How to Fish Alum Creek Reservoir: Best Patterns & Techniques

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Alum Creek Reservoir

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Mar 17, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Alum Creek Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	53-63	Bass are actively transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging points, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise into the 50s and 60s Fish are showing increased feeding activity around points and laydowns, responding well to reaction baits and moving presentations Short-striking behavior noted on crankbaits indicates selective feeding patterns, requiring stop-and-go retrieves	Main lake points, especially those with transitions from 3-9 feet Laydowns in protected areas and pocket backs Rocky areas and rip rap in 4-6 foot depth range	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked with stop-and-go retrieves Spinnerbaits around laydowns and points Hard Jerkbaits in clearer water sections Texas Rigs and Wacky Rigs for slower presentations around cover	Crawfish becoming active in warming water Shad present in main lake areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	44-62	Fish are actively transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging spots, following the 44-62°F temperature progression Smallmouth are relating to hard structure near deep water access, showing increased feeding activity as waters warm	Points adjacent to deep water in 10-15 foot depth range Rock piles in transition areas Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel bottom	Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches Damiki Rig worked vertically on deep structure Drop Shot with subtle movements near bottom structure	Suspended baitfish schools Early season crawfish emerging from winter habitat	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	40-45	Crappie are in pre-spawn staging pattern, suspending near deep brush piles as they prepare to move shallow Fish are showing classic suspended feeding behavior, targeting minnows in the middle of the water column Schools are concentrated on specific pieces of cover rather than roaming, typical of early pre-spawn period	Brush piles in 15-20 foot range, especially near creek arms Secondary points with woody cover Deeper sections of creek arms near spawning flats	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging Hover/Mid-Strolling	Minnows Shad	Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Pre-spawn walleye staging near spawning areas, becoming more active with warming trends Moving from wintering areas to shallow staging areas, particularly active during low light periods Feeding heavily to prepare for spawning, targeting baitfish in transitional areas	Rocky points and shallow boulder areas transitioning to deeper water Sand-to-rock transition areas in 5-15 feet Main lake channel edges near spawning flats	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitional areas Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily near bottom	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas Small crawfish becoming active in rocky areas Minnows congregating near warming shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Sauger	42-52	Pre-spawn sauger are transitioning from winter deep water areas to spawning locations, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are relating to current breaks and structure, particularly during dawn and dusk feeding periods	Rocky points and ledges in 10-19 foot depths where spawning areas transition to deeper water River-like sections with current breaks near hard bottom structure Deep water staging areas adjacent to shallow spawning flats	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Live Bait Rigs	Shad concentrations in transition areas Small bottom-dwelling prey near rock structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Pre-spawn bass staging near spawning flats and moving into shallow spawning areas, with males creating and guarding nests while females move in and out Aggressive territorial behavior around nests and bedding areas, especially in protected areas with abundant wood cover and vegetation	Protected shallow coves with wood cover and vegetation for spawning Secondary points leading into spawning bays Laydowns and brush in 2-6 feet of water near spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and beds Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and slow presentations Spinnerbaits for covering water between spawning areas	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small bluegill and other sunfish around spawning areas Shad starting to move shallow	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	52-65	Smallmouth bass are transitioning to spawning areas, with males preparing and guarding nests in shallow areas near hard bottom structure Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive as water temperatures rise, defending territory and responding to sight-based threats	Rocky points and boulder-strewn flats in 2-6 feet of water Protected coves with gravel or rocky bottom composition Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water staging areas	Tubes worked slowly around rocky areas and potential nest sites Ned Rigs deadsticked near visible beds or prime spawning areas Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses to trigger territorial responses	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish relating to spawning areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Moving shallow into protected coves and creek arms for spawning, staging on brush piles and secondary points before full spawn commitment Transitioning from deeper pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, with males beginning to create beds in sheltered areas	Protected coves and creek arms with shallow flats (2-6 feet deep) Secondary points adjacent to spawning areas (8-15 feet deep) Brush piles near spawning flats for staging fish	Crappie Spider Rigging in staging areas and along depth transitions Crappie Dock Shooting for spawning fish around shallow cover Bobbers with light jigs for spawning fish in shallow water	Shad (primary forage based on successful bait colors and mixed species reports) Small bluegill and juvenile panfish in spawning areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on rocky or gravelly areas near points and shoreline transitions Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with increased daytime activity due to spring conditions and stained water	Rocky points and boulder-strewn shorelines in 2-8 feet of water Transitional areas where sand meets rock in shallow water Protected coves with firm bottom composition	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations Blade Baits worked with short hops near bottom structure	Small shad congregating in spawning areas Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas Minnows in shallow transitional areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Sauger	42-52	Sauger are concentrated in pre-spawn and spawning areas, typically moving from deeper winter haunts to shallower rocky areas with current breaks Fish are actively feeding during dawn and dusk periods, especially in areas where current meets structure	Rocky points and ledges in 8-15 foot depths with current influence River-like sections with hard bottom and current breaks Transition areas between deep winter holes and spawning flats	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Live Bait Rigs	Shad concentrating in pre-spawn areas Small baitfish in current breaks Juvenile sunfish near rocky areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are in post-spawn transition, with males guarding beds in shallow areas while females cruise nearby staging areas Active feeding patterns emerging, with fish relating heavily to cover (wood, weeds) and responding well to faster-moving baits Fish showing aggressive behavior during feeding windows, particularly around shallow cover and transition areas	Shallow banks with laydowns and wood cover in 1-6 feet Weed edges and submerged vegetation Protected coves with spawning flats Points and transition areas adjacent to spawning areas	Texas Rigs (Worming) with soft plastics worked slowly through cover Neko Rigs worked through weed edges Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') bounced off wood cover Spinnerbaits for active fish in clearer water	Crawfish - primary forage evidenced by multiple reports Shad - becoming more active in warming waters Bluegill - spawning activity beginning	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	44-62	Smallmouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding on main lake points and near-shore structure Fish are showing increased aggression, willing to strike both topwater and bottom presentations in morning and throughout the day Moving between shallow and moderate depths, using boulders and laydowns as primary holding areas	Main lake points with boulder fields Laydowns and woody cover near shoreline Transition areas between spawning flats and summer depths	Ned Rigs worked slowly around boulders and rock structures Hard Topwater (Walking) early morning around laydowns Drop Shot for more finicky fish in clearer water	Shad becoming more active in warming waters Crawfish emerging from winter patterns	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Chartreuse
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, suspending near brush piles and secondary points Actively feeding during morning and evening periods, with schools becoming more concentrated around structure Moving between depths throughout the day, following shad movements and responding to changing light conditions	Brush piles in 12-15 foot range near secondary points Creek arm transitions where deeper water meets flats Suspended cover near creek channel edges	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Shad (primary forage based on bait color success and mixed species feeding) Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-62	Post-spawn walleye are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, taking advantage of the moderately stained water conditions. Fish are relating strongly to transitional areas between spawning locations and deeper summer haunts, particularly focusing on areas where rock and weed edges intersect.	Rocky points and ledges adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with emerging weed growth Main lake channel edges in 10-15 foot depth range where they intersect with points Shallow weed edges near deeper water access, particularly during low light periods	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rock-to-weed transitions Trolling Shallow (0-9') with shallow diving crankbaits during low light periods Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') on deeper structure during midday	Shad schools beginning to concentrate near points and channel edges Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms Various minnow species relating to newly emerging weed growth	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Sauger	52-65	Post-spawn sauger are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing current breaks and rock structure in moderate depths Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding locations, following shad schools	Rocky points and ledges in 10-19 foot depths Current breaks in river-like sections Deep structure adjacent to spawning flats	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Blade Baits	Shad Small Bottom-Dwelling Fish	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-82	Fish are actively feeding during early morning and late evening, with a secondary bite during midday around deeper structure Bass are transitioning between shallow and deeper water, utilizing weed edges and points as primary feeding zones	Main lake points with grass lines in 10-12 feet of water Laydowns and brush near deeper water access Submerged vegetation edges, especially near depth changes	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along weed edges and points Neko Rigs around laydowns and brush Hard Jerkbaits near submerged vegetation	Shad schooling around points and vegetation edges Crawfish active around rocky areas and laydowns	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-82	Actively feeding on crawfish around hard structure in 5-12 feet of water, with consistent reports of craw regurgitation Relating strongly to drop-off ledges and brush piles, suggesting a pattern of moving between feeding zones and slightly deeper resting areas	Rock piles and ledges in 8-12 feet of water Brush piles adjacent to deeper water Dam areas with good crawfish populations	Ned Rigs worked with slow lifts along bottom structure Drop Shot rigs targeting suspended fish near structure Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky bottom areas	Crawfish - multiple reports confirm active feeding on craws Minnows - particularly around rock piles	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are schooling with white bass around shallow humps and cove edges, actively participating in feeding frenzies on shad Fish are suspending at specific depths rather than relating to bottom structure, showing aggressive feeding behavior during bait encounters	Shallow humps adjacent to deeper water Edges of coves where bait schools congregate Established brush piles in 15ft range	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Underspins	Shad schools actively being chased in feeding frenzies Small baitfish relating to structure	Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Walleye	68-78	Actively feeding on crawfish around boulder fields and rocky structures during lower light periods Utilizing mid-depth zones (10-19 feet) as primary holding areas, moving between structure and adjacent deeper water	Boulder fields and rocky structures in 10-19 foot depth range Main lake points with rock-to-sand transitions Weed edges adjacent to deep water access	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Bottom Bouncing with crawfish imitators	Crawfish Shad	Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Sauger	65-78	Sauger are actively feeding during early morning and evening hours around current breaks and deep structure edges, suspending near baitfish schools during midday Fish are concentrating on shad schools and utilizing rock piles and points as ambush locations, especially in 10-19 foot depths	Rock piles and points adjacent to deeper water in 10-19 foot range Current breaks in river-like sections where shad congregate Deep ledges with access to both shallow and deep water	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')	Shad schools in mid-depth zones Small bottom-dwelling prey fish near rock structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Alum Creek Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Bass are actively chasing shad in moderately deep water and moving into creek arms, with feeding activity increasing as temperatures cool Fish are showing less aggressive strikes, requiring slower presentations with extended pauses, particularly during temperature transitions	Points with grass and deep water access, especially those near creek channels Back of coves where baitfish are being corralled First significant depth changes off flats near creek arms	Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches Bladed Jigs ripped through grass Spoons worked with a flutter fall technique in deeper water	Shad schools actively moving in open water Baitfish concentrated in creek arms and coves	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors White
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	52-65	Actively feeding on dense baitfish schools around main lake points, typically in 20-25 foot depth range Exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior with quick reaction strikes to fast-moving baits	Main lake points with nearby deep water in 20-25 foot range Rock piles and ledges adjacent to baitfish schools Deep structural transitions near points where bait is concentrated	Blade Baits with quick vertical pops off the bottom Drop Shot targeting suspended fish around bait schools Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked along point contours	Shad schools concentrated on main lake points Yellow Perch in similar depth ranges	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Metallic Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappie are schooling heavily on secondary points in creek arms, suspending near the first major depth changes around 15 feet Fish are actively feeding on shad, showing a strong vertical orientation in the water column	Secondary points in creek fingers with depth changes around 15 feet Brush piles positioned on depth transitions Creek arm transitions with suspended cover	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging Hover/Mid-Strolling	Shad schools concentrated around depth changes Small baitfish relating to secondary points	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Walleye	52-65	Walleye are actively feeding on shad and cruising main lake structure as they follow baitfish schools in preparation for winter Fish are moving between deep structure (10-19') and shallower areas, especially during low-light periods Increased feeding activity around points and ledges where baitfish concentrate	Main lake points with access to deep water Rock-to-sand transitions near channel edges Weed edges adjacent to deeper water	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges and points Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are concentrated Blade Baits worked along channel edges	Shad schools in open water and around structure Crawfish along rocky areas and transitions Smaller baitfish relating to remaining weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Sauger	48-62	Actively feeding on shad in preparation for winter, following baitfish schools along deep structure and points Moving between mid-depth feeding zones (10-19 feet) and deeper staging areas, especially during low-light periods	Deep rocky points with access to current breaks Deep ledges adjacent to river-like sections Rock piles in 10-19 foot depths	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')	Shad schools in mid-depth zones Small bottom-dwelling baitfish near rock structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-55	Largemouth bass are concentrating in deeper areas near wood cover and points, making occasional moves to shallow feeding zones during warming trends Fish become more lethargic but will actively feed during prime warming periods, especially around abundant wood cover noted in the lake	Deep wood cover adjacent to creek channels, especially in areas with laydowns Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water Protected coves with abundant wood cover, particularly on the north bank which receives more sun	Shakey Heads worked slowly around wood cover and points Ned Rigs dragged along bottom transitions near points Lipless Crankbaits worked slowly over deeper grass edges	Dormant or slow-moving crawfish near woody cover Scattered schools of shad in deeper water Small bluegill seeking warmth near wood cover	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	38-45	Smallmouth bass are concentrated in deep water areas, particularly on or near points, typically suspending or holding close to structure in 20'+ depths Fish are less active but will respond to slow-moving baits, with feeding windows being shorter and more dependent on stable weather patterns	Deep main lake points in 20'+ of water, especially those with access to baitfish schools Deep rock piles and ledges adjacent to points Steep breaklines where baitfish schools congregate	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with methodical lifts and drops Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses (5+ seconds) and slight twitches Blade Baits worked vertically with subtle movements	Baitfish schools (primary winter forage) Suspended perch near deep structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappie are suspending in tight schools near deep brush piles and creek channel bends, typically holding at consistent depths Fish become less active during cold fronts but maintain feeding windows during stable weather, especially during midday warming periods	Deep brush piles positioned near creek channel bends in 15-25 foot range Secondary points with access to deeper water in creek arms Suspended fish in the upper portions of creek arms where baitfish concentrate	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with light jigs worked slowly through suspended schools Ice Fishing Jigs worked vertically with subtle movements near brush Damiki Rig presented directly to suspended fish marked on electronics	Suspended shad schools in creek arms and near channel bends Small sunfish relating to brush piles	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Walleye	34-42	Active feeding during low-light periods (dusk) in shallow water (2-5ft), particularly on sandy points Concentrated movement patterns between deep water resting areas and shallow feeding zones	Sandy points in 2-5 foot depth range Channel edges adjacent to shallow feeding flats Protected coves with transitions to deeper water	Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses (10-15 seconds) using slow pull technique Blade Baits worked vertically along depth transitions Live Bait Rigs with minnows near bottom in transition areas	Minnows in shallow areas during low light periods Shad concentrated in protected areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Sauger	38-45	Sauger are congregating in deeper water on main lake points and ledges, typically moving up to feed during low-light periods Fish are schooling near bottom structure, often relating to current breaks and showing reduced but consistent feeding activity	Deep main lake points with access to 15-25 foot depths Rock piles and ledges near river-like sections Current breaks in deeper water where shad congregate	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Ice Fishing Jigs	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Small bottom-dwelling prey fish	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Alum Creek Reservoir

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points, especially those with transitions from 3-9 feet	Laydowns in protected areas and pocket backs
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Points adjacent to deep water in 10-15 foot depth range	Rock piles in transition areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles in 15-20 foot range, especially near creek arms	Secondary points with woody cover
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and shallow boulder areas transitioning to deeper water	Sand-to-rock transition areas in 5-15 feet
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Sauger	Rocky points and ledges in 10-19 foot depths where spawning areas transition to deeper water	River-like sections with current breaks near hard bottom structure
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with wood cover and vegetation for spawning	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and boulder-strewn flats in 2-6 feet of water	Protected coves with gravel or rocky bottom composition
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected coves and creek arms with shallow flats (2-6 feet deep)	Secondary points adjacent to spawning areas (8-15 feet deep)
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and boulder-strewn shorelines in 2-8 feet of water	Transitional areas where sand meets rock in shallow water
Spring (Spawn)	Sauger	Rocky points and ledges in 8-15 foot depths with current influence	River-like sections with hard bottom and current breaks
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow banks with laydowns and wood cover in 1-6 feet	Weed edges and submerged vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with boulder fields	Laydowns and woody cover near shoreline
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles in 12-15 foot range near secondary points	Creek arm transitions where deeper water meets flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and ledges adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with emerging weed growth	Main lake channel edges in 10-15 foot depth range where they intersect with points
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Sauger	Rocky points and ledges in 10-19 foot depths	Current breaks in river-like sections
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with grass lines in 10-12 feet of water	Laydowns and brush near deeper water access
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Rock piles and ledges in 8-12 feet of water	Brush piles adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Crappie	Shallow humps adjacent to deeper water	Edges of coves where bait schools congregate
Summer	Walleye	Boulder fields and rocky structures in 10-19 foot depth range	Main lake points with rock-to-sand transitions
Summer	Sauger	Rock piles and points adjacent to deeper water in 10-19 foot range	Current breaks in river-like sections where shad congregate
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Points with grass and deep water access, especially those near creek channels	Back of coves where baitfish are being corralled
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with nearby deep water in 20-25 foot range	Rock piles and ledges adjacent to baitfish schools
Fall	Crappie	Secondary points in creek fingers with depth changes around 15 feet	Brush piles positioned on depth transitions
Fall	Walleye	Main lake points with access to deep water	Rock-to-sand transitions near channel edges
Fall	Sauger	Deep rocky points with access to current breaks	Deep ledges adjacent to river-like sections
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep wood cover adjacent to creek channels, especially in areas with laydowns	Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Deep main lake points in 20'+ of water, especially those with access to baitfish schools	Deep rock piles and ledges adjacent to points
Winter	Crappie	Deep brush piles positioned near creek channel bends in 15-25 foot range	Secondary points with access to deeper water in creek arms
Winter	Walleye	Sandy points in 2-5 foot depth range	Channel edges adjacent to shallow feeding flats
Winter	Sauger	Deep main lake points with access to 15-25 foot depths	Rock piles and ledges near river-like sections

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish becoming active in warming water	Shad present in main lake areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Suspended baitfish schools	Early season crawfish emerging from winter habitat
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows	Shad
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas	Small crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Sauger	Shad concentrations in transition areas	Small bottom-dwelling prey near rock structure
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small bluegill and other sunfish around spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Shad (primary forage based on successful bait colors and mixed species reports)	Small bluegill and juvenile panfish in spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Small shad congregating in spawning areas	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Sauger	Shad concentrating in pre-spawn areas	Small baitfish in current breaks
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish - primary forage evidenced by multiple reports	Shad - becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shad becoming more active in warming waters	Crawfish emerging from winter patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad (primary forage based on bait color success and mixed species feeding)	Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Shad schools beginning to concentrate near points and channel edges	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Sauger	Shad	Small Bottom-Dwelling Fish
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling around points and vegetation edges	Crawfish active around rocky areas and laydowns
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish - multiple reports confirm active feeding on craws	Minnows - particularly around rock piles
Summer	Crappie	Shad schools actively being chased in feeding frenzies	Small baitfish relating to structure
Summer	Walleye	Crawfish	Shad
Summer	Sauger	Shad schools in mid-depth zones	Small bottom-dwelling prey fish near rock structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools actively moving in open water	Baitfish concentrated in creek arms and coves
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated on main lake points	Yellow Perch in similar depth ranges
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools concentrated around depth changes	Small baitfish relating to secondary points
Fall	Walleye	Shad schools in open water and around structure	Crawfish along rocky areas and transitions
Fall	Sauger	Shad schools in mid-depth zones	Small bottom-dwelling baitfish near rock structure
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dormant or slow-moving crawfish near woody cover	Scattered schools of shad in deeper water
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Baitfish schools (primary winter forage)	Suspended perch near deep structure
Winter	Crappie	Suspended shad schools in creek arms and near channel bends	Small sunfish relating to brush piles
Winter	Walleye	Minnows in shallow areas during low light periods	Shad concentrated in protected areas
Winter	Sauger	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Small bottom-dwelling prey fish

Bait Colors by Season for Alum Creek Reservoir

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Sauger	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Sauger	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Chartreuse
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Sauger	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Sauger	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors White
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Metallic Colors
Fall	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Sauger	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Winter	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Sauger	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals