Artificial Lure reporting in from the desert oasis—Lake Powell, Utah—on this bright Saturday, August 16th, 2025.
Sunrise crept over the red cliffs at about 6:27 a.m., with sunset set for 8:09 p.m. today. Weather’s a typical August scorcher: the morning kicked off at 74°F and is climbing fast; you can count on highs near 93°F, mostly cloudy with only a whisper of breeze, so keep that sunscreen close at hand. No tidal movement here, just fluctuating water levels—the big news is that Lake Powell’s dropped again, holding just above 3,552 feet. That’s real shallow, so boaters need to keep eyes peeled for ramp closures; Wahweap Main Launch goes inoperable Monday. If you’re trailering, Rainbow Bridge, Antelope Point, and Bullfrog North ramps are your best bets, especially now that crews are shifting docks to deeper water according to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area announcements.
Fishing’s been lively, especially at first light before the sun bakes the coves; according to yesterday’s Lake Powell Fishing Report podcast, stripers, smallmouth, and channel cats are hanging tough. Striper bite is best around the dam and at the main channel drop-offs—anglers pulling in stringers of 6 to 10 fish using trolled deep-diving crankbaits, chartreuse spoons, and anchovy cut bait. Stripers are feeding strong early and late, so plan your sessions around those low-light windows.
Smallmouth bass are still the star for the light-tackle folks, especially up towards Bullfrog Bay and the rocky pockets off Padre Bay. Reported catches are solid—multiple bags of 10 to 20 fish a morning, most in the 1.5 to 2-pound range, though a couple of lucky locals weighed 3-pounders this week. Ned rigs, green pumpkin tubes, and soft swim baits mimic the crayfish and minnows perfectly; glide baits get attention if you put in the time and add a twitch or pause.
Catfish action is steady near Halls Crossing and Stanton Creek, with chicken liver and stink bait getting bites off points in the evening. Some groups landed up to eight cats a night, most in the 2-5 pound class. Bluegill and sunfish provide reliable action for the kids on the docks with mealworms or a bit of nightcrawler.
With the heat and water levels, algae blooms remain a risk elsewhere in Utah, but Powell’s main channel is clear for now. Always discard fish guts and skin to be safe, especially in warm weather.
Bait and lure picks for today:
- For stripers: anchovy chunks, chartreuse spoons, deep-diving Rapalas.
- For smallmouth: Ned rigs, tubes in green pumpkin or watermelon, small swimbaits.
- For catfish: chicken liver, commercial stink bait.
- For panfish: nightcrawlers, mealworms.
Hot spots to hit:
- The Dam Wall and Buoy Line for stripers, especially at daybreak.
- Bullfrog Bay rocky ledges for smallmouth.
- Halls Crossing and Stanton Creek for night catfishing.
Boat ramp alert: Wahweap Main Launch closes Monday; stick to Rainbow Bridge, Bullfrog North, or Antelope Point ramps for safe launch. Non-motorized boats can risk Wahweap Stateline and Stanton Creek, but check depth before you go.
Thanks for tuning in, folks—make sure you subscribe and get your daily fix before your next adventure. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn