I've been reading up on all the Powell posts and spent a great deal of time on Waynes words, but I was hoping to get some feed back from fellow BFT'rs on what area would be best. Bullfrog is a little closer to home, being that I am from the Ogden area, but I don't mind going to Wahweap if it's worth the trip. I have never been to powell and I would like to score on a bunch of Stripers, maybe some Walleye, Crappie, and maybe some catch and release of the other bass. Mainly Stripers though. Any how, taking a group of guys down for about 5 days of beach camping, probably the first or second week in May. Does anyone know how the fishing is around Padre Bay or a little more towards Dangling Rope? That's where I was thinking of trying unless I get some different opinions. Any input is greatly appreciated. Also, is there any regulations about filleting your fish while your down there? I was planning on filleting and storing in Ziplocks in a cooler of dry ice throughout the trip. I didn't see anything in the proclamation. Thanks again in advance.
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Northern end if the runoff hasn't started. Look on Waynes word and ask questions or read reports.
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I like Bullfrog better than Wawheep, but that's just me.
I liked Hite too, and still like White and Farley Canyons even if I can't get my boat in there. I do fine with tubes, toons and Kayaks, If I had a 14' Aluminum boat it would be perfect for those areas. Do you have a boat to take with you?
The thing with fishing at Powell is that it is good all over. Imagine a lake that big, with all that water, structure and flooded brush, with hardly any people fishing it compared to most other UT waters. It's all good.
I have had 100 fish nights from the docks at Bullfrog, chased boils, hooked huge crappie from under the tire barrier and moored boats, caught walleye, catfish and bass with out ever leaving the bay. I've run for an hour up and down steam and sometimes did better, sometimes done worse.
Powell is huge, just go. Camp. fish and unless the weather is really windy or raining, I don't see how you can't have a great time
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I prefer Hite to anywhere on the lake. If you're tent camping there are plenty of good beaches. Hite is also closer from northern or central utah.
You have two concerns on Powell in the spring. First is the wind. I was at Antelope Point earlier this week when the winds came up. When they hit 20 miles an hour, I came off the water and tied off to the houseboat which was inside the marina. The gusts hit 50 to 60 mph and it tore my boat from her moorings. Within minutes she was being pounded in the rocks. A call to the great crew at the marina on the houseboats VHF radio, resulted in their rescue boat being dispatch through the heavy wind and waves to get her off the rocks. $5,000 worth of damage. Always watch the winds and if they come up....Get off the lake!
The second item of concern is debris coming down the Colorado river during the run-off. Go slow through the area that contain floatsom and pay attention to what is going on around you.
Waynes words is the definitive source of info on Powell. Since there is no limit on stripers, you can fillet them and put them in a zip-lock. That's exactly what we do. The only other fish we keep are a few walleye and crappie. We leave a patch of skin on the fillets and place them in separate bags in case there is ever a question. It has never been an issue.
Have a great trip and enjoy yourself. If my boat is repaired by then I will be there myself. Watch the winds and be safe.
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Most agree fishing is better on the Northern end of the lake. This year I've been from the dam, to Padre Butte and all of the canyons in between over the course of two trips and can tell you the reports at the northern end of the lake remain far better than the bite on the southern end. At least through March. The bite will turn on everywhere as the water continues to warm up, which will be very shortly I suspect. My suggestion is to hit the northern end if it's closer to home.
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Oh, man. Sorry to hear about your boat. Glad that you made it out safe though.
The wind can be spooky down there.
I had the wind blow mine up on a beach a few years ago during a wind storm. Took a few hours to dig out, but thankfully no rocks.
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If your mainly after stripers and your going in mid-may then definitely go to Bullfrog and fish the Moki Wall and Moki Canyon. If your after other species such as bass and walleye then go to the north end of the lake, but by that time the mudline and debris could be pretty far south. That will probably be right at the peak of run-off. I don't like to fish in the muddy water and have always done better fishing the sometimes colder, but more clear water.
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Aside from the previous warnings about wind and thunderstorms, there really isn't a bad time or place for fishing at Powell. The runoff should be light this year so there should not be too much mud or debris. Southern Utah got lots of snow, but most of the water for Powell comes from farther north where snow was scarce.
Bullfrog north usually has better fishing, but Wahweap has more access to hotels and restaurants. For an outing with my wife, we usually go south and still catch fish. But for a serious fishing expedition, the northern end gets the nod.
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Sorry about your boat. I have had my share of fun with the wind at Powell too! I agree with you. I prefer Hite over any other place on the Lake if the runoff doesn't create too much mud or bring too much debris. Mileage-wise, Hite is the shortest distance from Ogden, Salt Lake, or Orem/Provo. Lake Powell is my favorite place to fish in Utah. It is fishing Disneyworld!
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I will need to find a map because I've never heard of Moki wall or canyon. Where is it from Bullfrog bay? So what most are saying about the north being better, what about launching at Bullfrog and heading north to around Good Hope Bay? I would probably not want to launch at Hite if there is alot of crap floating around. I would like to get some Walleye along with the Stripers. I realize by going in mid May that I'm missing out on the Crappie and LMB spawn but that's the earliest I can make it down. I still haven't heard any reports about between Padre Bay and Dangling Rope so maybe I need to scrap that idea. I would like to be in an area that I can get away from the wind monster if it shows up. I'm only in an 18 ft boat.
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Moki Canyon is just north of Bullfrog Bay. Moki Wall is what I call the big steep wall right before you enter Moki Canyon. This is the area near bullfrog where everyone goes to catch stripers in numbers. If you get the Lake Powell North map made by fish-n-maps, it will show you where all of these canyons are. Its a good idea to have a map with you anyway if your going to be traveling around the lake. If you go down south to Wawheap there are stripers all over down there. You can drop chovies near the dam or troll around lone rock. Stripers are all over down south, but I personally don't know the best place for walleye down that far south. May is a good time for walleye down there and if thats what your focusing on then I would say Good Hope Bay would be your best bet. Just need to figure out what you want to catch and then go to the areas that are most popular for that species, but you can catch every species anywhere on that lake, thats what makes it the greatest fishery in the state!
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You've got to be $***'n me!![pirate][
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No bueno[bob
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