Lake elevation: 3,640 ft., water temperature: 77–82°F.
Lake Powell is still rising and the water temperature took a big jump, which should make the many Independence Day visitors very happy. And yes, the stripers will still be boiling!
If you're chasing stripers on the surface during busy traffic times, concentrate your fishing efforts in the early morning and late evening. You will see boils all day long, but will have an easier time catching fish during the quieter times.
The best fishing locations will be in the quieter lake areas like Good Hope Bay to Hite, the Escalante and San Juan Arms, and the main channel between those canyons. The best angler report came from the main channel near buoy 67.
If the opportunity arises, it is well worth the effort to fish near the busy marinas. Start looking in the main channel areas in the busy travel lanes. In the southern lake, cruise around Antelope Island between Wahweap and Antelope Point Marinas, and watch for boils.
The number of boils varies with the day and your location, but overall boils are steady and often repeat. While most boils are small, with perhaps 25 fish working together, there are some boils where over 100 fish group and eat shad from the surface.
Any well-presented lure will work, so use your favorite confidence lure. Cast the lure over and slightly beyond the lead fish in the fast moving school. Then quickly swim the lure along the surface or in the upper two feet of water and through the school. Schooling stripers spend their lives getting to the bait before the next fish. They will react quickly to a lure placed in the right spot. The strike zone is two to four feet in front of the lead fish.
Bass fishing is somewhat slower than it was, but is still very good for surface fishing early and late — particularly around striper boils. Largemouth are in the newly submerged green brush and smallmouth are on the rocky points and drop-offs. You can catch an occasional walleye by fishing grubs along the bottom for bass or trolling the submerged tree tops. Catfish are very active at night and easy to catch. Sunfish are in the trees and are easy prey for a child of any age with a small hook and live worm.
Life and fishing are great. Enjoy the holiday week at Lake Powell. |
