 Lake elevation: 3,628 feet
Water temperatures: 70–74°F
Last week, we sampled young fish production in Lake Powell with electrofishing techniques. The windy weather reduced our catch, but we learned about the general success of most fish species. With lots of submerged brush, we expected brush-loving fish — like bluegill, crappie and largemouth — would be the most abundant species sampled. Bluegill were the most abundant species captured, and black crappie had a strong showing in the northern lake and the San Juan. Smallmouth bass were well represented lakewide and the largemouth bass catch was steady over the length of the lake. The brushy cover that is still submerged has been very beneficial in rebuilding the populations of those fish that anglers really appreciate. Striped bass are more of an open water fish, even at a young age, so they are not captured as easily as bass and crappie during the September shoreline sampling.
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Windy conditions over the past week have slowed fishing considerably. It was not easy to fight the waves and catch fish while the wind was blowing hard. The strong winds reduced the water temperature from 77°F (last report) to 70°F degrees this morning. Fishing slowed down during the windy weather. September is going out like a lion, with more wind and rain forecast. As the weather settles down in October, fishing success will rebound once more even with cooler weather. The best fishing in the spring is at a water temperature from 62-72°F. That is repeated in the fall.
For this week, you'll find the best fishing if you graph bottom structure looking for striper schools. Shad have been hiding in the backs of canyons, protected by brush shelters. Stripers are moving in that direction. Open water boils have slowed considerably. Expect to find striper schools in 40 to 80 feet of water, toward the backs of canyons. Stripers periodically come up to feed on shad, and you can see them pushing shad schools along the canyon wall. You can use surface lures to catch them when they're visibly chasing shad, but spoons will be the most effective striper lures this week. Expect to find schools at a common depth. In past years, the best depth to find them has been 60 to 70 feet. When you find a school, remember the depth and look for them at the same depth in other bays or canyons. Striper schools will be very willing to chase your spoons.
Smallmouth bass may be easier to find and catch than stripers. They are in shallower water (10 to 25 feet) holding near the brushy points where tamarisk trees are becoming more visible as the lake level declines. Smallmouth bass are excited about all the tasty little bluegill that we found while electrofishing and are close to their brushy sanctuaries. Bass are running in packs, so when you find one fish there may be a bunch more in the same spot. Shad-shaped worms are working very well. Try either wacky rigged on a dropshot rig or impaled on a leadhead jig. You can catch bass along the entire shoreline of Lake Powell.
Walleye are starting up again and can be caught in the daytime occasionally while fishing for bass and stripers.
Bluegill hide in the submerged treetops, but you can see them in the brush near shore. Find a good-sized bluegill and feed it a live nightcrawler or Berkeley gulp minnow. Youngsters will really enjoy catching sunfish off the back of a houseboat.
Catfish are feeding steadily along the bottom in 10 to 15 feet of water. They like table scraps and will provide a lot of excitement as they join your party at dusk on the sandy beach.
October is often the best weather to cruise and camp at Lake Powell. There are fewer crowds, and water is calm and cool. It might be the best time to camp and fish in 2017.
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