How to Fish Bello Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Bello Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 4, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Bello Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Pre-spawn staging with fish transitioning between winter and spawning areas, actively feeding but not yet on beds Fish relating heavily to woody cover (laydowns) in preparation for spawn, showing increased feeding activity as water temperatures rise	Laydowns and fallen trees in protected bays and coves Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow vegetation edges in protected areas	Bladed Jigs worked around laydowns and through sparse cover Swim Jigs in areas with thicker cover or vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting specific pieces of cover	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Bluegill in and around cover Small baitfish relating to warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-48	Pre-spawn pike actively feeding to build energy reserves, most active during daylight hours in shallow water areas Showing aggressive behavior and willingness to chase larger profile baits, especially during overcast conditions Moving from winter holding areas to spawning grounds, staging in areas adjacent to spawning habitat	Shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation, especially near deeper water access Areas with remaining woody structure such as laydowns and stumps in 4-8 feet of water Points and creek channels leading into spawning bays	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly near emerging vegetation Spinnerbaits retrieved with occasional pauses around structure Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses to trigger reaction strikes	Bluegills congregating in pre-spawn areas Young-of-year bass in shallow water Smaller pike and various minnow species	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats with access to deeper water, moving into spawning areas as temperatures stabilize in mid-60s Males preparing and guarding nests in protected areas with firm bottom, while females move between staging and spawning areas Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased feeding activity during pre-spawn	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation Areas near laydowns in 2-6 feet of water with access to deeper water Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas Swim Jigs through staging areas and along transition zones Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly for pre-spawn fish	Bluegill congregating in shallow spawning areas Small baitfish in emerging vegetation Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Pike are actively seeking shallow spawning areas immediately after ice-out, with females moving to spawn in flooded vegetation and marshy areas when water temperatures reach 40-45°F Post-spawn males remain in spawning areas to guard eggs, while females move to nearby deeper water to recover Feeding activity intensifies in the post-spawn period as pike replenish energy	Shallow bays and flooded vegetation areas in 2-6 feet of water for spawning Adjacent drop-offs near spawning areas in 8-12 feet for post-spawn females Submerged vegetation beds near spawning areas for transitioning fish	Inline Spinners worked slowly through shallow spawning areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily along vegetation edges Spoons worked with a flutter action for post-spawn females in deeper water	Bluegills congregating in shallow spawning bays Young-of-year baitfish in emerging vegetation Small pike and other spawning fish	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are utilizing vegetation edges and woody cover as ambush points, particularly during morning and evening feeding periods	Outer edges of lily pad fields adjacent to slightly deeper water Laydowns and woody cover near spawning flats Vegetation edges in 6-12 foot depth range	Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically along vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and pad stems Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges during cloudy conditions	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas Young of the year baitfish emerging in vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	52-65	Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, primarily hunting in shallow vegetation and around points Most active during overcast conditions and early/late day periods, utilizing ambush points near emerging weed growth	Emerging weed beds in 4-8 foot depth range Points and coves with developing vegetation Shallow bays with warming water and early season baitfish	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near structure Inline Spinners for covering water and triggering reaction strikes	Young-of-year bluegills gathering in warming shallows Smaller pike and juvenile bass Various minnow species moving shallow	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-78	Actively feeding during low-light and overcast conditions, showing aggressive topwater strikes near vegetation edges Utilizing both shallow and deep edges of vegetation, transitioning between 2-16 feet depending on light conditions and time of day	Outer edges of lily pad fields in 8-16 feet of water Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to deeper water Pencil reed edges and pockets within vegetation	Hard Topwater (Prop) worked along vegetation edges during low light or overcast conditions Bladed Jigs worked through scattered vegetation and transition zones Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked in pockets and edges of heavy cover	Bluegill concentrated around vegetation edges Young of year baitfish in open pockets between vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	65-76	During summer, pike will seek cooler, deeper water during peak daytime temperatures, especially when surface temperatures reach 76°F. They become more active during overcast conditions and early/late day periods Pike maintain feeding activity around dense weed edges and points, using vegetation as ambush points, but will move deeper during the warmest parts of the day	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake points, especially in 8-12 foot depth range Submerged vegetation beds near drop-offs where cool water access is available Lily pad fields during early morning and evening hours	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through gaps in vegetation Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with large profile baits during midday heat Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked through vegetation transitions	Bluegills concentrated in weed beds Young-of-year bass utilizing shallow vegetation Various minnow species relating to weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Bello Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Fish are actively following baitfish schools and feeding heavily to prepare for winter, with increased activity during overcast conditions Moving between deep edges of vegetation and shallow feeding zones, particularly during low-light periods	Deep weed edges adjacent to points and creek channels Laydowns and woody cover near remaining vegetation Secondary points with access to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to deep weed edges Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and transitions Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for mimicking fleeing baitfish	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation Small baitfish schools in open water near structure	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	45-65	Actively feeding and aggressively pursuing prey to build energy reserves for winter Following baitfish schools more actively, with increased movement patterns throughout different depth zones Most active during overcast conditions and twilight hours, showing opportunistic feeding behavior	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, especially near points and coves Remaining green vegetation patches in 8-12 foot depth range Woody structure near deeper holes, particularly in coves	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through dying vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled through transitional areas Trolling Shallow (0-9') parallel to weed edges with consistent vegetation	Bluegills congregating in remaining vegetation Young-of-year bass seeking shelter in vegetation Baitfish schools moving through open water areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	34-45	Pike are actively feeding around woody structure and deeper holes, using laydowns as primary ambush points during winter open water periods Fish are likely to be most active during low-light periods and overcast conditions, showing increased feeding activity	Laydowns and woody structure in deeper areas of the lake Deep holes adjacent to shallow flats Channel edges near structure	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Spoons Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Bluegill concentrating in deeper water Small bass seeking winter refuge	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Northern pike concentrate around woody structure in deeper areas, with increased activity during low-light periods and overcast conditions Pike maintain active feeding patterns throughout winter, especially during early morning and late afternoon periods	Deep water areas near laydowns and submerged timber Transitions between shallow and deeper basins Areas adjacent to remaining vegetation in 8-12 foot depth range	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths with large live bait Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with large profile baits	Bluegills congregating near remaining vegetation and structure Smaller pike and yellow perch in deeper water Suspended baitfish schools in mid-depth ranges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Bello Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and fallen trees in protected bays and coves	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation, especially near deeper water access	Areas with remaining woody structure such as laydowns and stumps in 4-8 feet of water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation	Areas near laydowns in 2-6 feet of water with access to deeper water
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays and flooded vegetation areas in 2-6 feet of water for spawning	Adjacent drop-offs near spawning areas in 8-12 feet for post-spawn females
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Outer edges of lily pad fields adjacent to slightly deeper water	Laydowns and woody cover near spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Emerging weed beds in 4-8 foot depth range	Points and coves with developing vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Outer edges of lily pad fields in 8-16 feet of water	Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake points, especially in 8-12 foot depth range	Submerged vegetation beds near drop-offs where cool water access is available
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to points and creek channels	Laydowns and woody cover near remaining vegetation
Fall	Northern Pike	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, especially near points and coves	Remaining green vegetation patches in 8-12 foot depth range
Winter	Northern Pike	Laydowns and woody structure in deeper areas of the lake	Deep holes adjacent to shallow flats
Ice	Northern Pike	Deep water areas near laydowns and submerged timber	Transitions between shallow and deeper basins

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Bluegill in and around cover
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating in pre-spawn areas	Young-of-year bass in shallow water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating in shallow spawning areas	Small baitfish in emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating in shallow spawning bays	Young-of-year baitfish in emerging vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas	Young of the year baitfish emerging in vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year bluegills gathering in warming shallows	Smaller pike and juvenile bass
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated around vegetation edges	Young of year baitfish in open pockets between vegetation
Summer	Northern Pike	Bluegills concentrated in weed beds	Young-of-year bass utilizing shallow vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation	Small baitfish schools in open water near structure
Fall	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating in remaining vegetation	Young-of-year bass seeking shelter in vegetation
Winter	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrating in deeper water	Small bass seeking winter refuge
Ice	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating near remaining vegetation and structure	Smaller pike and yellow perch in deeper water

Bait Colors by Season for Bello Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

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