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Henderson Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 14, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Henderson Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Moving from winter deep spots to shallower transitional areas, following warming trends Becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, particularly during stable weather	Secondary points leading into spawning coves with submerged vegetation Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with 11-14 foot vegetation Protected dock areas offering staging locations near spawning areas	Lipless Crankbaits worked through vegetation transitions Bladed Jigs around dock areas and vegetation edges Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly over submerged vegetation	Shad schools moving shallow with warming trends Crappie concentrating in similar pre-spawn areas	Natural Shad Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-75	Bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and around submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased response to sight-based presentations	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and nearby vegetation in 2-6 feet Secondary points leading into spawning pockets Shallow vegetation edges near deeper water access	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to visible beds Wacky Rigs for slow presentations to staging fish Soft Jerkbaits for covering water and locating spawning areas	Shad moving into spawning areas Small bluegill and juvenile panfish Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	72-78	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones, particularly around vegetation and docks, as evidenced by recent tournament success Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, willing to strike topwater and moving baits, especially around scattered vegetation	Docks providing shade and ambush points, particularly those with deeper access Scattered lily pad fields and isolated patches Submerged grass beds in 11-14 foot range	Wacky Rigs around docks and vegetation edges Frogs/Toads worked over lily pads and vegetation Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through grass beds	Shad moving into shallow areas post-spawn Bluegill beginning to nest in shallow areas Crappie present in similar areas as bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	78-85	Bass are actively feeding around submerged vegetation in 11-14 foot depth range, with increased activity during early morning and late afternoon Fish are showing aggressive surface feeding behavior around vegetation and docks, particularly during lower light conditions and adverse weather Schooling activity reported with fish actively chasing bait fish, suggesting organized feeding patterns in open water near structure	Submerged vegetation edges in 11-14 foot depth range Dock areas with nearby deep water access Shallow grass flats and inlets with emerging vegetation	Drop Shot worked slowly along weed edges Buzzbaits around docks, especially during morning and evening Hollow body frogs over submerged grass Umbrella rigs slow rolled above grass beds	Shad schools actively being pursued in open water Various sunfish species relating to dock and vegetation areas	Pink Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Shad Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Henderson Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	68-76	Bass are actively feeding to build reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and taking advantage of optimal water temperatures Fish are transitioning from summer patterns to fall patterns, moving from deeper vegetation to shallower areas near points and creek channels	Main lake points and creek channel intersections where baitfish are congregating Edges of submerged vegetation in 11-14 foot range Shallow coves with remaining vegetation near deeper water access	Lipless Crankbaits worked through scattered vegetation Spinnerbaits parallel to points and vegetation edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for mimicking shad schools	Shad schooling in creek channels and around points Crappie relating to remaining vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Maintaining moderate activity levels in 64°F water, focusing on structure-oriented feeding patterns Showing preference for slower presentations near cover, particularly around docks and vegetation	Docks with deep water access, especially those near channel swings Lily pad fields and their adjacent edges Submerged vegetation in 11-14 foot depth range	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along bottom near structure Wacky Rigs presented around docks and vegetation edges Shakey Heads worked methodically around deeper structure	Shad congregating around deeper structure Crappie relating to dock areas and vegetation	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Henderson Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points leading into spawning coves with submerged vegetation	Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with 11-14 foot vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and nearby vegetation in 2-6 feet	Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks providing shade and ambush points, particularly those with deeper access	Scattered lily pad fields and isolated patches
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation edges in 11-14 foot depth range	Dock areas with nearby deep water access
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points and creek channel intersections where baitfish are congregating	Edges of submerged vegetation in 11-14 foot range
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Docks with deep water access, especially those near channel swings	Lily pad fields and their adjacent edges

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools moving shallow with warming trends	Crappie concentrating in similar pre-spawn areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad moving into spawning areas	Small bluegill and juvenile panfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad moving into shallow areas post-spawn	Bluegill beginning to nest in shallow areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools actively being pursued in open water	Various sunfish species relating to dock and vegetation areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in creek channels and around points	Crappie relating to remaining vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad congregating around deeper structure	Crappie relating to dock areas and vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Henderson Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Pink Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Shad Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

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