May 2, 2007
By Wayne Gustaveson
Lake Elevation: 3600
Water Temp: 62-68 F
Fishing results are very steady at Lake Powell. A typical day of fishing from the back of the canyon to the main channel results in a mixed catch of striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass with bonus catches of crappie, catfish, walleye, and bluegill. Water temperature is now firmly affixed in the 60's which is the ultimate temperature range for the best Spring fishing.


Jeffery Miller with "big mouth - bass"


Striped bass are the most commonly caught fish. Many schools have congregated in the main channel and are very susceptible to anchovy bait fished from 15 to 40 feet deep. Graph the walls, chum the spot when a school is scanned and then present a third of an anchovy on a weightless hook or weighted jighead. Schools may feature the 4-pound adults or one- pound, plankton eating, young stripers. Both are very aggressive while in casting range. If the school moves they may be relocated by graphing or by trolling in the vicinity with a lipless vibrator lure.

It is just as likely to catch stripers while plugging the shoreline for bass. That is my favorite way to fish now. Use crankbaits and plastic grubs and tubes to fish the shallow edges where water is warmer. Just react to each fish species as they are encountered. A school of stripers will often follow a hooked fish to the boat. Then all anglers can cast to the trailing fish and catch many in short order. If bass are hooked then cast to the brush or structure where the first was caught to find more. Bass travel in groups and are usually caught in bunches. Bluegill and crappie will be clustered around a brushy area. Use smaller plastic baits (safety pin spinners) to probe the branches and recesses of thick brush to find panfish. Finally, walleye are hungry and getting more active during the day with increasing water temperatures. They hit crankbaits and plastic. The chance of catching walleye is greater if a piece of live worm is attached to the plastic offering. Again fish specifically for walleye when one is hooked.

Trolling is a very effective tool used to locate fish. Troll a Wallydiver, rattletrap, jerk bait or other shallow running bait in 10-20 feet of water next to brush or shore. Hook a fish then concentrate on that spot until fish quit hitting. When the action is over, troll again to find another hotspot.

Boat activity is increasing with warmer weather. Boat wakes hitting the shoreline make a mudline in normally clear water. Boat use peaks midmorning and mid afternoon. Look for floating mud at the busiest boating times. Predator fish line up under the shade of floating mud where low light conditions are conducive to feeding opportunities. Troll or cast to the small mudlines to find active fish.

May is the best time of year to catch a wide variety of fish. Use your favorite lure or technique. You will catch fish and have a great time.
 

 

Brandon Fife with his first striper.