The spot spots to hit right now, and perhaps through June, are: 1) Bartlett Lake, where the water temperature tops out at about 76 degrees, triggering a great top-water bite, and 2) Roosevelt Lake. All the central region lakes (Pleasant, Apache, Canyon, Saguaro) are free of golden algae and fishable for largemouth bass.
Here’s a rundown of these top spots for June from licensed professional fishing guide Gary Senft Also, see the water levels for the Salt River chain of lakes..
BARTLETT LAKE (1,766 feet, 59% elevation) – The top-water bite has begun. As the water temps rise, the bass’s metabolism becomes optimal and they begin to chew. For top-water bites, hit the lake first thing in the morning and throw Libino Rico’s or Whopper Ploppers. Clear colors have been working best for Senft since the lake is the clearest he’s seen.
Once the sun comes up, bass move deeper (they have no eyelids) and anglers can follow the fish by throwing dropshot rigs to the shoreline and working them back to 10-15 feet of water. Watermelon candy and green pumpkin have been the best colors (as has been the longtime trend).
ROOSEVELT LAKE (2,146 feet, 95% elevation) — An hour and a half north of Phoenix, this lake is more than 30 miles long and is the largest lake in central Arizona.
Senft said the predominant bass species at this lake is now a largemouth/Florida-strain hybrid (due to Arizona Game and Fish Department beginning stocking the Florida-strain bass around 5 years ago). Senft said the bass are now 2- 10 pounds. Their main forage, he said, is gizzard shad, which themselves can get to 15 inches in length. So want a trophy? Add Roosevelt to the list for trophy bass lakes in the area, along with Canyon, Saguaro and Apache.
For beginning anglers, Senft has a ton of fishing videos on his website, www.fishingwithGarySenft.com.
