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

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Kinkaid Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Kinkaid Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	43-52	Actively transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends in 43-46°F range Feeding opportunistically on both shad and bluegill, with increased activity during warmer periods	Points with mixed rock and grass in 12-18 foot zones Rock piles adjacent to deeper water Transitional areas between deep basin and spawning flats	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses Lipless Crankbaits with yo-yo retrieve Drop Shot for deeper, less active fish	Bluegill in shallow rocky areas Shad in open water/basin areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Crappie are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to staging areas near spawning locations, becoming more active as water temperatures rise Fish are beginning to school up in predictable pre-spawn locations, often suspending near structure in 8-15 foot depths Feeding activity increases as fish prepare for spawning, with most aggressive feeding during early morning and late afternoon	Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water, particularly near spawning coves Brush piles in 10-15 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats Deep dock corners with access to both shallow and deep water	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Shad (primary forage based on lake reports) Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish Small minnows gathering in warming shallows	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Muskie	45-58	Pre-spawn muskies are beginning to move from winter holding areas to spawning grounds, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are relating to emerging weed growth and transitional structure between deep winter areas and shallow spawning bays	Points and inside turns adjacent to spawning bays with emerging vegetation Grass edges in 12-15 foot zones transitioning to shallower water Shallow brush piles and structure in protected bays warming first	Trolling Shallow (0-9') Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) Hard Jerkbaits	Crappies moving shallow for their own spawn Shad schools in transitional areas Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Pre-spawn to spawning behavior with fish moving from staging areas to shallow spawning flats, actively feeding before bed construction Males guarding nests in shallow areas while females move between deep and shallow water	Points with mixed rock and grass adjacent to spawning flats Matted grass in protected shallow areas Laydowns and woody cover in spawning pockets	Bladed Jigs around laydowns and grass edges Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) on points for staging fish Frogs/Toads in matted grass areas	Shad schooling near points and deeper staging areas Bluegill in shallow grass and around spawning areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, moving into protected spawning pockets as water warms Males moving shallow first to prepare nests, with females following as temperatures stabilize Actively feeding during daylight hours, especially early morning and late evening	Protected shallow coves with submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water in 8-12 feet Brush piles near spawning flats serving as staging areas	Crappie Spider Rigging for covering water and finding active fish Crappie Dock Shooting for targeting fish under docks and other cover Bobbers with live bait or small jigs for spawning fish	Shad concentrating in spawning areas Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation Aquatic insects becoming more active in warming water	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Muskie	45-65	Muskies are in pre-spawn and spawning patterns, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning bays with vegetation Fish become more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with peak activity during warming trends Post-spawn females will stage near spawning areas before transitioning to early summer patterns	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 3-8 feet of water Points and inside turns adjacent to spawning areas Grass edges in 8-12 foot transitional areas	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) Spinnerbaits Trolling Shallow (0-9')	Crappies gathering in pre-spawn areas Bluegills moving shallow Shad schools in transitional areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	68-78	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily relating to grass lines and points with mixed rock and vegetation Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in clearer water during high sun periods, with a strong focus on shad as primary forage	Main lake points with rip rap and grass lines Front edges of grass in clearer water Matted grass areas in post-spawn transitional zones	Spinnerbaits worked along grass edges and rip rap Shakey Heads worked through matted grass areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding fish	Shad schools around grass lines and points Bluegill in and around vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations, often suspending near vegetation edges and brush piles Fish are actively feeding to recover energy after spawn, targeting shad and other small baitfish in transition zones Schools are starting to reform and become more structure-oriented as water temperatures stabilize	Vegetation edges and transition zones in 8-15 feet of water Brush piles near deeper water access Secondary points with submerged vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along vegetation edges Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around brush piles Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') for suspended fish	Shad (primary forage based on lake reports) Small bluegill and juvenile fish Aquatic insects in vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Muskie	55-68	Post-spawn muskies are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting shad and crappie in moderate depths Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, relating heavily to emerging weed growth and points	Emerging weed edges in 8-15 foot depth range, especially near points Shallow bays with developing vegetation adjacent to deeper water Brush piles and structure in 12-15 foot zones where crappie concentrate	Trolling Shallow (0-9') along weed edges and points Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked through emerging vegetation Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges	Crappie congregating near brush piles and emerging weeds Shad schools in warming shallow bays Bluegill moving into developing weed growth	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	74-85	Fish are primarily holding on grass edges and points in 12-18 foot zones, actively feeding during morning and evening periods Post-spawn bass are setting up in ambush positions near grass clumps, particularly where vegetation transitions to open water	Outside grass lines in 12-15 foot zones, especially where grass meets hard bottom Main lake points with mixed rock and grass Matted grass edges adjacent to deeper water Brush piles near deep weed edges	Shakey Heads worked through sparse grass and along edges Frogs/Toads over matted grass early morning Bladed Jigs on points and grass edges Texas Rigs worked in front of weed beds	Shad schooling along grass edges and points Bluegill relating to shallow grass mats and vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are actively feeding in and around submerged vegetation, particularly during dawn and dusk periods Fish suspending near transition areas between vegetation and deeper water, moving deeper during bright midday hours Schooling behavior around brush piles and other structure when not actively feeding in vegetation	Vegetation edges and grass lines in 8-15 feet of water Brush piles near deeper water transitions Shaded areas under docks adjacent to vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges Crappie Spider Rigging for suspended fish Crappie Dock Shooting during midday hours	Shad schools in and around vegetation Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish Aquatic insects near vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Muskie	68-82	Muskies establish predictable feeding patterns around weed edges and points in 12-15 foot zones, making crepuscular feeding runs into shallower water Fish are actively hunting the abundant forage base (shad, crappie, bluegill) along weed edges and transition areas	Weed edges and grass mats in 12-15 foot zones Points with submerged vegetation Shallow bays with brush piles during early morning and evening	Trolling Shallow (0-9') Large Hair Jigs (Preacher) Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Crappie Shad Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Kinkaid Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-77	Bass are actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones, with aggressive topwater strikes reported in early morning. Fish are relating strongly to vegetation edges and hard structure transitions. Fish are following typical fall feeding patterns, keying on bluegill and crawfish around vegetative cover and rip rap areas.	Rip rap banks adjacent to weed lines (particularly productive in morning hours) Matted grass areas with sufficient depth underneath Secondary weed lines in 8-12 foot depth range	Hard Topwater (Popping) - particularly effective in morning hours with KVD Splash style baits Frogs/Toads - working well over matted grass areas Structure Jigs - effective along secondary weed lines and rip rap transitions	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple recent reports Crawfish - active around rip rap and structure areas	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors
Fall	Crappie	55-68	Crappie are actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, focusing on shad schools in transition areas Fish are beginning to move from summer vegetation patterns to deeper structure, staging near brush piles and drop-offs Schools become more concentrated and easier to locate with electronics as they follow baitfish	Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water, especially near drop-offs Brush piles in 10-15 feet of water Deep edges of weed lines where they meet creek channels or depth changes	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along vegetation edges and transition areas Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around brush piles Crappie Spider Rigging to effectively cover water and maintain precise depth control	Shad schools concentrating in creek channels and transition areas Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish around vegetation Juvenile yellow perch along weed edges	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Muskie	58-71	Muskies are actively feeding on crappie in shallow water zones, with increased activity during low-light periods as evidenced by the early morning success Fish are relating to submerged vegetation edges and utilizing these areas as ambush points to target abundant fall forage	Submerged vegetation edges in 0-9 foot depth range Points and inside turns with weed growth Shallow bays where crappie schools congregate	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) mimicking crappie size and profile Spinnerbaits worked just above vegetation	Crappie - primary forage as evidenced by recent catches Bluegill congregating in similar shallow zones Shad schools in open water adjacent to structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic 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	39-42	Bass are following large schools of shad in deep water (25-40 feet), making periodic movements to secondary points to feed Fish are exhibiting a slower, more methodical feeding pattern with the cold water temperatures (39-42°F), but will actively strike suspended baits	Secondary points with hard bottom and wood Main lake points with deep water access Channel swing banks near deep water winter holding areas	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses Finesse Jigs worked slowly along bottom structure Football Jigs targeting hard bottom areas	Shad schooled in deep water 25-40 feet Smaller baitfish near points and transition areas	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Crappie	42-48	Crappie are schooling tightly around brush piles in 10-15 foot depths, likely suspending near or above structure Fish are keying on shad schools, which are concentrating around man-made structure during winter months	Brush piles in 10-15 feet of water Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water Deep coves with structure that provide winter sanctuary	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Damiki Rig Ice Fishing Jigs	Shad Small sunfish	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Winter	Muskie	38-45	Muskies remain active in cold water, concentrating near deep structure and transitional areas where they can ambush prey Fish exhibit more deliberate, energy-efficient feeding patterns, targeting larger prey for maximum caloric intake	Deep weed edges in 12-15 foot zones adjacent to points Brush piles and submerged structure near transitional areas Deep breaks near shallow feeding flats	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with controlled, subtle movements Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly along deep weed edges Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along structure breaks	Crappies concentrated in deeper water Shad schools in transitional areas Bluegills relating to brush piles	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Kinkaid Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points with mixed rock and grass in 12-18 foot zones	Rock piles adjacent to deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water, particularly near spawning coves	Brush piles in 10-15 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Muskie	Points and inside turns adjacent to spawning bays with emerging vegetation	Grass edges in 12-15 foot zones transitioning to shallower water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points with mixed rock and grass adjacent to spawning flats	Matted grass in protected shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow coves with submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water in 8-12 feet
Spring (Spawn)	Muskie	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 3-8 feet of water	Points and inside turns adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with rip rap and grass lines	Front edges of grass in clearer water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Vegetation edges and transition zones in 8-15 feet of water	Brush piles near deeper water access
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Muskie	Emerging weed edges in 8-15 foot depth range, especially near points	Shallow bays with developing vegetation adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Outside grass lines in 12-15 foot zones, especially where grass meets hard bottom	Main lake points with mixed rock and grass
Summer	Crappie	Vegetation edges and grass lines in 8-15 feet of water	Brush piles near deeper water transitions
Summer	Muskie	Weed edges and grass mats in 12-15 foot zones	Points with submerged vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Rip rap banks adjacent to weed lines (particularly productive in morning hours)	Matted grass areas with sufficient depth underneath
Fall	Crappie	Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water, especially near drop-offs	Brush piles in 10-15 feet of water
Fall	Muskie	Submerged vegetation edges in 0-9 foot depth range	Points and inside turns with weed growth
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points with hard bottom and wood	Main lake points with deep water access
Winter	Crappie	Brush piles in 10-15 feet of water	Transition areas between vegetation and deeper water
Winter	Muskie	Deep weed edges in 12-15 foot zones adjacent to points	Brush piles and submerged structure near transitional areas

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow rocky areas	Shad in open water/basin areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad (primary forage based on lake reports)	Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Muskie	Crappies moving shallow for their own spawn	Shad schools in transitional areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling near points and deeper staging areas	Bluegill in shallow grass and around spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Shad concentrating in spawning areas	Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Muskie	Crappies gathering in pre-spawn areas	Bluegills moving shallow
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools around grass lines and points	Bluegill in and around vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad (primary forage based on lake reports)	Small bluegill and juvenile fish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Muskie	Crappie congregating near brush piles and emerging weeds	Shad schools in warming shallow bays
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling along grass edges and points	Bluegill relating to shallow grass mats and vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Shad schools in and around vegetation	Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish
Summer	Muskie	Crappie	Shad
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple recent reports	Crawfish - active around rip rap and structure areas
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools concentrating in creek channels and transition areas	Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish around vegetation
Fall	Muskie	Crappie - primary forage as evidenced by recent catches	Bluegill congregating in similar shallow zones
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooled in deep water 25-40 feet	Smaller baitfish near points and transition areas
Winter	Crappie	Shad	Small sunfish
Winter	Muskie	Crappies concentrated in deeper water	Shad schools in transitional areas

Bait Colors by Season for Kinkaid Lake

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

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