Page - Lake Powell Fishing
By Jim Cliburn
Like any lake across the
country, Lake Powell's fishing patterns change throughout
the seasons. Unlike some lakes in colder regions of the
country, lake Powell is a year-round
fishery. Some of the most productive fishing days have been
in the so-called off seasons---when the lake resembles a
mirror---and is as smooth as silk. Some things are constant.
Find the bait fish---like shad and craw fish---which follow
fairly constant seasonal patterns, and you will find the
game fish such as large and smallmouth bass, striped bass,
walleye, crappie, catfish and carp. Lake Powell has moderate
water temperatures ranging from 45°F to 85°F and never
freezes over.
Spring is the most active
time of year and the fish have been swimming around the
backs of canyons all winter long wondering where the
artificial baits have gone! Except for a few knowledgeable
and avid fisherman, the lake has been clear of boat traffic
for some time. The warming water brings the phenomenon known
as the spawn. Knowledge of fish activity during pre-spawn,
spawn and post-spawn is imperative. This may appear to be
difficult, but it is actually relatively simple. Pre-spawn
fish move from the backs of the canyons to points
 covered
with sand and gravel to begin their annual ritual. Popular
baits for this time of year on Lake Powell include
hula-grubs and spinner baits. During the actual spawn
itself---when the fish are on the beds---fishing is even
more simple. A brightly colored plastic worm or hula-grub
pitched into a well-defined bed will produce a strike almost
every time. Post-spawn fish move out to deeper areas and can
be taken on soft plastics and spinner baits. This period of
time also begins the beginning of a good top water bite
during the early or late hours of the day.
Summer season brings large
numbers of houseboats, jet skiers and water skiers. The best
time of the day is early and late, fishing top water with a
split-shot rig. Midday the fish move toward the main channel
and bays, Fishing deep during bright sun-lit periods is the
most productive.
Fall is considered by most
anglers to be the most pleasant time on Lake Powell. The
fish are in shallow water, moving toward the backs of the
canyons and frequently go into a feeding frenzy. Top water
baits, spinner baits and soft plastic jerk baits are
dynamite! During the warmers and cooler periods of the fall,
fishing slower and deeper can be extremely productive. All
game fish follow similar patterns.
Winter is the time to store
away your equipment, sit by the fire and
develop a serious case of cabin fever. WRONG! Some of my
most productive guide trips and personal fishing days have
been in the winter. On December 7, Mr. Phil Dion of the Dell
Webb Corporation and I enjoyed the most successful guided
fishing trip for large mouth bass ever, and on Christmas Eve
I caught six largemouth bass over five pounds each.
Be sure to check current
fishing information in local papers when planning your trip.
Remember, a successful trip is always measured by a safe and
enjoyable day. Good attitudes are contagious. Good fishing
from Captain Jim!
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