Lake Powell Fish Report – March 27, 2019
Lake Elevation: 3570
Water temperature: 50 – 54 F
By: Wayne Gustaveson http://www.wayneswords.com or Wayneswords.net
The 60 degree air temperature this week has finally pulled Lake Powell out of the 40-degree cold water zone into the 50-degree bracket. This change is just what anglers are looking for as the Lake Powell fish assemblage will now start to respond more aggressively to what anglers have to offer. Bass and crappie will respond to double or single tail plastic grubs, fished towards the backs of canyons in slightly colored water. Clear water is cooler, while boats and lures are more visible - so look for warmer, cloudy water for best results. Add a piece of night crawler to the plastic bait to add a few walleye to your catch.
Bass tournaments have been successful at both Wahweap and Bullfrog this year, which is a good indication of what to expect from the bass population. So far, more largemouth have been caught, because they respond earlier in March, while smallmouth bass wait for warming water. The water is now warming which will increase the catch of smallmouth bass. April will be a great month to target bass on warm weather days.
The warming water may trigger striper movement toward the main channel. There is not much forage in the backs of canyons so expect striper schools to begin moving while looking for food. The standard spots will come back into play for those using bait and chumming aggressively. Near Wahweap, the best spot may be the dam or Navajo Canyon. The man channel will get quite bumpy from the wakeless area at Buoy 1 all the way to Buoy 12. It will be much better when the Castle Rock Cut reopens in late May or June due to rising water.
In the Bullfrog area, bait fishing for stripers does not usually get hot until the month of May. Use the more effective techniques of trolling and casting. Watch the graph for striper schools. If a suspended school is seen just keep trolling because these fish are likely to rise up to the trolled lure. If the school is resting on the bottom (30-50 feet) then hit a waypoint on the graph to mark school location, and drop a spoon right into the school. Spooning still works when a tight resting school is found right under the boat.
Try fishing in shallow, warm water at the backs of canyons for suspended stripers as reported in the last fish report. These precocious male stripers will stay in the warm zone until water temperature rises to 60 degrees or above.
The Lake Powell water level is low but fishing expectations are high for the end of March and early April.
Lake Elevation: 3570
Water temperature: 50 – 54 F
By: Wayne Gustaveson http://www.wayneswords.com or Wayneswords.net
The 60 degree air temperature this week has finally pulled Lake Powell out of the 40-degree cold water zone into the 50-degree bracket. This change is just what anglers are looking for as the Lake Powell fish assemblage will now start to respond more aggressively to what anglers have to offer. Bass and crappie will respond to double or single tail plastic grubs, fished towards the backs of canyons in slightly colored water. Clear water is cooler, while boats and lures are more visible - so look for warmer, cloudy water for best results. Add a piece of night crawler to the plastic bait to add a few walleye to your catch.
Bass tournaments have been successful at both Wahweap and Bullfrog this year, which is a good indication of what to expect from the bass population. So far, more largemouth have been caught, because they respond earlier in March, while smallmouth bass wait for warming water. The water is now warming which will increase the catch of smallmouth bass. April will be a great month to target bass on warm weather days.
The warming water may trigger striper movement toward the main channel. There is not much forage in the backs of canyons so expect striper schools to begin moving while looking for food. The standard spots will come back into play for those using bait and chumming aggressively. Near Wahweap, the best spot may be the dam or Navajo Canyon. The man channel will get quite bumpy from the wakeless area at Buoy 1 all the way to Buoy 12. It will be much better when the Castle Rock Cut reopens in late May or June due to rising water.
In the Bullfrog area, bait fishing for stripers does not usually get hot until the month of May. Use the more effective techniques of trolling and casting. Watch the graph for striper schools. If a suspended school is seen just keep trolling because these fish are likely to rise up to the trolled lure. If the school is resting on the bottom (30-50 feet) then hit a waypoint on the graph to mark school location, and drop a spoon right into the school. Spooning still works when a tight resting school is found right under the boat.
Try fishing in shallow, warm water at the backs of canyons for suspended stripers as reported in the last fish report. These precocious male stripers will stay in the warm zone until water temperature rises to 60 degrees or above.
The Lake Powell water level is low but fishing expectations are high for the end of March and early April.
