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Lake Chetek

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 13, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Chetek

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	44-57	Fish are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn areas, actively feeding but movement is temperature dependent Bass are staging near spawning flats, utilizing stumps and grass edges as warming spots and ambush points Activity level increases during warmer parts of day, with fish moving shallower as water temperatures rise	Shallow flats with stumps in 2-5 foot depth range Holes and edges in submerged grass Warmest bays with muddy bottoms	Swim Jigs worked slowly near bottom Bladed Jigs around vegetation edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for cooler periods	Bluegill Perch	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	44-52	Pre-spawn walleyes staging near shallow spawning areas, moving between deeper transition areas and shallow flats as water temperatures fluctuate Actively feeding during dawn and dusk periods, with increased daytime activity due to spring conditions and spawning preparation	Shallow rocky or gravelly bays with nearby deeper water access Points and breaks adjacent to spawning areas Transitions between submerged vegetation and open water areas	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations Lipless Crankbaits along shallow flats near spawning areas	Yellow Perch gathering in pre-spawn areas Small Minnows in shallow bays Bluegills near vegetation edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	32-61	Actively moving into shallow, protected bays seeking warmer water and preparing for spawn Suspended feeding behavior targeting small baitfish and zooplankton in the upper water column	Shallow protected bays with submerged vegetation in 3-5 feet of water Laydowns and fallen trees in protected coves Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Bobbers with light jigs suspended 2 feet under the surface Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around shallow cover	Small minnows and baitfish Zooplankton	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	56-65	Bass are actively moving shallow (2-5 ft) and schooling on warm flats with cover, particularly in areas with stumps and vegetation Fish are concentrating in the warmest bays with muddy bottoms, showing typical spring spawning behavior	Weed flats with scattered stumps in 2-5 ft depth Warm, protected bays with muddy bottoms Shallow coves with emerging vegetation	Swim Jigs worked quickly over vegetation and near stumps Bladed Jigs (Chatterbaits) in open areas between cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for following up on missed strikes	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in warming shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	44-65	Walleye are in spawning mode, moving into shallow bays and rocky areas during night, with post-spawn fish staging on adjacent points Fish are more active during low light periods, moving between spawning areas and staging locations	Shallow, rocky or gravelly bays for active spawning Points adjacent to spawning bays for staging fish Areas with submerged stumps near spawning locations	Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations for staging fish Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during peak spawning Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas	Yellow Perch Minnows Small Bluegills	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	32-61	Crappies are actively moving into shallow, protected bays for spawning, with fish staging in pre-spawn areas and transitioning to spawning zones as temperatures stabilize Fish are exhibiting suspended feeding patterns, actively foraging on small baitfish and zooplankton in the water column	Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation and laydowns in 3-5 feet of water Transition areas near spawning bays with stumps and vegetation in 6-10 foot range Complex shoreline areas with coves offering wind protection	Bobbers with live bait or small jigs, positioned at suspended feeding depths Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around shallow cover Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to cover	Small baitfish schools in shallow to mid-depth ranges Zooplankton in the upper water column Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, relating heavily to cover near spawning flats Fish are establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper recovery zones	Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to spawning flats Protected coves with emerging vegetation Secondary points with access to deeper water	Structure Jigs flipped into cover and laydowns Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover Swim Jigs worked through emerging vegetation	Bluegill gathering in shallow areas Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-65	Post-spawn walleyes are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper structure while following baitfish schools Fish are most active during low light periods (dawn/dusk) but will feed throughout the day in areas with submerged vegetation or around points providing shade	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with access to deeper water Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot depth range Rocky points with mixed gravel and stump cover	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transition areas between spawning bays and deeper water Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to weed edges and points during low light periods Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows or soft plastics around stumps and vegetation	Yellow Perch concentrated around vegetation edges Minnows schooling in post-spawn recovery areas Bluegills beginning to move shallow with warming water	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	58-72	Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations, staging along the first break with vegetation Fish are actively feeding to recover from spawn, showing suspended feeding patterns near cover Most active during early morning and evening hours, relating to submerged vegetation and laydowns	Submerged vegetation edges in 6-10 foot range near spawning bays Laydowns and stumps adjacent to deeper water Protected coves with mixed vegetation and woody cover	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Small baitfish schools suspending near vegetation edges Zooplankton concentrations in the upper water column Young-of-year bluegill fry beginning to emerge	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	62-68	Largemouth bass are actively feeding on bluegill beds in 6-10ft depths while also utilizing shallow cover in lily pads and green scum for ambush points Fish are showing dual patterns - deep edges of weed beds near bluegill spawning areas and shallow heavy cover areas, particularly during low light periods	Bluegill spawning beds in 6-10ft of water, particularly near clusters of pontoon boats Lily pads and green scum in backs of arms and bays Brush piles and docks, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked over bluegill beds during windy conditions Ned Rig when wind is calm, especially around bluegill beds Frogs/Toads in lily pads and scum Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with 3/4oz tungsten weight and punch bug in heavy cover	Spawning Bluegill on beds Shallow bluegill in and around vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-78	Walleye transitioning between shallow and deep water patterns, with most active feeding during dawn/dusk periods Fish relating to structure edges and following baitfish schools, particularly around points and weedlines	Deep weedline edges adjacent to points, especially in 12-20 foot range Submerged stumps near deeper water access Main lake points with access to baitfish schools	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along structure edges Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') parallel to weedlines Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are concentrated	Yellow Perch congregating around weed edges Bluegills in and around vegetation Minnows schooling near points and structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Crappie	65-82	Crappies transition to deeper structure, suspending near submerged vegetation and laydowns in 6-10 foot range Active feeding during early morning and evening hours, moving shallower to feed on abundant baitfish populations Suspended pattern behavior continues, relating to good zooplankton populations noted in lake profile	Submerged vegetation edges in 6-10 foot range with nearby deeper water Laydowns and stumps near drop-offs Protected coves with complex structure during early morning/evening periods	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Dock Shooting	Small baitfish schools Zooplankton Young-of-year panfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Chetek

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Actively feeding on bluegill and following baitfish schools into creek arms and coves, using points and flats as migration routes Moving between shallow and mid-depth zones following daily temperature changes, more active during warmer afternoons	Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those with remaining vegetation Protected coves with baitfish schools, particularly near deeper water access Shallow flats with stumps in 2-5 foot range during afternoon warming periods	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to points and across flats Spinnerbaits worked through remaining vegetation and around stumps Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching bluegill forage	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation Baitfish schools in creek arms and coves	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Walleye are transitioning to deeper water, actively feeding to build up reserves for winter. They become more aggressive during low-light periods, especially around dawn and dusk. Fish are schooling more tightly and following baitfish movements, particularly around points and deep structure adjacent to shallow feeding areas.	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those near baitfish schools Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow feeding flats Submerged stumps and structure in 15-25 foot depth range	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with aggressive jigging action to trigger reaction strikes Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along deep weed edges and points Live Bait Rigs with larger minnows during prime feeding periods	Yellow Perch schooling in deeper water Larger Minnows congregating around structure Bluegills moving deeper near weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Moving from shallow cover to deeper main lake areas, following baitfish schools and suspending near structure Transitioning to more schooling behavior, with groups gathering around key structure and depth breaks Feeding patterns become more concentrated during low-light periods, with brief but aggressive feeding windows	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 8-12 feet of water Main lake points with access to deeper water Deeper brush piles and laydowns near creek channels	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging	Small baitfish schools Juvenile bluegill Zooplankton	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	42-52	Late fall/early winter sees walleye transitioning to deeper water, maintaining activity levels near deeper structure and points where baitfish schools concentrate During stable weather, walleye maintain predictable feeding windows during low-light periods, moving up to feed on baitfish schools	Deep points adjacent to baitfish holding areas, especially where multiple structural elements intersect Deeper stumps and submerged vegetation edges where they meet clean bottom areas Main lake points with access to deeper water, particularly those with rock-to-sand transitions	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Yellow Perch schooling in deeper water Smaller bluegills near remaining vegetation edges Minnow schools suspended near points and breaks	Natural Baitfish Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappies are suspending near deep structure, typically relating to the thermocline and abundant forage Fish are schooling tightly in winter, often suspended 1-3 feet off bottom near steep breaks and points Feeding activity is most intense during late morning and early afternoon when water temperatures peak	Deep basin areas adjacent to submerged vegetation in 15-25 foot range Main lake points with access to deep water Deep creek channel bends with nearby woody cover	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Damiki Rig Hover/Mid-Strolling	Small baitfish suspended in schools Zooplankton concentrations in the water column Juvenile bluegills near structure edges	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Ice	Walleye	33-38	Walleye are actively feeding on baitfish during winter, with mobility influenced by snow cover and ice conditions Fish are likely suspending near structural elements like points where baitfish schools congregate	Points with access to deeper water where baitfish schools gather Areas with firm ice and less slush, particularly where snowmobile traffic is less frequent Structural transitions near baitfish concentrations	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large minnows, as confirmed by recent success reports Ice Fishing Spoons worked near baitfish schools Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows around points	Minnows, specifically mentioned in recent fishing reports Perch, which are part of the lake's forage base Bluegills, present in the lake system	Bold Striped Patterns Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	33-39	Crappies are typically suspended in deeper water columns during ice season, often relating to submerged vegetation edges and basin areas Feeding activity is most intense during dawn and dusk periods, with fish becoming more aggressive during stable weather patterns	Deep basin areas adjacent to submerged vegetation in 15-25 foot range Suspended over deeper water near primary points Areas where submerged vegetation meets deeper water	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements just above the fish Ice Fishing Spoons for more aggressive presentations during peak feeding times Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to locate suspended fish	Small baitfish suspended in water column Zooplankton concentrations Small aquatic insects	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Chetek

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow flats with stumps in 2-5 foot depth range	Holes and edges in submerged grass
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Shallow rocky or gravelly bays with nearby deeper water access	Points and breaks adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow protected bays with submerged vegetation in 3-5 feet of water	Laydowns and fallen trees in protected coves
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Weed flats with scattered stumps in 2-5 ft depth	Warm, protected bays with muddy bottoms
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Shallow, rocky or gravelly bays for active spawning	Points adjacent to spawning bays for staging fish
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation and laydowns in 3-5 feet of water	Transition areas near spawning bays with stumps and vegetation in 6-10 foot range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to spawning flats	Protected coves with emerging vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with access to deeper water	Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 6-10 foot range near spawning bays	Laydowns and stumps adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill spawning beds in 6-10ft of water, particularly near clusters of pontoon boats	Lily pads and green scum in backs of arms and bays
Summer	Walleye	Deep weedline edges adjacent to points, especially in 12-20 foot range	Submerged stumps near deeper water access
Summer	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 6-10 foot range with nearby deeper water	Laydowns and stumps near drop-offs
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those with remaining vegetation	Protected coves with baitfish schools, particularly near deeper water access
Fall	Walleye	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those near baitfish schools	Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow feeding flats
Fall	Crappie	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 8-12 feet of water	Main lake points with access to deeper water
Winter	Walleye	Deep points adjacent to baitfish holding areas, especially where multiple structural elements intersect	Deeper stumps and submerged vegetation edges where they meet clean bottom areas
Winter	Crappie	Deep basin areas adjacent to submerged vegetation in 15-25 foot range	Main lake points with access to deep water
Ice	Walleye	Points with access to deeper water where baitfish schools gather	Areas with firm ice and less slush, particularly where snowmobile traffic is less frequent
Ice	Crappie	Deep basin areas adjacent to submerged vegetation in 15-25 foot range	Suspended over deeper water near primary points

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Perch
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Yellow Perch gathering in pre-spawn areas	Small Minnows in shallow bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows and baitfish	Zooplankton
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Yellow Perch	Minnows
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small baitfish schools in shallow to mid-depth ranges	Zooplankton in the upper water column
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in shallow areas	Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Yellow Perch concentrated around vegetation edges	Minnows schooling in post-spawn recovery areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small baitfish schools suspending near vegetation edges	Zooplankton concentrations in the upper water column
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Spawning Bluegill on beds	Shallow bluegill in and around vegetation
Summer	Walleye	Yellow Perch congregating around weed edges	Bluegills in and around vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Small baitfish schools	Zooplankton
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation	Baitfish schools in creek arms and coves
Fall	Walleye	Yellow Perch schooling in deeper water	Larger Minnows congregating around structure
Fall	Crappie	Small baitfish schools	Juvenile bluegill
Winter	Walleye	Yellow Perch schooling in deeper water	Smaller bluegills near remaining vegetation edges
Winter	Crappie	Small baitfish suspended in schools	Zooplankton concentrations in the water column
Ice	Walleye	Minnows, specifically mentioned in recent fishing reports	Perch, which are part of the lake's forage base
Ice	Crappie	Small baitfish suspended in water column	Zooplankton concentrations

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Chetek

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Summer	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Ice	Walleye	Bold Striped Patterns Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

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