Recent bass fishing tournaments on Roosevelt and Apache lakes are confirming that fish are scattered throughout the lakes. These experienced anglers are calling fishing conditions good to excellent.

A recent Lets Talk Fishin' Tournament on Roosevelt Lake was won by the team of Clifford Pirch and Reese Randall, who brought five fish weighing just less than 13 pounds to the scales. Tournament anglers reported using crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits in 5-15 foot depths. A deep dropshot technique and spoons were reported successful in 30 feet and deeper depths.

Anglers are targeting warmer water in the lake where the sunlight warms the water for the longest period of the day. The water temperature has been trending down recently with water temperatures in Roosevelt Lake dropping into the high 50s in the mornings and warming to the low 60s as the sun warms those shallow waters in the afternoon. Within the next month, we can expect the fish metabolism to slow when the water temperature reaches about the 55-degree mark. At that point, most of the bass will be in greater than 20 foot depths of water.

Crappie anglers are also reporting good catch numbers in depths of less than 15 feet. Small jigs, tipped with a minnow and spoons were reported successful using a slow trolling technique. Crappie in the 2 pound range are being caught and several anglers are catching 10-15 crappie in a few hours of fishing. Most crappie anglers are reporting the most active time of the day is around noon for schooling crappie.

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