We just returned from 3 days of fishing in the Rock Creek/Dungeon/Wetherill Canyon areas. Not sure what was going on, but had the slowest catch rate I’ve ever had in 31 years of not missing a spring trip?? We did catch a mixed bag of all species but very few Crappie and Largemouth. CAUTION: About 1/4 mile down the canyon(WETHERILL) in the main channel there is a 6’x 6’ rock structure about 18’ down that claimed my Skag and tore up the prop!! (We put out a white boat buoy to hopefully help others possibly see it) Very grateful we were traveling as fast as we were and had the motor where it was, could have been very very bad!! Look forward to others reports and ideas to the very strange fishing in my opinion?? Weather was beautiful! Water temps from 60-70 with average being 63-65. Great fishing to all!
Rock Creek/South end report
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greyhackle
Escalante-Class Member
Sorry to hear about your boat. Thanks for the heads up and report. I wonder if the full moon contributes to the fishing success? I’ve had different results on trips where the moon was bright. Some good, some bad (catching wise)
I just decided to go fishing when I get the chance and take my chances on the success.
I just decided to go fishing when I get the chance and take my chances on the success.
Absolutely!! Just being at that beautiful place is a great thing! I also wondered if the full moon had anything to do with it as well? It was honestly very strange fishing success?! We saw fish on beds, we saw Fry, etc. it just seemed like a big time lack of fish compared to the last 30 years
BrianID
Well-Known Member
I didn't do as well on my spring trip either. Fishing was still good and I caught 100+ fish most days without trying too hard but fishing was not as good as it was other recent years. I think there are multiple factors affecting success. One big factor is there are not as many fish as there were previous years. The striper population is significantly lower in most places I fished. I wouldn't doubt the moon or recent cold fronts could have been a factor.
Fishing pressure is a big factor. A group of fisherman in that area recently can significantly reduce catch rates. I found this in a couple of favorite spots. A couple boats fishing and camping in that area resulted in a poor catch rate. When I moved a mile or two away I would start catching fish almost every cast when the other spot might take 10 or more casts per fish.
Fishing pressure is a big factor. A group of fisherman in that area recently can significantly reduce catch rates. I found this in a couple of favorite spots. A couple boats fishing and camping in that area resulted in a poor catch rate. When I moved a mile or two away I would start catching fish almost every cast when the other spot might take 10 or more casts per fish.
Thanks Brian for the input. I most certainly agree with everything you mentioned. it’s crazy how many things can affect the catch rate. I have also noticed every year the increased number of fisherman in particular spots, it is very easy to pressure the fish. I wished I was a little bit more educated on how the fish act after they have spawned, and fry have hatched? It seems to me that the areas we fished had many fry around and mom and dad were out relaxing somewhere and did not care about a lot of of our presentations. It was neat to see that most of our fish came by fishing jerk baits very erratically, which is a great way to catch bass! Good luck, everyone and be safe out there.
BrianID
Well-Known Member
Water temperature was at least a couple weeks ahead of schedule this year. I've had both smallmouth and largemouth with locked jaws while guarding fry frustrate me in past years. My theory is they have been already educated by other fishermen. It does seem like there has been more spring fishing pressure. I'm guessing the good fishing other recent years have increased interest in Powell with fisherman.
Scheadhunter
Active Member
I'm surprised to even read about heavily pressured fish at lake powell. The place is gigantic and there are just too many spots to even try let alone fish them out. Come fish with me in So Cal and I will show your pressured fish.
That being said, moon and other factors significantly impact the bite. Cold fronts are a big deal. They kill the bite. Stable is what you want. There are so many presentations to try as well. Compared to my "Normal", lake Powell is on fire, even on it's worst day. I love the place and over the last 20 years, I have never had a bad trip. EVER
That being said, moon and other factors significantly impact the bite. Cold fronts are a big deal. They kill the bite. Stable is what you want. There are so many presentations to try as well. Compared to my "Normal", lake Powell is on fire, even on it's worst day. I love the place and over the last 20 years, I have never had a bad trip. EVER
BrianID
Well-Known Member
I would agree, compared to most other places, Lake Powell has very low fishing pressure. I've just noticed a stretch of shoreline won't be near as productive if someone else has fished it recently.
Scheadhunter
Active Member
I would agree. There’s just so many stretches of Shoreline. It’s what I call a target Rich environment, especially for a small mouth guy like myself. Don’t get me wrong I like crappie ,walleye and even the striper. but I Love bass fishing.
Absolutely agree!! Heaven on earth!
I was fortunate to fish the San Juan during the Covid lockdown when they first opened it up to "local" boaters.
I launched from Wahweap at daylight on a Sunday and took out the following Friday. I never saw an another boat fishing the entire time I was there. Literally the only boat wake I crossed in 75 miles going back was the NPS boats going through the cut on plane...
In Piaute there was one chunk rock bench flats that held lots of 2+ pound small mouths biting nearly every cast. I caught fewer and smaller fish the next time I fished it and only a few small fish the third time I fished it...every new stretch of shore was back to incredible fishing.
My point is "fishing pressure" from only 1 person on 3 different days seems to have had a huge impact on the fishing.
Having said that the fishing was off for me at mid lake last week. The weather definitely seemed to have its affect. Most decent fishing was late afternoon when things warmed up. The only beds I saw were abandoned implying post spawn to me. Tradition rubber technique's were not working for me. Jerk baits (in the wind) and a paddle tail on a jig head were by far the most consistent.
Mildog
Well-Known Member
At Powell fishing pressure is relative there are areas where fish may never see an angler’s lure. But then there are those obvious killer spots that may get hammered multiple times a day day after day! Once a buddy and I came back for a late breakfast and we were chilling at the houseboat for a few hours, we watched boat after boat work this same 300 yard stretch! It seems a boat would leave and 5 minutes later another boat , not knowing another had just left! I think we counted 11 boats in 2-3 hours hammer that stretch ! And who knows how many when we were away? We had also hit it first thing in the morning on the way up lake and we had done quite well. But my guess is after boat 3, they were pretty educated and sore lipped if not in the livewell!! 
Often we try to hit new and different spots that we might normally pass up on and on some trips we try some “marginal looking” spots and they have produced quite well! Maybe others pass on them as well looking for the killer stretches?? Sometimes it pays to venture out!
Often we try to hit new and different spots that we might normally pass up on and on some trips we try some “marginal looking” spots and they have produced quite well! Maybe others pass on them as well looking for the killer stretches?? Sometimes it pays to venture out!
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Interesting comments for sure!!! But there seems to be a common denominator in many of the posts and people’s comments, which is most definitely an increase in Fishing pressure at Lake Powell!! For sure more in some spots than others. Absolutely many opportunities to venture out for sure!! Thanks so much for everyone’s input and observations.