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

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Big Swan Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 11, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Big Swan Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming trends Fish are actively feeding on shad in shallow water (2-5ft) areas, particularly around vegetation	Reed beds in 2-5 feet of water Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow flats with emerging vegetation	Spinnerbaits worked through and around reed beds Lipless Crankbaits parallel to vegetation edges Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation	Shad schooling in shallow water Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Pre-spawn bass staging near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves Males beginning to create and guard nests in protected areas with stable bottom composition Fish moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones as temperatures fluctuate	Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning pockets Weed edges in 2-6 foot depth range near spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around emerging vegetation and shallow cover Spinnerbaits worked parallel to spawning areas Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly through staging areas	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Bluegill in shallow areas Shad moving into spawning areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning between shallow spawning areas and early summer patterns Fish are utilizing weed edges and vegetation as primary cover, moving between shallow and medium depths throughout the day	Emerging weed edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially near spawning flats Secondary points with submerged vegetation Shallow reed patches adjacent to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting isolated reed clumps and vegetation Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas Shad schools in transition areas Young of year baitfish becoming active in vegetation	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-82	Active feeding patterns throughout the day with increased activity during low-light periods, targeting bluegills around vegetation Fish are utilizing multiple depth zones (2-12 feet) and relating strongly to weed edges and vegetation transitions	Offshore submerged vegetation edges, particularly where they meet depth changes Reed beds with mixed vegetation, especially sparse areas and edges Deep weed edges near points or channel bends	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked through reeds and over matted grass Hard Topwater (Popping) with quick cadence over submerged vegetation Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along weed edges	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports Young-of-year fish utilizing weed cover	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Big Swan Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Actively feeding on bluegill and remaining forage, following baitfish to deeper structure as water cools Moving between shallow feeding areas and deeper staging areas, particularly around weed edges that are beginning to die back	Deep weed edges adjacent to points and breaks Offshore structure near remaining vegetation Secondary points with access to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through dying vegetation Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to deep weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through remaining vegetation	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation Shad schools moving along deeper breaks	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Big Swan Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Reed beds in 2-5 feet of water	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation	Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Emerging weed edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially near spawning flats	Secondary points with submerged vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Offshore submerged vegetation edges, particularly where they meet depth changes	Reed beds with mixed vegetation, especially sparse areas and edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to points and breaks	Offshore structure near remaining vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in shallow water	Bluegill beginning to move shallow
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Bluegill in shallow areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas	Shad schools in transition areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports	Young-of-year fish utilizing weed cover
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation	Shad schools moving along deeper breaks

Bait Colors by Season for Big Swan Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

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