The lake level has been dropping 8-10 inches daily (four feet during the past week). Bass fishing has been uncharacteristically slow, and this may be due to rapidly dropping water from Bartlett into Horseshoe Lake. There are reports that bass that were in 30 feet of water went to around 50 feet deep -- along with schools of shad.

Gary Senft, a Bass Pro at the Mesa Bass Pro Shops, suggests fishing deep early in the morning and as the water warms, fish in 15-20 feet of water. Try Ricos, Pop-R's, small crankbaits, and with plastics -- Carolina rigs, dropshots and Texas rigs.

In general, effective largemouth bass methods this time of the year tend to be baby brush hogs in green pumpkin or watermelon candy with a dropshot or Texas rig. Also try top water poppers, buzz baits and Rat-L-Traps. Fish drop-offs, points, ledges and reefs in 15 to 18 feet of water. This bite should continue getting better and better as the season progresses.

Bartlett does have good shoreline options at Rattlesnake Cove. In general, this is the perfect place to go to introduce someone to fishing or to get the kids on a lot of fish.

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

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.

Lake elevation is 1,766 feet, feet, 59 % full.