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

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Chisago Lake

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Chisago Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Pre-spawn females staging in 5-12 feet near spawning areas while males move shallow to scout bedding locations Fish actively feeding ahead of spawning, responding well to reaction baits and bluegill imitators Activity levels increasing with warming water temperatures, particularly on wind-blown areas	Wind-blown points leading into spawning bays with submerged vegetation in 6-8 feet Inside weedlines on sandy points in 6-10 feet of water Shallow docks adjacent to spawning flats Areas with short, submerged vegetation and hard bottom	Bladed Jigs worked just over submerged vegetation Ned Rigs worked along sandy points Hard Jerkbaits twitched on weed edges Structure Jigs skipped around docks	Bluegill gathering in pre-spawn areas Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	48-58	Crappie are transitioning from winter patterns, moving from deeper basin areas toward warming shallows, staging near spawning areas Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warmer parts of the day Schools are beginning to break up from tight winter groups into smaller pods	Submerged vegetation edges in 3-6 feet of water adjacent to spawning areas Protected coves with emerging vegetation Transition areas between deeper winter holdover spots and shallow spawning zones	Crappie Spider Rigging Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Small minnows congregating in warming shallows Early season aquatic insects becoming active in vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye are transitioning from winter depths to spawning areas, following warming trends and congregating near rocky areas and points in preparation for spawning Feeding activity is increasing but remains selective, with fish most active during dawn and dusk periods due to the relatively low water clarity	Rock piles and hard bottom areas in 6-12 foot depth range, particularly those adjacent to deeper water Wind-blown points with current that concentrate pre-spawn walleye Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning grounds	Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions and rock edges Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rocky structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle movements	Small perch moving shallow with warming trends Emerging crayfish becoming more active in rocky areas Shallow-running baitfish schools	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	61-67	Bass are in various spawning phases - some actively spawning in shallows while others are pre-spawn or post-spawn, as evidenced by reports showing fish both shallow and in transition areas Fish are showing increased aggression toward moving baits in warmer periods, but become less active during cold fronts and weather changes	Shallow submerged vegetation in 1-6 feet with hard bottom or sandy patches for spawning Secondary breaks and weed edges in 8-15 feet where pre/post spawn fish stage Protected bays with wood, reeds, and sparse lily pads	Bladed Jigs worked slowly over and through vegetation Hard Jerkbaits around deeper weed edges Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and working spawning areas Drop Shot for deeper staging fish	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports and lake profile Perch - mentioned in several successful fishing reports	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	56-63	Crappie are actively spawning and relating heavily to shallow vegetation, with fish spread throughout the 3-6 foot depth range Fish are moving between pre-spawn staging areas and spawning locations, showing aggressive feeding behavior during movement periods	Submerged vegetation in 3-6 foot depth range, particularly areas with hard bottom for spawning Lily pad fields, especially where they intersect with other vegetation types Protected shoreline areas with complex cover, utilizing the lake's numerous coves and points	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with slow swim-shake retrieve Hover/Mid-Strolling around vegetation edges Bobbers for sight fishing spawning fish	Minnows - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports Insects - secondary forage mentioned in spring reports	Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye are actively moving into shallow rocky areas and hard bottom locations for spawning, primarily active during dawn and dusk periods Post-spawn fish stage near spawning areas in slightly deeper water, maintaining proximity to shallow feeding zones	Rock piles and hard bottom areas in 2-6 foot depth range Wind-blown points with rocky substrate Transition areas between spawning locations and deeper staging zones	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations Blade Baits worked through staging areas	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small perch in shallow areas Young of year bluegill in spawning areas	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	68-74	Bass are scattered across multiple depth ranges (1-15 feet) as they recover from spawn, with some fish remaining shallow while others move to deeper weed edges Fish showing mixed activity levels - post-spawn recovery phase making them somewhat lethargic but still willing to chase bluegill	Weed edges in 5-12 foot range, particularly where submerged vegetation meets deeper water Shallow points with mixed vegetation Flooded brush and emergent vegetation in 1-4 foot range	Swim Jigs worked through and over vegetation Frogs/Toads worked around shallow cover Bladed Jigs over submerged weeds Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) along weed edges	Bluegill - primary forage mentioned in all recent reports Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappies transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish forming loose schools around submerged vegetation edges and lily pads in 3-6 foot depth range	Outer edges of lily pad fields where they meet slightly deeper water Submerged weed edges in 3-6 foot depth range Protected coves with emerging vegetation	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Bobbers	Small minnows gathering around emerging vegetation Aquatic insects becoming more active in warming waters	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-62	Actively feeding during early morning and evening hours, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding locations Congregating along wind-blown points and structure edges during prime feeding periods Moving between shallow and moderate depths (5-15 feet) as water temperatures fluctuate throughout the day	Rock piles and hard bottom areas in 8-15 foot depth range Wind-blown points with access to deeper water Emerging weed edges adjacent to spawning areas	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along structure edges Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows near rock piles Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along wind-blown points	Perch moving along weed edges Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation Juvenile bluegills in shallow bays	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	69-78	Bass are transitioning to summer patterns, moving to offshore structure and deep weed edges after spawning. They are actively feeding on bluegill schools around these areas. Fish are schooling and relating heavily to transitions between rocks and weeds, particularly during feeding periods.	Deep weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with hard bottom Offshore rock piles adjacent to vegetation Deeper lily pad edges with access to deeper water	Drop Shot with finesse worms worked slowly along weed edges Bladed Jigs worked through vegetation and over rock transitions Football Jigs dragged slowly across hard bottom areas Neko Rigs worked along weed edges when fish are less aggressive	Bluegill - primary forage evidenced by multiple reports and large schools on deep weed edges Crawfish - indicated by successful jig fishing on rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are suspended in and around thick weed edges, actively feeding during early morning and evening hours During midday, fish move slightly deeper into weed beds or find shade under lily pads to escape peak heat Schools are more scattered than spring/winter, with smaller groups relating to specific structure elements	Thick weed edges in 3-6 foot depth range Shaded areas under lily pads and floating vegetation Deeper pockets adjacent to weed flats	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Bobbers Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Small minnows congregating around weed edges Aquatic insects in and around vegetation Young-of-year baitfish in shallow areas	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Walleye	65-78	Walleye transitioning between shallow feeding areas and deeper refuge spots throughout the day, with peak activity during low light periods due to the lake's turbidity (1.1m Secchi) Actively feeding along weed edges in 8-15 foot range, particularly during dawn and dusk periods Seeking temperature refuge in slightly deeper pockets during midday heat, but remaining relatively shallow due to lake's limited depth	Deep weed edges in 8-15 foot range, especially where they intersect with rock piles Wind-blown points with access to deeper water pockets Rock piles adjacent to weedy flats where baitfish concentrate	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and rock transitions Trolling Shallow (0-9') with bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses along weed edges Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows or leeches during low light periods	Perch congregating around weed edges and rock piles Bluegill schools in and around weed beds Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school in shallow flats	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Chisago Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	45-72	Bass are transitioning to fall patterns, actively feeding on bluegill and baitfish near remaining healthy vegetation and hard structure in 5-12 foot depth range Fish are showing increased activity on wind-blown shorelines and relating strongly to remaining green vegetation and hard spots along weedlines	Healthy green weed edges in 9-12 feet of water, especially those adjacent to hard bottom areas Wind-blown shorelines with remaining vegetation Docks and rock piles in 2-4 feet of water	Bladed Jigs worked slowly through and around vegetation Hard Jerkbaits worked with longer pauses in 5-10 foot range Drop Shot rigs worked around rock and hard bottom areas Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along weed edges	Bluegill in and around remaining vegetation Small minnows moving shallow near vegetation Crawfish around hard bottom areas and docks	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappie are actively schooling and feeding heavily to prepare for winter, typically suspending near structure or in open water basins Fish are following baitfish schools and becoming more concentrated as water temperatures cool, making them easier to target once located	Deep weed edges where vegetation is still present but starting to die off Open water basins adjacent to remaining weed structure Protected coves and points that provide wind breaks and concentrate baitfish	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Schooling minnows concentrated in remaining vegetation and basin areas Late-season insects near remaining weed growth	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Walleye are actively feeding to build reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and utilizing wind-blown structural elements as ambush points Fish are more active during daylight hours compared to summer, with peak feeding during overcast conditions and wind-affected areas	Wind-blown rock piles and points in 8-15 foot range where baitfish concentrate Deep weed edges adjacent to hard bottom areas Shallow flats with scattered rock piles during low light periods	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Trolling Shallow (0-9') Lipless Crankbaits	Perch schooling along weed edges and rock piles Bluegill concentrated near remaining green weeds	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappie are schooling in deeper basin areas away from shallow structure, typically suspending near bottom structure Feeding activity is more concentrated during dawn and dusk periods, with less aggressive feeding during bright midday hours	Main lake basin areas with depths greater than surrounding flats Transitions between shallow flats and deeper water Areas with submerged brush or wood structure in deeper water	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Ice Fishing Jigs Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Minnows in tight schools Small aquatic insects	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Winter	Walleye	42-48	Walleye are concentrating in the deepest available pockets and channel areas of this shallow lake, seeking the most stable water temperatures Fish actively feeding during low-light periods, particularly on overcast days, taking advantage of the lake's low clarity	Deep pockets near wind-blown points where current creates feeding opportunities Rock pile transitions to soft bottom in the deepest available areas Channel bends and deeper depressions where remaining deep weed edges persist	Blade Baits worked vertically with short, sharp snaps followed by long pauses Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Live Bait Rigs with larger minnows presented slowly along bottom transitions	Perch schooling in remaining deep weed edges Bluegills concentrated in the deepest available areas Small baitfish schools holding tight to rock-to-mud transitions	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappie are schooling in open water basin areas away from shallow structure, requiring extensive hole drilling to locate active fish Once located, schools are actively feeding but showing selective preferences between artificial and live bait presentations	Deep basin areas away from shallow structure, particularly near the boat launch where schools have been recently located Open water zones with consistent depths where winter crappie schools suspend	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with small plastics, keeping the presentation subtle and compact Ice Fishing Spoons tipped with pinhead minnows for finicky fish	Insects, particularly small aquatic larvae and nymphs Small minnows, especially when fish are more actively feeding	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Ice	Walleye	34-39	Walleye in this shallow lake will concentrate in the deepest available basins and structural elements during ice season Feeding activity peaks during dawn and dusk periods, with a secondary peak during cloudy/overcast days Fish are likely to move between deep water refuge areas and shallower feeding zones near weed edges throughout the day	Deep basin areas near rock pile transitions Edges of weed lines in 8-15 foot range Wind-swept points with hard bottom composition	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements just off bottom Ice Fishing Spoons aggressively jigged to attract fish from a distance Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set along depth transitions with live bait	Perch schooling near deep weed edges Bluegills relating to remaining green weeds Small minnows concentrated in deeper basins	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Chisago Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Wind-blown points leading into spawning bays with submerged vegetation in 6-8 feet	Inside weedlines on sandy points in 6-10 feet of water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 3-6 feet of water adjacent to spawning areas	Protected coves with emerging vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rock piles and hard bottom areas in 6-12 foot depth range, particularly those adjacent to deeper water	Wind-blown points with current that concentrate pre-spawn walleye
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow submerged vegetation in 1-6 feet with hard bottom or sandy patches for spawning	Secondary breaks and weed edges in 8-15 feet where pre/post spawn fish stage
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Submerged vegetation in 3-6 foot depth range, particularly areas with hard bottom for spawning	Lily pad fields, especially where they intersect with other vegetation types
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rock piles and hard bottom areas in 2-6 foot depth range	Wind-blown points with rocky substrate
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Weed edges in 5-12 foot range, particularly where submerged vegetation meets deeper water	Shallow points with mixed vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Outer edges of lily pad fields where they meet slightly deeper water	Submerged weed edges in 3-6 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Rock piles and hard bottom areas in 8-15 foot depth range	Wind-blown points with access to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with hard bottom	Offshore rock piles adjacent to vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Thick weed edges in 3-6 foot depth range	Shaded areas under lily pads and floating vegetation
Summer	Walleye	Deep weed edges in 8-15 foot range, especially where they intersect with rock piles	Wind-blown points with access to deeper water pockets
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Healthy green weed edges in 9-12 feet of water, especially those adjacent to hard bottom areas	Wind-blown shorelines with remaining vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Deep weed edges where vegetation is still present but starting to die off	Open water basins adjacent to remaining weed structure
Fall	Walleye	Wind-blown rock piles and points in 8-15 foot range where baitfish concentrate	Deep weed edges adjacent to hard bottom areas
Winter	Crappie	Main lake basin areas with depths greater than surrounding flats	Transitions between shallow flats and deeper water
Winter	Walleye	Deep pockets near wind-blown points where current creates feeding opportunities	Rock pile transitions to soft bottom in the deepest available areas
Ice	Crappie	Deep basin areas away from shallow structure, particularly near the boat launch where schools have been recently located	Open water zones with consistent depths where winter crappie schools suspend
Ice	Walleye	Deep basin areas near rock pile transitions	Edges of weed lines in 8-15 foot range

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in pre-spawn areas	Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows congregating in warming shallows	Early season aquatic insects becoming active in vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Small perch moving shallow with warming trends	Emerging crayfish becoming more active in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports and lake profile	Perch - mentioned in several successful fishing reports
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports	Insects - secondary forage mentioned in spring reports
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small perch in shallow areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage mentioned in all recent reports	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows gathering around emerging vegetation	Aquatic insects becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Perch moving along weed edges	Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage evidenced by multiple reports and large schools on deep weed edges	Crawfish - indicated by successful jig fishing on rocky areas
Summer	Crappie	Small minnows congregating around weed edges	Aquatic insects in and around vegetation
Summer	Walleye	Perch congregating around weed edges and rock piles	Bluegill schools in and around weed beds
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around remaining vegetation	Small minnows moving shallow near vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Schooling minnows concentrated in remaining vegetation and basin areas	Late-season insects near remaining weed growth
Fall	Walleye	Perch schooling along weed edges and rock piles	Bluegill concentrated near remaining green weeds
Winter	Crappie	Minnows in tight schools	Small aquatic insects
Winter	Walleye	Perch schooling in remaining deep weed edges	Bluegills concentrated in the deepest available areas
Ice	Crappie	Insects, particularly small aquatic larvae and nymphs	Small minnows, especially when fish are more actively feeding
Ice	Walleye	Perch schooling near deep weed edges	Bluegills relating to remaining green weeds

Bait Colors by Season for Chisago Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Winter	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Ice	Crappie	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Ice	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

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