January 2025 Crappie Fishing Report

[OneBlade]

Crappie Fishing Report - January 2025

The following 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.


Alamo Lake

Crappie fishing is still on fire with fish in all depths. You may find crappie 2ft down fishing in 60ft of water but also may find them lower down at different depths. You may fin schools but recent success is find singles and doubles roaming in open water. You may find a crappie "floatilla" but don't be afraid to try elsewhere as crappie are spread out in the lake. Randy has had success catching them using AZ Lead Works (AZCA member Matthew Picklesimer) 1/8oz chartreuse jig heads along with Get Out And Fish  (Richard Johnson) Hickory Shad.  No live bait needed. Use your electronics to find and chase those crappie, then cast jigs to them, and it may take multiple casts to catch that crappie.


Bartlett Lake

There are lots of smaller crappie that can be caught everywhere from just 15ft of water up in the river to 40ft on the tops of trees/structure. To catch the bigger crappie, you can find them below the smaller crappie schools. Jigs work better to get down to those bigger crappie. Randy is using AZ Lead Works (AZCA member Matthew Picklesimer) jig heads along with Get out And Fish (Richard Johnson) 2 1/2" Rip Shad to catch those bigger crappie.


Lake Pleasant

Lake Pleasant crappie fishing is improving, as now some of those smaller crappie from the successful spawn 2 years ago are growing up to be 12"+ keepers. The crappie are more found in deeper 40-50ft of water (try Humbug, Coles, and Castle Creek bays) so try casting 1/4oz or 3/8oz heavier jigs in trees and keep moving to new trees to find the one that is producing.  Note with new 2025 AZGFD regulations there is a 15-crappie limit at Lake Pleasant. Also, plan on keeping the crappie you catch at these depths as they often will not survive if returned to the lake after being brought up from that depth.


Roosevelt Lake

Find tree tops in the 20-40ft range and keep moving until you find a tree with fish. Don't be afraid to cover a lot of water/trees. Try using jigs but a minnow setup with Aberdeen hook and split shot or heavier weight may be more productive when fishing the tops of trees.


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.

[OneBlade]

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.