Lake Powell Fish Report – July 12, 2017
Lake Elevation: 3635
Water Temperature: 79-85 F
By: Wayne Gustaveson http://www.wayneswords.com
Lake Powell has stabilized. There is plenty of brush along the shoreline so hopefully the lake will continue to cover that for the rest of July before it begins to decline.
Good News! Received the first report of a boil today near Antelope Point Marina. Stripers were eating shad larger than the tiny shad found the last month. Stripers were scattered but willing to hit a topwater lure occasionally. It is not really time to come fish for boils but that event is getting closer. Surface activity should pick up lakewide by the end of July and continue through the month of August, maybe longer.
We had a requirement to collect 60 stripers today to do a disease certification and confirm that Lake Powell fish are still healthy and strong. If I had known the stripers were boiling near Antelope Point I would have gone there for my fish collection. Early this morning I only knew that bait fishing is still good along the canyon walls. We took 3 boats and headed for Warm Creek Wall. We chummed along the wall and began to catch fish steadily for the next 3 hours. The school would come up for chum and then descend to the depths. When near the surface many fish were caught in 10-15 feet of water. When the action died down we dropped out baits further down to 40-60 feet to find the school and drag it back towards the top. Catching slowed down at 9 AM so we counted the fish and confirmed that we had our 60 fish. Later at the fish cleaning station we counted 80 stripers from the efforts of 10 anglers in 3 different boats. Those fishing Lake Powell for the first time were in awe of the amount of fish that can be caught on this incredible fishing lake.
Bait fishing success will continue to excel this summer as many fish remain “trapped” in the deeper water by warm temperatures on the surface. The younger stripers will continue to feed on the top and gain weight dramatically as the boil season progresses.
Bass fishing is now getting more predictable as the lake level has stabilized. That allows bass to find a spot they like and hold there until the lake begins to go down next month. It seems smallmouth bass are often found on a slick rock wall near the flooded brush line. By next week that preferred habitat type should become obvious and will be reported.
Walleye fishing is slowing but some are still being caught in the mid to upper lake. Now that shad are larger and more abundant expect walleye to feed each morning and evening. They prefer to hold on a flat near a steep cliff wall, or in the brushy weeds along a long sandy beach or point that has been covered with water. Bottom bouncing, or fishing a bass grub with worm attached is still a very effective technique.
It is summer and still HOT! However, Lake Powell is amazing considering the amount of fish that can be caught in these challenging conditions. Go fishing early. Then enjoy boating, skiing, sightseeing or whatever peaks your interest. Then
as the sun starts to set go out for another fishing adventure. It is definitely worth it.
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Lake Elevation: 3635
Water Temperature: 79-85 F
By: Wayne Gustaveson http://www.wayneswords.com
Good News! Received the first report of a boil today near Antelope Point Marina. Stripers were eating shad larger than the tiny shad found the last month. Stripers were scattered but willing to hit a topwater lure occasionally. It is not really time to come fish for boils but that event is getting closer. Surface activity should pick up lakewide by the end of July and continue through the month of August, maybe longer.
We had a requirement to collect 60 stripers today to do a disease certification and confirm that Lake Powell fish are still healthy and strong. If I had known the stripers were boiling near Antelope Point I would have gone there for my fish collection. Early this morning I only knew that bait fishing is still good along the canyon walls. We took 3 boats and headed for Warm Creek Wall. We chummed along the wall and began to catch fish steadily for the next 3 hours. The school would come up for chum and then descend to the depths. When near the surface many fish were caught in 10-15 feet of water. When the action died down we dropped out baits further down to 40-60 feet to find the school and drag it back towards the top. Catching slowed down at 9 AM so we counted the fish and confirmed that we had our 60 fish. Later at the fish cleaning station we counted 80 stripers from the efforts of 10 anglers in 3 different boats. Those fishing Lake Powell for the first time were in awe of the amount of fish that can be caught on this incredible fishing lake.
Bass fishing is now getting more predictable as the lake level has stabilized. That allows bass to find a spot they like and hold there until the lake begins to go down next month. It seems smallmouth bass are often found on a slick rock wall near the flooded brush line. By next week that preferred habitat type should become obvious and will be reported.
Walleye fishing is slowing but some are still being caught in the mid to upper lake. Now that shad are larger and more abundant expect walleye to feed each morning and evening. They prefer to hold on a flat near a steep cliff wall, or in the brushy weeds along a long sandy beach or point that has been covered with water. Bottom bouncing, or fishing a bass grub with worm attached is still a very effective technique.
It is summer and still HOT! However, Lake Powell is amazing considering the amount of fish that can be caught in these challenging conditions. Go fishing early. Then enjoy boating, skiing, sightseeing or whatever peaks your interest. Then
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