Horseshoe Lake Fishing Report

Current Fishing Report: Very Good To Excellent

Although forward-facing sonar and other high-tech fish finders were designed for bass fishing, many catfish anglers, who fish from a boat, are now using them to locate channel catfish. With this, they are now catching more catfish by focusing on productive water. The catch rate has increased considerably, and anglers are picking their targets to catch the bigger cats. New baits, line and rigging methods have also improved success for bank fishing enthusiasts. Savvy anglers, who study catfish life cycle and patterns, are still managing to catch nice fish, with or without these new tools.

SPRING. Water temperatures have risen into the high 50's, and channel catfish are migrating into coves, and up into the river. Early in the season, look for them 10 to 20 feet deep. They hold here, and feed aggressively, around relatively shallow cover until water warms into the mid 70's, at which time they begin the spawn process in 2 to 10 feet of water. Following the spawn, they move out toward the basin in 15 to 25 feet of water. Anglers are using slip sinkers, 3-way rigs, or Carolina rigs to get, and keep, the bait close to the bottom. Later in Spring focus on shallower flats, during late evening and into the night.

SUMMER. In Summer, slow-moving water, at the river end of the lake may draw catfish to feed. Otherwise they are scattering, locating cover in slightly cooler water. Reports indicate the most successful anglers are using nightcrawlers, cut bait, minnows or shrimp. Most channel cats hold in 15 to 35 feet during the day, and 5 to 20 feet during the night. Fishing from late in the day until midnight produces some of the best results, as this is their prime feeding time.

FALL. Fall is one of the better times of year for catching channel catfish. Early in Fall they cruise the shallows in 15 to 30 feet of water, in search of food. Later, in the season they migrate away from the shallows and current, to moderately deep flats and channel edges on the main body of the lake. They can typically be found from 10 to 25 feet deep. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure. Road beds, stumps, wood, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Drift fishing or slow-trolling baits along mid-depth structure is popular and generally productive. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig setup, with cut bait, nightcrawlers, shrimp or prepared baits. They typically remain in these areas and feed aggressively in preparation for Winter.

WINTER. Cold Winter weather drives channel catfish to gather in deep pockets, ledges and holes. They become virtually dormant, especially once the water cools into the high 40's or low 50's. They hole up in pockets, along river channels, ledges, and structure in the basin areas from 20 to 40 feet deep. Here, they await the warmer water of Spring. Slow presentations, especially cut bait, can still entice strikes. Often during mid day, through the afternoon, anglers report catching them a bit shallower on the same structure.

Current Fishing Report: Good To Very Good

Bass at Horseshoe lake get very little fishing pressure. Bass fishing is currently experiencing major changes in the way anglers are approaching the sport. The expanded use of high-tech fish finders is giving anglers, who fish from a boat, a distinct advantage. The fishing hasn't really changed, but the catch rate has increased considerably. The advent of new lures and equipment has improved success for anglers fishing from the bank as well. Savvy anglers, who study bass patterns, continue to catch nice fish, with or without the new gadgets.

SPRING. As water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth are moving from wintering holes, to shallower water near spawning areas. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Vibrating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits are getting bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 8 to 15 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 1 to 5 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water, around 5 to 12 feet deep. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, drop shots, plastic worms, jigs, spoons, and swimbaits catch bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they are typically caught in 5 to 10 feet of water, on topwater lures, square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a variety of other lures. During Summer, keep an eye on the thermocline to determine the maximum depth to fish, as there is very little oxygen below the thermocline. Largemouth bass here feed on shad, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are typically caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 15 to 30 feet deep. Drop shots, and wacky-rigged stick worms often catch finicky bass when the bite is slow.

FALL. When Fall arrives, bass here will follow schools of baitfish into coves and shallow bays where crankbaits, swimbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits have been successful in prior years. In early Fall, anglers typically have success in 10 to 20 feet of water, around points and shallow flats leading to deeper water. As deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps. Here flutter spoons are often the ideal bait in 15 feet of water, or deeper. Some of the larger bass will seclude themselves away from the school, often in slightly deeper water.

WINTER. The cold of Winter will isolate largemouth around deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. Water temperatures are usually in the low high 40's to mid 50's, and bass can be found near the bottom, or suspending from 15 to 30 feet deep over deeper structure, occasionally shallower on warm, sunny days. Often, some of the larger bass will isolate away from schools, 5 or so feet deeper. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations with drop shots, jigs, spoons, finesse worms, or lipless crankbaits are often the key to getting bites.

Current Fishing Report: Very Good To Excellent

Big flatheads thrive in these waters of the Verde River, and roam the depths of Horseshoe Lake. Forward-facing sonar and other high-tech fish finders were designed for bass fishing. However, many catfish anglers, who fish from a boat, are now using them to locate big flathead catfish. As a result they are now catching more catfish, by concentrating on productive areas. The catch rate has increased considerably, and anglers are picking their targets to catch the bigger specimens. New baits, line and rigging methods have also improved success for bank fishing enthusiasts. Savvy anglers, who study the life cycle and patterns of catfish, are still managing to catch nice fish, with or without these new tools.

SPRING. Now that Spring has arrived and water temperatures are rising into the low 60's, flathead catfish are starting their migration up river. They hold, and feed aggressively, around cover in medium depth water. Once the water warms into the mid 70's, they begin the spawning ritual. Slip sinkers, 3-way rigs, or Carolina rigs all work well, with enough weight to keep the bait close to the bottom, especially in current.

SUMMER. In Summer, slow-moving water, at the river end of the lake is usually productive. Flatheads are feeding deeper during the day, and in shallower at night. Successful anglers are using live cut bait and shrimp, or live bluegill, shad and sunfish caught out of this lake. Night fishing with live bluegill has delivered many of the larger cats, as this is prime feeding time.

FALL. Fall is one of the best times of year for catching big flatheads. In-flowing rivers and creek channels are where most big flatheads are caught. Early in Fall look in 15 to 30 feet of water. Mid fall, slightly shallower, and late Fall even shallower. They roam around and feed fairly aggressively.

WINTER. In Winter, the flatheads go virtually dormant, especially if water cools into the low 40's. They hole up in deep pockets from 25 to 45 feet deep along channel edges, humps and long points, and await warmer water. Anglers with boats are getting ideal access to these river channels, but anglers fishing from the bank are still catching a few.