Dan Keller
UT DWR Fish Biologist
July 2026 Lake Powell Fishing Report
Lake elevation continues to hover around 3,524 feet and will slowly decline, exposing new rocky points and islands. During the dog days of summer, the best fishing is generally during the first few hours of daylight and again during the evening. Fish can still be caught throughout the day, but most species are moving deeper or holding close to shade and steep structure.
Striped Bass (Striper)
Striped bass provide the most exciting fishing opportunity this month. Surface-feeding activity has increased as young stripers chase recently hatched threadfin and gizzard shad. Most stripers caught are smaller one- and two-year-old fish, but they are in good condition and great to eat. Last week we found large schools of striped bass feeding on the surface at Red Canyon and Ticaboo.
Watch closely for splashing, scattered surface activity and small groups of birds. Some schools look more like slurps than full boils and may disappear as soon as a boat approaches. Anglers reported surface-feeding stripers between Bullfrog and Knowles, along the main channel in the mid-lake area, near the Escalante and around the San Juan.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass remain dependable, although many of the fish being caught are small. Post-spawn fish have moved away from the shallows and are found around broken rock, submerged ledges, secondary points and offshore humps. Start the morning with a topwater lure along rocky points and shorelines. As the sun rises, move into 20–30 feet of water and fish slowly along the bottom.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass are more difficult to locate during the heat of summer. Concentrate on the backs of canyons, shaded cuts and coves that still contain submerged brush. Early morning is the best time to throw topwater lures, spinnerbaits or shallow-running crankbaits around brush.
After sunrise, use a Texas-rigged plastic, Senko, jig or drop-shot around the deepest available brush and nearby rock. Largemouth numbers are lower than smallmouth numbers, but some quality fish continue to be caught, including many reported bass over 4 pounds.
Bluegill, Crappie and Catfish
Bluegill can be found in protected coves containing brush, shade and relatively calm water. Use a small jig, piece of worm or lightweight drop-shot rig. Bluegills continue to be active on hot sunny days and are often willing to bite anytime of the day. Crappie are less predictable, but a few continue to be caught around brush and shaded canyon structure. Last week I had success catching several bluegills with a Z-Man micro ned-rig on a 1/10 oz jig head.
Channel catfish are becoming increasingly active as the water warms. Fish sandy beaches and gradually sloping coves during the evening or after dark. Anchovies, hot dogs, cut bait, worms and prepared catfish bait will all catch fish.
July Fishing Plan
Be on the water before sunrise. Spend the first two hours watching for striper surface activity and throwing topwater lures for bass along rocky points. After the surface bite slows, troll main-channel points and canyon mouths to locate stripers.
During the middle of the day, fish deeper rocky structure with Ned rigs, tubes and drop-shot rigs. Return to the main channel during the evening and watch for surface activity.
Summer boat traffic, wind and extreme heat can make afternoon fishing difficult. Carry plenty of water, watch the weather closely and use caution around newly exposed rock islands. With a little searching, anglers can still catch a variety of species at Lake Powell. Last week I was camping on the lake and planned to take the boat out to fish near camp after dinner. The wind picked up enough to start waves rolling and crashing onto shore. Rather than fighting the wind attempting to maneuver a boat I decided to walk along the shore and see what I could catch. I would make 3 or 4 casts and if I didn’t catch a fish walk a few more steps along the shore to cast to new areas. I quickly learned the wind was working in my favor as it was pushing young shad right up near shore and fish were actively feeding on the abundance of shad. I usually don’t count the fish I catch but the shore fishing was so good, in fact much better than fishing we had from the boat all trip that I decided to keep count. I ended up with 13 smallmouth bass, 6 stripers, 4 bluegill, and one channel catfish, all caught within about 20 minutes along less than 100 yards of shoreline. So, if you find yourself fighting the wind and still want to fish you might consider tying up your boat on a wind-blown shoreline and take your favorite fishing rod and a pocket full of jigs for a nice stroll on the beach.
Good luck, be safe, and harvest some stripers!
Lake elevation continues to hover around 3,524 feet and will slowly decline, exposing new rocky points and islands. During the dog days of summer, the best fishing is generally during the first few hours of daylight and again during the evening. Fish can still be caught throughout the day, but most species are moving deeper or holding close to shade and steep structure.
Striped Bass (Striper)
Striped bass provide the most exciting fishing opportunity this month. Surface-feeding activity has increased as young stripers chase recently hatched threadfin and gizzard shad. Most stripers caught are smaller one- and two-year-old fish, but they are in good condition and great to eat. Last week we found large schools of striped bass feeding on the surface at Red Canyon and Ticaboo.
Watch closely for splashing, scattered surface activity and small groups of birds. Some schools look more like slurps than full boils and may disappear as soon as a boat approaches. Anglers reported surface-feeding stripers between Bullfrog and Knowles, along the main channel in the mid-lake area, near the Escalante and around the San Juan.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass remain dependable, although many of the fish being caught are small. Post-spawn fish have moved away from the shallows and are found around broken rock, submerged ledges, secondary points and offshore humps. Start the morning with a topwater lure along rocky points and shorelines. As the sun rises, move into 20–30 feet of water and fish slowly along the bottom.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass are more difficult to locate during the heat of summer. Concentrate on the backs of canyons, shaded cuts and coves that still contain submerged brush. Early morning is the best time to throw topwater lures, spinnerbaits or shallow-running crankbaits around brush.
After sunrise, use a Texas-rigged plastic, Senko, jig or drop-shot around the deepest available brush and nearby rock. Largemouth numbers are lower than smallmouth numbers, but some quality fish continue to be caught, including many reported bass over 4 pounds.
Bluegill, Crappie and Catfish
Bluegill can be found in protected coves containing brush, shade and relatively calm water. Use a small jig, piece of worm or lightweight drop-shot rig. Bluegills continue to be active on hot sunny days and are often willing to bite anytime of the day. Crappie are less predictable, but a few continue to be caught around brush and shaded canyon structure. Last week I had success catching several bluegills with a Z-Man micro ned-rig on a 1/10 oz jig head.
Channel catfish are becoming increasingly active as the water warms. Fish sandy beaches and gradually sloping coves during the evening or after dark. Anchovies, hot dogs, cut bait, worms and prepared catfish bait will all catch fish.
July Fishing Plan
Be on the water before sunrise. Spend the first two hours watching for striper surface activity and throwing topwater lures for bass along rocky points. After the surface bite slows, troll main-channel points and canyon mouths to locate stripers.
During the middle of the day, fish deeper rocky structure with Ned rigs, tubes and drop-shot rigs. Return to the main channel during the evening and watch for surface activity.
Summer boat traffic, wind and extreme heat can make afternoon fishing difficult. Carry plenty of water, watch the weather closely and use caution around newly exposed rock islands. With a little searching, anglers can still catch a variety of species at Lake Powell. Last week I was camping on the lake and planned to take the boat out to fish near camp after dinner. The wind picked up enough to start waves rolling and crashing onto shore. Rather than fighting the wind attempting to maneuver a boat I decided to walk along the shore and see what I could catch. I would make 3 or 4 casts and if I didn’t catch a fish walk a few more steps along the shore to cast to new areas. I quickly learned the wind was working in my favor as it was pushing young shad right up near shore and fish were actively feeding on the abundance of shad. I usually don’t count the fish I catch but the shore fishing was so good, in fact much better than fishing we had from the boat all trip that I decided to keep count. I ended up with 13 smallmouth bass, 6 stripers, 4 bluegill, and one channel catfish, all caught within about 20 minutes along less than 100 yards of shoreline. So, if you find yourself fighting the wind and still want to fish you might consider tying up your boat on a wind-blown shoreline and take your favorite fishing rod and a pocket full of jigs for a nice stroll on the beach.
Good luck, be safe, and harvest some stripers!