Water Temperature (Wahweap Bay) 78 F, Lake Elevation 3,561.80 MSL (and rising) as of 6/232025. New (June 23) report courtesy of Dan Keller (www.wayneswords.net). Topwater bite is on! The early summer pattern is in full swing, with active surface action happening during the first two hours of daylight and again during the evening on days the wind calms down.

Striped bass (striper)
Early morning slurps are increasing, especially near the mouth of major canyons. Striper slurps have been reported around Moki and Bullfrog. Stripers scare easily in the calm water, be stealthy when approaching and use long casts and downsized topwater lures to catch more fish. Baits similar to Heddon Super Spook Jr, J-Walker 100, and flutter spoons (Kastmaster) are good for striper fishing on the surface. Shad-colored Mooch Minnow or any soft jerk bait resembling a baitfish / shad will work well when stripers won't hit larger baits. Cast in front or over the school to avoid spooking fish then retrieve the bait into the school.

Largemouth & smallmouth bass
Bass are feeding in shallow rocky coves and around submerged brush. The post-spawn topwater bite is hot early and late right now. Start early morning with a Whopper Plopper 90 or other topwater bait, target shaded banks as the sun rises. Fish move deeper by mid-morning, so switch to soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or a football jig with a crawfish trailer when topwater slows down. Wind can quickly kill plans for topwater fishing, fortunately most mornings provide some reprieve from the wind. When camping on the lake, be sure to rig up several rods with a variety of topwater baits before you go to sleep so you can be ready to take advantage of whatever topwater window you get.

Bluegill
Bluegill are doing very well lakewide, right now you can find them shallow near vegetation, around rock transitions, or in shaded area later in the day. Bluegill are perfect for beginners and young anglers. Use a small bobber and adjust depth to keep bait just above bottom or near submerged structure. After casting, don’t reel in too soon, let the bait sit. Bluegill often inspect before biting; once you get one to bite, the others get interested and the school gets more active. Avoid heavy rods and tackle, light gear (2- to 4-pound line with lite spinning rod) is more fun and increases catch rates. Use small 1/64 – 1/16-ounce jigs (Trout Magnets, small tube jigs, or Gulp Minnows). Tipping with a small piece of worm will increase bites.

Walleye
Last week we caught six walleye while fishing for bass. Walleye will be in the mix like this for a few more weeks until warmer water (deeper thermocline) sets up in July. During the heat of the summer, you can catch walleye by slow trolling bottom bouncing / spinner rigs or deep crankbaits early morning and evening.

If you haven’t experienced topwater fishing, now is the time to make it happen. Get out and enjoy prime summer fishing at Lake Powell.