The lake is the highest it has ever been. It is at full pool, which is unusual for a desert reservoir. In 1996 they raised the dam 77 feet to its current height of 357 feet to hold more water, but the lake went through a prolonged drought and the water never came up. As a result, there is a lot of shoreline growth. Now, with the water higher than it has ever been, the lake fishes like a new lake. It’s full of bass, and there is the potential to catch a few big ones. The water is mostly clear in the main part of the lake and stained in the bays and river arms. Visibility is typically 3 to 10 feet. I don’t anticipate any major changes in the water level before the tournament rolls around. Snow runoff is already coming into the lake, but they are letting water out to keep it stable.

Since the lake is higher than it has ever been, there is a lot of flooded brush, including mesquites, salt cedars and willows along the shoreline. There is a lot of good offshore structure, too. Threadfin and gizzard shad have become the dominant forage in the last few years, along with tilapia. Crayfish, bluegill and crappie are also available.

Here are the five rod-and-reel combinations I recommend:

 

 

Fishing Roosevelt Lake should be a lot of fun. If you have any questions about fishing the lake that I have not answered here, please e-mail me here. Be sure to put Roosevelt Lake in the subject line.

Good Luck!

- Clifford Pirch

Hi Cliff:

I have never fished Lake Roosevelt. I love to flip Sweet Beavers and throw frogs. What part of the lake is best for flipping and throwing frogs? Do you throw frogs on this lake? I am looking for big fish areas on the lake. Where do I start? Thanks.

 

Tonto Creek and the Salt River have some of the heaviest flooded brush, but so do major bays and creeks up and down the lake. These are good areas for flipping and throwing frogs, both of which can be productive. I do throw frogs on occasion. A good rule of thumb for big fish is to look for the heaviest cover you can find. Good luck!

- Clifford

From:   Brandon Service, Arizona State University

 

Hey Cliff:

I know sticking to what you do best is the best option come tourney time, but with all the fishing pressure from you Stren guys, how would you recommend approaching this tourney coming from our position?

 

The banks are going to take a pounding from all the guys targeting spawning fish, so I’d recommend moving offshore a little and fishing deeper for prespawn and postspawn bass.

- Clifford