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Show ilt'sYourWildlife I I 'J- J r-Zi ' By Garth Carter Water temperatures'of-ten temperatures'of-ten determine fishing success, suc-cess, because fish activity often depends upon the rise or fall of the existing temperature. Last weekend week-end was the first time this year I checked anyone with a good mess of catfish on the Colorado or Green River. Local catfish angling should get better every weekend until midsummer. mid-summer. Lake Powell is still slow. Duris Jones at Hite and Kirk Mullins at Bullfrog Basin have been checking the anglers and only a few are catching good num- 4 lAL,Vl,tL'flEn..'H UlLWHRSnHTCi bers of fish. With warm sunny days, fishing will get better as the water temperature rises, --gkc Kirk Mullins, the conservation con-servation ofcer at Bullfrog, Bull-frog, Lake Powell, sends the following to help educate edu-cate our local novice anglers ang-lers with respect to the upper lake. Fishing success at Lake Powell is improving and should be very good this spring. Currently, the water level is lower than last year, but when spring run-off commences it will begin to rise. Fishermen should note though that a low water level creates new fishing spots, so your favorite fishing hole last year may be eliminated. A boat is not essential on Lake Powell, but it adds to your trip by permitting per-mitting the angler to be mobile in finding better fishing spots and to view the wonders of the can-yonlands. can-yonlands. If you do have a boat, prior to departing home, ensure that it is ready for "sea." Check for all equipment required by law, de-winterize and service your engine and outdrive and by all means review your rules of the road and seamanship. Fishing methods and areas change depending upon which particular species spe-cies you're out to catch. Presently, crappie fishing is poor, but is expected to pick up by mid April. When fishing for crappie, fish towards the head of canyons where you see submerged trees and bushes. Crappie hide in these bushy areas, darting out to grab food as it goes by. Small doll flies (tiny tots) and spinners work best for crappie fishing by letting them sink to ten to twenty feet and then retrieving re-trieving very slowly, occasionally occa-sionally jerking the line. The 116 oz. doll fly is the most desireable weight with coloration varying depending on water condition condi-tion and time of day. Usually, black is the most preferred color. Bass fishing is good now and should continue getting better through the spring as water temperatures temper-atures increase. Bass inhabit such areas as large submerged or partially submerged rocks, trees and bushes, impoundments, impound-ments, and crevices in the rocks. Fishing is generally good in 10 to 20 feet of water where talus slopes occur. Waterdogs are best bait for bass, followed by plastic worms, spinners, plastic plugs and doll flies. Plastic plugs, commonly com-monly called crank baits are most effective when retrieved rapidly. If fishing fish-ing with plastic worms, allow them to sink to the bottom and then retrieve very slowly with a slight jerking motion. This same method is utilized when fishing with waterdogs, however, do not use the jerking motion as the soft mouth of the waterdogs will tear and your bait will be lost. Another species of fish increasing in popularity with fishermen is the Walleye Pike. Lake Powell has a good population of this large fish which can be caught most effectively by trolling at night with rapalas or large mepps spinners. Many other species can also be found at Lake Powell such as trout, bluegill, green sunfish, striped bass and catfish. When coming to Lake Powell be sure to obtain a fishing proclamation and pay particular attention to the section entitled "Lake Powell Agreement." Utah residents possessing a valid Utah fishing License may fish the Arizona portion por-tion of Lake Powell with a $2.00 stamp which must be signed across the face. Juveniles under 14 years of age may fish without a license on Lake Powell and their daily creel and possession limits are the same as for licensed adults, except only one-half one-half the legal adult limit for trout is authorized. The weather is beautiful now with blue skies and warm temperatures prevailing. pre-vailing. So, if you've got "cabin fever" and like to fish for bass and crappie, get out and go to Lake Powell for an enjoyable outing. |