At Lake Powell, Spring is for Fishermen

Lake Powell is famous for its blue water, sandy beaches and incredible scenery - it ranks as one of the best houseboat playgrounds in the world. But did you know it is also a world-class sport fishery?

Some mighty big fish make their home in the reservoir, which is located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The photo below-left shows Sherman McDonnell with a 32-pound, 5-ounce striped bass he caught in Knowles Canyon in February of this year. A few fish in that size range are caught at Powell every year.

Striped bass thrive in the lake, along with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Fishing was excellent last year and should be just as good or better this season. The action is slow while the water is cold; success starts to pick up in late March as the water temperature rises. Smallmouth and striper fishing becomes red-hot in mid-April and continues to sizzle through May. It slows a little as the heat of summer sets in.

Bluegill and channel catfish are very active during the summer. They are easy to catch, even for inexperienced kids. And persistent anglers can still catch the bass, they just have to work at it. As summer wanes the bass go on a feeding frenzy - late August and September bring some of the best fishing of the year.

Watch our Fishing Report for current information.

Most people come to Powell to play in the water, and that means the lake is busy during summer months. Spring offers an entirely different experience. The lake is serene. You can wander from canyon to canyon in relative privacy, only occasionally seeing another boater.

Houseboats are available for rent year-round, but you need to book months in advance to get one for a specific summer date. Not so during spring. It is easy to book a boat for dates before Memorial Day, and rates on some boats are cheaper during this shoulder season.

The water is cool during spring. I ski - I've skied many times during March but it is a bit on the chilly side. If you wear a wet suite skiing and other activities can be very pleasant during April and early May. By late May the water has warmed enough that you may not need the insulation.

Spring skiing is great because you usually have the entire bay to yourself. In early morning the water is almost always glassy - perfect because you don't have to fight the boat chop that develops in many places during summer.

Spring also brings excellent hiking opportunities in Lake Powell Country. I enjoy boating to the end of a canyon and then hiking, just to see what I can see. The Stan Jones Lake Powell Map offers descriptions of each of Powell's canyons, and details about hiking options.

I love Powell - it is one of my favorite places on earth. I've explored the lake from Wayweap to Hite, poking into virtually ever canyon. The only section I haven't seen is the remote San Juan arm. Incidentally, the San Juan arm usually offers some of the best fishing.

Know where I'll be during the first week of May? On the San Juan arm casting to stripers and smallmouth. It's time!

- Dave Webb

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