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

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Lake Chicot

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 24, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Chicot

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, actively feeding while following river channels and deeper structure Fish are becoming more aggressive in feeding as they prepare for spawn, particularly around structure-rich areas near potential spawning flats	River channels with adjacent structure, particularly where channels meet flats or spawning areas Deeper wood structure like standing timber and cypress tree bases Secondary points and creek channels leading to potential spawning bays	Finesse Jigs worked slowly along channel edges and wood structure Football Jigs dragged along channel breaks Carolina Rigs for covering water on transitional areas	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Bluegill in and around wood cover Shad schools in deeper water near channel edges	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Largemouth bass are in spawn mode, seeking shallow protected areas with firm bottom near wood cover and grass for spawning Males actively guarding nests while females move between spawning areas and nearby deeper water staging areas	Shallow wood structure adjacent to grass, particularly in protected coves Flooded brush in 2-6 foot depth range Secondary points with mixed wood and vegetation cover	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover Wacky Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for cruising fish	Crawfish emerging in shallow areas Bluegill starting to move shallow	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	75-85	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding in shallow areas, particularly around wood cover and vegetation, as evidenced by multiple successful shallow water catches at 81°F Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, willing to chase moving baits like crankbaits and swim jigs around cover	Standing timber and cypress trees in shallow water, particularly productive based on multiple recent catches Matted grass and lily pad edges near levees and walls Shallow wood structure including stumps and laydowns	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked around timber and wood cover Swim Jigs around trees and stumps with active retrieves Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass and lily pads	Bluegill, as indicated by multiple recent catches on bluegill-pattern baits Shad, particularly around vegetation and walls	Natural Baitfish Colors 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	78-88	Bass are establishing summer patterns around woody cover, particularly cypress trees and laydowns, showing a preference for methodical, slower presentations Fish are likely holding tight to cover during peak daylight hours, requiring precise target casting and slower retrieves for success	Cypress trees and stumps in shaded areas Laydowns and woody debris, especially those near deeper water Grass mats and lily pads providing overhead cover	Wacky Rigs worked with very slow hops and long pauses Texas Rigs (Worming) pitched to specific cover Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation during low light periods	Crawfish actively moving around woody cover Bluegill spawning in shallow protected areas Shad schools in open water areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Chicot

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Actively feeding on shad and bluegill, following baitfish schools to creek channels and points Moving between shallow feeding areas and deeper staging areas as temperatures fluctuate	Main lake points with deep water access near standing timber Creek channel bends with adjacent grass mats Shallow flats near cypress trees with falling water depths	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Spinnerbaits Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Shad schools migrating along creek channels Bluegill relating to shallow cover	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	48-56	Bass are concentrated in deeper water near main channel structure and creek channel intersections, conserving energy and feeding opportunistically Fish tend to group up in tight schools, moving vertically in the water column based on daily temperature fluctuations	Deep channel bends with standing timber near creek intersections Steep drop-offs adjacent to main river channel Deep water areas near bridge pilings or dock structures	Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked slowly along channel edges Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Football Jigs dragged slowly on deep structure Jigging Spoons worked vertically in timber	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Bluegill relating to deep structure	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Chicot

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	River channels with adjacent structure, particularly where channels meet flats or spawning areas	Deeper wood structure like standing timber and cypress tree bases
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow wood structure adjacent to grass, particularly in protected coves	Flooded brush in 2-6 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber and cypress trees in shallow water, particularly productive based on multiple recent catches	Matted grass and lily pad edges near levees and walls
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Cypress trees and stumps in shaded areas	Laydowns and woody debris, especially those near deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with deep water access near standing timber	Creek channel bends with adjacent grass mats
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep channel bends with standing timber near creek intersections	Steep drop-offs adjacent to main river channel

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Bluegill in and around wood cover
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in shallow areas	Bluegill starting to move shallow
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill, as indicated by multiple recent catches on bluegill-pattern baits	Shad, particularly around vegetation and walls
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish actively moving around woody cover	Bluegill spawning in shallow protected areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating along creek channels	Bluegill relating to shallow cover
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Bluegill relating to deep structure

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Chicot

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

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