Lake Elevation: 3,640 msl
Water Temperature 77-82 F
PAGE, Ariz. — July 1. Lake Powell is still rising. Water temperature took a big jump which will be well-received by the many recreationists that will be here celebrating the Independence Day Holiday week. And yes, stripers will still be boiling.
When chasing stripers on the surface during busy traffic times it will be most productive to concentrate fishing effort in the early morning and late evening time slots. Boils will be seen all day long but catching will be much better during the quieter times.
Mark Gustaveson of Page, Ariz., and his 7-year-old niece Megan Sparks of St. George, Utah, are quite happy with the striped bass they caught during a recent holiday weekend at Lake Powell. Photo special to the Sentinel.
Best fishing locations will be in quieter lake areas like Good Hope Bay to Hite, the Escalante and San Juan Arms and main channel between those canyons.
The best recent report comes from the main channel near buoy 67. If the opportunity arises it is well worth the effort to fish near the busy marinas.
Start looking in the main channel areas right in the busy travel lanes. In the southern lake, cruise around Antelope Island between Wahweap and Antelope Point marinas watching for boils all the way.
Boil abundance varies with the day and location but the common theme is that boils are steady and repeatable. While most boils are small with perhaps 25 fish working together, there are some boils each day where over 100 fish group up to eat shad from the surface.
Use your favorite confidence lure, as any lure will work that is presented perfectly. Cast the lure over and slightly beyond the lead fish in the fast moving school. Then quickly swim the lure along the surface or in the upper 2 feet of water and through the school.
Schooling stripers spend their lives getting to the bait before the next fish. They will react quickly to a lure placed in the right spot. The strike zone is 2-4 feet in front of the lead fish.
Bass fishing is somewhat slower than it has been but still very good for surface-fishing early and late – particularly around striper boils.
Largemouth are in the newly submerged green brush and smallmouth are on the rocky points and drop-offs. Walleye are caught occasionally while fishing grubs along the bottom for bass or trolling the submerged tree tops.
Catfish are very active at night and easy to catch. Sunfish are in the trees and easy prey for a kid of any age with a small hook and live worm.
Life and fishing are great. Enjoy the week at Lake Powell.
