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Fish Lake (46)

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Fish Lake (46)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Bass are staging in pre-spawn areas, with some fish beginning to move shallow for spawning activities. Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for the spawn. Fish are relating heavily to shallow vegetation and visible cover in 1-4 foot depths, particularly during warming trends	Shallow vegetation in 1-4 foot depths, especially areas with healthy, green growth Ledges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly where vegetation is present Lily pad fields providing overhead cover and ambush points	Bladed Jigs worked through vegetation, particularly effective in the 1-4 foot zone Texas Rigs (Worming) worked along ledges and through vegetation Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') targeting active fish in vegetation edges	Bluegill in shallow vegetation Young of year perch near vegetation edges Minnows schooling in pre-spawn areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	48-58	Actively following and feeding on baitfish schools in 8-15 feet of water, transitioning between winter and spawning locations Utilizing rock and emerging vegetation areas as staging points, showing preference for areas offering both cover and warmth	Rock piles mixed with emerging vegetation in 8-15 feet of water Transitional areas between deep basins and shallow spawning flats Hard-bottom areas near emerging vegetation	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') - Most effective for actively working suspended schools Crappie Spider Rigging - Excellent for covering water and finding transitioning fish Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) - Effective when fish are relating to visible structure	Minnows - Primary forage based on recent reports Small invertebrates near emerging vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	45-55	Actively moving from winter depths to warmer, shallower areas near emerging vegetation in 6-8 foot range Schooling behavior becomes more concentrated as fish stage for spawning, particularly around rock-weed transitions	Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 6-8 foot range Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning areas Edges of submerged vegetation in 8-15 foot range	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small baitfish schools in 8-15 foot range Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation Small invertebrates around rock structures	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on areas with vegetation in 1-4 foot depth range. Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage nearby. Fish are most active during warmer parts of the day, with heightened aggression when protecting spawning areas.	Protected shallow bays with vegetation in 1-4 foot range, especially areas with firm bottom Edges of submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot range where females stage Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water access	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover Swim Jigs worked through vegetation edges Wacky Rigs for finesse presentation to spooky bed fish	Bluegill moving shallow preparing for their own spawn Small minnows utilizing shallow vegetation Juvenile perch in slightly deeper vegetation edges	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-65	Male crappies staging in shallow waters (4 feet) near rocky areas for spawning, particularly active around small basins Fish showing preference for slow-moving baits worked along bottom, suggesting focused pre-spawn staging behavior	Rocky areas in small basins at 4 foot depths Emerging vegetation mixed with rock piles in 4-8 foot range Transition areas between shallow spawning flats and deeper water	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with boot tail jigs using slow hop retrieve Bobbers with live bait presented just above bottom Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around identified spawning areas	Small baitfish schools in shallow water Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	45-55	Perch gathering in pre-spawn schools near vegetated areas in 6-8 foot depths, making frequent moves between deeper staging areas and spawning zones Actively feeding during warming trends, especially during mid-morning to early afternoon when water temperatures peak	Emerging weed edges in 6-8 foot depths, especially near rock piles Transitional areas between deep water staging areas (12-15 feet) and spawning zones Protected shallow flats with remaining vegetation from previous season	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small invertebrates and insects emerging with spring warming Young-of-year baitfish schools in 8-15 foot depth range Small crayfish becoming active with warming temperatures	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding but showing distinct daily patterns - more active during low light periods near surface vegetation Fish are transitioning between shallow spawning areas and early summer patterns, utilizing weed edges as primary feeding zones	Submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range with defined weed edges Matted grass in shallow zones, especially areas with healthy green vegetation Transition areas between shallow spawning flats and deeper weed edges	Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation during morning and evening periods Bladed Jigs (Chatterbaits) worked through lanes in submerged vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with creature baits in gaps and pockets of vegetation	Bluegill moving shallow and becoming more active in vegetation Juvenile perch relating to weed edges	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning to deeper water while still utilizing the protection of emerging vegetation and rock piles Fish are actively feeding to recover from spawn, forming loose schools around structure in 8-15 foot depths Due to stained water conditions (1.5m Secchi), fish are most active during daylight hours and staying relatively shallow	Edges of emerging weed beds in 8-12 feet of water Rock piles adjacent to spawning areas in 6-10 feet Suspended schools near the first depth break from spawning areas	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges and depth transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') when fish are holding tight to structure Crappie Spider Rigging for covering water and maintaining precise depth control	Small minnows gathering around emerging vegetation Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school Small invertebrates in the newly establishing weed growth	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	50-65	Post-spawn perch are actively feeding and regaining energy, forming loose schools in 8-15 foot depths near vegetation edges and rock structures Fish are making daily movements between deeper water refuge and shallower feeding zones, especially during morning and evening periods	Weed edges and transitions in 6-8 foot depths Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot range Main lake break lines where depth transitions from shallow to mid-depth zones	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with small jigs tipped with live bait Inline Spinners worked slowly through transitional areas Live Bait Rigs drifted along weed edges	Small invertebrates and insects near vegetation Young-of-year baitfish in the mid-depth ranges Aquatic larvae and small crayfish near rock structures	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-85	Bass are actively feeding in and around vegetation, particularly during low light periods, with aggressive strikes on moving baits in 4-8 foot depths Fish are relating strongly to healthy, green submerged vegetation edges, using these areas as primary feeding zones throughout the day	Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially where healthy green vegetation is present Matted grass and lily pad fields in 1-4 feet of water, particularly during low light periods Weed edge drop-offs where vegetation transitions to deeper water	Frogs/Toads worked quickly over submerged vegetation with brief pauses Bladed Jigs retrieved slowly along weed edges, making contact and ripping free from vegetation Wacky Rigs worked along weed edges and drop-offs for a slower presentation	Bluegill concentrating around vegetation edges Young of year perch in weed beds	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-82	Crappie are suspended in deeper water near structure during summer, with most active feeding during early morning and evening hours Schools are likely to be found near submerged vegetation edges and rock piles in 12-15 foot depth range during midday	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 12-15 feet of water Rock piles adjacent to deeper basin areas Suspended over main lake basin near baitfish schools	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Suspended baitfish schools Small aquatic insects near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Summer	Yellow Perch	68-80	Schools actively feeding in and around submerged vegetation in 6-8 feet, moving to slightly deeper water (8-15 feet) during bright midday periods Relating strongly to the edges of weed beds and rock piles where they can ambush smaller baitfish	Weed edges in 6-8 feet of water, especially where vegetation meets deeper water Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot range Mid-depth feeding shelves where baitfish schools concentrate	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small baitfish schools in 8-15 foot range Aquatic invertebrates in and around vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Fish Lake (46)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are actively feeding in shallow water (8-9 feet) during cloudy conditions, showing aggressive topwater strikes as they pursue baitfish Fish are relating to vegetation edges and showing opportunistic feeding behavior, with follow-up strikes on missed topwater baits	Shallow weed edges in 8-9 foot depth range, particularly on wind-protected shorelines Submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot range where healthy green growth is present Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with remaining vegetation	Hard Topwater (Prop) worked around vegetation edges during cloudy conditions Spinnerbaits retrieved steadily through areas where fish miss topwater strikes Neko Rigs worked slowly in vegetation pockets for more reluctant fish	Bluegill concentrated in remaining vegetation Young of year baitfish schooling in shallow water Perch relating to weed edges	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Actively schooling and following baitfish schools in deeper water, typically suspended at 8-12 feet Transitioning from shallow vegetation to deeper basin areas as water cools, with feeding activity increasing during low-light periods	Deep basin edges near submerged vegetation in 8-15 feet of water Rock piles adjacent to deeper water Suspended schools in open water following baitfish	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) with small jigs at various depths to locate schools Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') once schools are located Hover/Mid-Strolling with soft plastics around submerged vegetation	Small minnows in large schools Young-of-year baitfish Small invertebrates near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Fall	Yellow Perch	52-65	Yellow perch are schooling aggressively in preparation for winter, following baitfish schools in the 8-15 foot depth range Fish are actively feeding during dawn and dusk periods, with schools moving between vegetation edges and rocky structure	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 6-8 feet of water Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot range Mid-depth feeding shelves where baitfish concentrate	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Drop Shot Live Bait Rigs	Small baitfish schools in mid-depth ranges Aquatic invertebrates near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	42-52	Crappie are suspending in tight schools near deeper basin areas, typically following baitfish schools in the water column During stable weather, fish maintain consistent depth patterns, but may move up or down in the water column based on light conditions and forage movement	Deep basin areas in 12-15 feet where schools of baitfish are present Transitions between vegetation and deeper water in 8-12 feet Rock piles adjacent to deeper water that provide structure and current breaks	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling Crappie Spider Rigging	Schooling baitfish (shad/minnows) Small aquatic invertebrates near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Winter	Yellow Perch	34-45	Yellow perch are actively schooling in the mid-depth range (8-15 feet), following baitfish schools and seeking optimal temperature zones Fish are exhibiting typical winter feeding patterns, with schools congregating near the bottom or suspending at consistent depths where forage is present	Mid-depth flats and breaks in 8-15 feet where baitfish schools are present Rock piles with emerging vegetation edges in 6-8 foot range Deeper edges of weed growth areas transitioning to open water	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Ice Fishing Jigs Hover/Mid-Strolling	Small baitfish schools Aquatic invertebrates near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappie will be suspended in mid-depth basin areas, typically schooling tightly in 8-12 feet of water due to the stained conditions concentrating them higher in the water column Feeding activity becomes most intense during dawn and dusk periods, with fish showing preference for slower moving presentations	Deep basins adjacent to rock piles in 8-12 feet of water where schools suspend Areas where submerged vegetation meets deeper water, creating edges for crappie to relate to Small basin areas that historically hold pre-spawn fish, as these often remain productive through winter	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements to trigger suspended fish Ice Fishing Spoons for more aggressive fish and to call fish in from a distance Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to pattern suspended schools	Small minnows suspended in the water column Micro invertebrates near remaining vegetation Small perch sharing similar winter habitat	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Ice	Yellow Perch	34-39	Schools of perch concentrate in 8-15 foot depth ranges near the bottom, moving between feeding zones and refuge areas Feeding activity occurs in short windows throughout the day, with more aggressive feeding during dawn and dusk periods	Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot depth range Edges of submerged weed beds in 6-8 foot depths Mid-lake feeding shelves where baitfish schools congregate	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements near bottom Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging to attract schools Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to locate active schools	Small baitfish schools in 8-15 foot depth range Aquatic invertebrates near bottom structure Young-of-year perch in and around weed edges	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Vibrant Craw Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Fish Lake (46)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow vegetation in 1-4 foot depths, especially areas with healthy, green growth	Ledges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly where vegetation is present
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Rock piles mixed with emerging vegetation in 8-15 feet of water	Transitional areas between deep basins and shallow spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 6-8 foot range	Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with vegetation in 1-4 foot range, especially areas with firm bottom	Edges of submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot range where females stage
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Rocky areas in small basins at 4 foot depths	Emerging vegetation mixed with rock piles in 4-8 foot range
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Emerging weed edges in 6-8 foot depths, especially near rock piles	Transitional areas between deep water staging areas (12-15 feet) and spawning zones
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range with defined weed edges	Matted grass in shallow zones, especially areas with healthy green vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Edges of emerging weed beds in 8-12 feet of water	Rock piles adjacent to spawning areas in 6-10 feet
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Weed edges and transitions in 6-8 foot depths	Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially where healthy green vegetation is present	Matted grass and lily pad fields in 1-4 feet of water, particularly during low light periods
Summer	Crappie	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 12-15 feet of water	Rock piles adjacent to deeper basin areas
Summer	Yellow Perch	Weed edges in 6-8 feet of water, especially where vegetation meets deeper water	Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shallow weed edges in 8-9 foot depth range, particularly on wind-protected shorelines	Submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot range where healthy green growth is present
Fall	Crappie	Deep basin edges near submerged vegetation in 8-15 feet of water	Rock piles adjacent to deeper water
Fall	Yellow Perch	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 6-8 feet of water	Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot range
Winter	Crappie	Deep basin areas in 12-15 feet where schools of baitfish are present	Transitions between vegetation and deeper water in 8-12 feet
Winter	Yellow Perch	Mid-depth flats and breaks in 8-15 feet where baitfish schools are present	Rock piles with emerging vegetation edges in 6-8 foot range
Ice	Crappie	Deep basins adjacent to rock piles in 8-12 feet of water where schools suspend	Areas where submerged vegetation meets deeper water, creating edges for crappie to relate to
Ice	Yellow Perch	Rock piles with emerging vegetation in 8-15 foot depth range	Edges of submerged weed beds in 6-8 foot depths

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow vegetation	Young of year perch near vegetation edges
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows - Primary forage based on recent reports	Small invertebrates near emerging vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish schools in 8-15 foot range	Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill moving shallow preparing for their own spawn	Small minnows utilizing shallow vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small baitfish schools in shallow water	Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small invertebrates and insects emerging with spring warming	Young-of-year baitfish schools in 8-15 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill moving shallow and becoming more active in vegetation	Juvenile perch relating to weed edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows gathering around emerging vegetation	Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small invertebrates and insects near vegetation	Young-of-year baitfish in the mid-depth ranges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around vegetation edges	Young of year perch in weed beds
Summer	Crappie	Suspended baitfish schools	Small aquatic insects near vegetation
Summer	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish schools in 8-15 foot range	Aquatic invertebrates in and around vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated in remaining vegetation	Young of year baitfish schooling in shallow water
Fall	Crappie	Small minnows in large schools	Young-of-year baitfish
Fall	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish schools in mid-depth ranges	Aquatic invertebrates near vegetation
Winter	Crappie	Schooling baitfish (shad/minnows)	Small aquatic invertebrates near vegetation
Winter	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish schools	Aquatic invertebrates near vegetation
Ice	Crappie	Small minnows suspended in the water column	Micro invertebrates near remaining vegetation
Ice	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish schools in 8-15 foot depth range	Aquatic invertebrates near bottom structure

Bait Colors by Season for Fish Lake (46)

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

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