How to Fish Columbia River (Roosevelt): Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Columbia River (Roosevelt)

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Columbia River (Roosevelt)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	38-45	Pre-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding but remaining close to deeper water Fish are utilizing current seams near structural elements as feeding stations, showing increased activity during light cloud cover conditions	Humps adjacent to current seams, especially those near deeper water Rocky points with access to both shallow and deep water Channel edges and creek channels leading to potential spawning flats	Finesse Hair Jigs with snap jigging retrieval Drop Shot with subtle movements in deeper staging areas Blade Baits worked slowly through current seams	Perch Shad	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Green Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	39-55	Fish are transitioning from winter deep water patterns (25-30 ft) to pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends Becoming more active with increasing daylight and gradually warming water, but still relatively lethargic compared to peak spawn	Secondary points and channel bends adjacent to spawning flats Deep water access points near emerging vegetation Rocky banks with southern exposure that warm faster	Lipless Crankbaits worked slowly through transition zones Football Jigs dragged along deeper structure Blade Baits worked vertically in deeper staging areas	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Crawfish becoming more active as water warms Small bluegill in emerging vegetation	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	45-58	Crappie are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are moving from deeper winter sanctuaries (25-30 feet) to intermediate depths near spawning areas, particularly around vegetation edges Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise	Edges of creek channels adjacent to spawning flats, typically in 10-15 feet of water Secondary points and ledges near lily pad fields Deeper vegetation edges where winter growth provides cover	Crappie Spider Rigging - Allows for precise depth control and multiple bait presentations Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') - Effective for targeting suspended fish near structure Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) - Covers water to locate active schools	Shad - Primary forage base confirmed in lake reports Small aquatic insects - Active near vegetation as water warms Young of year baitfish - Beginning to emerge in shallow areas	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	55-65	Smallmouth bass transitioning from pre-spawn staging to spawning activity, with males establishing and guarding nests in protected areas with hard bottom Actively feeding during warmer parts of day, particularly targeting perch and crawfish near spawning areas	Rocky points and boulders in 4-8 feet of water with proximity to deeper water Protected areas with hard bottom composition, especially near current seams Shallow flats with scattered rock and gravel adjacent to creek channels	Tubes worked slowly along bottom near potential spawning areas Finesse Jigs with subtle presentations around rock structure Ned Rigs dead-sticked near visible beds or spawning areas	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Yellow Perch in shallow spawning areas Shad schools in adjacent deeper water	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Largemouth bass are transitioning to spawning areas, moving from winter depths to shallow flats and coves where they'll establish nesting sites Males will be the first to move shallow and begin creating beds, while females stage slightly deeper on nearby points and breaks Fish become increasingly territorial and aggressive as water temperatures approach optimal spawning range	Protected shallow bays with emergent vegetation and lily pads for spawning Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats where females stage River channel bends near spawning flats providing quick access to deeper water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and visible beds Swim Jigs through sparse vegetation and along edges of spawning areas Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and targeting visible beds	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas Small bluegill and juvenile fish in shallow areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	55-65	Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats and moving into spawning areas around lily pads and vegetation as water temperatures rise Becoming increasingly active and aggressive as they prepare for spawning, with peak feeding periods during morning and evening hours	Shallow protected bays with lily pads and vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Transition areas between creek channels and spawning flats in 8-15 feet Protected coves with stable water temperatures and abundant cover	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around shallow cover Bobbers with small jigs suspended near vegetation edges Crappie Spider Rigging in slightly deeper pre-spawn staging areas	Small shad concentrating in warming shallow waters Small insects and larvae becoming more active in the warming conditions Young of the year baitfish gathering around vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Fish are actively chasing shad in the water column, with aggressive feeding periods following frontal passages Establishing post-spawn recovery patterns with movement between shallow and mid-depth areas	Main lake points with access to deeper water Rip rap banks with good sun exposure Rocky humps near current seams	Hard Jerkbaits worked with aggressive pause-twitch cadence Lipless Crankbaits with yo-yo retrieve near structure Spinnerbaits in willow/Colorado configuration	Shad schools in post-spawn recovery Yellow perch in rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Fish transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Moving between shallow cover and nearby deeper breaks, establishing predictable daily patterns Most active during early morning and evening, utilizing shade during bright conditions	Points adjacent to spawning flats with vegetation Shallow vegetation edges near deeper water access Secondary points with submerged vegetation in 5-15 foot range	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Worming) through scattered vegetation Spinnerbaits around points and vegetation edges	Young of year shad beginning to school Crawfish active in shallow rocky areas Bluegill in spawning patterns near vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are schooling near creek channels and along vegetation edges, making feeding runs into shallower areas during prime periods	Edges of lily pad fields adjacent to deeper water Creek channel bends with nearby vegetation in 8-15 foot depths Points and humps near spawning flats with scattered vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along vegetation edges and channel breaks Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) near visible cover Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around isolated cover and vegetation	Young-of-year shad starting to emerge in good numbers Small insects and invertebrates near vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-82	Actively feeding in early mornings and late evenings, utilizing shade and structure for temperature relief during hot midday periods Alternating between shallow feeding on shad and deeper structure-oriented feeding on crawfish based on time of day and temperature	Main lake points with boulder structure, especially those adjacent to deeper water Rock and boulder fields in 10-20 foot depth range Shade lines and current seams near structural elements	Hard Topwater (Walking) during low light periods and around shade lines Football Jigs worked through rocky structure Drop Shot along points and deeper structure when fish are less active	Shad schooling in open water and around points Crawfish in rocky areas and boulder fields	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	68-85	Actively feeding during early morning and late evening around vegetation and points, with some fish moving to deeper water during midday heat Relating strongly to shade and cover, particularly around lily pads and other emergent vegetation Exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior on shad schools, especially during low light conditions	Lily pad fields and emergent vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Main lake points with access to deeper water Shaded areas under docks near channel swings	Frogs/Toads worked over vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in heavy cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) for targeting shad schools Buzzbaits during low light periods	Shad schools in open water and around points Crawfish in rocky areas and near vegetation Bluegill and other sunfish in vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Crappie	72-82	Crappie will be suspended in the water column, relating to submerged vegetation and creek channel edges during summer Fish are actively feeding during early morning and evening hours, moving deeper during bright midday periods Schools will concentrate around structure that provides shade and proximity to deeper water	Submerged vegetation edges near creek channels in 8-15 foot depths Shaded areas under docks and near lily pad edges Deep ledges and humps adjacent to shallow feeding areas	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along vegetation edges and channel breaks Crappie Dock Shooting during bright midday periods Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') for suspended fish near structure	Young-of-year shad schools Small aquatic insects near vegetation Small sunfish and minnows	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Columbia River (Roosevelt)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	52-68	Actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools (primarily shad) into coves and around main lake points Moving between deep and intermediate depths, often suspending near structure when actively hunting shad	Main lake points with access to deep water, especially those with boulder or rip rap structure Current seams near underwater humps where baitfish concentrate Creek channel edges adjacent to shallow flats where shad schools migrate	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended bait schools Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved at varying depths to match baitfish movement Drop Shot with finesse presentations when fish are less aggressive	Shad schools migrating into creeks and along points Yellow perch relating to rocky structure Crawfish in rocky areas, though less active than summer months	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Actively following shad schools into creek arms and coves, feeding aggressively to build up pre-winter reserves Moving between deep and shallow water throughout the day, with more shallow activity during overcast conditions	Main lake points near deep water access, especially those adjacent to creek channels Shallow flats with remaining vegetation near creek channel bends Secondary points in major creek arms where shad schools are present	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along depth transitions to mimic shad Spinnerbaits parallel to points and through vegetation breaks Lipless Crankbaits burned over vegetation flats when shad are present	Shad schools migrating into creeks and coves Crawfish still active in rocky areas and around vegetation Remaining baitfish in shallow vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappie are actively feeding and schooling as they follow baitfish (primarily shad) to deeper water, preparing for winter Fish are transitioning from shallow vegetation to deeper structure, often suspending near creek channels and dam areas Feeding activity increases during stable weather patterns, with fish moving shallower during overcast conditions	Deep creek channel bends near remaining vegetation (15-25 feet) Main lake points and humps adjacent to deep water Dam structure and associated deep water areas	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) with small jigs along depth transitions Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near suspended schools Crappie Spider Rigging along channel edges and points	Shad schools moving to deeper water Small sunfish near remaining vegetation Young-of-year baitfish in various sizes	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-47	Crappie are schooling in winter near remaining vegetation edges, actively feeding during daylight hours on small prey Fish are suspending near deep sanctuary areas but making feeding movements to shallower vegetation zones	Edges of winter-hardy vegetation in 8-15 foot depths Deep creek channels adjacent to vegetation Protected coves with remaining lily pad stems	Bobbers with small grubs suspended near vegetation Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Crappie Spider Rigging	Small insects and zooplankton near vegetation Young-of-year shad in deeper water	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappie are suspending in deeper water (20-30 feet) near creek channels and dam structure, moving in loose schools Feeding activity is most intense during early morning and late afternoon, with fish becoming more selective during mid-day	Deep creek channel bends near the dam in 25-30 foot range Deeper edges of winter vegetation in 15-20 foot range Submerged brush piles and structure near deep water sanctuaries	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements 1-2 feet off bottom Ice Fishing Spoons jigged aggressively to attract fish, then slowed for strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to locate active fish	Small Shad in deeper water Small aquatic insects near vegetation Young-of-year panfish	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Columbia River (Roosevelt)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Humps adjacent to current seams, especially those near deeper water	Rocky points with access to both shallow and deep water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and channel bends adjacent to spawning flats	Deep water access points near emerging vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Edges of creek channels adjacent to spawning flats, typically in 10-15 feet of water	Secondary points and ledges near lily pad fields
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and boulders in 4-8 feet of water with proximity to deeper water	Protected areas with hard bottom composition, especially near current seams
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with emergent vegetation and lily pads for spawning	Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats where females stage
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow protected bays with lily pads and vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Transition areas between creek channels and spawning flats in 8-15 feet
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with access to deeper water	Rip rap banks with good sun exposure
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points adjacent to spawning flats with vegetation	Shallow vegetation edges near deeper water access
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Edges of lily pad fields adjacent to deeper water	Creek channel bends with nearby vegetation in 8-15 foot depths
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with boulder structure, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Rock and boulder fields in 10-20 foot depth range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields and emergent vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Main lake points with access to deeper water
Summer	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges near creek channels in 8-15 foot depths	Shaded areas under docks and near lily pad edges
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with access to deep water, especially those with boulder or rip rap structure	Current seams near underwater humps where baitfish concentrate
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points near deep water access, especially those adjacent to creek channels	Shallow flats with remaining vegetation near creek channel bends
Fall	Crappie	Deep creek channel bends near remaining vegetation (15-25 feet)	Main lake points and humps adjacent to deep water
Winter	Crappie	Edges of winter-hardy vegetation in 8-15 foot depths	Deep creek channels adjacent to vegetation
Ice	Crappie	Deep creek channel bends near the dam in 25-30 foot range	Deeper edges of winter vegetation in 15-20 foot range

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Perch	Shad
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Crawfish becoming more active as water warms
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad - Primary forage base confirmed in lake reports	Small aquatic insects - Active near vegetation as water warms
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Yellow Perch in shallow spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small shad concentrating in warming shallow waters	Small insects and larvae becoming more active in the warming conditions
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools in post-spawn recovery	Yellow perch in rocky areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Young of year shad beginning to school	Crawfish active in shallow rocky areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Young-of-year shad starting to emerge in good numbers	Small insects and invertebrates near vegetation
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schooling in open water and around points	Crawfish in rocky areas and boulder fields
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools in open water and around points	Crawfish in rocky areas and near vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Young-of-year shad schools	Small aquatic insects near vegetation
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools migrating into creeks and along points	Yellow perch relating to rocky structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating into creeks and coves	Crawfish still active in rocky areas and around vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools moving to deeper water	Small sunfish near remaining vegetation
Winter	Crappie	Small insects and zooplankton near vegetation	Young-of-year shad in deeper water
Ice	Crappie	Small Shad in deeper water	Small aquatic insects near vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Columbia River (Roosevelt)

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Green Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Pink Colors

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