April 20, 2024
Water Temperature 56-62 F
It is prime time for fish in Lake Powell. Many species are spawning or preparing to spawn. Last week I saw crappie building and guarding nests in West and Navajo Canyon in the southern lake. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are starting to build nests and preparing to spawn. Walleye may have already spawned but they are very secretive and not as visible when spawning as most fish in Lake Powell. Stripers spawn as early as mid April or as late as June depending on water temperatures (55-65 F).
Most fish species in Lake Powell build and guard nests on the lake bottom but stripers are surface spawners. They usually spawn at night as male stripers surround females and bump her up to the surface. Eventually, the female turns on her side surrounded by males that bump her to cause her to release eggs. Each female releases one-half to three million eggs. Not all eggs are fertilized but enough young fish are born to create an amazing fishery. That is why there is no limit on striped bass in Lake Powell.
Now, as water temperature is increasing and fish are in spawning mode the best place to find most species of fish is in 15 to 35 feet of water. Last month deeper water was better but now search for most species of fish in shallow water. Largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie will be near brushy coves with trees and weeds. Smallmouth bass will be in rocky habitat. Walleye will be in open water near the bottom. Stripers will be at mid depth in a tight school.
The best technique when fish are shallow (15-35 feet) is to troll lures that run between 15-30 feet. Watch the graph to find fish schools and to stay deep enough that the lure does not hit bottom. When fish traces are seen on the graph you may want to stop and cast if there is a school of stripers or continue to troll past individual fish that may be bass, walleye, or sunfish.
The best fishing right now is found in the northern and mid lake areas. Areas close to the marinas are not as productive, as they have been worked over by winter anglers that did not have to go uplake. If launching at Wahweap, it is better to go to Navajo or Warm Creek. It is much better to go further uplake to Last Chance, Rock Creek and beyond. Bullfrog has the same report. Fishing improves with each canyon on the journey uplake toward Good Hope Bay or downlake toward the San Juan.
I take at least 3 fishing rods. One has a trolling lure. The second rod has a casting lure in case fish are seen on the surface in front of the boat. The third rod has a small spoon, or plastic bass bait for fish schools located while trolling. Stay alert while trolling and watching the bottom for fish traces.
We are now in the best fishing season of the year. Fish are warming up, looking for food and trying to spawn.
It is prime time to go FISHING!
Water Temperature 56-62 F
It is prime time for fish in Lake Powell. Many species are spawning or preparing to spawn. Last week I saw crappie building and guarding nests in West and Navajo Canyon in the southern lake. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are starting to build nests and preparing to spawn. Walleye may have already spawned but they are very secretive and not as visible when spawning as most fish in Lake Powell. Stripers spawn as early as mid April or as late as June depending on water temperatures (55-65 F).
Most fish species in Lake Powell build and guard nests on the lake bottom but stripers are surface spawners. They usually spawn at night as male stripers surround females and bump her up to the surface. Eventually, the female turns on her side surrounded by males that bump her to cause her to release eggs. Each female releases one-half to three million eggs. Not all eggs are fertilized but enough young fish are born to create an amazing fishery. That is why there is no limit on striped bass in Lake Powell.
Now, as water temperature is increasing and fish are in spawning mode the best place to find most species of fish is in 15 to 35 feet of water. Last month deeper water was better but now search for most species of fish in shallow water. Largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie will be near brushy coves with trees and weeds. Smallmouth bass will be in rocky habitat. Walleye will be in open water near the bottom. Stripers will be at mid depth in a tight school.
The best technique when fish are shallow (15-35 feet) is to troll lures that run between 15-30 feet. Watch the graph to find fish schools and to stay deep enough that the lure does not hit bottom. When fish traces are seen on the graph you may want to stop and cast if there is a school of stripers or continue to troll past individual fish that may be bass, walleye, or sunfish.
The best fishing right now is found in the northern and mid lake areas. Areas close to the marinas are not as productive, as they have been worked over by winter anglers that did not have to go uplake. If launching at Wahweap, it is better to go to Navajo or Warm Creek. It is much better to go further uplake to Last Chance, Rock Creek and beyond. Bullfrog has the same report. Fishing improves with each canyon on the journey uplake toward Good Hope Bay or downlake toward the San Juan.
I take at least 3 fishing rods. One has a trolling lure. The second rod has a casting lure in case fish are seen on the surface in front of the boat. The third rod has a small spoon, or plastic bass bait for fish schools located while trolling. Stay alert while trolling and watching the bottom for fish traces.
We are now in the best fishing season of the year. Fish are warming up, looking for food and trying to spawn.
It is prime time to go FISHING!