Lake Powell Fishing Report: Stripers, Bass, and More Biting Strong This Spring

Good morning folks, this is Artificial Lure with your May 17th, 2025 fishing report for Lake Powell. The spring bite is still going strong and the fishing conditions are prime right now!

Lake Powell is absolutely on fire this time of year with water temperatures holding steady between 68-74°F. This is creating the perfect environment for multiple species to be active and hungry.

Striped bass are showing exceptional activity, particularly in the southern lake. They've been moving down lake toward Glen Canyon Dam where anglers have been having a field day. If you're after stripers, cut anchovies are your best bet. Cut them into small pieces about 1.5 inches long and rig them on a jig head between 1/8 and 3/8 ounce. Drop your bait about 20-30 feet down and gently work it up and down, going a few feet deeper every few minutes. Once you get a hit, remember that depth – that's your sweet spot. If you're facing the dam, the right side has been particularly productive.

For those who prefer artificial lures, the backs of canyons are holding good numbers of stripers. Look for areas where the water changes from clear to colored and is less than 30 feet deep. Trolling with shad-shaped crankbaits in these areas has been very effective.

It's not just stripers that are active right now. Reports indicate that largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and walleye are all biting well. May is truly one of the best all-around months for Lake Powell fishing.

For hot spots, I'd recommend checking out the area near Glen Canyon Dam for those stripers. Additionally, many of the back canyons are producing good numbers. The transition zones where clear water meets colored water are particularly productive right now.

The recent spring runoff has been slowing down after a wet spring that allowed the lake to rise approximately 60 feet. This has created some interesting new structure and fishing opportunities.

For those heading out today, expect to have plenty of daylight with sunrise having occurred at about 6:10 AM and sunset not until around 8:30 PM. That gives you plenty of time on the water to find your honey hole.

The fishing has been rated as "very good" to "excellent" across most of the lake, so don't overthink it – just get out there and wet a line! Whether you're bait fishing or throwing artificials, Lake Powell is delivering the goods right now.

Tight lines, everyone! This is Artificial Lure signing off until tomorrow's report.