Perfect Water Temperature.

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wayne gustaveson

wayne gustaveson

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In the springtime, bass and crappie spawn when the water temperature warms into the 60s. Fishing results are really great from 60-70 degrees and then start to decline as the water warms more. These same fish usually get really energetic as those temperatures reoccur in the Fall.

It was cold last night. The surface temperature dropped to 66 degrees this morning. Looks like with air temperate rising to the 70s next week, that Lake Powell water temperature will be in the 60s for the next week or more. I am going fishing next week. Maybe the temperature drop will wake up the fat fish hanging out in deep cool water. I will let you know how I do.
 
wayne gustaveson said:
In the springtime, bass and crappie spawn when the water temperature warms into the 60s. Fishing results are really great from 60-70 degrees and then start to decline as the water warms more. These same fish usually get really energetic as those temperatures reoccur in the Fall.

It was cold last night. The surface temperature dropped to 66 degrees this morning. Looks like with air temperate rising to the 70s next week, that Lake Powell water temperature will be in the 60s for the next week or more. I am going fishing next week. Maybe the temperature drop will wake up the fat fish hanging out in deep cool water. I will let you know how I do.
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I’m new to fishing Lake Powell but had success targeting crappie from my kayak in Farley’s Canyon in mid May of 2018. However this year during that same timeframe the water level was so low Farley’s was cut off from the main lake so I missed the crappie spawn. I was thinking about trying to make a trip to Farley’s for some late fall crappie fishing and was hoping maybe you’d give me some insight on when and what water temperature would be a good time to find them shallow and hungry. Thanks, Wayne, for everything you do on this site. It’s invaluable!
 
Crappie are actually my favorite LP fish. Unfortunately, they do not do well when the water is low and brush is not covered. Adult crappie spawned this spring and these young fish had good habitat to protect them from predators. So, the future of crappie fishing is bright a few years down the road as these young fish grow up. Hopefully, the water will continue to cover brush in the next few years and crappie numbers will increase.

In answer to your question, we have the best luck catching crappie in late October and early November with water temperature is close to 60F. It's at 66 this morning and should hold in the mid 60s for another week or so. My best guess is that crappie fishing will peak either the last week of October or first two weeks of November depending on temperature. I will try to keep that updated so you will have a better idea of when to come by watching the temperature link on
Lake Powell Water Database
 
I hope your prediction is correct Wayne. We will be at the lake Monday afternoon until the 20th as well and probably park the HB in the Rincon.
 
fishfry said:
I hope your prediction is correct Wayne. We will be at the lake Monday afternoon until the 20th as well and probably park the HB in the Rincon.
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I hope so as well. Just remember these are the most unusual fishing conditions that I can remember. Let us know what you find and maybe we can better understand what the fish are doing in these high forage conditions.
 
wayne gustaveson said:
Crappie are actually my favorite LP fish. Unfortunately, they do not do well when the water is low and brush is not covered. Adult crappie spawned this spring and these young fish had good habitat to protect them from predators. So, the future of crappie fishing is bright a few years down the road as these young fish grow up. Hopefully, the water will continue to cover brush in the next few years and crappie numbers will increase.

In answer to your question, we have the best luck catching crappie in late October and early November with water temperature is close to 60F. It's at 66 this morning and should hold in the mid 60s for another week or so. My best guess is that crappie fishing will peak either the last week of October or first two weeks of November depending on temperature. I will try to keep that updated so you will have a better idea of when to come by watching the temperature link on
Lake Powell Water Database
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Thanks for the quick reply, Wayne! Any suggestions on what type of presentations to try when the temperature reaches 60 degrees for those crappie? I was hoping fan casting in the back of Farley’s coves would work. That’s what worked back in the spring of 18 for me. TIA!
 
Dave Clifton said:
Thanks for the quick reply, Wayne! Any suggestions on what type of presentations to try when the temperature reaches 60 degrees for those crappie? I was hoping fan casting in the back of Farley’s coves would work. That’s what worked back in the spring of 18 for me. TIA!
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There is no reason to change a technique that worked previously. If the crappie are present they should respond. I use 1/8th ounce crappie jigs in black, white and chartreuse. Find fish and they will hit the lures that were previously successful. Night fishing is good if the crappie are not very hungry during the day.
 
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