How to Fish Lac Qui Parle: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

20% Off Strike King, Through 06/03. Save Now

20% Off Bubba, Through 06/16. Save Now

Built to Serve Tee + PRO = $20 Donated Per Order → Shop Now

Save Up To $500 on Select Minn Kota, Through 06/18. Save Now

Buy One, Get One FREE P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon. Learn More

PRO members get free shipping, rewards & local lake data! Join Today

Markdowns on popular products - See all bargain offers

Lac Qui Parle

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 26, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lac Qui Parle

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-48	Pike are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning bays, particularly focusing on areas with emerging vegetation Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with aggressive strikes during pre-spawn staging Fish are congregating in warmer, shallow bays where ice melts first and new vegetation growth begins	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially on the north side of the lake where water warms first Areas near the dam structure where deeper water meets shallow flats Protected coves and points with remaining woody cover or early-growing weeds	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow areas with emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily near structure transitions Lipless Crankbaits worked through slightly deeper staging areas	Shallow-water baitfish schools staging in warmer bays Young-of-year panfish in vegetated areas Suckers beginning their spring spawning movements	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Northern Pike are in pre and post-spawn patterns, actively moving into and out of shallow backwater areas with emerging vegetation Fish are aggressive and territorial during spawning, with females moving to shallow spawning areas while males patrol these zones Pike become highly active in warming water, especially during post-spawn feeding periods	Shallow backwater bays with emerging vegetation in 1-3 feet of water Tributary inflows and dam area creating current breaks Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved at moderate speeds Inline Spinners presented near vegetation edges	Young-of-year panfish emerging in shallow areas Small suckers moving into spawning areas Juvenile perch in weed edges	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	52-65	Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, particularly during early morning and evening hours Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer locations, following baitfish schools Aggressive feeding behavior in shallow weed edges and emerging vegetation	Emerging weed edges in 3-6 feet of water, especially near spawning bays Dam structure areas where current concentrates baitfish Shallow coves and bays with developing vegetation	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') near dam structure Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve	Young-of-year panfish in shallow areas Suckers moving into shallow bays Small carp in muddy shallows	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	68-78	Actively feeding in shallow water zones near structure, particularly around dam areas where current breaks concentrate baitfish Utilizing dense weed growth and turbid water conditions for ambush predation, especially during low-light periods	Dam area with current breaks and deeper pockets Weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range Points and irregular shoreline features with vegetation	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Spinnerbaits Inline Spinners	Shallow water baitfish schools near structure Crayfish in and around dam structure	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lac Qui Parle

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	45-65	Northern Pike are transitioning to fall feeding patterns, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures cool. Fish are actively chasing baitfish schools in shallow to mid-depth areas, particularly around remaining vegetation and structural elements. Pike are exhibiting opportunistic ambush behavior, utilizing the lake's turbid conditions and abundant vegetation as cover to attack prey	Weed edges and remaining vegetation patches in 4-8 feet of water, especially near the dam structure Points and irregular shoreline areas where baitfish schools concentrate Shallow bays with remaining vegetation, particularly during morning and evening hours	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through breaks in vegetation Trolling Shallow (0-9') with large profile baits parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves through likely ambush points	Young-of-year panfish congregating in remaining vegetation Shallow-water baitfish schools Juvenile carp and suckers in turbid areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	38-45	Pike will be actively feeding in open water areas near weed edges and dam structure, taking advantage of concentrated baitfish schools in the turbid conditions Fish are likely to be most active during low-light periods and overcast days, using the turbid water conditions for ambush opportunities	Dam area structure where current breaks and deeper pockets concentrate baitfish Remaining weed edges in 4-6 foot depth range Protected coves and bays where baitfish seek shelter	Trolling Shallow (0-9') with large profile baits parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through baitfish concentrations Spinnerbaits retrieved at moderate speeds near structure	Concentrated schools of shad and small panfish near dam structure Young-of-year panfish utilizing remaining vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	33-38	Northern Pike will be less active during mid-winter, positioning near remaining green vegetation and concentrated baitfish schools Most active during early morning and late afternoon, with feeding periods typically lasting 1-2 hours In this shallow, turbid lake, pike will stay in areas with 4-6 feet of water near vegetation edges	Remaining weed edges near slightly deeper pockets of water Areas near the dam structure where baitfish concentrate Shallow bays with remaining vegetation where panfish gather	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large minnows positioned at varying depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnow heads near weed edges	Yellow Perch schooling near remaining vegetation Smaller Pike congregating in winter schools Panfish species concentrated in wintertime locations	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lac Qui Parle

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially on the north side of the lake where water warms first	Areas near the dam structure where deeper water meets shallow flats
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow backwater bays with emerging vegetation in 1-3 feet of water	Tributary inflows and dam area creating current breaks
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Emerging weed edges in 3-6 feet of water, especially near spawning bays	Dam structure areas where current concentrates baitfish
Summer	Northern Pike	Dam area with current breaks and deeper pockets	Weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range
Fall	Northern Pike	Weed edges and remaining vegetation patches in 4-8 feet of water, especially near the dam structure	Points and irregular shoreline areas where baitfish schools concentrate
Winter	Northern Pike	Dam area structure where current breaks and deeper pockets concentrate baitfish	Remaining weed edges in 4-6 foot depth range
Ice	Northern Pike	Remaining weed edges near slightly deeper pockets of water	Areas near the dam structure where baitfish concentrate

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow-water baitfish schools staging in warmer bays	Young-of-year panfish in vegetated areas
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish emerging in shallow areas	Small suckers moving into spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish in shallow areas	Suckers moving into shallow bays
Summer	Northern Pike	Shallow water baitfish schools near structure	Crayfish in and around dam structure
Fall	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish congregating in remaining vegetation	Shallow-water baitfish schools
Winter	Northern Pike	Concentrated schools of shad and small panfish near dam structure	Young-of-year panfish utilizing remaining vegetation
Ice	Northern Pike	Yellow Perch schooling near remaining vegetation	Smaller Pike congregating in winter schools

Bait Colors by Season for Lac Qui Parle

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

Enter your email address to get 10% off your first order

Join over 100k anglers who receive our newsletter.
Techniques, tips and tackle breakdowns personalized to your local area.

© 2025 Omnia Fishing Inc. All Rights Reserved

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy