Roosevelt Lake Fishing Report

Roosevelt Lake - Tonto National Forest, AZ


by Arizona Game & Fish Department
12-22-2016
Website

Dec. 22 report from Jim Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods:

Rim Country anglers are talking about the winter storms passing through the area. Accumulations of rainfall of more than 2 inches in the past week will result in increased water flows into Rim streams and creeks. Ultimately much of that water will make its way down to Roosevelt Lake.

The water level in Roosevelt Lake rose one percent and now stands at 36% full. The amount of water flowing into the lake from the Tonto Creek and Salt River is more than double the average flow rates for this time of year.

Fishing on Roosevelt reported to be good. Fish are scattered and can be caught at several locations throughout the lake. Anglers reported using crank-baits, jerk-baits and spinner-baits in 5 to 15 foot depths. A deep drop-shot technique is successful at 10 to 20 foot depths on main lake points and spoons were reported successful in 30 foot and deeper depths. The hot spot for bass is at the ends of the lake where the water is entering the lake. Bait fish will instinctually move to flowing water and the bass will be in pursuit.

The water temperature is 58 degrees and will drop further due to the recent storms. The water flowing into the lake is colder than in the water in the main portion of the lake. As the water temperature cools, fish metabolism will slow and they will retreat to deeper depths.

Crappie fishing is excellent on Roosevelt Lake. Large schools of crappie are being located in 10-15 foot depths. An extremely slow trolling speed of less than 1 mph and a 1/8 oz. jig head with a curly tail grub is being reported successful. Shades of green, blue and silver, black and chartreuse are catching good numbers of crappie. If you're a novice crappie angler, just look for the boats fishing in one area. It's pretty easy to observe and replicate what experienced crappie anglers are doing.

Have a great week of fishing and I hope to see you on the water.

(2,085 feet, 36-percent full)




More Reports

Arizona Game & Fish Department Reports
for Friday, December 16th, 2016
Roosevelt Lake: Roosevelt Lake Fishing Report
Bartlett Lake: Bartlett Lake Fishing Report
Lake Pleasant: Lake Pleasant Fishing Report
Saguaro Lake: Saguaro Lake Fishing Report
Canyon Lake (AZ): Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Apache Lake: Apache Lake Fishing Report
Horseshoe Lake (AZ): Horseshoe Lake Fishing Report
Lake Mohave: Lake Mohave Fishing Report
Colorado River - Willow Beach: Willow Beach Fishing Report
Colorado River: Colorado River Below Davis Dam Fishing Report
Topock Gorge: Topock Gorge Fishing Report
Topock Marsh: Topock Marsh Fishing Report
Dead Horse Ranch State Park : Dead Horse Ranch State Park Fishing Report
Verde River: Verde River Fishing Report
Goldwater Lake: Goldwater Lake Fishing Report
Granite Basin Lake: Granite Basin Lake Fishing Report
Lynx Lake: Lynx Lake Fishing Report
Watson Lake: Watson Lake Fishing Report
Willow Creek Reservoir: Willow Creek Reservoir Fishing Report
Parker Canyon Lake: Parker Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Pena Blanca Lake: Pena Blanca Lake Fishing Report
Roper Lake: Roper Lake Fishing Report
Lake Powell: Lake Powell Fishing Report
Alamo Lake: Alamo Lake Fishing Report
Bear Canyon Lake: Bear Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Chevelon Canyon Lake: Chevelon Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Willow Springs Lake: Willow Springs Lake Fishing Report
: Fool Hollow Lake Fishing Report
Rainbow Lake: Rainbow Lake Fishing Report
Scott Reservoir: Scott Reservoir Fishing Report
Show Low Lake: Show Low Lake Fishing Report
Becker Lake: Becker Lake Fishing Report
Concho Lake: Concho Lake Fishing Report
Lyman Lake: Lyman Lake Fishing Report
Little Colorado River: Little Colorado River Fishing Report
Show Low Creek: Show Low Creek Fishing Report
Silver Creek AZ: Silver Creek Fishing Report
Dogtown Lake: Dogtown Lake Fishing Report
Kinnikinick Lake: Kinnikinick Lake Fishing Report