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

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Howard Lake

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Howard Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn bass moving from winter depths to warming shallow areas, staging near spawning flats Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased aggression during warming trends	Rocky points and shorelines that warm quickly in spring sun Shallow weed beds in 2-6 feet adjacent to spawning flats Docks and fallen trees providing cover near spawning areas	Lipless Crankbaits worked through shallow vegetation Bladed Jigs around emerging weed growth Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and fallen trees	Bluegill in shallow vegetation and around cover Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-72	Bass are actively moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) and relating heavily to weed beds and shallow cover during the spawn phase Fish are showing aggressive responses to moving baits like spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, especially around shallow cover Males are guarding nests while females move between spawning areas and adjacent deeper water	Shallow weed beds in 2-6 feet of water, especially those with pockets and clearings Docks and fallen trees adjacent to spawning areas Protected coves and bays with stable water temperatures	Bladed Jigs worked slowly near shallow cover Wacky Rigs fished slowly in weed pockets Spinnerbaits retrieved through and over weed beds	Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas Small baitfish utilizing weed edges for cover	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	66-74	Post-spawn bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but requiring slower presentations Fish showing a clear daily pattern - active near docks early morning, then moving to deeper weed edges and isolated structure as the day progresses	Docks with nearby deep water access Weed edges in 10-12 feet of water Isolated rock piles adjacent to spawning flats	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around shallow cover and docks Drop Shot with finesse presentations along deep weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) for working through vegetation	Bluegill concentrating around docks and weed edges Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge in the shallows	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	71-74	Actively feeding on bluegills in shallow cover during early morning/evening, transitioning to deeper structure during midday heat Establishing both shallow and deep water patterns (2-6ft and 14-16ft) based on time of day and temperature	Shallow weed clumps and overhanging brush in 2-6 foot range Rock piles adjacent to bluegill beds in 14-16 feet of water Deep weed edges where they transition to rock structure	Wacky Rigs worked slowly through shallow cover Grass Jigs dragged along bottom structure with frequent pauses Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting shallow brush and weed clumps	Bluegill - primary forage evidenced in multiple reports Young of year baitfish in weed edges	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Howard Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Actively feeding in shallow water around vegetation and docks, with increased surface activity during cloudy conditions Transitioning between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper edges, following baitfish movements	Shallow weed flats with distinct edges, particularly in 2-6 foot range Docks adjacent to deeper water or weed edges Submerged vegetation edges where they transition to deeper water	Buzzbaits worked across weed flats, especially during cloudy conditions Swim Jigs and Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges Frogs/Toads worked around dock areas and vegetation Lipless Crankbaits worked through scattered vegetation	Bluegill concentrated around docks and vegetation Minnows schooling in and around weed flats	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Howard Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Rocky points and shorelines that warm quickly in spring sun	Shallow weed beds in 2-6 feet adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow weed beds in 2-6 feet of water, especially those with pockets and clearings	Docks and fallen trees adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks with nearby deep water access	Weed edges in 10-12 feet of water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shallow weed clumps and overhanging brush in 2-6 foot range	Rock piles adjacent to bluegill beds in 14-16 feet of water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shallow weed flats with distinct edges, particularly in 2-6 foot range	Docks adjacent to deeper water or weed edges

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow vegetation and around cover	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas	Small baitfish utilizing weed edges for cover
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around docks and weed edges	Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge in the shallows
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage evidenced in multiple reports	Young of year baitfish in weed edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated around docks and vegetation	Minnows schooling in and around weed flats

Bait Colors by Season for Howard Lake

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

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