Bartlett Lake Fishing Report

Bartlett Lake - Carefree, AZ (Maricopa County)


by Arizona Game & Fish Department
8-18-2016
Website

Bartlett Lake is probably the top spot for bass. It’s typically the most steady for bass fishing because of its high numbers of largies.

At many lakes, such as Bartlett (and Roosevelt Lake), bass are not retreating to the deepest water possible. Instead, they are suspending in their comfort zone of around 70 degrees. Even though a lake might be 60-90 feet deep, fish could be suspended in 20-25 feet – along with all the shad they want to eat.

The best fishing is at first and last light, or at night. During the day, crankbaits or jigs bounced along the rock stringers, or worked around the points, islands and reefs should produce. Drop shots should also be viable.

Crappie should be congregating in larger schools suspended in deeper water, quite often off extended underwater points or along the Yellow Cliffs.

Look for a first-light top-water bass bite. Sometimes it is sporadic to non-existent. But if you hit it right, you might be able to get some good action. This bite should continue getting better and better as the season progresses. There might also be a top-water bite right before monsoon-generated storms hit. But be sure to get off the water of there is lightning.

This is the prime flathead catfish season. Try live bluegill or small carp as bait. Look for the deeper holes, especially up-lake where there is a little current. For bluegills, try the backs of rocky coves using nightcrawlers or meal worms on light tackle.

The Jojoba (main) and Yellow Cliffs boat ramps are open. Lake elevation is 1,776 feet, feet, 70 % full.




More Reports

Arizona Game & Fish Department Reports
for Thursday, August 18th, 2016
Roosevelt Lake: Roosevelt Lake Fishing Report
Saguaro Lake: Saguaro Lake Fishing Report
Lake Pleasant: Lake Pleasant Fishing Report

Arizona Game & Fish Department Reports
for Thursday, July 21st, 2016
Lake Pleasant: Lake Pleasant Fishing Report
Roosevelt Lake: Roosevelt Lake Fish Report
Saguaro Lake: Saguaro Lake Fishing Report
Bartlett Lake: Bartlett Lake Fishing Report
Canyon Lake (AZ): Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Apache Lake: Apache Lake Fishing Report
Horseshoe Lake (AZ): Horseshoe Lake Fishing Report
Bear Canyon Lake: Bear Canyon Fishing Report
Black Canyon Lake: Black Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Chevelon Canyon Lake: Chevelon Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Willow Springs Lake: Willow Springs Lake Fishing Report
Woods Canyon Lake: Woods Canyon Lake Fishing Report
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Rainbow Lake: Rainbow Lake Fishing Report
Woodland Reservoir: Woodland Lake Fishing Report
Becker Lake: Becker Lake Fishing Report
Big Lake: Big Lake Fishing Report
Carnero Lake: Carnero Lake Fishing Report
Clear Creek Reservoir: Clear Creek Reservoir Fishing Report
Concho Lake: Concho Lake Fishing Report
Crescent Lake: Crescent Lake Fishing Report
Lee Valley Lake: Lee Valley Lake Fishing Report
Luna Lake: Luna Lake Fishing Report
Lyman Lake: Lyman Lake Fishing Report
Little Colorado River: Little Colorado River Fishing Report
Silver Creek AZ: Silver Creek Fishing Report
Dogtown Lake: Dogtown Lake Fishing Report
Upper & Lower Lake Mary: Lake Mary Upper Fishing Report
Ashurst Lake: Ashurst Lake Fishing Report
Kinnikinick Lake: Kinnikinick Lake Fishing Report
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Clear Creek: Clear Creek Fishing Report
Blue Ridge Reservoir: Blue Ridge Reservoir Fishing Report
Knoll Lake: Knoll Lake Fishing Report
Cluff Ranch Ponds: Cluff Ranch Ponds Fishing Report
: Patagonia Lake Fishing Report
Parker Canyon Lake: Parker Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Pena Blanca Lake: Pena Blanca Lake Fishing Report
Riggs Flat Lake: Riggs Flat Lake Fishing Report
Roper Lake: Roper Lake Fishing Report
Rose Canyon Lake: Rose Canyon Lake Fishing Report
Lake Havasu: Lake Havasu Fishing Report
Yuma Area Ponds: Yuma Area Ponds Fishing Report
Alamo Lake: Alamo Lake Fishing Report
Lake Powell: Lake Powell Fishing Report
Lake Mead: Lake Mead Fishing Report
Lake Mohave: Lake Mohave Fishing Report
Colorado River:
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
Fain Lake: Fain Lake Fishing Report
Goldwater Lake: Goldwater Lake Fishing Report
Granite Basin Lake: Granite Basin Lake Fishing Report
Lynx Lake: Lynx Lake Fishing Report
Ming Lake: Lake Ming Fishing Report
Watson Lake: Watson Lake Fishing Report
Willow Creek Reservoir: Willow Creek Reservoir Fishing Report