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

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Lake Francis

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 12, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Francis

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-60	Moving from winter deep water areas to transitional staging areas, preparing for spawn Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with periods of increased activity during warming trends	Rock/weed transition areas in 4-8 foot depths Secondary points leading into spawning bays Areas where early vegetation growth meets harder bottom	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around isolated cover	Bluegills concentrating in warming shallows Minnows gathering in transitional areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected bays and near emerging vegetation Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water before and after spawning Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with fish more likely to strike out of defense than hunger	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and emerging vegetation Areas where rock structure meets vegetation in 2-4 foot depths Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around shallow cover Soft Jerkbaits fished with subtle twitches near spawning areas Wacky Rigs deadsticked in spawning pockets	Bluegill beginning to move shallow Small minnows in emerging vegetation	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, becoming more active and starting to feed aggressively Fish are utilizing shallow to mid-depth zones (4-8 feet) near spawning areas, gradually moving toward deeper weed edges	Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly where coontail and cabbage are emerging Rock and weed transition areas in 6-8 foot depths Secondary points with mixed vegetation near deeper water access	Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically around emerging vegetation Swim Jigs through scattered weeds and transition areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting thicker vegetation patches	Bluegill beginning to establish summer patterns in the weeds Young-of-year baitfish becoming more prevalent in shallower areas Crawfish active in rock/weed transition areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-82	Bass are actively feeding along deep weed edges and in submerged vegetation, particularly near rock transitions, showing aggressive feeding behavior during summer pattern Fish are responding well to moving baits, indicating active feeding periods and willingness to chase prey in warm water conditions	Deep weed edges with mixed cabbage and coontail, especially where vegetation meets rocky structure Submerged vegetation in 6-foot depths, particularly in the west and northern parts of bays Transition areas between different types of vegetation with nearby rock structure	Bladed Jigs ripped through submerged vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked over and through weed tops Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked along weed edges and pockets	Bluegill in and around thick vegetation Minnows relating to weed edges	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Francis

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Largemouth bass actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and targeting high-calorie prey Fish transitioning from summer weed patterns to deeper structure as vegetation begins to die off More aggressive feeding during low-light periods, especially on overcast days	Deep weed edges adjacent to rock structure, particularly in 6-8 foot range Points and inside turns where vegetation meets harder bottom Shallow bays with remaining healthy vegetation, especially during warm afternoons	Lipless Crankbaits worked through dying vegetation Spinnerbaits parallel to deep weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching fall baitfish	Schooling baitfish in transition areas Bluegills remaining in vegetation Crawfish near rock/weed transition areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Francis

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Rock/weed transition areas in 4-8 foot depths	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and emerging vegetation	Areas where rock structure meets vegetation in 2-4 foot depths
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly where coontail and cabbage are emerging	Rock and weed transition areas in 6-8 foot depths
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges with mixed cabbage and coontail, especially where vegetation meets rocky structure	Submerged vegetation in 6-foot depths, particularly in the west and northern parts of bays
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to rock structure, particularly in 6-8 foot range	Points and inside turns where vegetation meets harder bottom

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegills concentrating in warming shallows	Minnows gathering in transitional areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Small minnows in emerging vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to establish summer patterns in the weeds	Young-of-year baitfish becoming more prevalent in shallower areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around thick vegetation	Minnows relating to weed edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Schooling baitfish in transition areas	Bluegills remaining in vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Francis

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

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