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

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Big Carnelian Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 13, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Big Carnelian Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallower staging areas, making deliberate movements toward spawning locations Fish are becoming more active with warming water, but remain selective in clear water conditions	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays in 8-15 foot range Deep weed edge transitions leading to shallow spawning areas Protected shallow bays with emerging lily pad growth	Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses Ned Rigs worked methodically along transition areas Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and breaks	Minnows concentrated around staging areas Smaller bluegills in emerging weed growth	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	42-48	Pre-spawn walleye staging near spawning areas, becoming more active during evening and early morning hours due to clear water conditions (4.3m secchi) Fish transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallower areas, particularly along points and channel edges leading to spawning grounds	Main lake points and channel breaks leading to potential spawning areas Shallow rock/gravel areas in 4-8 foot range for actively spawning fish Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range serving as staging areas	Blade Baits worked slowly along channel edges and points Live Bait Rigs with minnows for neutral/negative fish Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish during low light periods	Small Minnows Bluegills in weed edges	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-75	Bass are actively moving into spawning areas near lily pads in 72°F water, transitioning between pre-spawn feeding and spawning behavior Fish showing preference for shallow areas with emergent vegetation, using these areas for both spawning and feeding on available forage	Lily pad fields in spawning bays Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through lily pads and emerging vegetation Soft Jerkbaits for actively feeding pre-spawn fish Wacky Rigs for finesse presentation in clear water	Minnows Bluegill	Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, most active during dawn and dusk due to clear water conditions Post-spawn females transitioning to deeper structure while males linger in spawning areas Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with fish particularly active in low-light conditions	Rocky points and shorelines in 3-8 foot depth range Tributary mouths and current areas Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water (8-15 feet)	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky shorelines Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily near bottom	Minnows concentrated in spawning areas Small bluegills near emerging weed growth Juvenile perch in transitional areas	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are relating heavily to deep weed edges in 17-21 foot range, requiring electronics to locate precisely	Deep weed edges in 17-21 foot range with healthy vegetation Secondary points with access to both shallow and deep water Transition areas between spawning bays and main lake structures	Drop Shot worked along deep weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through vegetation Shakey Heads worked slowly on the deep weed edge	Bluegill concentrating around weed edges Minnows suspended near vegetation	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-58	Post-spawn walleyes are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer locations, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are most active during low-light periods due to clear water conditions, seeking deeper refuges during bright days	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range where walleye stage for feeding opportunities Main lake channel breaks that concentrate fish as they move from spawning areas Points and bays created by the moderately complex shoreline, especially during dawn/dusk	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and channel breaks Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) during low light periods Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') during daytime hours	Minnows in open water areas Bluegills along weed edges Young-of-year perch beginning to emerge	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-82	Largemouth bass are holding along deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range, using vegetation as ambush points for feeding on bluegill Fish are showing selective feeding patterns due to clear water conditions, requiring more natural presentations	Deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range, especially where vegetation meets rocky areas Treated dock areas with remaining vegetation Points with deep vegetation	Drop Shot with finesse presentations along deep weed edges Medium Diving Crankbaits parallel to weed edges Wacky Rigs around docks and sparse vegetation Texas Rigs worked slowly along bottom near vegetation	Bluegill in and around deep vegetation Young of year baitfish beginning to school	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Shad Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-75	Moving deeper during midday, actively feeding during dawn/dusk periods due to clear water conditions (4.3m secchi) Relating strongly to deep weed edges (15-21 feet) as summer refuge and feeding zones Suspending in the thermocline during peak daylight hours	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range, especially where they intersect with main lake channel breaks Main lake points with access to deep water Offshore humps near deep water transitions	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and breaks Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') during lower light periods Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along weed edges and channel breaks	Bluegills along weed edges Minnows in open water Young-of-year perch in weed beds	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Big Carnelian Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-65	Largemouth bass are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and transitioning to deeper structure Fish become more aggressive during feeding windows, especially during late afternoon when water temperatures peak	Deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range where vegetation is still healthy Points and breaks adjacent to deep water that provide access to both shallow and deep zones Secondary points in bays where baitfish schools concentrate	Drop Shot with finesse presentations in clear water along deep weed edges Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to weed edges and points Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) to match transitioning baitfish schools	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation Minnows schooling in open water and around points	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Walleye actively feeding during dawn and dusk, moving from deep water to shallower feeding areas along weed edges and points Fish staging near deep-to-shallow transitions, following baitfish schools and responding to cooling water temperatures	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range where vegetation meets open water Main lake points and channel breaks near deep water access Offshore humps and structure adjacent to deeper water	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Trolling Mid Depth (10-19')	Bluegills concentrating near remaining weed edges Minnow schools suspending near break lines	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Green Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	42-52	Walleye are concentrating on offshore structure during late fall/early winter, primarily feeding during low-light periods given the 4.3m clarity Fish are suspending near the thermocline break during midday, moving shallower during dawn/dusk to feed	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range where vegetation is dying back Main lake channel breaks and drop-offs given the elongated lake shape Offshore humps and structure as indicated by ice fishing patterns	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Bluegills suspending near deep weed edges Minnows schooling in open water	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors
Ice	Walleye	34-39	Walleye are holding on offshore structure, particularly humps, with active feeding periods during low-light conditions due to clear water (4.3m secchi) Fish are likely concentrating near the bottom in 15-20 foot depth ranges, following primary forage movements around structure	Main lake humps in 15-20 foot range where recent catches have been reported Deep weed edges transitioning to open water in 15-21 foot range Main lake channel breaks where fish concentrate in this relatively small lake	Ice Fishing Spoons - work with aggressive jigging followed by pause periods Ice Fishing Jigs - tipped with minnows for a more subtle presentation Ice Fishing Tip-Ups - set along edges of key structure	Bluegills concentrated near deep weed edges Minnows suspended near offshore structure	Purple Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Big Carnelian Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays in 8-15 foot range	Deep weed edge transitions leading to shallow spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Main lake points and channel breaks leading to potential spawning areas	Shallow rock/gravel areas in 4-8 foot range for actively spawning fish
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields in spawning bays	Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and shorelines in 3-8 foot depth range	Tributary mouths and current areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 17-21 foot range with healthy vegetation	Secondary points with access to both shallow and deep water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range where walleye stage for feeding opportunities	Main lake channel breaks that concentrate fish as they move from spawning areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range, especially where vegetation meets rocky areas	Treated dock areas with remaining vegetation
Summer	Walleye	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range, especially where they intersect with main lake channel breaks	Main lake points with access to deep water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range where vegetation is still healthy	Points and breaks adjacent to deep water that provide access to both shallow and deep zones
Fall	Walleye	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range where vegetation meets open water	Main lake points and channel breaks near deep water access
Winter	Walleye	Deep weed edges in 15-21 foot range where vegetation is dying back	Main lake channel breaks and drop-offs given the elongated lake shape
Ice	Walleye	Main lake humps in 15-20 foot range where recent catches have been reported	Deep weed edges transitioning to open water in 15-21 foot range

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows concentrated around staging areas	Smaller bluegills in emerging weed growth
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Small Minnows	Bluegills in weed edges
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows	Bluegill
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Minnows concentrated in spawning areas	Small bluegills near emerging weed growth
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around weed edges	Minnows suspended near vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Minnows in open water areas	Bluegills along weed edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around deep vegetation	Young of year baitfish beginning to school
Summer	Walleye	Bluegills along weed edges	Minnows in open water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation	Minnows schooling in open water and around points
Fall	Walleye	Bluegills concentrating near remaining weed edges	Minnow schools suspending near break lines
Winter	Walleye	Bluegills suspending near deep weed edges	Minnows schooling in open water
Ice	Walleye	Bluegills concentrated near deep weed edges	Minnows suspended near offshore structure

Bait Colors by Season for Big Carnelian Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Shad Colors
Summer	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Green Colors
Winter	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Metallic Colors
Ice	Walleye	Purple Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

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