26, 2025, 08:39 AM

Summer 2025 Crappie Fishing Report

The following up-to-date report was provided by AZ Crappie Sniper Guide Service. If you're interested in a guided trip for crappie contact Randy Howton at 623-640-9193 and randyhowton@yahoo.com.  Randy's guide service was mentioned in Crappie NOW, the biggest online crappie magazine publication in the US.


Alamo Lake
You can find crappie on the bottom off rocky points in 25ft deep using minnows or jigs.  Not as many fish near trees and you'll need to cover ground to find them.

Bartlett Lake
Crappie fishing is still on fire. Fish in 20-25ft deep with schools near trees.  The bigger crappie are closer to bottom in schools. Water level is low (43% full) so try fishing Yellow Cliffs as well as crappie were found going towards the main lake. No minnows needed - you can catch them using jigs.

Lake Pleasant
Bigger schools of crappie are out in 30-40ft deep using jigs or minnows. You'll need to cover ground and hit lots of trees until you find the tree loaded with crappie. If you're on the hunt for a bigger crappie, you might find a few in more shallow water.

Roosevelt Lake
Lots of crappie in 20-30ft of water in trees. Minnows working great but jigs also work. The crappie on tops of trees are easier to catch but you can also find ones on the bottom, but they require a bit more finesse and patience (e.g. hit them on top of the head).

Patagonia
You can find crappie in 15-20ft deep sitting on the bottom in small bushes.  You'll need to cover ground finding some, catch a couple, and then move on to the next bush.

Other/Urban Lakes
Do you fish the urban lakes or other Arizona lakes for crappie? If so, please email azcrappieassociation@gmail.com so we can include your report here.

Want to include your crappie fishing report, YouTube video, or fishing related event in this Newsletter or as an event posted on azcrappie.com? Or do you have a good article or video with useful crappie fishing information you think Arizona crappie fishermen would like? Email azcrappieassociation@gmail.com with the info.

#67

General Discussion / Re: AZ Rattlers Group Tickets ...

Last post by OneBlade - July 26, 2025, 08:35 AM

This would have been fun.  Hopefully we can try again next season.

#68

Upcoming Events / Let's Talk Fishin' 2025-2026 C...

Last post by OneBlade - July 25, 2025, 06:49 AM

The Let's Talk Fishin' 2025-2026 season schedule is set and includes a crappie division! For details, please check out https://azcrappie.com/events-and-tournaments/lets-talk-fishin/

September 20, 2025 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
October 11, 2025 Roosevelt Lake - Art Chamberlin Memorial Cup (Bass Only) – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
October 18, 2025 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
November 22, 2025 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
November 23, 2025 Roosevelt Lake – Veteran's tournament (Bass Only) -- Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
December 13, 2025 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
January 17, 2026 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
February 7, 2026 Possible Apache Lake (No Crappie Tournament), otherwise Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
March 14, 2026 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
March 28, 2026 Alamo Lake - Crappie-only tournament
April 11, 2026 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
May 16, 2026 Roosevelt Lake – Windy Hill – Bobcat ramp
May 16-17, 2026 Roosevelt Lake – Championship Qualifiers

If you have any questions, please check out the Let's Talk Fishin' website: https://www.letstalkfishin.com/

Or you may reach out to the tournament director Tracy Purtee at letstalkfishin@gmail.com or 928-978-3659.

You find all Arizona crappie fishing events posted on the Arizona Crappie Association website Events Page where you can even download all events to your calendar.

Like and follow the Arizona Crappie Association on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonacrappie/

And follow the Arizona Crappie Association on Instagram #azcrappie: https://www.instagram.com/azcrappie/

To learn about becoming an Arizona Crappie Association member and sign up for our Newsletter, check out our FAQ: https://azcrappie.com/contact/#faq

[Update 9/28:]

#69

Upcoming Events / CANCELED - October Arizona Cra...

Last post by OneBlade - July 25, 2025, 06:42 AM

Update 9/28: This meeting has been canceled and sorry for any inconvenience.  Stay tuned to this website or our Facebook page for updates including a possible live-stream meeting we may hold in October before the Bob Hirsch Crappie Classic.

Original message:

The Arizona Crappie Association (AZCA) October 2025 meeting will be held on Saturday, October 4th at Roosevelt Lake and is open to members and non-members. The meeting will be held at 3pm in the Windy Hill Bobcat ramp parking lot near the restrooms.

If you're interested in learning about the Arizona Crappie Association and possibly joining the club, please attend the meeting and be sure and introduce yourself at the meeting. To learn about the AZCA and joining process, please read through our FAQ (https://azcrappie.com/contact/#faq).

Please like and follow us on https://www.facebook.com/arizonacrappie

Please follow us on Instagram @azcrappie at https://www.instagram.com/azcrappie/

If you have any questions, please create/login with your account in this forum and reply/comment on this announcement post.

#70

Roosevelt / Re: Roosevelt July 20, 2025

Last post by Tweeder - July 22, 2025, 11:39 AM

Nice report, good job gents!