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Lady Bird Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 28, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lady Bird Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Pre-spawn bass are actively transitioning from winter areas to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming more aggressive in their feeding patterns Fish are following predictable daily movements between deeper staging areas and shallower feeding zones, with activity increasing during warmer parts of the day	Bridge pilings adjacent to spawning flats Ledges transitioning from winter areas to spawning coves Bluff walls with access to both deep and shallow water	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly around vertical structure Wacky Rigs presented along ledges and transitions Spinnerbaits in white for covering water and targeting active fish	Bluegill gathering in pre-spawn areas Crawfish becoming more active in warming water	Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Bass are actively spawning and defending beds in shallow water areas, particularly around submerged vegetation in 3-8ft depths Pre and post-spawn fish are staging near deeper water access points, with feeding activity increasing during falling pressure systems	Submerged vegetation in 3-8ft of water, especially on the western shorelines River channels adjacent to spawning flats, particularly in areas with current Submerged trees and grass approximately 15 yards from shore	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through vegetation and around beds Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) near submerged trees and grass Umbrella Rigs worked with the current, focusing on pauses during retrieve	Bluegill gathering in spawning areas and around vegetation Minnows concentrated in current areas and channel edges	Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-75	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding around shad spawn areas during early morning hours, transitioning to deeper structure during midday Fish are showing increased activity levels despite cold fronts, utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones (3-15ft) for feeding	Points and high spots in 3-6ft range, especially those adjacent to deeper water Submerged vegetation in 10-12ft zones Brush piles and laydowns in transitional areas	Bladed Jigs worked around shad spawn areas early morning Hard Jerkbaits in 10-12ft depth zone Finesse Jigs around brush and laydowns Umbrella Rigs parallel to banks in 10-15ft	Shad (actively spawning in shallow areas) Minnows (primary forage in mid-depth zones)	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-85	Bass are actively feeding on crawfish around shallow cover, with aggressive feeding periods during shaded periods Fish are holding tight to cover and structure, ambushing prey from shaded areas and brush piles	Shaded areas with overhanging trees and brush piles Dock areas with adjacent vegetation Tulies and emergent vegetation in 3-8 foot depth range	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with precise presentations to cover Frogs/Toads worked through shaded areas Swim Jigs around vegetation edges	Crawfish in and around brush piles and structure Bluegill in vegetation and around docks Perch relating to deeper vegetation edges	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Lady Bird Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	65-75	Bass are holding tight to cover and actively ambushing baitfish, showing aggressive feeding behavior typical of fall pattern Fish are utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones, with increased activity during mid-day periods	Submerged vegetation edges and patches, particularly in 3-8ft depth range Low hanging tree areas and other shoreline cover Creek mouth areas with clearer water, especially near Barton Creek	Structure Jigs pitched or flipped into submerged vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around cover and vegetation Spinnerbaits worked along vegetation edges	Minnows/Shad schooling in fall patterns Bluegill and Perch around vegetation Crawfish in rocky areas and around vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Concentrating around bridge pilings and submerged vegetation, actively feeding during warmer winter days when temperatures reach upper 50s to mid 60s Slower metabolism requiring finesse presentations with subtle movements, particularly effective during winter periods	Bridge pilings and the areas between them, especially those near deeper water Submerged vegetation edges in protected areas Deeper channels adjacent to shallow flats that serve as migration routes	Drop Shot with subtle movements and slow bumps Texas Rigs (Worming) with weightless presentation and slow sink Shakey Heads worked slowly along structure	Perch Insects Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Green Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lady Bird Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bridge pilings adjacent to spawning flats	Ledges transitioning from winter areas to spawning coves
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation in 3-8ft of water, especially on the western shorelines	River channels adjacent to spawning flats, particularly in areas with current
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points and high spots in 3-6ft range, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Submerged vegetation in 10-12ft zones
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shaded areas with overhanging trees and brush piles	Dock areas with adjacent vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation edges and patches, particularly in 3-8ft depth range	Low hanging tree areas and other shoreline cover
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Bridge pilings and the areas between them, especially those near deeper water	Submerged vegetation edges in protected areas

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in pre-spawn areas	Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in spawning areas and around vegetation	Minnows concentrated in current areas and channel edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad (actively spawning in shallow areas)	Minnows (primary forage in mid-depth zones)
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish in and around brush piles and structure	Bluegill in vegetation and around docks
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Minnows/Shad schooling in fall patterns	Bluegill and Perch around vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Perch	Insects

Bait Colors by Season for Lady Bird Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Green Colors

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