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

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Goose Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Goose Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-58	Pre-spawn bass staging on brush piles and near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish moving from winter locations to shallower transitional areas, particularly active during warmer periods of the day	Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats in 6-12 foot depth range Secondary points with access to deeper water Wind-blown areas near shallow coves where water warms first	Ned Rigs worked slowly around brush piles Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves through transition areas Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish concentrated near brush piles and transition areas	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-48	Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding while staging near spawning areas, making frequent moves between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones Fish are particularly aggressive during warming trends, targeting easy meals to build energy reserves for spawning	Shallow bays with lily pad stems and emerging vegetation, especially those with soft bottom composition Secondary points leading into spawning bays, particularly those with remaining winter vegetation Transition areas between deeper winter haunts and spawning bays, typically in 8-12 feet of water	Spinnerbaits worked slowly along emerging vegetation edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves through staging areas Lipless Crankbaits worked through transition zones	Winter-stressed baitfish congregating in pre-spawn staging areas Small panfish emerging from winter patterns Early season yellow perch moving shallow	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas near lily pad fields and brush piles, focused on nest building and protection Males actively guarding nests in protected coves while females stage nearby, making frequent trips between slightly deeper water and spawning flats	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom near lily pad fields Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats serving as staging areas Wind-protected shorelines with emerging vegetation	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and cover Wacky Rigs worked slowly through spawning areas Soft Jerkbaits for targeting staging females	Crawfish emerging in warming shallows Small bluegill and perch in spawning areas Minnows along emerging vegetation edges	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Pre-spawn pike staging in shallow bays near spawning areas, especially around lily pad fields and other vegetation Aggressive feeding behavior before and after spawning, with fish being particularly active during warmer portions of the day	Shallow bays with lily pads and emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water access	Inline Spinners worked slowly through shallow spawning areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to emerging weed growth Spoons worked with a flutter action in slightly deeper transition areas	Shallow water panfish concentrated in spawning bays Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass actively feeding along vegetation edges, especially in wind-blown areas, as they recover energy Fish showing preference for shallow water ambush points, particularly in and around lily pad fields	Lily pad fields, especially edges facing wind-blown current Shallow vegetation edges adjacent to slightly deeper water Protected coves with emerging vegetation	Wacky Rigs worked slowly through lily pad edges and pockets Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with nail weights for precise presentations in pad pockets Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) along outer vegetation edges	Bluegill and small panfish around vegetation Juvenile crawfish emerging in shallow areas	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	52-65	Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily hunting in shallow to mid-depth areas with vegetation Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, utilizing weedlines and points as primary hunting zones	Shallow bays with lily pads adjacent to deeper water Emerging weedlines in 6-10 feet of water Points and irregular shoreline features with vegetation	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weedlines Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve Inline Spinners near vegetation edges	Young-of-year panfish in shallow vegetation Small yellow perch along weed edges Suckers recovering from spring spawn	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-85	Bass are actively feeding in and around dense vegetation, particularly lily pads, during early morning and evening hours During midday heat, fish move to slightly deeper areas near vegetation edges and brush piles Strong response to wind-generated current creating feeding opportunities along weedlines	Lily pad fields, particularly edges and pockets Brush piles adjacent to vegetation Wind-blown weedlines and points Shallow coves with vegetation	Frogs/Toads worked over lily pads and vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) into pockets and edges Swim Jigs along weedlines Buzzbaits in early morning along vegetation edges	Bluegill and sunfish in vegetation Crawfish around brush piles Small baitfish along weedlines	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Northern Pike	68-78	Pike are actively hunting along weedline edges, utilizing ambush points to attack prey in 6-10 foot depth range Fish are responding aggressively to high-vibration baits, suggesting active feeding patterns during summer	Weedline edges in 6-10 feet of water Points and irregular shoreline features with submerged vegetation Shallow bays with mixed vegetation including lily pads	Bladed Jigs worked along weedlines with moderate retrieve Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) as trailer or standalone	Young-of-year panfish in weed edges Juvenile yellow perch	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Goose Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Largemouth bass actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and relating to remaining vegetation Fish transitioning from shallow to mid-depth areas, especially during afternoon hours as water temperatures cool Increased activity during sunny afternoons when water temperatures peak	Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow feeding flats Brush piles in 8-12 foot depth range Wind-blown points with remaining vegetation	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation Lipless Crankbaits ripped through remaining vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching baitfish schools	Young-of-year baitfish schooling in remaining vegetation Bluegill relating to weed edges Remaining crawfish in brush pile areas	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Northern Pike	48-65	Pike are actively feeding to build up energy reserves for winter, showing aggressive behavior towards larger prey Fish are following baitfish schools and transitioning from shallow weed edges to deeper main lake structures	Deep weed edges (6-10 feet) adjacent to main lake basin Points and irregular shoreline features with remaining vegetation Shallow bays with concentrated baitfish schools	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and points Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved at varying speeds Trolling Shallow (0-9') parallel to weedlines	Yellow Perch schooling along weed edges Shiners/Minnows congregating in remaining vegetation Young-of-year panfish in shallow bays	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	42-52	Pike are actively feeding but moving more deliberately, conserving energy while still taking advantage of prey opportunities Fish are actively patrolling open water edges of vegetation in search of concentrated baitfish schools	Last remaining green weed edges in 6-10 feet of water Points and irregular shoreline features adjacent to deeper water Main lake basin areas where baitfish schools concentrate	Blade Baits worked with a moderate lift-drop cadence Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily along weed edges Spoons worked with an aggressive jigging action in open water	Concentrated schools of young-of-year panfish Yellow Perch moving to deeper structure Small Northern Pike and juvenile bass	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Pike concentrate near specific structure during ice season, primarily relating to weed edges and points where they can ambush prey Most active during early morning and late afternoon, particularly near zones where deeper water meets remaining green vegetation Feeding activity increases during stable weather patterns and becomes more sporadic during pressure changes	Weed edges in 6-10 feet of water, especially where they meet deeper basin areas Points and irregular shoreline features that extend into deeper water Shallow bays with remaining vegetation, particularly during late ice season	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large minnows set along depth transitions Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnow heads near weed edges	Yellow Perch congregating near remaining weed edges Small Panfish schools in slightly deeper water Shiners relating to structure edges	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Goose Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats in 6-12 foot depth range	Secondary points with access to deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with lily pad stems and emerging vegetation, especially those with soft bottom composition	Secondary points leading into spawning bays, particularly those with remaining winter vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom near lily pad fields	Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats serving as staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with lily pads and emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields, especially edges facing wind-blown current	Shallow vegetation edges adjacent to slightly deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with lily pads adjacent to deeper water	Emerging weedlines in 6-10 feet of water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields, particularly edges and pockets	Brush piles adjacent to vegetation
Summer	Northern Pike	Weedline edges in 6-10 feet of water	Points and irregular shoreline features with submerged vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow feeding flats	Brush piles in 8-12 foot depth range
Fall	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges (6-10 feet) adjacent to main lake basin	Points and irregular shoreline features with remaining vegetation
Winter	Northern Pike	Last remaining green weed edges in 6-10 feet of water	Points and irregular shoreline features adjacent to deeper water
Ice	Northern Pike	Weed edges in 6-10 feet of water, especially where they meet deeper basin areas	Points and irregular shoreline features that extend into deeper water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish concentrated near brush piles and transition areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Winter-stressed baitfish congregating in pre-spawn staging areas	Small panfish emerging from winter patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in warming shallows	Small bluegill and perch in spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow water panfish concentrated in spawning bays	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill and small panfish around vegetation	Juvenile crawfish emerging in shallow areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish in shallow vegetation	Small yellow perch along weed edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill and sunfish in vegetation	Crawfish around brush piles
Summer	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish in weed edges	Juvenile yellow perch
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Young-of-year baitfish schooling in remaining vegetation	Bluegill relating to weed edges
Fall	Northern Pike	Yellow Perch schooling along weed edges	Shiners/Minnows congregating in remaining vegetation
Winter	Northern Pike	Concentrated schools of young-of-year panfish	Yellow Perch moving to deeper structure
Ice	Northern Pike	Yellow Perch congregating near remaining weed edges	Small Panfish schools in slightly deeper water

Bait Colors by Season for Goose Lake

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

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