How to Fish Gunlock Reservoir: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Gunlock Reservoir

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 25, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Gunlock Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging points, making gradual movements toward spawning areas Fish are becoming more active with warming trends, feeding opportunistically as they prepare for spawning	Points adjacent to deep water, especially those leading into spawning bays Laydowns and woody cover in transition areas Secondary points with rock or gravel substrate	Ned Rigs worked slowly along points and transition areas Lipless Crankbaits for covering water and locating active fish Wacky Rigs around laydowns and visible cover	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Bluegill in shallow cover areas	Green Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding and moving from winter depths to shallower spawning zones Following daily warming patterns, more active during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak Congregating around transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning flats	Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water near spawning flats Rocky points and riprap areas that warm quickly Deeper ledges adjacent to spawning coves	Crappie Spider Rigging with slow presentation around brush piles Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along transitional depth breaks Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') for suspended fish	Small Bluegill Young-of-year shad if present Small minnows gathering in warming shallows	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-72	Bass are in post-spawn transition, becoming more active and aggressive as they recover from spawning Fish are positioning in shallow water behind cover, particularly tamarack bushes, showing increased interest in surface feeding	Shallow areas behind tamarack bushes and emergent vegetation Secondary points and pockets with brush piles Rocky areas near spawning flats	Hard Topwater (Prop) Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) Swim Jigs	Bluegill in shallow cover Crawfish in rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie moving into shallow waters (2-8 feet) to spawn, with males preparing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper Pre-spawn feeding activity increases as fish prepare for spawning, targeting small baitfish and invertebrates near spawning areas	Shallow brush piles and laydowns in protected coves Rocky shorelines and rip-rap areas in 2-8 foot depths Protected areas between docks with stable spawning substrate	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Small Bluegill Small invertebrates Juvenile shad	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-78	Bass in post-spawn are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to summer haunts, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are utilizing the grass flats and tamarack edges as recovery zones, making frequent feeding moves to nearby structure	Grass flats adjacent to deeper water Secondary points with rock structure Deeper dock edges near spawning pockets	Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically around grass edges Texas Rigs (Worming) through grass flats Spinnerbaits along rock transitions	Bluegill concentrating around grass and dock areas Crawfish active on rock structure Small baitfish schools in transition areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, actively feeding to recover energy Fish becoming more structure-oriented, gathering around brush piles and ledges during daytime Showing increased activity during early morning and evening hours, moving shallower to feed	Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water Creek channel ledges adjacent to spawning flats Secondary points with submerged vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Young-of-year bluegill fry Small minnows Emerging insects	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral 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 holding on hard structure (rock piles, ledges) and moving between depths based on time of day, with peak activity during early morning and late evening Fish are responding to falling water levels by repositioning to stable structure areas and showing aggressive feeding behavior on crankbaits and jigs	Rock piles and ledges in deeper water, especially during midday Rip rap banks and sandstone walls, particularly during feeding periods Grass flats adjacent to deeper water, offering shade and ambush points	Football Jigs worked slowly along sandstone walls and rocky structure Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') paralleling rock banks and ledges Texas Rigs (Worming) worked through grass flats and rock piles Bladed Jigs around grass flats and transitional areas	Bluegill in and around grass flats and rocky areas Crawfish living in the abundant rock structure	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-84	Crappie are suspending near brush piles and laydowns in 12-20 feet of water, moving shallower during early morning and late evening to feed Fish are schooling around deep structure during midday heat, particularly near ledges and deeper brush piles Due to water level fluctuations, crappie are following predictable depth changes and relating strongly to available cover at those depths	Brush piles and laydowns in 12-20 feet of water, especially those near deeper ledges Deep ledges with adjacent brush or structure Shaded areas under docks with good depth nearby	Crappie Spider Rigging - effective for covering water and maintaining precise depth control Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') - particularly effective around brush piles Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) - excellent for finding suspended fish in early morning and evening	Bluegill fry and juveniles around brush piles Small shad in open water areas Young of the year baitfish near vegetation edges	Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Gunlock Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Actively feeding during low-light periods near surface, transitioning to deeper structure during day Following baitfish schools while utilizing rock structure as ambush points Exhibiting both shallow and deep patterns, with movement between depths based on light conditions and temperature	Long rock points with deep water access Boulder fields in transitional depths Shallow bays with remaining vegetation near deep water access	Football Jigs worked slowly along rocky points Hard Topwater (Popping) during low light conditions Spinnerbaits along transitional areas	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation Crawfish among boulder fields and rocky points	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	55-68	Crappie are actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and transitioning from shallow to mid-depth structures Fish are schooling more tightly and becoming increasingly structure-oriented, particularly around brush piles and ledges	Brush piles and laydowns in 12-20 foot depth range Deep ledges adjacent to creek channels Rocky points and rip rap areas transitioning to deeper water	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Small Bluegill Young-of-year Shad	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-52	Largemouth bass are concentrating in specific zones along depth transition areas, particularly on steep ledges between shallow and deep water Fish are showing a strong preference for precise depth ranges and require extremely slow presentations, indicating reduced metabolism and selective feeding behavior	Steep ledges in 15-25 foot depth range transitioning from shallow to deep water Deep rock structure near main lake points Secondary points with access to both shallow and deep water	Drop Shot with minimal movement, using slow dragging or very slight handle turns Damiki Rig worked vertically in identified fish-holding zones Football Jigs dragged slowly along bottom contours	Crawfish seeking shelter in rocky areas Suspended baitfish in transition areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Winter crappie are schooling tightly around hard structure, particularly rip rap areas, showing a preference for vertical structure that provides both cover and temperature stability Fish are likely to be less active during cold fronts but will feed opportunistically during stable weather periods, especially during peak daytime hours when water temperatures rise slightly	Rip rap banks, especially those adjacent to deeper water that provide quick depth transitions Deep brush piles and laydowns near ledges that offer winter sanctuary areas Rock piles and ledges in 15-25 foot depth range that provide vertical structure and temperature stability	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) - working jigs slowly along rip rap edges Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) - especially effective when fish are holding tight to deep structure Damiki Rig - particularly effective for suspended winter crappie near vertical structure	Small Bluegill - especially those relating to the same rock structure Juvenile Shad - winter-stressed and easier to catch	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Gunlock Reservoir

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points adjacent to deep water, especially those leading into spawning bays	Laydowns and woody cover in transition areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water near spawning flats	Rocky points and riprap areas that warm quickly
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow areas behind tamarack bushes and emergent vegetation	Secondary points and pockets with brush piles
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow brush piles and laydowns in protected coves	Rocky shorelines and rip-rap areas in 2-8 foot depths
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Grass flats adjacent to deeper water	Secondary points with rock structure
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water	Creek channel ledges adjacent to spawning flats
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Rock piles and ledges in deeper water, especially during midday	Rip rap banks and sandstone walls, particularly during feeding periods
Summer	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns in 12-20 feet of water, especially those near deeper ledges	Deep ledges with adjacent brush or structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Long rock points with deep water access	Boulder fields in transitional depths
Fall	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns in 12-20 foot depth range	Deep ledges adjacent to creek channels
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Steep ledges in 15-25 foot depth range transitioning from shallow to deep water	Deep rock structure near main lake points
Winter	Crappie	Rip rap banks, especially those adjacent to deeper water that provide quick depth transitions	Deep brush piles and laydowns near ledges that offer winter sanctuary areas

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Bluegill in shallow cover areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small Bluegill	Young-of-year shad if present
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow cover	Crawfish in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small Bluegill	Small invertebrates
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around grass and dock areas	Crawfish active on rock structure
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Young-of-year bluegill fry	Small minnows
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around grass flats and rocky areas	Crawfish living in the abundant rock structure
Summer	Crappie	Bluegill fry and juveniles around brush piles	Small shad in open water areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation	Crawfish among boulder fields and rocky points
Fall	Crappie	Small Bluegill	Young-of-year Shad
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish seeking shelter in rocky areas	Suspended baitfish in transition areas
Winter	Crappie	Small Bluegill - especially those relating to the same rock structure	Juvenile Shad - winter-stressed and easier to catch

Bait Colors by Season for Gunlock Reservoir

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

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