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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Striped bass in Utah are primarily found in Lake Powell, where they represent one of the state's most significant warmwater fisheries.

These are landlocked striped bass, introduced to the Colorado River system in 1959 from California stock that originated from East Coast fish transplanted in 1879.

Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Known for their aggressive predatory behavior and can reach impressive sizes, with some specimens exceeding 35 inches.
  • They exhibit a distinctive silvery body with dark horizontal stripes.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Primarily found in Lake Powell.
  • Highly mobile predators that follow schools of baitfish throughout the lake.

Key Locations

  • Lake Powell offers the premier striped bass fishing in Utah.
  • Target areas include the Colorado, Dirty Devil, San Juan, and Escalante arms, around the dam, and near the Navajo Power Plant water pump.
  • Key locations include rocky points, main lake structure, and areas with current flow from the dam releases.

Specific Spots

  • Feed both in open water and along structure.
  • During spring and fall, target main arms and rocky points.
  • Summer surface boils where stripers push baitfish to the surface.
  • Main lake structure and areas with current flow.

Striped Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Striped Bass in Utah?

Heavy spoons, bucktail jigs, cut anchovy or sardine bait, topwater lures, shad-colored crankbaits, large spoons, Rapala Shadraps, rattling crankbaits, plastic grubs and tubes in 3-5 inch lengths in shad and crayfish colors. Live or cut bait including anchovies, sardines, and threadfin shad work exceptionally well.

When is the best time to fish for Striped Bass in Utah?

Spring fishing is particularly productive as water temperatures reach 55-65°F and fish feed aggressively before spawning. Summer fishing focuses on surface boils. Fall provides excellent fishing as stripers feed heavily before winter.

How do you catch Striped Bass in Utah?

During spring, fish in 30-80 feet of water. Chumming with anchovies is legal and highly effective for attracting and holding schools. Summer: approach surface boils quickly but cut the engine to avoid spooking fish. Troll at depths of 60-90 feet using downriggers or leaded line at speeds up to 5 mph.

What do Striped Bass eat?

Opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet including threadfin shad, gizzard shad, bluegill, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and various invertebrates. Adapt their feeding patterns to available prey.

Where do Striped Bass live in Utah?

Primarily found in Lake Powell. Highly mobile predators that follow schools of baitfish throughout the lake.

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