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Lake Athens

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Athens

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-58	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves while holding near staging areas adjacent to future spawning flats Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, primarily feeding during warmer afternoon periods	Laydowns and woody cover in pre-spawn staging areas Secondary points leading into spawning pockets Areas with submerged vegetation adjacent to potential spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly around cover Lipless Crankbaits around vegetation edges Spinnerbaits for actively feeding fish in slightly stained water	Shad Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Bass are in pre-spawn to spawning phases, moving from staging areas to shallow spawning flats near vegetation Males actively guarding nests while females move between shallow and slightly deeper water	Submerged vegetation in shallow spawning flats Protected coves and pockets with stable water temperature Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Texas Rigs (Worming) - slow presentation for bedding fish Soft Jerkbaits - for pre-spawn females Finesse Jigs - for targeting specific beds	Crawfish emerging in warming water Bluegill in shallow vegetation	Purple Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	68-76	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy after spawn Fish are utilizing shallow vegetation and docks as primary feeding zones, with most activity in 1-5 feet of water	Shallow lily pads and submerged vegetation in 1-5 feet Docks providing shade and ambush points Secondary points with vegetation near spawning pockets	Wacky Rigs worked slowly through vegetation Swim Jigs around vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in thick cover	Bluegill in shallow vegetation Small bass fry in spawning areas Shad moving into emerging vegetation	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	78-85	Fish are showing dual patterns - actively schooling on bait balls in open water during feeding periods, while also relating to shade and cover during bright conditions Movement between shallow feeding areas (morning/evening) and deeper water during midday heat, with 81°F water temperatures pushing some fish deeper	Shaded dock areas, particularly those near deeper water access Grass lines and weed edges, especially where they transition to deeper water Offshore areas where bait balls are present	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) when fish are actively schooling on bait Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and deeper transitions Ned Rigs worked along weed edges and dock areas Hard Jerkbaits for suspended fish and reaction strikes	Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports and schooling activity) Small minnows (1-2 inches mentioned in schooling activity)	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Athens

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	65-76	Fish are actively chasing shad in schools, with increased feeding activity during morning and evening periods Transitioning between summer and winter patterns, using vegetation and docks as primary ambush points Showing aggressive topwater feeding behavior when shad are present near surface	Boat docks with nearby submerged vegetation Outside edges of grass lines and lily pads Areas where schooling baitfish are present	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around docks and vegetation Hard Topwater (Walking) for schooling fish and early morning activity Bladed Jigs around vegetation and structure Texas Rigs (Worming) in purple and plum colors through vegetation	Shad - primary forage based on multiple schooling reports Minnows - mentioned in dock fishing patterns	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Natural Shad Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-52	Largemouth bass are exhibiting a slow, lethargic bite pattern in winter conditions, requiring patient presentations and extended pause times Fish are holding tight to submerged vegetation, using it as thermal refuge and ambush points	Submerged vegetation in 8-12 foot depths, especially near depth changes Deep dock areas with nearby vegetation Protected coves with remaining vegetation	Carolina Rigs worked slowly with extended pauses Shakey Heads dragged slowly along vegetation edges Football Jigs worked methodically through deeper vegetation	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Sluggish baitfish in deeper water Bluegill holding in vegetation	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Natural Craw Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Athens

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and woody cover in pre-spawn staging areas	Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation in shallow spawning flats	Protected coves and pockets with stable water temperature
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow lily pads and submerged vegetation in 1-5 feet	Docks providing shade and ambush points
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shaded dock areas, particularly those near deeper water access	Grass lines and weed edges, especially where they transition to deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Boat docks with nearby submerged vegetation	Outside edges of grass lines and lily pads
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation in 8-12 foot depths, especially near depth changes	Deep dock areas with nearby vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad	Bluegill
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in warming water	Bluegill in shallow vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow vegetation	Small bass fry in spawning areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports and schooling activity)	Small minnows (1-2 inches mentioned in schooling activity)
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on multiple schooling reports	Minnows - mentioned in dock fishing patterns
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Sluggish baitfish in deeper water

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Athens

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

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