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

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Lake Freeman

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 2, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Freeman

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	52-62	Smallmouth bass are actively feeding in pre-spawn mode, aggressively targeting forage near transitional areas and brush piles Fish are relating heavily to current-influenced areas in the upper river section, using brush piles as staging areas	Brush piles in the river section above the lake, especially near current breaks Feeder creek mouths with woody cover Channel edge transitions with hard structure	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through brush piles Ned Rigs worked around woody cover and transitional areas Drop Shot targeting suspended fish near brush pile edges	Small baitfish in 2-2.5 inch range Early season crawfish	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Bass are in pre-spawn transitional phase, staging near spawning areas and actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are moving from winter spots to shallower staging areas, using docks and other structures as stopping points	Docks, especially those near deeper water access Channel swings with brush piles Secondary points leading into spawning coves	Spinnerbaits worked around dock posts and edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise dock presentations Bladed Jigs for stained water reaction strikes	Crappie, particularly around dock areas Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-65	Smallmouth bass are in spawn mode, with males guarding nests in shallow protected areas while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water Fish are highly territorial and aggressive toward threats to their nests, but not actively feeding Pre/post spawners utilize brush piles and channel edges as transition routes	Protected shallow flats near deep water access, especially in coves with gravel or rocky substrate Brush piles in 8-12 foot transitional areas adjacent to spawning flats Channel swing banks with mixed rock and gravel substrate	Tubes worked slowly around visible beds and likely spawning areas Ned Rigs for finesse presentation to spooky fish Drop Shot with small profile baits for staging fish	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small bluegill and perch around shallow cover Young of year baitfish beginning to appear	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Fish are moving from pre-spawn staging areas into spawning coves and flats, particularly utilizing the complex shoreline features for nesting Males actively guarding nests in shallow protected areas while females move between deep and shallow water during spawning phases Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased response to intrusive baits	Protected shallow coves and pockets with firm bottom, especially near dock areas Secondary points leading into spawning bays Channel swing banks adjacent to spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and shallow cover Spinnerbaits worked along secondary points and channel swings Soft Jerkbaits for sight fishing and covering spawning flats	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy Crappie in staging areas Small bluegill in shallow water	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are utilizing current breaks and brush piles as ambush points, especially during peak feeding periods	Brush piles near channel edges in 8-15 feet of water Current-swept points with rip rap or rock structure Transition areas between spawning flats and summer haunts	Drop Shot with finesse presentations around brush piles Tubes worked along rock and rip rap areas Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along current breaks	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas Small baitfish relating to brush piles Various minnow species in current areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are staging near drop-offs and channel swings, making short feeding moves to shallower areas during prime feeding periods	Secondary points and channel swings near spawning flats Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those with brush or rock Riprap banks with access to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to docks and riprap Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and brush Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along riprap and points	Crappie and other juvenile panfish Crawfish emerging from winter patterns Young of the year baitfish beginning to appear	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-82	Smallmouth bass are establishing summer feeding patterns, actively pursuing forage around hard structure and current breaks in early morning and evening periods During midday heat, fish transition to deeper channel edges and brush piles, maintaining proximity to current influence	Channel swing areas with rip rap and current breaks Deep brush piles adjacent to river channel edges Rocky points and shoreline structure in 8-15 foot depth range	Drop Shot with finesse presentations along channel edges and brush piles Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along rip rap and channel swings Tubes worked through rocky areas and near current breaks	Crawfish in and around rocky structure and rip rap Small baitfish relating to current breaks and brush piles	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-85	Bass are actively feeding on crayfish around rip rap areas, showing a strong bottom-oriented feeding pattern Fish are utilizing the complex shoreline features and dock areas as primary feeding zones, taking advantage of shade during summer heat	Rip rap banks, especially in shaded areas or near deeper water Docks and other man-made structures providing shade Channel swings adjacent to shallow structure	Tubes worked slowly along rip rap and rocky areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and shade pockets Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along channel swing banks	Crayfish, particularly around rocky structure Crappie and other panfish in and around dock areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Freeman

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	52-65	Smallmouth bass are actively feeding along channel swings and hard structure, targeting crawfish and baitfish before winter Fish are following defined migration routes along channel edges, utilizing current breaks and riprap as feeding stations	Channel swing areas with riprap banks Deep water access points near hard structure Current-swept points and bridge pilings	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to riprap Football Jigs dragged along channel edges Spinnerbaits worked near current breaks	Crawfish utilizing riprap and rocky areas Shad moving through channel areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Actively feeding on baitfish and crawfish, following bait schools and utilizing channel swings as migration routes into creeks Moving shallower during morning/evening, suspending near deep structure during midday	Creek channel swings adjacent to shallow flats Main lake points near deep water access Brush piles along migration routes	Lipless Crankbaits worked along channel edges Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to points Spinnerbaits around brush in low light	Shad schools migrating into creeks Crawfish on rocky areas Remaining crappie in brush piles	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	38-45	Smallmouth bass are congregating in deeper wintering holes, particularly along channel edges and near current breaks Fish are less active but will feed opportunistically during stable weather periods, especially during mid-day warming trends	Deep channel swings with adjacent brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range Current breaks near river channel intersections with hard bottom composition Deep water transitions near rip rap banks that hold winter forage	Blade Baits worked vertically along channel edges with slow lifts and drops Drop Shot with small profile baits, worked slowly near bottom structure Tubes dragged slowly across hard bottom areas adjacent to deep water	Small baitfish schools concentrated in deeper water Dormant crawfish in rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	38-45	Fish become less active and seek stable temperatures in deeper water, typically holding near bottom structure Feeding windows are shorter and more concentrated during warmer parts of the day Bass tend to school more tightly in winter, often relating to vertical structure near deep water access	Deep channel swings adjacent to winter structure (15-20 feet) Steep rocky banks near deep water access Brush piles positioned on depth changes near channel edges	Blade Baits worked vertically along channel edges Football Jigs dragged slowly on bottom near structure Drop Shot with small profile baits for inactive fish	Crappie schools in deeper water Crawfish in rocky areas during warmer periods Smaller baitfish concentrated in deeper water	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Freeman

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Brush piles in the river section above the lake, especially near current breaks	Feeder creek mouths with woody cover
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks, especially those near deeper water access	Channel swings with brush piles
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Protected shallow flats near deep water access, especially in coves with gravel or rocky substrate	Brush piles in 8-12 foot transitional areas adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves and pockets with firm bottom, especially near dock areas	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Brush piles near channel edges in 8-15 feet of water	Current-swept points with rip rap or rock structure
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and channel swings near spawning flats	Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those with brush or rock
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Channel swing areas with rip rap and current breaks	Deep brush piles adjacent to river channel edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Rip rap banks, especially in shaded areas or near deeper water	Docks and other man-made structures providing shade
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Channel swing areas with riprap banks	Deep water access points near hard structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Creek channel swings adjacent to shallow flats	Main lake points near deep water access
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Deep channel swings with adjacent brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range	Current breaks near river channel intersections with hard bottom composition
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep channel swings adjacent to winter structure (15-20 feet)	Steep rocky banks near deep water access

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Small baitfish in 2-2.5 inch range	Early season crawfish
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crappie, particularly around dock areas	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small bluegill and perch around shallow cover
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy	Crappie in staging areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas	Small baitfish relating to brush piles
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crappie and other juvenile panfish	Crawfish emerging from winter patterns
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish in and around rocky structure and rip rap	Small baitfish relating to current breaks and brush piles
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Crayfish, particularly around rocky structure	Crappie and other panfish in and around dock areas
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish utilizing riprap and rocky areas	Shad moving through channel areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating into creeks	Crawfish on rocky areas
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Small baitfish schools concentrated in deeper water	Dormant crawfish in rocky areas
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Crappie schools in deeper water	Crawfish in rocky areas during warmer periods

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Freeman

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

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