Mad Fish Fly or Spin.  What fish you are catching get really really mad?  Answer? Bass especially smallmouth during the spawn.  It is the best time around April and May when waters hits the magic degree of 60. Present a chartreuse clauser or grub at broken rock structure or submerged tree or bush line and catch  a “mad fish” which will help you to be a “happy angler”.

Capt. Bill

In the Spring when the water stars to warm enough for the bait fish to migrate to open water on this lake " Lake Powell" is when the winter flows are producing a current which triggers spawning. Females suspend their eggs usually in the channels due to a slight current running through the entire lake system and especially close to the outflow of spillways dam side. The males will stage off of points and rock cropping and mark the eggs when scented from passing females. Trophy angry males can be caught targeting theses points.

Captain Bill

Other than the usual networking of good guides and a reliable "tackle store", you have to be looking at your surroundings as soon as you see water and that is "at the ramp".  Most anglers are just as jazzed at heading up Lake especially if they own a fast fishing machine.  Then they start fishing…."oops".

Here on Lake Powell, Herons, Ravens, Gulls and Coyotes are the main players when hitting striper boils that a lot of time have a lot of bass species with them as well.  If you are the dock and there is a coyote watching a few ravens shoreline, I would wait at least 30 minutes to what could be ready to bust open and feed there without wasting a $$$$ in fuel and running up Lake.  If you do head up Lake, check out your surroundings for better success.

Captain Bill

Water Temp:  74

high water this year has put the normal feeding off on the Fall top water action and Pre Baiting has been somewhat a good bet if you have the fish holding steady for awhile due to bait fish activity. If they have moved off there hold then you must pre bait a new area so what we been doing is to pre bait 3 or more spots at first and while fishing the other spots we open up another one on our return to hopefully take hold for some very fat fish this year. October will be the hot top water action Im predicting but we will still have to see too.

Bill

Try pre -chumming in your favorite with anchovies or other dead baits if allowed by your regulations.

I save my old cotton socks because they are biodegradeable after they break down after decaying in the water for a month or so. Just fill them up with your favoriet baits and toss them in when your returning from your days fishing and then return some time the next day or even a few days later for that matter. I will secure them sometimes with a cord line hidden on shore  and return them to the boat for a refill sometimes. This will also bring in other species especially Cats as well. And dont forget to free thro some bait chopped up when you do this as you have to feed the Pigons to keep them in the park you know!

Captain Bill

Why are the stripers non existent on the lower half of Lake Powell this time of year but the upper half is producing fish? 

Angler Jason

Dear Jason,

Is isn’t that there are not stripers on the lower end as it has more do with the oxygen and nutrient and bait fish.  When the Colorado River, Green River and San Juan and many tributaries open up their flood gates to the Spring run off it creates massive inflow current for a couple of months and that triggers a balancing act with all types of wild life “especially” fish.  When the fish begin to head back down to the lower end you will have the birds and other animals close behind after the Lake and huge temps level off the fish catching will improve dramatically on the lower end.  I suspect this will start happening in September and October as the nights cool the surface temperatures down. 

Thanks for the question

Capt. Bill

Fishing on the southern end of the lake will not improve until temperatures get cooler in the evenings to cool the water down. Anglers are backed up as well as guides waiting for September and October for this event and hopefully wont experience a prolonged heat spell like the one that hit us in 1993. Our best advice is to stay tuned to the fishing reports that we put out as we are one of the few outfitters who recommends you to wait and see how the fishing progresses. If your fishing the upper end of the lake then the confluence areas are the best percentages for boils and early and late are best in the days.

Ron Lenhart, Bass Angler of the Year 1995 – see video

Stripers continue to feed on channel points mid Lake Powell to the Dam. Smallmouth are being caught in depths of 20-25′ range on points and rock piles. Walleye can be caught trolling 15-30′ on the tree lines and shore lines. Fishing is excellent right now!

Capt. Bill

To schedule a trip of your own or just ask questions, contact us using either our contact form or call 928-606-5829 or Bill’s boat 928-606-0933.

The fishing on Lake Powell right now is excellent, a great time to be here!

Capt. Bill

Water Temp 55 degrees

Today was a 100 fish day with 4 anglers from Utah.  They are Striped Bass Fisherman and have fished me numerous times.  Most of the stripers are feeding on anchovie bait.  The main channel at the South end of Lake Powell from the Dam to Padre Bay producing quality fish.  Average size caught 2-3 lbs.  Good eating for sure.  Lake Powell fishing couldn’t be better.  Visit our Facebook Page (Lakepowellfishing) for some videos from today’s catch. To schedule a trip of your own or just ask questions, contact us using either our contact form or call 928-606-5829 or Bill’s boat 928-606-0933.

100 Fish Day at Lake Powell 4-20-11