Majority of bass are in post spawn, as is the case at all central Arizona lakes. Bring a variety of baits. Spinners have been successful with smallmouth bass. Crankbaits and jigs also have been effective. Try reaction baits in the morning and during afternoons, jigs or dropshots. Not a bad time to drift along and throw crankbaits or spiinnerbaits. Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving. Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with a worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
Spinners have been successful with smallmouth bass. Crankbaits and jigs also have been effective. Try reaction baits in the morning and during afternoons, jigs or dropshots. Not a bad time to drift along and throw crankbaits or spiinnerbaits. Apache Lake’s final schedule trout stocking of the winter season was a month ago. Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving. Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with a worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
There has been a threadfin shad die-off due to golden algae. Golden algae is not harmful to humans and we are monitoring water quality and fish health on all Salt River-chain lakes. Spinners have been successful with smallmouth bass. Anglers might also consider rip baits. Try reaction baits in the morning and during afternoons, jigs or dropshots. Not a bad time to drift along and throw crankbaits or spiinnerbaits. Apache Lake’s final schedule trout stocking of the winter season was 3 weeks ago. Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving. Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with a worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
Lake elevation is 1,911 feet (96-percent full). Apache Lake’s final schedule trout stocking of the winter season was 2 weeks ago. There is a good smallmouth bass bite. Anglers can catch a lot of fish on jerkbaits. Also try dropshot-rigged Roboworms in morning dawn, or crawdads imitations in chartreuse chugger (Texas rig or Carolina rig). Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving. Largemouth bass fishing is good. You might also find bass chasing shad at the surface, especially at first light. Try working the major points using soft plastic crayfish like lures worked along the bottom. Crankbaits can also work well at times. Crappie fishing should pick up as winter progresses and they congregate in bigger and tighter schools. Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
Lake elevation is 1,911 feet (96-percent full). Apache Lake’s final schedule trout stocking of the winter season was last week. There is a good smallmouth bass bite. Anglers can catch a lot of fish on jerkbaits. Also try dropshot-rigged Roboworms in morning dawn, or crawdads imitations in chartreuse chugger (Texas rig or Carolina rig). Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving. Largemouth bass fishing is good. You might also find bass chasing shad at the surface, especially at first light. Try working the major points using soft plastic crayfish like lures worked along the bottom. Crankbaits can also work well at times. Crappie fishing should pick up as winter progresses and they congregate in bigger and tighter schools. Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
Lake elevation is 1,910 feet (94-percent full). Apache Lake has been stocked this week with rainbow trout (last week’s stocking has been moved to this week). There is a good smallmouth bass bite. Anglers can catch a lot of fish on jerkbaits. Also try dropshot-rigged Roboworms in morning dawn, or crawdads imitations in chartreuse chugger (Texas rig or Carolina rig). Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving. Largemouth bass fishing is good. You might also find bass chasing shad at the surface, especially at first light. Try working the major points using soft plastic crayfish like lures worked along the bottom. Crankbaits can also work well at times. Crappie fishing should pick up as winter progresses and they congregate in bigger and tighter schools. Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.