August 31, 2006
By Wayne Gustaveson
Lake Elevation: 3603
Water Temp: 77-80 F
The warm cap that has held most fish in deep water is starting to falter. Surface temperature has dipped into the 70’s allowing some fish to come shallower. Bass and small stripers are becoming more active in the surface layers. Bass that were confined to the 25 foot strata may now be found near the surface.  Shad that were hiding in warm shallow water now find more predators invading their sanctuary. 

September is topwater time at Lake Powell.  Most fish are now looking up to the surface for their next meal. Use topwater walking baits and poppers during the early morning and late evening to draw strikes from bass and stripers.  There are not many types of fishing more exciting that tossing plugs to surface feeding fish.

 

Not all fish will be on top this Holiday weekend.  The big stripers will still be 30-60 feet deep in the main channel throughout the lake.  It will take another month before these fish can leave the depths and roam freely through the surface layers on their constant search for food. Young stripers are already shallow and these spunky fish up to 15 inches will be eager to feed on anything that resembles a small shad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shad are not abundant in most of the lake.  When shad are absent, feeding stations then become the grass beds, tumbleweed piles and submerged tamarisk groves that offer shelter to sunfish which have become the primary forage.  Lures that mimic sunfish behavior are more likely to be shallow running, suspending crank baits.  Fish near the brush to increase fishing success where shad are absent. Those fish selectively eating crayfish are caught most often on plastic tubes, grubs or senkos.

 

The best part is that all sport species are more abundant than normal.  They all want to eat early and often. These hungry fish are easy to catch.  Any favored species is now available for your fishing pleasure.  The best spot is the upper San Juan arm where stripers are boiling and bass are prowling the shallows.  The next best spot runs from Trachyte to Four Mile canyon where small stripers are boiling and bass fishing is excellent.  The reminder of the lake is good to excellent with adult stripers running deep in the channels.  Young stripers are on top in isolated coves where shad are cornered. Bass are cooperative in the shallows on a variety of lures. Take your pick. Sunfish and catfish would love to eat live worms. Just give them a chance.   

 

Warm days and cool nights make September the best Fall month for pure fishing enjoyment.    Enjoy!