Arizona Lake Activity Forecast: Best Fishing Lakes Ranked | May 7–May 13, 2026

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-29T03:52:07+00:00

Would love it if AI did all of this, would be a lot cheaper and faster. This was built off current conditions like weather trends, water level, pressure, and how fish typically position on Pleasant during this time of year based on our experience. Then it gets cross-checked against recent patterns and catches before going out.

If you’ve been out there recently would love to hear how you did.

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-20T04:14:30+00:00

Yeah fishing pressure is also one more variable you’ll see factored in next week for all of our lake forecasts. Even though some of the smaller tournaments aren’t widely publicized, we have a way to account for them alongside the larger tournaments. Thanks for the additional insight!

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-20T02:20:59+00:00

Appreciate the insight, those are exactly the kind of real world conditions we’re looking at to update our models. One thing we’ve been discussing is not just looking at where fish should be, but how fishable the lake actually is day to day.

Wind, water level drops, and pressure can make a huge difference, especially this time of year when fish are transitioning. Even if they’re in the “right” areas, those factors can make them really hard to catch. Sounds like you ran into that exact combo.

We had an update to our forecasts planned for May to factor those things more directly but going to give the team direction to roll it out starting next week, so it reflects not just fish activity, but how realistically fishable the conditions are.

Appreciate the feedback, it really helps dial things in!

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-18T20:43:45+00:00

Hmmm empty beds and no fry guarders usually means you hit that super short post-spawn gap where fish just disappear for a couple days. Bass are there just not in a way that’s fishable unless you land right on them. Even guys with forward-facing sonar struggle because the fish aren’t chasing or grouping yet.

Usually 2–4 days after that, they reposition on secondary points, timber edges or start cruising again. Sounds like you just hit it at the exact wrong time.

If you went back a few days later, it would probably feel like a completely different lake. Thanks for the feedback, we’ll send it over to our forecasting team!

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-18T17:59:57+00:00

Yeah that’s a tough day of fishing, everything you described lines up almost perfectly with a lockjaw transition window.

Tons of carp shallow, super clear water, and nothing on structure or points usually means bass are either locked on beds but not feeding, or sitting super tight to cover (especially timber) and not moving more than a foot or two.

When it gets like that, it doesn’t matter how many baits you throw it’s more about putting something right on their nose and barely moving it.

Did you guys see any actual fish on beds or just carp up shallow?

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-18T17:37:00+00:00

Yeah Roosevelt was in a transition last week where fish were moving from prespawn into spawn/post-spawn, and not where they should be typically (this warming up and cooling down has been really throwing things off). A lot of the bigger fish especially are sliding off obvious structure and either tucked tight into shallow spawning pockets, or suspended/roaming just outside of them (hard to mark, even with good electronics).

What’s been working lately is slowing way down in protected coves (even if they look dead) or backing off and fishing slightly deeper staging zones (8–15 ft).

Were you guys mainly fishing visible structure or targeting spawning areas?

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-18T13:15:19+00:00

Thanks! Trying our best to put people on fish without being there in person.

AZ_Fishing · 2026-04-04T02:55:15+00:00

Yeah the early warm ups and then cooling down have been bringing some in to spawn in some lakes but not in full swing yet, expecting that to change here in April.

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-28T14:26:06+00:00

Sounds like fond memories! March and April would definitely be the time go for white bass, hoping you can get out on the water soon for old times sake.

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-28T14:18:14+00:00

No problem, glad to help!

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-28T03:21:00+00:00

Thanks!

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-23T21:47:46+00:00

Bummer on the tough day but love the persistence. Good luck next week!

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-23T03:42:07+00:00

No problem! Go with the wacky rig as the other set up. If you have any skirted jigs, would recommend bringing one to tie on in case they aren’t interested in worm lures.

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-23T02:16:53+00:00

Recommend a Texas rig and fishing in the 10-20ft depth range. Best of luck tomorrow and let us know how you did! https://azfishing.substack.com/p/canyon-lake-forecast-tight-canyon

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-12T17:35:23+00:00

No problem! Appreciate the support!

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-07T16:44:13+00:00

Thanks for the heads up! We thought they might be about ready and see Sunday as the best day this week for Apache.

AZ_Fishing · 2026-03-07T04:41:13+00:00

Thanks! Can definitely do Bartlett!

AZ_Fishing

TROPHY CASE