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Gervais Lake

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Gervais Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning zones, staging on route to shallow bays and coves Fish are becoming more active with warming trends, feeding opportunistically on bluegill near vegetation edges	Submerged vegetation edges in 7-9 feet, particularly coontail beds near spawning areas Secondary points and ledges leading into spawning bays Rock piles adjacent to vegetation providing staging areas	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through sparse vegetation Lipless Crankbaits worked over vegetation tops	Bluegill concentrating in and around vegetation Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-52	Actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly near emerging vegetation and rock structures Aggressive feeding behavior to build energy reserves before spawning Most active during warmer parts of day when water temperatures rise	Shallow bays with emerging weed growth in 3-8 feet of water Rocky areas adjacent to spawning flats in 5-10 feet Transition areas between deeper water and spawning areas	Inline Spinners worked slowly through shallow areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve Spoons worked with erratic action in transition areas	Bluegill congregating in warming shallows Minnows in pre-spawn patterns Small perch in transitional areas	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	48-58	Crappie are transitioning from deeper winter haunts to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming water temperatures Fish are beginning to school more tightly and feed more aggressively as they prepare for spawning activity	Weed edges and coontail vegetation in 7-9 foot range, particularly near drop-offs Secondary points and creek channels leading to spawning coves Dock areas with deeper water access, especially on the sun-exposed sides	Crappie Spider Rigging - Slow presentation allowing for thorough coverage of staging areas Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') - Effective for working around dock posts and vegetation edges Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) - Efficient for locating active schools in transition areas	Small minnows congregating in warming shallow waters Young-of-year bluegill beginning to become more active	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are transitioning into spawning areas, focusing on shallow protected zones with access to deeper water Fish are actively feeding on bluegill in and around vegetation, particularly in areas near spawning flats	Shallow lily pad fields adjacent to spawning flats Protected coves with vegetation in 7-9 feet Dock areas providing shade and cover near spawning areas	Drop Shot with finesse worms around vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in lily pads and dense cover Wacky Rigs in clearer pockets between vegetation	Bluegill in shallow vegetation Small baitfish relating to vegetation edges	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Northern Pike are in their spawn/post-spawn phase, moving into and around shallow weedy bays and backwaters where water warms first Aggressive feeding behavior in preparation for and following spawning, with fish being particularly responsive to larger, flashy presentations in the stained water	Shallow weedy bays and backwaters, especially those with emerging vegetation Transition areas between spawning bays and slightly deeper water (8-12 feet) Areas near rock piles that warm quickly and hold baitfish	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow spawning areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to weed edges Inline Spinners in areas with emerging vegetation	Spawning suckers and shiners Young-of-year panfish Concentrated schools of baitfish	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) near protected shorelines and coves as water temperatures rise Males staging and creating beds while females stage slightly deeper on nearby structure Aggressive feeding periods during pre-spawn, becoming more territorial during actual spawn	Protected shallow coves with submerged vegetation in 2-8 foot range Dock areas providing shade and protection in spawning depth Weed edges near drop-offs where females stage pre-spawn	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Small bluegills and juvenile fish Minnows in shallow spawning areas Aquatic invertebrates around vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but still relatively shallow Fish are establishing home ranges around key structure, with multiple bass often using the same piece of cover as noted in dock fishing reports	Docks, particularly those near deeper water where weed cutting has occurred Lily pad fields in shallow water Weed edges and remaining vegetation in 7-9 foot range	Structure Jigs - skipping under docks, particularly effective with recent weed cutting Wacky Rigs - worked slowly with bottom contact around vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) - for working through remaining vegetation and lily pads	Bluegill, especially around docks and vegetation Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge Crawfish active in warmer shallow waters	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	52-65	Actively feeding in post-spawn recovery phase, primarily targeting abundant forage in shallow to mid-depth zones along weed edges Most aggressive during early morning and evening hours due to low light penetration in stained water Utilizing ambush points near structural transitions, particularly where weeds meet rock piles	Weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with rock piles Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 4-7 feet of water Points and ledges adjacent to spawning areas in 6-10 feet	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges with steady retrieves Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with erratic retrieves near structure Inline Spinners in shallow bays during low light periods	Bluegill and other panfish gathering near emerging weed growth Minnows schooling along structural edges Young-of-year perch in shallow weed areas	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are relating to emerging weed growth and dock edges, suspending near cover in 7-12 foot range Feeding activity is highest during morning and evening periods, with fish moving shallower during these prime times	Weed edges and coontail vegetation in 7-9 foot range Dock edges and corners, especially those near depth changes Secondary points and ledges transitioning from spawning bays	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around vegetation Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to dock structure Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges and depth transitions	Small bluegills and juvenile panfish Minnows relating to emerging weed growth Aquatic invertebrates in vegetation	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	75-80	Bass are utilizing multiple depth zones but showing clear patterns around key structures. Active around docks and vegetation during feeding periods, moving to deeper ledges and rock piles during midday heat. Feeding actively on bluegills near shallow cover and adjusting to deeper water during peak temperatures around 80°F	Docks with adjacent deep water access, particularly those near vegetation Coontail beds in 7-9 feet of water Deep ledges and rock piles for midday refuge	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around vegetation and docks Bladed Jigs burned over coontail beds in 7-9 feet Carolina Rigs dragged slowly along deeper ledges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along dock edges	Bluegill - primary forage especially around docks and vegetation Crawfish - active in rocky areas and around docks	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Northern Pike	75-85	Pike are actively feeding along weed edges and drop-offs in 10-14 feet, showing aggressive behavior even in warm conditions Due to high water temperatures (85°F), fish are most active during early morning and evening hours, seeking cooler water near vegetation	Weed edges and drop-offs in 10-14 feet of water Submerged vegetation in shallower water during low-light periods Rock piles and ledges adjacent to weedy areas	Trolling Shallow (0-9') with aggressive speeds (2.6-3.0 mph) along weed edges Spinnerbaits worked along vegetation edges Inline Spinners for aggressive pike in shallow zones	Minnows Bluegill Perch	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	75-85	Crappie forming small schools suspended at 12-14 feet in the water column, actively feeding on minnows during summer pattern Fish likely seeking cooler, oxygenated water due to warm surface temperatures (81°F), relating to structure breaks and vegetation edges	Suspended schools near deep structure breaks at 12-14 feet Weed edges and coontail vegetation in 7-9 foot range Ledges and drop-offs adjacent to deeper basin areas	Ned Rigs with subtle pops and lifts for suspended fish Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) through suspended schools Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when schools are spotted on sonar	Minnows - primary forage based on recent fishing reports Bluegills - secondary forage option mentioned in lake profile	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Gervais Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are actively feeding to build fat reserves for winter, showing aggressive responses to moving baits around cover Fish are transitioning from summer patterns to fall feeding, following baitfish movements and utilizing vegetation edges	Edges of submerged vegetation, particularly coontail in 7-9 feet Vegetation-to-rock transition areas near drop-offs Residential dock areas with nearby deep water access	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along vegetation edges Hard Jerkbaits with longer pauses between twitches Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges in stained water	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation Shad schools moving into creek arms and coves	Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	52-68	Pike become more aggressive in cooling fall waters, actively pursuing baitfish schools as they prepare for winter Fish transitioning from summer weed edges to deeper structure, following baitfish movements Most active during midday periods when water temperatures are optimal	Deep weed edges adjacent to rock piles (8-14 feet) Points and ledges where weeds meet deeper water Wind-blown shorelines where baitfish concentrate	Trolling Shallow (0-9') along remaining weed edges with aggressive presentations Spinnerbaits worked parallel to structure transitions Inline Spinners retrieved at varying speeds to trigger reaction strikes	Schooling baitfish (shad) Bluegill and perch transitioning to deeper water Remaining shallow water minnows	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Crappie	55-68	Crappie transitioning from summer deep water patterns to shallower feeding zones, actively pursuing baitfish in the 8-15 foot range Forming loose schools around key structure, particularly near the edges of weed beds and drop-offs More aggressive feeding behavior during early morning and evening hours, preparing for winter	Weed edges in 7-9 foot range, especially near drop-offs Deep dock edges adjacent to deeper water Coontail vegetation breaks near ledges	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around weed edges Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near dock structures Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding fish	Small bluegills concentrated near weed edges Minnow schools in transition areas Small invertebrates in vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	38-52	Pike remain actively feeding during winter open water period, taking advantage of reduced light penetration to ambush prey in shallower zones Fish are keying on larger profile baits, often suspending near weed edges and rock structures to intercept passing forage	Weed edge transitions in 10-14 feet of water, especially near rock pile intersections Secondary break lines where rock piles meet deeper water Wind-blown points and shorelines where baitfish concentrate	Trolling Shallow (0-9') with larger profile baits parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly along structure transitions Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses to trigger reaction strikes	Large profile baitfish schools concentrated by wind patterns Bluegill and perch holding near structure	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	34-45	Suspending in tight schools near deep structure and sharp breaks, typically moving less but feeding actively during prime periods Seeking warmer, more stable water temperatures in deeper basins while making occasional movements to feed	Deep basin areas adjacent to sharp breaks, particularly in 15-19 foot range Deep weed edges where coontail meets drop-offs Deeper dock areas with nearby access to main lake basin	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Ice Fishing Jigs Damiki Rig	Small minnows in suspended schools Smaller bluegills holding in similar depth ranges	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Pike become less active but maintain feeding periods, especially during dawn and dusk. They tend to concentrate near primary forage sources in moderately deep water areas Fish typically hold in areas adjacent to deep water access, particularly near weed edges that remain green under the ice	Weed edges in 8-12 feet of water near access to deeper water Rock pile transitions in 10-14 feet where they meet weeds Protected bays with remaining green vegetation in 6-10 feet	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large minnows positioned at varying depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnow heads near weed edges	Bluegills and small perch concentrated in remaining weed growth Minnows schooling near structure transitions Small suspended baitfish in areas with moderate depth	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappie school tightly in deeper basins and near structure during ice season, typically suspending 1-3 feet off bottom Most active feeding periods occur during early morning and late afternoon, with a focus on small prey items	Deep basins adjacent to weed edges in 12-14 foot range Submerged vegetation areas in 7-9 foot range where coontail persists under ice Drop-offs and ledges where depth changes create current breaks	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements 1-3 feet off bottom Ice Fishing Spoons with erratic action to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to pattern suspended schools	Small bluegills and juvenile fish suspended in winter schools Winter-active invertebrates near remaining vegetation Suspended minnows in mid-water column	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Gervais Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation edges in 7-9 feet, particularly coontail beds near spawning areas	Secondary points and ledges leading into spawning bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with emerging weed growth in 3-8 feet of water	Rocky areas adjacent to spawning flats in 5-10 feet
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Weed edges and coontail vegetation in 7-9 foot range, particularly near drop-offs	Secondary points and creek channels leading to spawning coves
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow lily pad fields adjacent to spawning flats	Protected coves with vegetation in 7-9 feet
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow weedy bays and backwaters, especially those with emerging vegetation	Transition areas between spawning bays and slightly deeper water (8-12 feet)
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow coves with submerged vegetation in 2-8 foot range	Dock areas providing shade and protection in spawning depth
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks, particularly those near deeper water where weed cutting has occurred	Lily pad fields in shallow water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with rock piles	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 4-7 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Weed edges and coontail vegetation in 7-9 foot range	Dock edges and corners, especially those near depth changes
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Docks with adjacent deep water access, particularly those near vegetation	Coontail beds in 7-9 feet of water
Summer	Northern Pike	Weed edges and drop-offs in 10-14 feet of water	Submerged vegetation in shallower water during low-light periods
Summer	Crappie	Suspended schools near deep structure breaks at 12-14 feet	Weed edges and coontail vegetation in 7-9 foot range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Edges of submerged vegetation, particularly coontail in 7-9 feet	Vegetation-to-rock transition areas near drop-offs
Fall	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges adjacent to rock piles (8-14 feet)	Points and ledges where weeds meet deeper water
Fall	Crappie	Weed edges in 7-9 foot range, especially near drop-offs	Deep dock edges adjacent to deeper water
Winter	Northern Pike	Weed edge transitions in 10-14 feet of water, especially near rock pile intersections	Secondary break lines where rock piles meet deeper water
Winter	Crappie	Deep basin areas adjacent to sharp breaks, particularly in 15-19 foot range	Deep weed edges where coontail meets drop-offs
Ice	Northern Pike	Weed edges in 8-12 feet of water near access to deeper water	Rock pile transitions in 10-14 feet where they meet weeds
Ice	Crappie	Deep basins adjacent to weed edges in 12-14 foot range	Submerged vegetation areas in 7-9 foot range where coontail persists under ice

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in and around vegetation	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegill congregating in warming shallows	Minnows in pre-spawn patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows congregating in warming shallow waters	Young-of-year bluegill beginning to become more active
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow vegetation	Small baitfish relating to vegetation edges
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Spawning suckers and shiners	Young-of-year panfish
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small bluegills and juvenile fish	Minnows in shallow spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill, especially around docks and vegetation	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegill and other panfish gathering near emerging weed growth	Minnows schooling along structural edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small bluegills and juvenile panfish	Minnows relating to emerging weed growth
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage especially around docks and vegetation	Crawfish - active in rocky areas and around docks
Summer	Northern Pike	Minnows	Bluegill
Summer	Crappie	Minnows - primary forage based on recent fishing reports	Bluegills - secondary forage option mentioned in lake profile
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation	Shad schools moving into creek arms and coves
Fall	Northern Pike	Schooling baitfish (shad)	Bluegill and perch transitioning to deeper water
Fall	Crappie	Small bluegills concentrated near weed edges	Minnow schools in transition areas
Winter	Northern Pike	Large profile baitfish schools concentrated by wind patterns	Bluegill and perch holding near structure
Winter	Crappie	Small minnows in suspended schools	Smaller bluegills holding in similar depth ranges
Ice	Northern Pike	Bluegills and small perch concentrated in remaining weed growth	Minnows schooling near structure transitions
Ice	Crappie	Small bluegills and juvenile fish suspended in winter schools	Winter-active invertebrates near remaining vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Gervais Lake

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

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