Late Summer Bite Heats Up at Lake Powell - Stripers, Bass, Panfish, and Cats on the Prowl

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 for tomorrow’s report and tight lines out there!

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