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

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Caddo Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 12, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Caddo Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-58	Bass are actively transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, following baitfish movements and responding to warming trends Fish are showing increased feeding activity, particularly around structure that maintains heat and holds forage	Standing timber near river mouths where shad are congregating Hard cover in shallow water that retains heat Emerging lily pad fields in protected areas	Umbrella Rigs around bait schools Structure Jigs with slow hops around timber Texas Rigs worked through emerging vegetation	Shad schooling near river mouths and in deeper pockets Crawfish becoming active around hard cover and timber Bluegill starting to move into shallow areas with vegetation	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Bass are staging near spawning areas, holding tight to the bases of cypress trees and moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones Fish showing selective feeding patterns, requiring slower presentations at times as noted in reports, with increased activity during warmer periods	Cypress trees near submerged islands, particularly those a few yards away from the islands Shallow water approaches to small islands Stumps in spawning pockets Protected areas with standing timber that receive afternoon sun	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting the bases of cypress trees Texas Rigs (Worming) with Senko-style baits worked slowly Spinnerbaits worked around timber and transition areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked on shady sides of trees	Bluegill staging in spawning areas and around timber Shad moving into shallower water near timber	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	63-78	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas, actively feeding around cypress trees and vegetation in 5-8 feet of water Most active during early morning periods, showing aggressive feeding behavior around surface cover and tree bases	Isolated or small clusters of cypress trees near creek channels Lily pad fields adjacent to deeper water Bases of cypress trees in 5 feet of water	Soft Jerkbaits worked around tree bases Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around cypress trees Frogs/Toads early morning over lily pads Spinnerbaits worked at various angles around trees	Bluegill staging around cover Crawfish active around tree bases	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	82-89	Bass are actively feeding during early morning and late afternoon periods, seeking shade and cooler water near cover during peak heat Fish are relating heavily to vertical cover like standing timber and laydowns, using these as ambush points for feeding on bluegill During midday heat, bass become less active and hold tight to thick cover like matted grass and lily pads	Standing timber and cypress trees in shallow to mid-depth zones Thick matted grass and lily pad fields Laydowns and fallen trees, especially those near deeper water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around timber and laydowns Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass during morning/evening periods Shakey Heads around lily pad edges and sparse cover	Bluegill holding around timber and vegetation Crawfish in timber bases and woody structure	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Caddo Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	62-75	Bass are actively feeding on bluegill and following baitfish movements in and around submerged vegetation Fish are transitioning to deeper structure bases as temperatures cool, using grass edges as primary feeding zones	Submerged hydrilla beds with clear pockets and edges Cypress tree bases near vegetation edges Secondary points with matted grass	Texas Rigs (Worming) - swimming and dragging through grass Spinnerbaits worked along grass edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) paralleling vegetation lines	Bluegill holding in grass beds Shad schools moving along vegetation edges	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	42-52	Largemouth bass are exhibiting reduced activity levels, requiring slower presentations and longer pauses Fish are holding tight to deeper structure and showing selective feeding periods	Brush piles in deeper water Deep points with vertical structure Standing timber and stumps	Structure Jigs worked slowly along bottom with long pauses Ned Rigs with subtle movements Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near structure	Bluegill Crawfish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Caddo Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber near river mouths where shad are congregating	Hard cover in shallow water that retains heat
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Cypress trees near submerged islands, particularly those a few yards away from the islands	Shallow water approaches to small islands
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Isolated or small clusters of cypress trees near creek channels	Lily pad fields adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber and cypress trees in shallow to mid-depth zones	Thick matted grass and lily pad fields
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Submerged hydrilla beds with clear pockets and edges	Cypress tree bases near vegetation edges
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Brush piles in deeper water	Deep points with vertical structure

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling near river mouths and in deeper pockets	Crawfish becoming active around hard cover and timber
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill staging in spawning areas and around timber	Shad moving into shallower water near timber
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill staging around cover	Crawfish active around tree bases
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill holding around timber and vegetation	Crawfish in timber bases and woody structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill holding in grass beds	Shad schools moving along vegetation edges
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Crawfish

Bait Colors by Season for Caddo Lake

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

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