LAKE POWELL –

Where: Lake Powell
When:05/03/08
Caught: Walleye (one week, 5 boats, 137 Walleye)
Technique: Jigging/grubs and crawler harnesses, no spinner, just beads and a float.
Comments: Walleye seem to be in “post spawn” bite is very light. Catching Smallmouth, Crappie, and Bluegill all day long. Additional info in our newsletter at swwalleye.com or contact me and I will forward an e-mail copy to you.
Name: Deb Prestage/ Southwest Walleye Anglers

By Wayne Gustaveson Lake Elevation: 3607 Water Temp: 64- 72 F
Rapidly rising lake levels dominate the fishing scene. It is now possible to launch at Hite primitive ramp which has been long awaited by anglers. Unfortunately, the same high flows that allowed the lake to cover the ramp have muddied the water and cooled the main channel, effectively slowing fishing to a standstill. I recommend waiting for curtailment of high runoff before heading to Hite to fish. Still, it is closer to get to the fishable waters of Good Hope Bay via Hite than from Bullfrog.
The lake has risen 3 feet in the last 3 days. That dramatic change renders gently sloping shoreline unusable as a visual reference when searching for spots that hold bass. Look for reefs in open water and fish the breaking edge from 15-25 feet deep for consistent bass action. Slick rock canyons that have many cliffs and few open flats are easier to fish successfully in these unsettled conditions. Fish the cracks and corners to find bass, crappie and walleye.
Another major event finds the rising lake covering brush that survived inundation last year. Water is now lapping at the base of the bush. As soon as the entire bush is covered largemouth bass will head to shallow water and the comfort of brushy shelter. Trees with leaves are unforgiving when most lures come even close by. Newly covered brush is hard to fish with anything but a surface lure, spinner bait or Texas rigged plastic bait.
Striped bass are still waiting for the spawn which will occur during the next warming period. It is not too late to catch a trophy fish as water temperature is still in the preferred comfort zone of all stripers. Big fish feed at night, so find one of the big schools of small stripers commonly found in most any bay or canyon. Fish near the large school at dusk and dawn with big crankbaits. Trophy fish will be shallow during this period so cast, troll or jig during the magic twilight feeding period. Stripers exceeding 30-pounds have been caught during each of the past 4 years. Time is now right for another big fish to show up.
Schools of 2-pound stripers are commonly caught in big numbers in Wahweap Bay, Buoy 3, Buoy 9, Padre Bay near Cookie Jar, Last Chance along points and rock slides extending out from main canyon, Jacks Arch and mouth of San Juan Arm, Lake Canyon, and mouth of Moki Canyon. There are thousands of other spots where striper schools are stationed awaiting the spawn.
Walleye fishing is at its peak. Fish murky water along the edge of the main channel. Walleye share long points jutting into the main channel with stripers. Trolling the edge of the channel with medium and deep runner crankbaits can locate schools of stripers and willing aggregations of walleye.
Fishing conditions continue to change but fish are very catchable with a slight alteration in fishing techniques.

LEES FERRY – Sunday June 1 2008 Report by: Ted Welling
After much debate, the park service will now allow you to take your dog up river with you.
Today’s Fish rating Upriver: 6.75 Walk-In: 4.0
Key: 1 = Go fish somewhere else
10 = Rent a helicopter and get here now!
Today Weather: Sunny, with temperatures in the low 90’s.
Today’s Crowd Rating: Upriver: 2.5 Walk In: 1.0
Key: 1 = Sleep late and fish where you want.
10 = Very crowded, get up early!
Today’s Fly Fishing: The trout are starting to look up, so consider a large attractor fly as your strike indicator with a midge dropped below. Otherwise, just the old standard Lees Ferry nymph rig. Your weight will vary as the river changes and as you approach new water. We have been wading in the mornings and by lunch drifting along approach the structure from the outside of the riffle seam lines. I am also finding fish in the frog water, just under the foam lines.

Carry scuds, San Juans, zebra midges, and even a few wooly buggers. Stop by and get the scoop from the fly shop or better yet hire a guide. I am looking forward to the “cicada hatch.” Every year about the second or third week in June we start to hear the buzz! Watch for our Cicada reports, which are great fun, and one of the best times to fish Lees Ferry. See you on the river!

Walk in: Having received a fresh report I can tell that the confluence is fishing pretty good, even at higher water. The flies of choice are scuds, and zebra midges.
Spin Fishing: Spin fishing is still great! Stop in and pick up some egg patterns and ask us about the recommended rig and best areas to fish. We do have maps available in the fly shop as well.

LAKE MEAD – Lake Mead water levels continue to drop as the elevation is currently at 1,108 feet above msl. Water temperatures are running between 65 and 70 depending where you are on the lake. Backs of coves are warming up nicely and largemouth bass are starting to move in for the spawn. Striper fishing continues to be good. Anglers using artificial lights were catching as many 13 to 18-inch stripers as they wanted to clean.

Catfishing under lights was also very productive using anchovies. Launching conditions at South Cove have continued to deteriorate with the dropping water. Both the dirt ramp and the new concrete the National Park Service just completed are one lane ramps with buoys marking the edges. Use caution not to go off the sides of the metal extensions at either side. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, water levels are projected to dip as low as 1,105 feet above msl later this summer before rebounding slightly by October.

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

LAKE MOHAVE –The fishing is picking up a little on the upper end of the lake. The stripers seen in the fall were fat and full of shad, with schools of shad being chased by striped bass. If the shad are making a comeback, we may see more mid-size stripers in the basin. If you can find schools of shad, throw a small crankbait.

Biologists from both Arizona Game and Fish Department and Nevada Division of Wildlife have continued to install fish habitat in both Carp cove and Box cove. The largemouth and bluegill are really utilizing the new structures. Additional habitat will be added at several locations over the next two years. These structures are fish magnets.
There is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier just south of the main launch ramp at Katherine’s Landing. If you fish Mohave and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

WILLOW BEACH - Trout are stocked every Friday. The fishing for trout has been good from shore immediately following the stocking. Try using a Jake, Panther Martin, or other spinner’s or spoons. If that doesn’t work you can always use Power Bait. The striper bite is picking up around the Monkey Hole area.

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see. If you fish Willow beach and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.
For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

TOPOCK MARSH –Water level is up, but still be careful while launching. The catfish are biting on night crawlers and anchovies. Bass bite is still not bad. Crappies have shut down. Try night crawlers or anchovies for catfish.
Game and Fish biologists surveyed the Marsh starting on the week of Jan. 15. The largemouth bass population was observed to be very healthy, as well as channel catfish. Crappie were also present, but in smaller numbers.

You can access the marsh by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. All three also provide plenty of area for shoreline fishing too. For more information on the marsh, contact the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge at (760) 326-3853 or go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/havasu/index.html.

Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

COLORADO RIVER BELOW DAVIS DAM –The striper bite is picking up. Trout were last stocked on March 24-25. This was the last trout stocking until next winter.

Water levels on the river fluctuate, so be careful. You can check the Bureau of Reclamation Web site for flow predictions http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html before you go. If you fish the river below Davis Dam and are having luck, please e-mail me at mchmiel@azgfd.gov so I can share your successes with others.
Important notice: With the recent discovery of invasive quagga mussels in Mead, Mohave and Havasu, proper cleaning of all watercraft is critical to help prevent the spread of these invaders. Please drain and dry your livewell and bilge on land. Drain all the water you can from your engine. Also, inspect your vessel and trailer, removing any visible mussels, but also feel for any rough or gritty spots on the hull. These may be young mussels that can be hard to see.

For more information, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s web pages at azgfd.gov or visit http://100thmeridian.org/.

Where:
Below Davis Dam
When:
05/17/08
Caught:
Striper
Technique:
no weight with anchovy
Comments:
My father in law and I fished the area just below Davis Dam on the Nevada side and caught 17 stripers in about 2 hours, they ranged from 12″ to 20″ in size and were caught by throwing an anchovy into the current with no weight and letting them flow into the slower water. These technique returned a strike every time and the only hard part was setting the hook before they took the bait. Fishing is better when the water is down a little bit other wise the bait won’t settle into the calmer water.
Name:Stephen Greenwood