How to Fish Borden Lake

Borden Lake fishing FAQ

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Borden Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-62°F. Pre-spawn bass gradually moving from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming more active as water warms Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish relocating to shallower structures during sunny afternoons Key locations: Rocky points intersecting with weed edges in 8-15 foot depth range; Deep rock piles at 18-20 feet serving as staging areas; Protected bays with emerging cabbage and eel grass in 5-10 feet. Best techniques: Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses near staging areas, Ned Rigs dragged along rocky points and transition areas, Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegill beginning to move shallow from winter areas, Smaller baitfish congregating near warming shallows. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Borden Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-58°F. Staging in transition areas between wintering holes and spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawn Moving progressively shallower as water temperatures rise, following both bait movement and spawning instincts Showing increased aggression and feeding activity during stable weather patterns Key locations: Rock piles adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet of water; Deep weed edges near points where cabbage beds are starting to emerge; Transition areas between rock and sand in 6-12 feet of water. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked slowly along rock transitions, Ned Rigs worked methodically around rock piles, Tubes dragged and hopped on transition areas. Primary forage: Bluegills congregating near emerging weed growth, Crawfish becoming more active on rocky areas, Small baitfish schools in transition areas. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Borden Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 42-52°F. Pike are actively moving into shallow, warmer areas preparing for spawn, particularly targeting areas with emerging vegetation and bulrush beds Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with aggressive strikes during prime feeding windows in morning and evening Key locations: Shallow bays with emerging bulrush beds and wild rice in 2-6 feet of water; Secondary points leading into spawning bays with eel grass; Transitional areas between deeper water and emerging vegetation in 6-12 feet. Best techniques: Inline Spinners worked slowly through emerging vegetation, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve along weed edges, Live Bait Rigs positioned near transition areas. Primary forage: Bluegills congregating in warming shallows, Young-of-year baitfish gathering in emerging vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Borden Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-65°F. Moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near bulrush beds and eel grass, particularly focused on protected bays and coves Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure prior to and after spawning Key locations: Protected shallow bays with mix of eel grass and bulrush beds; Secondary points leading into spawning bays; Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water access. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and potential spawning areas, Wacky Rigs worked slowly near spawning flats, Soft Jerkbaits for targeting pre-spawn fish moving up. Primary forage: Bluegill beginning to move shallow, Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Borden Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Smallmouth bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on protected bays and areas with rock or gravel substrate Males are actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning activities Key locations: Protected rocky bays with gravel or small rock substrate in 2-6 feet of water; Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with mixed rock and vegetation; Transition areas where rock meets eel grass beds in 8-12 feet. Best techniques: Tubes worked slowly around visible beds and rocky areas, Ned Rigs dragged through spawning flats, Soft Jerkbaits for cruising fish between beds. Primary forage: Bluegills moving into similar spawning areas, Small crayfish becoming more active in warming waters, Young of year baitfish beginning to appear. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Borden Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 38-52°F. Pre-spawn pike actively moving to shallow bulrush beds and emergent vegetation in 2-6 feet of water for spawning Post-spawn fish remain shallow but transition to feeding heavily near vegetation edges Aggressive territorial behavior during spawning, with females seeking optimal egg-laying areas Key locations: Shallow bulrush beds and wild rice areas in 2-6 feet of water; Protected coves with emerging vegetation; Edges of eel grass beds adjacent to slightly deeper water. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked slowly through vegetation edges, Live Bait Rigs near spawning areas, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves. Primary forage: Spawning Bluegills in shallow areas, Young-of-year panfish, Small pike and other juvenile fish. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Light Neutral Colors, Metallic Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Borden Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, moving from shallow spawning areas to early summer feeding locations Fish are utilizing weed edges and rocky points as transition zones, especially during morning and evening periods Key locations: Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly where eel grass and cabbage beds are establishing; Rocky points intersecting with emerging weed growth; Bulrush beds in 2-4 feet of water, especially those near deeper water access. Best techniques: Swim Jigs worked parallel to weed edges, Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieves around transition areas, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked through bulrush beds. Primary forage: Bluegill concentrating around emerging weed growth, Young of the year baitfish beginning to school, Crawfish active on rocky points. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Borden Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Post-spawn smallmouth actively feeding to recover energy, making frequent transitions between shallow and deep water Fish showing increased aggression and territorial behavior around key structure, particularly rocky points and weed edges Key locations: Rocky points adjacent to weed edges in 8-15 feet; Deeper rock piles (18-20 feet) near spawning flats; Edges of cabbage and eel grass beds in 6-12 feet. Best techniques: Tubes worked along rock-to-weed transitions, Drop Shot with small finesse presentations, Ned Rigs for pressured fish in clear water. Primary forage: Bluegills gathering in emerging weed growth, Crayfish becoming more active in rocky areas, Small baitfish relating to vegetation edges. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Borden Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-65°F. Northern Pike are actively feeding post-spawn, recovering energy and transitioning to shallow feeding areas near emerging vegetation Fish are utilizing the extensive bulrush beds and eel grass edges as ambush points, particularly during morning and evening hours Key locations: Edges of bulrush beds and wild rice stands in 4-8 feet of water; Points and inside turns where emergent vegetation meets deeper water; Cabbage weed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near vegetation, Inline Spinners cast to openings in vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegills gathering near emerging vegetation, Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school, Perch moving along weed edges. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Borden Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-78°F. Bass are actively feeding in and around weed edges, particularly cabbage and eel grass beds, with a mix of shallow and deep water movements throughout the day Fish are establishing both shallow and deep water patterns, utilizing rock piles at 18-20 feet during warm periods and moving shallow to feed in vegetation Key locations: Weed edges where cabbage meets deeper water, especially near marked buoys; Deep rock piles in 18-20 foot range; Gaps in eel grass beds where fish concentrate. Best techniques: Grass Jigs flipped into vegetation pockets and edges, Neko Rigs worked slowly along deep rock piles, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for working through dense vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegill in and around vegetation, Juvenile perch around rock piles. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Borden Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-75°F. Smallmouth bass are transitioning between deep and shallow water based on light conditions and temperature, using rock-to-weed transitions as primary feeding zones Fish are schooling on specific structure during daylight hours, requiring more concentrated fishing efforts on prime spots Key locations: Deep rock piles in 18-20 foot range, especially those adjacent to vegetation; Weed edges near rocky points that provide transitional feeding areas; Reed patches during low light periods for active fish. Best techniques: Drop Shot with finesse presentations, particularly effective in clear water and during high light conditions, Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along rock-to-weed transitions, Ned Rigs for pressured fish in deeper water. Primary forage: Bluegills, especially around weed edges and rock transitions, Crayfish relating to rocky structure. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Green Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Borden Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-75°F. Pike are actively feeding along bulrush edges, showing aggressive behavior with high catch rates (10:1 ratio reported) Fish are likely moving between shallow vegetation and deeper water throughout the day due to 71°F water temperature Key locations: Edges of bulrush beds, particularly where they meet deeper water; Deep weed edges of cabbage and eel grass in 8-12 feet; Points and coves with emergent vegetation. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges, particularly in white color as proven effective, Bladed Jigs near vegetation transitions, Inline Spinners for covering water and triggering reaction strikes. Primary forage: Minnows (confirmed in fishing reports), Bluegills (noted in lake profile as substantial forage base). Best bait colors: Light Neutral Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Borden Lake in Fall?

Water temp 52-65°F. Bass are actively feeding on bluegills and transitioning from summer patterns, using weed edges and rocky points as ambush locations Fish are schooling in small groups, particularly around transition areas where weeds meet hard structure Key locations: Rocky points that intersect with weed edges; Deep weed edges adjacent to rock piles in 18-20 foot range; Protected bays with remaining healthy vegetation. Best techniques: Structure Jigs worked along weed edges and rock transitions, Ned Rigs fished on rocky points and clean bottom areas, Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to weed edges. Primary forage: Bluegill concentrating near remaining weed growth, Young of the year baitfish schooling near points. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Borden Lake in Fall?

Water temp 52-65°F. Smallmouth bass are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and relating to transition areas between deep and shallow water Fish are moving between rocky points and weed edges, using deeper structure as staging areas and moving shallow during prime feeding periods Key locations: Rocky points adjacent to deep water, especially those near weed edge transitions; Deep rock piles in 18-20 foot range that provide staging areas; Edges of cabbage beds where they meet deeper water. Best techniques: Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly along rock transitions, Ned Rigs dragged slowly on deep rock piles, Spybaits worked through suspended fish near structure. Primary forage: Bluegills moving from shallow to deeper water, Young-of-year baitfish schooling near structure, Crayfish active on rocky areas. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Borden Lake in Fall?

Water temp 45-65°F. Pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, targeting larger prey items and showing increased aggression Fish are following baitfish schools and transitioning from summer weed edges to deeper structure as vegetation begins to die off Most active during dawn and dusk, with increased activity on overcast days Key locations: Deep weed edges near bulrush beds (8-15 feet); Points and inside turns where vegetation meets deeper water; Deeper cabbage weed patches that haven't died off yet. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges with occasional pauses, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) burned through open pockets in vegetation, Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along weed edges and points. Primary forage: Bluegills congregating in remaining weed beds, Young-of-year baitfish schooling in deeper water, Perch moving along deep weed edges. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Borden Lake in Winter?

Water temp 45-55°F. Pike actively feeding in shallower, warmer bays during late fall-early winter transition, following abundant forage fish Aggressive hunting behavior near vegetation edges and points, particularly during overcast conditions Moving between deep and shallow water based on daily temperature fluctuations Key locations: Edges of bulrush beds and wild rice stands in 8-12 feet of water; Deep weed edges near points where cabbage and eel grass transition to deeper water; Protected coves with remaining green vegetation. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked slowly along weed edges, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near vegetation, Trolling Shallow (0-9') parallel to weedlines. Primary forage: Bluegills congregating in remaining vegetation, Small pike and yellow perch, Various minnow species seeking warmer water. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Light Neutral Colors, Metallic Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Borden Lake in Ice?

Water temp 33-39°F. Pike become more lethargic but maintain feeding activity near structure and vegetation edges Concentrate in areas with adequate oxygen levels, typically in 8-15 foot depth range Most active during early morning and late afternoon, following movements of panfish Key locations: Edges of bulrush beds in 8-12 feet of water; Deep weed edges near cabbage and eel grass; Points and inside turns adjacent to deeper water. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at varying depths, Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes, Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for finesse presentation. Primary forage: Bluegills suspended near vegetation edges, Small perch schooling near bottom structure, Juvenile pike and other baitfish in moderate depths. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.