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

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Lake Anna

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 29, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Anna

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	50-62	Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, with fish moving between deeper wintering areas and shallow staging points as temperatures fluctuate between 50-62°F Fish are actively feeding but selective, showing preference for reaction baits around hard structure and moving water when conditions are right	Rocky points and riprap areas, especially those adjacent to deeper water Secondary points with shelter from wind, particularly those near creek channels Shallow pockets with stumps and emerging vegetation	Spinnerbaits and Bladed Jigs worked around rocky points and riprap Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly along transition areas Shakey Heads around stumps and rocky areas	Shad congregating near riprap and points Blueback Herring in deeper transitional areas Crawfish becoming active around rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Green Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Moving from winter dock areas to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to prepare for spawn Transitioning through multiple depth zones as water warms, following baitfish movements	Secondary points and creek arms leading to spawning flats Brush piles in 10-15 foot depth range near spawning areas Dock areas adjacent to spawning flats	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Crappie Dock Shooting	Shad schools moving into pre-spawn areas Small bluegill in and around brush piles	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	57-73	Bass are transitioning through spawn phases, actively utilizing shallow to mid-depth areas around docks and protected pockets. Fish are showing both feeding and spawning behavior based on water temps (57-73°F). Fish are splitting time between staging areas like pea gravel points and spawning areas near docks, showing typical spring movement patterns.	Docks in 10-15 foot depth range, particularly those near spawning pockets Pea gravel points adjacent to spawning areas Brush piles near transitional areas	Wacky Rigs skipped under docks Bladed Jigs worked around points and dock edges Finesse Jigs worked slowly around dock pilings	Shad - primary forage based on recent reports Crawfish - indicated by success on pea gravel points	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Actively moving into shallow spawning areas in coves and creek arms, staging in pre-spawn areas around 5-7ft before moving shallower Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper, making multiple trips between staging and spawning areas Increased feeding activity during morning and evening periods as fish prepare for spawning energy demands	Protected shallow coves and creek arms with brush piles in 2-6 feet of water Staging areas near docks in 5-7 feet of water Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to spawning flats	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Bobbers Crappie Dock Shooting	Small bluegill fry Young shad Small minnows	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	68-80	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to regain energy, showing willingness to chase both surface and bottom-oriented presentations Fish are transitioning between spawning areas and early summer patterns, relating loosely to structure rather than tight to cover	Docks in 10-15 foot depth range with access to deeper water Stump flats near spawning pockets Rocky points with adjacent grass	Shakey Heads worked slowly around docks and stumps Hard Jerkbaits for suspended fish Hard Topwater (Popping) during cloudy conditions	Bluegill gathering near shallow cover Shad schools in transition areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are beginning to school and suspend around structure, especially near creek channels and deeper dock areas	Deeper dock edges in 10-15ft where they meet creek channels Brush piles near spawning pockets in 8-12ft of water Suspended schools near submerged vegetation edges	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Crappie Dock Shooting Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Small shad in open water areas Juvenile bluegills around dock structures Small minnows around brush piles	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-80	Bass actively feeding on shad during early mornings and mid-afternoon, primarily targeting bait schools on flats and humps Fish showing strong response to paused presentations, indicating selective feeding behavior in summer conditions	Flats and humps where baitfish are schooling, particularly during morning and afternoon feeding periods Main lake points offering access to deeper water Docks providing shade and ambush points in 10-15 foot depth range	Hard Topwater (Walking) worked over bait schools during morning and afternoon feeding periods Bladed Jigs with stop-and-go retrieval around points Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around docks and other shallow cover	Shad - primary forage based on multiple recent reports Blueback Herring - secondary open water baitfish	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-80	Crappie are suspending near deeper docks and brush piles during the heat of summer, moving shallower during early morning and late evening to feed Fish are schooling and following shad movements in the water column, with most active feeding occurring during low light periods	Deeper docks in 15-17ft of water, especially those with brush piles nearby Creek arm intersections with the main lake in 12-15ft Deeper edges of submerged vegetation in 8-12ft	Crappie Dock Shooting Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Shad schools suspended in the water column Bluegill relating to dock structure and vegetation Young-of-year baitfish around cover	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Anna

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	70-77	Bass are transitioning from summer to fall patterns, relating heavily to docks and remaining near primary points with access to deeper water Fish are actively feeding on both shad and crawfish, showing preference for structure-oriented presentations in 10-15 foot depth ranges	Main lake docks in 10-15 foot depth range Docks within 100-150 feet of main lake in creeks Points with submerged vegetation	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) skipped under docks Structure Jigs worked slowly around dock posts Texas Rigs (Worming) with finesse presentations	Shad schooling around docks and points Crawfish active around dock structures Bluegill relating to dock areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Fall	Crappie	58-68	Crappie are transitioning from summer patterns to fall feeding, actively pursuing baitfish (particularly shad) in creek arms and around deeper dock structures Fish are schooling more aggressively and following baitfish movements, often suspending near structure in 15-17ft depths	Deep dock structures in 15-17ft of water, especially those near creek channel swings Brush piles positioned on creek arm points Main lake points where shad are congregating	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along creek channels and points Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to dock structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around brush piles and suspended fish	Shad schools congregating in creek arms Bluegill relating to dock structure and brush	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse 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	43-58	Bass are actively feeding in multiple depth ranges (5-17ft), showing particularly aggressive behavior toward suspended baitfish presentations Fish are making vertical movements to chase bait, especially around points and riprap, with aggressive feeding windows during warmer parts of the day	Mid-lake points with access to both shallow and deep water North side riprap areas Main lake points near deep water	Hard Jerkbaits with 2-second pauses between twitches Drop Shot worked along riprap and points Blade Baits worked vertically in deeper sections	Shad suspended in water column Minnows relating to rocky structure	Natural Shad Colors Pink Colors
Winter	Crappie	41-45	Crappie are suspended near deep dock structures, becoming more active during brief sunny periods Fish are schooling tightly in winter holding areas, with feeding activity concentrated during prime light conditions	Deep water docks with nearby brush piles, especially in protected coves Creek channel bends adjacent to dock structures Protected pocket areas with depths of 15-17 feet	Live Bait Rigs with slow, subtle presentations around dock structures Crappie Dock Shooting with small plastics for reaching under docks Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding tight to cover	Minnows Small Shad	Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Anna

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Rocky points and riprap areas, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Secondary points with shelter from wind, particularly those near creek channels
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Secondary points and creek arms leading to spawning flats	Brush piles in 10-15 foot depth range near spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks in 10-15 foot depth range, particularly those near spawning pockets	Pea gravel points adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow coves and creek arms with brush piles in 2-6 feet of water	Staging areas near docks in 5-7 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks in 10-15 foot depth range with access to deeper water	Stump flats near spawning pockets
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Deeper dock edges in 10-15ft where they meet creek channels	Brush piles near spawning pockets in 8-12ft of water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Flats and humps where baitfish are schooling, particularly during morning and afternoon feeding periods	Main lake points offering access to deeper water
Summer	Crappie	Deeper docks in 15-17ft of water, especially those with brush piles nearby	Creek arm intersections with the main lake in 12-15ft
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake docks in 10-15 foot depth range	Docks within 100-150 feet of main lake in creeks
Fall	Crappie	Deep dock structures in 15-17ft of water, especially those near creek channel swings	Brush piles positioned on creek arm points
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Mid-lake points with access to both shallow and deep water	North side riprap areas
Winter	Crappie	Deep water docks with nearby brush piles, especially in protected coves	Creek channel bends adjacent to dock structures

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad congregating near riprap and points	Blueback Herring in deeper transitional areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad schools moving into pre-spawn areas	Small bluegill in and around brush piles
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on recent reports	Crawfish - indicated by success on pea gravel points
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small bluegill fry	Young shad
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering near shallow cover	Shad schools in transition areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small shad in open water areas	Juvenile bluegills around dock structures
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on multiple recent reports	Blueback Herring - secondary open water baitfish
Summer	Crappie	Shad schools suspended in the water column	Bluegill relating to dock structure and vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling around docks and points	Crawfish active around dock structures
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools congregating in creek arms	Bluegill relating to dock structure and brush
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad suspended in water column	Minnows relating to rocky structure
Winter	Crappie	Minnows	Small Shad

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Anna

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

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