Lake Powell is still rising, but just barely. It will peak very shortly and then start a slow decline. Stabilization will improve bass fishing success. Striped bass fishing success is slowing with full moon lurking this week. Full moon impact will vary by species of fish and location.
Mitch Blankard,
8 years old, with 4.8 pound striper near buoy number 3,
Striped bass are still boiling. Boil personality has changed somewhat in the
southern lake. Stripers are feeding in smaller bunches. It seems that 5-6
stripers are chasing smaller pods of larval shad. The result is quick little
blow ups are up and gone just as fast. That makes catching very tough unless
the school will surface for the second or third time in casting range. It
still takes a precise cast, usually at long distance, to hit the sweet spot
and get a hookup. Clear surface lures, rattletraps and white swim baits are
all working if the cast is perfectly placed just beyond a newly surfacing
striper convoy. A lure just behind the lead fish will be ignored.
It may be that shad numbers are declining which limits the amount of time
stripers are on top, or it could be full moon effect limiting feeding. When
striper schools are larger than 25 fish they seem to stay up longer and are
more aggressive, making them more catchable.
Boils in the northern lake are completely different. Shad schools are just
becoming visible to stripers in the chocolate-brown water of the Colorado
River inflow. Shad schools are large. When shad and stripers get together
the result is sustained surface action from 1-2 pound stripers. Large
catches of small stripers are now common. The muddy water clears up between
Scorup Canyon and Good Hope Bay. Red Canyon has consistent boils making it
well worth the trip from either the primitive launch at Hite or from
Bullfrog/Halls. Fishing near Good Hope or in the San Juan Arm is the best
bet during the full moon phase.
Boats launching at Hite and Halls are required to be clean, drained and dry
to prevent movement of invasive mussels into Lake Powell. UDWR Techs are
monitoring both ramps and requiring compliance with NPS invasive mussel
certification.
Smallmouth bass fishing is much improved this week with small bass now easy
to catch along the shallow rocky shoreline. Larger bass are holding at 20-30
feet. Fish grubs and drop shot rigged lures along the 25 foot contour for
best success for quality size bass.
Catfish may provide the most consistent catching this week. Hook some table
scraps on a number 4 bait hook. Add a small weight. Cast to the sandy beach
behind camp and invite a catfish to join you for dinner.