After decades of guiding fishing trips on Lake Powell, I can confidently say that striped bass—commonly called stripers—are one of the most exciting and rewarding fish to target here. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the lake, striper fishing at Lake Powell offers consistent action, impressive fish sizes, and some of the best scenery in the West.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the basics of Lake Powell striped bass fishing, including the best times to go, techniques that work, gear recommendations, and a few insider tips learned from years on the water.
Why Striped Bass Are So Popular at Lake Powell
Striped bass aren’t native to Lake Powell, but they were introduced decades ago to help control the gizzard shad population. Since then, they’ve thrived. Today, they are one of the most sought-after species in the lake for a few good reasons:
- They get big. It’s not uncommon to land a 10- to 20-pound fish, and stripers over 30 pounds have been caught in these waters.
- They fight hard. Stripers are powerful and known for long runs and aggressive strikes.
- They school up. When you find one, you usually find many, leading to non-stop action.
- They taste great. If you’re keeping fish to eat, striper fillets are mild, flaky, and delicious.
Stripers are present throughout the lake, from Wahweap and Antelope Point to Bullfrog and beyond. They adapt well to Lake Powell’s deep, clear waters and follow baitfish schools around the lake.
Best Time to Fish for Stripers in Lake Powell
One of the most common questions I get as a guide is, “When is the best time to fish for striped bass at Lake Powell?”
The short answer is: spring and fall are the prime seasons, but with the right approach, stripers can be caught year-round.
Spring (April – June): This is one of the best times to fish for stripers. As water temperatures rise, stripers become more active and begin feeding heavily. You’ll often find them in shallower water, especially in the backs of canyons and near points. This time of year offers excellent topwater and trolling opportunities.
Summer (July – August): Summer brings the heat, and stripers head deeper. Early mornings and late evenings are best. Vertical jigging in deep water becomes the go-to technique. You’ll often find them around 40 to 90 feet deep, especially near the dam and other deep basins.
Fall (September – November): Fall might be the most exciting season for striper fishing thanks to the boils. Boils are surface feeding frenzies where schools of striped bass push shad to the surface and attack them. Watching the water explode with feeding fish is a sight every angler should see. Casting into a boil can lead to fast-paced, aggressive bites.
Winter (December – February): Fishing slows down, but stripers are still catchable, especially with deep jigging techniques. You’ll need good electronics and patience, but the reward can be quality fish without much boat traffic.
Where to Find Stripers on Lake Powell
Stripers move depending on the season, water temperature, and shad activity. Here are a few of my go-to areas:
- Wahweap & Antelope Point (South Lake): These areas near the dam are great year-round, especially for deep jigging. This is also where the lake’s largest striper on record was caught.
- Warm Creek Bay: Consistent action in spring and fall. Look for stripers chasing bait in open water or holding off points.
- Bullfrog & Halls Crossing (North Lake): Offers good deep-water fishing in summer and solid boil activity in fall.
- Back of Canyons: In spring and early summer, stripers often head into canyons chasing shad. Last Chance, Navajo, and Rock Creek are all productive.
Finding the shad is the key. Stripers follow the food, so keep an eye out for bird activity, boiling water, or use sonar to locate bait schools.
Techniques for Catching Lake Powell Stripers
There are a few methods that consistently produce stripers on Lake Powell. The best technique depends on the season and where you find the fish.
- Anchovy Chunking: This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to catch stripers, especially in summer and winter. Drop anchor near structure or in a known striper spot, chum the water with cut anchovy, then fish bait on a hook with little or no weight. Keep your line tight and be ready—stripers often hit hard.
- Trolling: Trolling crankbaits or deep-diving plugs works well in spring and early summer when stripers are moving and feeding aggressively. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach the right depth.
- Jigging: Vertical jigging is a go-to during summer and winter. Use spoons, jigs, or soft plastics and target fish marked on sonar. Drop the lure down and jig it up with sharp lifts and drops. This works best in deeper water (40-90 feet).
- Casting to Boils: In the fall, keep a rod ready with a surface popper, swimbait, or spoon. When you see a boil, get close (without spooking them) and cast into the frenzy. Retrieve quickly and hold on.
Recommended Gear
Over the years, I’ve found a few setups that consistently perform well on the lake:
- Rod/Reel: Medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rods (6’6″ to 7′) paired with a quality reel.
- Line: 10-20 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon. Braided line is great for jigging or deep trolling.
- Hooks & Terminal Tackle: Size 2 to 1/0 hooks for bait fishing, 1 oz jig heads, barrel swivels, and a variety of spoons and lures.
- Lures: Anchovies (fresh or frozen), Kastmaster spoons, Rapala deep divers, topwater plugs like Zara Spooks, and soft swimbaits.
Insider Tips from a Local Guide
- Stay Mobile: If you’re not getting bites, don’t wait too long. Stripers move, and so should you. Use your fish finder and keep searching.
- Follow the Birds: Birds diving on the surface are almost always chasing the same baitfish the stripers are.
- Chum Lightly, But Consistently: When chunking, a steady trickle of anchovy pieces works better than dumping a handful all at once.
- Watch Water Temps: Stripers become most active between 60-70°F. Adjust your techniques as temps rise or fall.
- Keep Some, Release the Rest: Lake Powell has an overpopulation of stripers in some years, so keeping your catch helps the fishery. Still, handle fish with care and release those you don’t plan to eat.
Striper fishing at Lake Powell is one of the most rewarding experiences an angler can have. The combination of hard-fighting fish, beautiful scenery, and the potential for non-stop action keeps people coming back year after year. With the right timing, gear, and knowledge, you can have a day on the water you’ll never forget.
If you’re looking to get serious about striped bass fishing on Lake Powell, consider booking a trip with a local guide. I’ve spent years learning the patterns, reading the water, and finding the fish. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, I’d love to help you make the most of your time on the lake.
Book your Lake Powell striper fishing trip today and experience what makes this fishery one of the best in the Southwest.