Lake Powell, Utah Fishing Report Today

Lake Powell anglers, this is Artificial Lure checking in with your August 30th report—clear skies, warming waters, and the late-summer bite is on! Sunrise hit at 5:34 a.m. and we’ll fish daylight right through sunset at 7:29 p.m. Temps are warm: expect highs near 93°F and lows in the mid-60s, so pack plenty of water and sunscreen. Water conditions are seasonally stable, with calm mornings perfect for topwater action. Remember, Lake Powell doesn’t have significant tides, but fish activity is shaped more by weather and temperature swings.

Morning bites are hot. According to the Lake Powell, Utah Daily Fishing Report, stripers are on the move and hungry—especially in the early hours when the main basin is like glass. Trolling deep-diving crankbaits or running anchovy chunks is hooking linesiders in good numbers. Try casting around the dam and Wahweap Bay for fast action; schools are chasing shad, so matching baitfish patterns is key.

Smallmouth bass are holding strong on rocky points and submerged ledges. Anglers pulling Ned rigs and small tubes in green-pumpkin or smoke colors had solid limits just north of Antelope Canyon and around Warm Creek. During midday heat, bass slip deeper, so drop-shot rigs with gulp-style minnows worked right on the bottom will get the hits.

Panfish—bluegill and crappie—are still active in brushy coves and under floating marinas, especially if you toss small jigs or mealworms under a slip bobber. It’s a great way to keep kids entertained while you wait out the afternoon lull.

Catfish are prowling muddy bottoms near inflows, with big channels and even a few flatheads hitting chicken liver and nightcrawlers after sunset. The back of Bullfrog Bay and Stanton Creek are always steady producers, especially as evening cools the surface.

Recent reports mention plenty of mixed bags coming in:

- Striped bass limits in the southern arms, some up to 5 pounds.

- Smallmouth bass averaging 1-2 pounds on rocky structure.

- Panfish up to hand-sized caught around protected pockets.

- Overnight catfish up to 6 pounds landed in sandy shallows near campgrounds.

For best lure choices, pack:

- Silver or shad-patterned trolling lures for stripers

- Soft plastics (Ned rigs, swimbaits, tubes) for bass

- Chartreuse or white crappie jigs for panfish

- Standard chicken liver, anchovy chunks, or stink bait for catfish

If you’re looking for hot spots, hit Warm Creek early—stripers and smallies both hunt here at first light. Bullfrog Marina remains a consistent multi-species producer, especially around docks and the nearby points. Don’t overlook backwater sloughs at Navajo Canyon for panfish and shallows near Hite for big cats after dark.

With August water levels still low and stable per the Bureau of Reclamation, boat access is dependable, but always check for launch advisories. Remember to hydrate, respect the heat, and leave no trace in these beautiful canyons.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s Lake Powell fishing update. Subscribe

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure, bringing you the latest local scoop from Lake Powell, Utah, as we roll into Friday, August 29th, 2025. A beautiful sunrise lit the red cliffs at 6:40 a.m. this morning, and anglers are set for a sunset around 7:58 p.m. The weather has shaped up perfectly for late-August fishing, with daytime highs reaching the upper 80s and lows dipping to the low 60s. Expect mostly clear skies and minimal chance of rain, so get ready for classic desert lake conditions—just remember it’ll be hot on the water by midday, so pack extra water and sunblock.

There’s no tidal swing in Lake Powell since it’s a reservoir, but recent monsoonal storms early this week triggered five flash flood warnings in the area and stirred up some of the backs of canyons. These rain events refreshed a few coves but left some muddy water—so target clearer water for best results. Water levels are low but stable, which has concentrated fish around structure and deeper drop-offs. The National Park Service notes boat launches remain open at Wahweap, Bullfrog, and Antelope Point, but keep a sharp eye: some spots do require careful navigation around shallow shelves.

Fishing pressure has eased up lately due to a dip in tourism and record heat earlier in the summer, making for quieter coves and less boat traffic. Local guides report that summer heat put a damper on numbers in July, but fishing action has rebounded as water temps start their gradual decline.

Striped bass are hot right now. Live shad schools have pulled stripers into deeper water—look for boils and surface activity in the early morning along the main channel between Lone Rock and Warm Creek Bay. Anglers have been hauling in striped bass in impressive numbers, many ranging one to three pounds, with occasional lunkers pushing past five.

Best results? Spoon jigs—like silver Kastmasters or Hopkins Shorties—dropped to 30-60 feet, or trolled deep-diving crankbaits in shad patterns will do the trick. Cut anchovy remains the old faithful for bait anglers, especially near the dam and along steep cliffs in the mid-lake region.

Smallmouth bass are hugging rocky points and submerged ledges. Drop-shot rigs with four-inch green pumpkin worms and curly tail grubs have been the top producers. Try a finesse jig with a craw trailer around brush piles and shaded cliff walls—late afternoon into dusk is prime time as bass move up to feed.

Walleye are still biting in the early mornings—target transition zones near the mouths of canyons. Slow-trolling nightcrawler harnesses or casting jigging spoons are yielding fair numbers, especially near Halls Creek Bay.

Catfish are cruising the shallows near sandy beaches in the evenings. Stink bait and chicken liver have landed channel cats up to 8 pounds this week according to local reports.

For panfish, especially bluegill and sunfish, grab a bobber and worm and fish near the marina docks—they’re feisty and plentiful, great fun for kids.

Best hotspots today:

- **Warm Creek Bay*

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Powell fishing report for Wednesday, August 27, 2025. First light clipped the horizon at 6:32 AM, with sunset scheduled for 7:59 PM, offering anglers a solid window to take advantage of prime morning bite.

Weather is warm and dry as NOAA anticipated—expect highs in the low 90s and light southwest breezes on the water. The drought continues to hold water levels well below average, with Lake Powell standing about 48 feet above minimum power pool. The reservoir’s 75% fullness is keeping launch ramps operational but shorelines look stark, so plan extra time to get off the lake as levels shift. No tidal movement here—it’s a reservoir—but levels have been dropping steadily since July[10].

With the persistent drought and a lackluster monsoon, lake temps have hovered near seasonal highs, pushing fish deeper and into coves or faster moving water when available. This week, action on *striped bass* and *smallmouth bass* continues to lead the pack. Stripers are most active at dawn, herding shad into rocky pockets and deeper washes—bait balls are visible by echo sounder near the mouth of Navajo Canyon and up by the dam.

Smallmouth are still biting best on chunk rock points, especially around Antelope and Warm Creek bays. Midday, they’re tight to cover, but as the sun warms up, they move into shallow, faster riffled areas—so don’t skip the shorelines when skies are clear and the wind picks up[4].

Recent catches have been solid: Stripers running up to six pounds landed on swim baits and anchovy chunks; smallmouth bass in the 1-2 pound range coming up on soft plastic tubes and Ned rigs. Catfish were caught after sunset on cut bait near Wahweap Marina. There’s been a scattering of walleye, but numbers are low—most turning up deep trolling.

Top baits: For stripers, fresh anchovy is king—rig half an anchovy on a Carolina rig for the deepest cuts, or cast a shad-style swimbait into boils at daybreak. Jerkbaits in white or chartreuse also drew hits near the dam. Smallies are slamming green pumpkin tubes and finesse worms on 1/8 oz jigheads; don’t shy away from crayfish imitations. For catfish, stick with stink bait or chicken liver.

Hot spots to try today:

- **Navajo Canyon:** Stripers are crashing schools at sun-up—get there early, watch for boils, cast fast.

- **Antelope Bay:** Smallmouth concentrated on rock drop-offs and flooded timber, especially around midday.

- **Warm Creek:** Bass and the occasional walleye found in 15–30 feet near structure.

Water clarity is mixed; expect stained conditions after boat traffic near marinas and clearer water up-lake. With dwindling inflows and plenty of boaters, steer clear of crowded ramps later in the day.

From local marina reports and shore anglers alike, the bite is best from first light until about 10 AM, then after 7 PM as fish come up again to chase bait in the cooling evening surface.

Before you hit the water, double-check safety—conditions can change quickly in low water. H

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Lake Powell anglers, good morning! This is Artificial Lure bringing you the latest fishing conditions and hot spots for August 24, 2025.

Sunrise hit at 5:34 a.m., with sunset coming at 7:29 p.m. The day's shaping up mostly sunny and warm—expect highs around 95°F, dipping to 73°F overnight. A few afternoon thunderstorms are forecast, mainly scattered and brief, with south-southwest winds staying mostly light but gusting up to 20 mph if a storm drifts in, according to Weather Trends 360. Humidity is moderate at 35%, and the UV index is 5—definitely pack sun protection and keep an eye on the sky for cells building in midday. No tidal action to report for Lake Powell, just those big sky desert vibes.

The bite this week continues to run best early, before the heat and wind kick up. According to the Lake Powell, Utah Fishing Report Daily, the striper and bass action has been hot at first light and just before dark, cooling off as the sun climbs. Stripers are schooling along the main channels and deep points—anglers reporting topwater boils right at dawn, especially in the backs of Padre Bay and up near Warm Creek.

Targeting stripers? Use topwater plugs early (Zara Spooks, Super Spooks, or classic Pencil Poppers), then switch to white or chartreuse swimbaits, spoons, or trolling deep-divers mid-morning. Bait anglers are doing well with anchovies and shad—cut bait rigged on drop shots at 35 to 50 feet is putting fish in the boat.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are holding near rocky structure and brush lines—Navajo and Antelope Canyons continue to see steady action. Ned rigs and drop shot plastics in green pumpkin or motor oil work wonders around the rocks, with spinnerbaits effective on the windy banks. As the sun rises higher, focus on shaded walls and under the ledges; midday slowdown is real, so slow down presentations and pick apart the cover.

Panfish—bluegill and crappie—remain active in the coves with submerged brush. Use small jigs tipped with worm or gulp minnows. Fly anglers are nabbing bass and bluegill on poppers and buggers with a 5wt, as noted in fly fishing community chatter.

This week’s catches:

- Limits of stripers coming in out of Bullfrog and Wahweap, with several anglers reporting 20+ fish mornings using cut anchovy.

- Bass up to 4 pounds caught in the coves above Padre Bay and Last Chance, drop shot and Ned rig bite strong.

- Bluegill and crappie hanging thick in the brush-piled pockets, with plenty of numbers for the kids.

Prime hot spots:

- **Warm Creek Bay:** Early boils, reliable striper schools.

- **Padre Bay and Lone Rock:** Bass and panfish steady on plastics and small jigs.

Fire updates: The area is under fire prevention advisories from the National Interagency Fire Center. Remember to check local restrictions if you're camping—keep those campfires dead out and be vigilant with any gear that could spark.

As we love to say around here, play the weather, watch for surface action at dawn and dusk, and match your gear

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Powell fishing report for Saturday, August 23rd, 2025. Summer’s roasting out here in southern Utah, with today’s forecast calling for sunny skies, just a slight breeze early, and highs around 103 degrees by afternoon according to the National Weather Service. Overnight, you’ll see lows cooling off to the lower 70s. Winds will clock in from the southwest, running 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon. We’ve had a stretch of hot, dry conditions and drought, and the lake’s levels are low but holding steady—so plan to fish early or late for your best action. Sunrise was at 6:36 a.m., and sunset will be at 8:09 p.m.

There’s no tidal swing on Lake Powell because she’s a freshwater impoundment, but the heat and drought have dropped reservoirs across Utah, pinching fish into deeper holes and concentrating action near structure. While wildfires have raged in other parts of the West, no active smoke issues are reported for the Powell area, so conditions on the water are clear.

The fishing itself has been downright lively, especially at dawn. Anglers on the main channel, especially near Antelope Point and up around Bullfrog, are hooking into plenty of striped bass and smallmouth bass. On a recent outing posted by local fisherman j.swizzz, anglers scored well using Chatterbaits and War Eagle spinners, pulling in healthy smallies and a few bonus largemouths around submerged rock piles and points.

Those chasing stripers have been reporting nice numbers on cut bait around the dam and deeper bays early, with some boats bagging dozens when the boils are up. Trolling deep-diving crankbaits, swimbaits, and spoons like the classic Kastmaster in silver and blue is the ticket as the sun gets up and the schools move deeper. If you’re after numbers, fill a bucket with anchovies and dunk bait near the main lake humps and canyon mouths—stripers are piling up at 40-60 feet right now, and the cut anchovy bite is about as steady as it gets.

For bass, the keys are shade, depth, and motion. Chatterbaits, War Eagle spinnerbaits, and Ned rigs are hot, especially when fished slow along chunk rock and ledges in 15 to 30 feet. Early on, topwater lures like walking baits and poppers can get explosive hits along points and submerged brush. If you spot shad flickering, toss a white or shad-patterned soft jerkbait or crank—the bass won’t be far behind.

Crappie have slowed with the heat, but a few slabs are showing up for folks tight-lining small jigs tipped with chartreuse or white grubs under floating docks and in brushy coves, especially north toward Good Hope Bay. Catfish bite is good after sunset—cut bait or chicken liver near sandy flats and mudlines is your best strategy after dark.

For today’s “hot spots”, check out the mouth of Navajo Canyon at first light for a mixed bag of stripers and smallmouth, and the submerged humps east of Antelope Point for schoolie stripers as the morning wears on. Don’t overlook rocky coves u

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Welcome anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Powell fishing report for Friday, August 22, 2025.

We’re off to another classic late-summer morning here at Lake Powell, Utah. The sun rose right at 6:33 am and we’ll have light until sunset at 8:10 pm, giving you plenty of time to work the water. Conditions today are mostly sunny, with temps already ticking up—highs peaking near 98°F and lows tonight dipping to around 67°F, according to Utah’s Canyon Country weather. No storms on the horizon, but the heat is on and surface temps are hovering in the low 80s.

Lake Powell doesn’t have tides to track—just water levels, and right now the lake remains low as expected in late summer, echoing the trend mentioned this week by Coyote Gulch about ongoing drought and low inflow. Water clarity is good in the main channel and even better up in the canyons; just beware of sudden afternoon canyon winds if you’re on a skiff.

On the fishing front, the bite has picked up the past few days. Anglers are reporting steady catches of *striped bass* and *smallmouth bass*, with stripers schooling up off deeper ledges around Antelope Point and Warm Creek. Multiple boats brought in double-digit striper counts yesterday, many in the 2–4 pound range, pulled up on spoons and cut bait.

Smallmouth bass are chasing shad in the backs of coves, especially early and late. Folks tossing 3-inch shad-pattern swimbaits, Ned rigs, and chatterbaits are hooking up steadily—especially in the shade line along rocky points, a classic Powell summer play. A handful of largemouth bass have been picked up flipping Texas rigs in brush piles and tumbleweed mats on the southern lake.

For those hunting *walleye*, a worm harness or bottom-bouncer tipped with a nightcrawler fished slow along drop-offs in Navajo and Last Chance has put a few good eaters in the box for early risers.

Catfish are prowling after sunset—stinkbaits and chicken livers set off the rocky banks around Bullfrog have produced a handful of chunky channel cats this week.

If you’re focused on what’s working best:

- For stripers, drop chrome or white spoons to 35–60 feet, or slow-troll deep-diving crankbaits.

- For bass, go with soft plastics in green pumpkin and shad, or throw topwater lures like a Spook at first light—especially if you spot shad busting on the surface.

- Bait anglers chunking anchovies continue to fill coolers with stripers anywhere from Glen Canyon Dam up to Padre Bay.

If you’re looking for hot spots, make sure to try:

- **Wahweap Bay:** Still holding a ton of shad and active stripers. The mouths of small coves are producing all day.

- **Moki Wall**: A reliable August producer for both smallmouth and stripers, especially along the vertical structure.

- **The Narrows**: Late-afternoon action for cruising walleye and some quality smallmouth, especially near submerged structure.

Local tackle shops are recommending downsizing your baits with the extra-clear water, and don’t forget plenty of ice—your catc

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning from the deck at Wahweap, this is Artificial Lure bringing you today’s fishing report for Lake Powell, Utah—Wednesday, August 20th, 2025.

The sun rose this morning at 6:28 a.m. and sets tonight at 8:08 p.m., painting the red rock canyons with that classic golden hue. We’ve got a solid August forecast: sunny skies, highs near **99°F**, with just a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Winds will be from the southwest at 5 to 8 mph, so boaters can expect calm water in most canyons, but keep an eye out for sudden gusts if those storms roll in.

The water level is a big talking point right now. According to the Bureau of Reclamation’s August update, Powell is hovering around **3,538 feet**, nearly its lowest point in three years. Reservoir levels are dropping fast due to poor snowpack and extended drought. You’ll notice wider “bathtub rings” on the cliffs and exposed sediment, which can be tricky for launching boats—best to use main ramps like Stateline or Wahweap these days for safe access.

As for fish activity, faltering inflows haven’t stopped the action. Bass and striper anglers are reporting good numbers—smallmouths are especially active on rocky points in the early hours before the sun gets high. Late summer means the stripers are moving deeper; look for schools suspended in cool water, 60 to 100 feet down off Antelope Island and the dam.

In the past week, folks have been landing healthy mixed bags:

- **Smallmouth bass:** averaging 1–2 pounds, with some up to 3 near rocky structure off Warm Creek and Lone Rock.

- **Striped bass:** solid runs have come on anchovy chunks or locally recommended castable jigs tipped with white curly tails.

- **Catfish:** active on cut bait near mud flats after dusk—some 2–5 pounders reported.

- A few **walleye** came in overnight, mostly shallow, hitting worm harnesses near Bullfrog.

Top lures this week are:

- **Ned rigs** and **drop shot setups** for bass, worked along shaded cliff faces.

- **White shad swimbaits** and **spoons** jigged vertically for stripers—especially with sonar to spot schools.

- For bait, **anchovy chunks** are still king for stripers, while **nightcrawlers** and cut baits get catfish biting. A couple anglers swapped anchovy for hotdogs, but the consensus is hotdogs just aren't doing the trick around here, stick with the classics.

Hot spots today:

- **Wahweap Bay**—early morning for bass on plastic worms, plus steady striper action at depth.

- **Antelope Canyon**—big striper schools and the chance for a catfish after sundown.

- **Bullfrog Area**—good mixed species, especially at dusk, and reliable access even as water drops.

There’s a little more traffic on the lake with the August heat, but fishing remains excellent if you adapt to lower water and keep an eye on the weather. Drop your rig early or after sunset for best results, and don’t be shy with the fish finder—stripers are schooling tight.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Powell report. Be sure to s

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure reporting in from beautiful Lake Powell on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Sunrise came at 6:32 a.m. this morning and we’ll have daylight until just about 8:16 p.m. Weather is classic late August up here—skies are partly cloudy, temps climbing into the low 90s by midday, and just a whisper of monsoon moisture lingering from yesterday, but for today it looks dry, hot, and sunny for most of the region according to KSL Weather.

Now, let’s get to what everyone’s waiting for—the fishing. Conditions on the lake are changing fast. Water levels have dropped to their lowest point in three years, and that’s meant a few boat ramps closed and some rocky areas exposed, so make sure you’re launching where it’s open and safe, and go easy running through those shallows, especially up-lake. AOL News and other outlets are reporting on these low water conditions, so keep your ears open for local updates and potential closures.

But don’t let that stop ya! The bite is hot. Stripers, smallmouth, and channel cats are all showing strong. The Lake Powell, Utah Daily Fishing Report podcast said just yesterday that stripers and smallmouth bass were biting particularly well, even with the dropping water. Early morning and evening have been best, and midday shade is vital, especially if you’re targeting those bass. Some panfish—like bluegill and crappie—are active as well, mostly tighter to brush and rock structure near deeper water.

Latest word from the docks and guides:

- Stripers are schooling up in the deeper channels off Wahweap and the main channel points near Antelope and Navajo Canyons. Anchovy chunks are still the go-to for bait fishermen, but trollers are picking up good numbers on deep-diving cranks and leadcore line with swimbaits.

- Smallmouth bass are stacked on rocky points and shaded ledges. Topwater poppers at dawn are getting some explosive hits, but your best luck is coming on drop-shot rigs with 3” shad-style plastics or classic green pumpkin tubes.

- Folks bouncing live or cut bait in 30–50 feet have landed some nice channel cats, especially overnight and very early in the morning.

Hot lures this week have been the flutter spoon for big bass and stripers. Word from Table Rock Lake anglers on TikTok says the big flutter spoon is one of the most reliable baits for late summer bass—and it’s proving true here, too. For bait, fresh-cut anchovy or shad are still king for stripers. If you’re after panfish in the coves, live worms and small jigs are hard to beat.

Top hotspots right now:

- The main lake points off Wahweap Bay—early mornings have been insane for striper boils and casting poppers.

- Navajo Canyon mouth—smallmouth have been all over the ledges in 10–20 ft, especially where you can find a touch of shade.

No tides to report here on Lake Powell—just pay attention to the wind forecast and heat. With the drought and dropping water, keep your coolers full, your bimini tops up, and practice good fish handling—release those big spa

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure, checking in from Lake Powell for your August 15th fishing report. Here’s the scoop you need to know to make the most of your day out on the water.

Today, Lake Powell woke to a sunrise at 5:34 am, with lines already hitting the water before the sun crested the red cliffs. The forecast: clear skies and heat—the mercury’s pushing toward 102°F this afternoon under a blazing Arizona sun. It’ll cool off to around 70 after sunset at 7:29 pm. Expect plenty of sunlight and just enough breeze in the narrows to keep things lively. Afternoon thunderstorms are always possible this time of year, though today’s likely to stay dry, according to KSL’s latest weather update.

If you’re planning to launch at Wahweap, keep in mind the Main Launch Ramp is going to be inoperable starting August 18th, so plan ahead if you’re staying several days. With the water still lingering at low levels, some back bays are more exposed than usual—often a bonus for anglers who know how to work the structure. According to the National Park Service, these conditions have concentrated fish in deeper, cooler pockets during the heat of the day.

Early risers found biting was best right around first light. Stripers were actively chasing shad schools in the main channel, especially near the mouth of Navajo Canyon and Antelope Point. Surface boils popped up just after dawn—chrome casting spoons and white bucktail jigs worked wonders. Several boats limited out on two- to four-pound stripers before 8 am, a great sign of hot late-summer action.

Smallmouth bass were aggressive around rocky points and bluff walls, favoring topwater poppers and shad-pattern jerkbaits during the low light hours. As the sun climbed, soft plastics like green pumpkin tubes or drop-shots rigged with 4-inch worms brought steady bites off submerged ledges and around houseboat moorings.

Some anglers targeting largemouth bass found success in the flooded brush and coves along Padre Bay; try working a wacky-rigged senko or slow-rolling a spinnerbait tight to the cover. If you’re after catfish for the skillet, set up around the backs of mud bays with stink bait or chicken livers—night fishing has been producing some fat channel cats, especially around Lone Rock.

Fishing off the bank? Focus efforts near the marina riprap and shaded spots. Just be aware of low water making some shoreline approaches tricky. Electronics help, but old-school patience pays dividends—stripers and walleye are holding deeper during mid-day, 30 to 50 feet, so vertical jigging with chartreuse or white spoons is a smart bet.

Top baits this week: For stripers, you can’t beat live anchovy chunks where allowed, with trolled Rapalas in shad finish a close second. For bass, topwater lures at dawn and dusk are the ticket, with soft plastics and jigs cleaning up as the sun climbs. Catfish fans should stick with traditional baits—stink bait, chicken liver, or cut bait right on the bottom.

Hot spots today include the mouth of Nava

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.