How to Fish Belton Lake (TX): Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Belton Lake (TX)

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 20, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Belton Lake (TX)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-61	Bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns (25-35ft) to pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends in protected areas and coves Feeding activity increases with water temperature rises, particularly in afternoons and wind-blown areas Fish are showing selective feeding patterns, requiring slower presentations in cooler water	Main lake points and channel swings in 15-25 foot range Protected coves and pockets with slightly warmer water (particularly on south-facing banks) Laydowns and woody cover in 5-15 foot depth range	Drop Shot with slow presentations in deeper water (25-35ft) Football Jigs worked slowly over chunk rock transitions Medium Diving Crankbaits worked across sand flats and point transitions Wacky Rigs fished deliberately around cover	Shad schools transitioning from deep water to pre-spawn areas Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	48-58	Pre-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning locations, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are utilizing wind-blown points and rip rap areas, responding to water temperature changes and becoming more aggressive in feeding patterns	Rip rap banks with good sun exposure, particularly those adjacent to deeper water Wind-blown main lake points with rocky structure Secondary points in major creek arms where pre-spawn staging occurs	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses, especially effective given recent fishing reports Blade Baits worked along bottom transitions near spawning areas Tubes dragged slowly along rocky structure	Shad schools moving into shallower areas Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Fish are transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, with males moving up first to prepare nests in 2-6 foot depths Females stage on nearby points and deeper structure, moving shallow during optimal temperature periods	Protected shallow coves with hard bottom and adjacent deep water access Secondary points leading into spawning bays Areas with laydowns and brush piles in 2-6 foot depths	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover in spawning areas Soft Jerkbaits for cruising pre-spawn fish Wacky Rigs for sight fishing bedding bass Spinnerbaits for covering water between beds and on windy points	Shad schools staging near spawning areas Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows Bluegill moving shallow with warming trends	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-65	Smallmouth bass are in spawning mode, utilizing wind-blown points and transitional areas between spawning flats and deeper water Fish are actively feeding during pre and post-spawn periods, particularly responsive to moving baits in the shallower water	Wind-blown main lake points with rock structure Rocky shorelines adjacent to spawning flats Secondary points in major creek arms with gravel or rock bottom	Blade Baits worked across points with wind-generated current Bladed Jigs cast parallel to shoreline structure Tubes worked slowly around rocky areas	Shad congregating around points and shallow structure Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, relating strongly to points and timber as transition areas between spawning flats and summer areas Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, willing to chase moving baits like chatterbaits, especially around hard cover	Main lake and secondary points with access to deeper water Standing timber areas, especially those near spawning flats Brush piles and laydowns in 10-20 foot depth range	Bladed Jigs worked around points and timber edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around wooden cover Swim Jigs paralleling points and timber lines	Shad moving along points and near timber Crawfish active around hard structure and points	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing points and rocky structures as primary feeding zones Fish are most active during early morning periods and windy conditions, showing aggressive feeding behavior Moving between shallow spawning areas and deeper recovery locations, typically following sharp breaks and rock transitions	Wind-blown main lake points with rock structure Rocky transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water (15-25 feet) Shallow boulder fields adjacent to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked along wind-blown points and rocky transitions Tubes dragged through rocky areas and boulder fields Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') paralleling rocky shorelines Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish	Shad schools gathering around points and structure Crawfish emerging in rocky areas Small sunfish in shallow rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-85	Bass are exhibiting a clear daily pattern - active shallow early morning (evidenced by topwater success), then moving deeper as temperatures rise and sun gets higher Fish are relating heavily to hard structure (rock piles, deep ledges) during daytime hours, with increased feeding activity during night periods	Deep ledges and rock piles in 15-25 foot range Shallow brush piles during early morning hours Boulders and rock structures adjacent to deep water	Hard Topwater (Popping) during early morning hours Texas Rigs (Worming) around brush piles and rock structure Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along deep ledges Drop Shot when fish are less active on deep structure	Shad - primary forage evidenced in reports and lake profile Crawfish - supported by rock structure presence and bait color effectiveness	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	72-82	Smallmouth bass are establishing deep-water summer patterns, actively feeding during early morning and evening hours near rocky structure Fish are utilizing the 25-35 foot depth range during midday hours to escape warm surface temperatures Aggressive feeding occurs during wind-generated current, particularly around main lake points and rock piles	Deep rocky points transitioning from shallow to 25-35 feet Offshore rock piles and boulder fields in 20-30 foot range Wind-blown main lake structure with access to deep water	Drop Shot with finesse presentations in deeper water during midday Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along deep rocky points early and late in the day Football Jigs worked slowly through rocky structure Spybaits for suspended fish relating to baitfish schools	Shad schools suspending near structure Crawfish in rocky areas Small baitfish relating to points and rock piles	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Craw Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Belton Lake (TX)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are actively following shad schools as they migrate to creek arms and coves during the fall cooling period Fish are exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior to build up reserves for winter, often schooling and creating visible feeding frenzies Moving between deep structure (25-35ft) and shallow areas based on daily temperature changes and shad movement	Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those with rocky structure Creek arm entrances with standing timber or brush piles Shallow coves where shad schools are present	Lipless Crankbaits worked through schooling areas and over submerged vegetation Spinnerbaits along wind-blown banks and through timber Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along rocky points Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching shad schools	Shad schools migrating to creeks and coves Crawfish on rocky structure Small bluegill near shallow cover	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	65-75	Actively chasing shad in rocky areas, with increased feeding activity during morning hours and windy conditions Moving between deep and shallow rocky structures based on light conditions and water temperature fluctuations	Steep bluffs with rocky structure Rock piles and boulder fields Wind-blown rocky points	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked quickly around rock structure Spinnerbaits on windy banks Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning hours	Shad schools actively moving along bluff walls and rock structure Smaller baitfish relating to boulder fields	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	52-58	Largemouth bass are schooling around deep standing timber and following shad schools in winter, as evidenced by recent tournament success Fish are actively feeding but in a more methodical manner, requiring slower presentations in the cooler 57°F water	Standing timber in deeper water, particularly where it intersects with creek channels or depth changes Deep points adjacent to winter shad holding areas Steep rocky banks and bluff walls that provide vertical structure for suspended fish	Shakey Heads worked slowly along timber and bottom structure Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked around timber edges and points Drop Shot rigs for suspended fish around vertical structure	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Crawfish in rocky areas and around timber bases	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	42-52	Smallmouth bass school tightly in deep water (25-35 feet) near bottom structure, moving less but feeding opportunistically Most active during warmer parts of day when shad schools congregate near deep structure	Deep rock piles and boulder fields in 25-35 foot range Deep points adjacent to primary lake basin Steep rocky banks with quick access to deep water	Blade Baits worked vertically with slow lifts and drops Drop Shot with subtle movements near bottom structure Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with heavy jigs	Shad schools concentrated in deep water Bottom-oriented prey like crawfish near deep structure	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Craw Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Belton Lake (TX)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points and channel swings in 15-25 foot range	Protected coves and pockets with slightly warmer water (particularly on south-facing banks)
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rip rap banks with good sun exposure, particularly those adjacent to deeper water	Wind-blown main lake points with rocky structure
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with hard bottom and adjacent deep water access	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Wind-blown main lake points with rock structure	Rocky shorelines adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake and secondary points with access to deeper water	Standing timber areas, especially those near spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Wind-blown main lake points with rock structure	Rocky transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water (15-25 feet)
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep ledges and rock piles in 15-25 foot range	Shallow brush piles during early morning hours
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Deep rocky points transitioning from shallow to 25-35 feet	Offshore rock piles and boulder fields in 20-30 foot range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those with rocky structure	Creek arm entrances with standing timber or brush piles
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Steep bluffs with rocky structure	Rock piles and boulder fields
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber in deeper water, particularly where it intersects with creek channels or depth changes	Deep points adjacent to winter shad holding areas
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Deep rock piles and boulder fields in 25-35 foot range	Deep points adjacent to primary lake basin

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools transitioning from deep water to pre-spawn areas	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools moving into shallower areas	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools staging near spawning areas	Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shad congregating around points and shallow structure	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad moving along points and near timber	Crawfish active around hard structure and points
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools gathering around points and structure	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage evidenced in reports and lake profile	Crawfish - supported by rock structure presence and bait color effectiveness
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools suspending near structure	Crawfish in rocky areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating to creeks and coves	Crawfish on rocky structure
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools actively moving along bluff walls and rock structure	Smaller baitfish relating to boulder fields
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Crawfish in rocky areas and around timber bases
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deep water	Bottom-oriented prey like crawfish near deep structure

Bait Colors by Season for Belton Lake (TX)

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Craw Colors

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