How to Fish Lake George (2): Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Lake George (2)

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake George (2)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming trends but still maintaining proximity to deeper water access Feeding activity increases during warming periods, with fish particularly active during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak	Main lake weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with deeper water access Protected areas with emerging vegetation in 5-8 feet of water Residential dock areas adjacent to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked slowly along weed edges and through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs with steady retrieves near structure Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in cooler periods	Minnows gathering near emerging vegetation Bluegill beginning to move shallower with warming trends	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-56	Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves, primarily in shallow areas near emerging vegetation Fish are making transitional movements from winter depths to spawning areas, often using breaks and channels as migration routes	Shallow bays and flats with emerging vegetation in 3-6 foot depth Channels and breaks leading to spawning areas in 8-10 foot depth Protected shoreline areas with early weed growth	Spinnerbaits worked slowly along emerging weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near vegetation Live Bait Rigs positioned along migration routes	Shallow water baitfish schools Bluegills staging near emerging vegetation Minnows in transitional areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around vegetation and hard bottom areas Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites	Protected shallow bays with mix of sand grass and milfoil in 2-4 feet Dock areas with adjacent vegetation in 3-6 feet Transition areas between vegetation types in 5-8 feet	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and vegetation Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas Wacky Rigs for pressured fish and staging areas	Bluegill holding in shallow vegetation Small baitfish in emerging vegetation	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-56	Northern Pike are in shallow spawning areas immediately after ice-out, with females quickly moving to post-spawn recovery locations near emerging vegetation Feeding activity increases significantly post-spawn as pike recover and water temperatures stabilize in the mid-50s	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-4 feet of water Transition areas between spawning flats and developing weed edges in 6-8 feet Protected shoreline areas with early weed growth	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily along transition areas Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas	Shallow water minnow species gathering in spawning bays Bluegills moving into early developing weed growth Young of year baitfish in warming shoreline areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed heavily, moving from spawning areas to early summer locations along weed edges Fish are utilizing various depth ranges throughout the day, relating heavily to vegetation edges and dock structures	Main lake weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with docks Shallow vegetation patches adjacent to spawning areas Dock structures with nearby vegetation	Swim Jigs worked parallel to weed edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and vegetation Spinnerbaits along weed edges in low light conditions Shakey Heads worked slowly near dock structures	Bluegill starting to establish summer patterns in vegetation Small baitfish relating to dock structures and weed edges Various juvenile fish species emerging in shallow vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	56-70	Post-spawn pike are actively feeding along weedlines, showing aggressive behavior towards moving baits with flash and vibration Fish are most active during early morning and evening hours, likely due to increasing recreational traffic and warming water temperatures	Weedlines in 10-12 foot depth range, particularly edges with clear ambush points Shallow vegetation areas during early morning and evening periods Protected weed pockets away from main lake boat traffic	Bladed Jigs worked along weedlines with steady retrieve Spinnerbaits parallel to vegetation edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near weed edges	Bluegill concentrated in weed areas Various minnow species utilizing vegetation edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-78	Active feeding along main lake weed edges in 10-15 feet, especially during morning and evening periods Schooling behavior noted when fish are located, suggesting concentrated feeding patterns around prime structure	Weed edges in 10-15 feet with mixed vegetation (sand grass and milfoil) Docks with access to deep water, especially those near healthy weed growth Shallow grass flats in 5-10 feet with healthy vegetation	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with heavy jigs (1/2 oz) worked through grass edges Swim Jigs worked over tops of grass in 5-10 feet Shakey Heads worked slowly through grass for pressured fish Ned Rigs for finesse presentation when fish become less aggressive	Bluegill concentrated in and around vegetation Shad present as secondary forage	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Northern Pike	72-78	Pike are establishing deeper feeding stations along weed edges (10-12 foot range) to escape warm water temperatures and boat traffic, with most active feeding during early morning and evening hours Aggressive feeding behavior continues but becomes more structure-oriented, with fish utilizing vegetation edges as primary ambush points	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range, especially areas with less boat traffic Thick vegetation patches adjacent to open water pockets Shaded areas near weed edges during midday hours	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges during low light periods Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) burned through open pockets in vegetation Trolling Shallow (0-9') early and late in the day parallel to weed edges	Bluegill concentrated in weed areas Minnow schools along weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake George (2)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are actively feeding on schooling bluegill, exhibiting aggressive surface feeding behavior typical of fall patterns Fish are likely to follow baitfish schools, moving between shallow feeding areas and nearby deeper edges as temperatures fluctuate throughout the day	Main lake weed edges in 10-12 feet of water where vegetation meets deeper water Reed beds with active baitfish schools Residential dock areas adjacent to deep water access	Spinnerbaits worked through and around baitfish schools Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) mimicking bluegill near vegetation edges Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges when fish aren't actively schooling	Bluegill - primary forage based on recent reports and surface activity Other juvenile panfish relating to weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	52-65	Pike becoming more aggressive in cooling fall waters, actively pursuing baitfish schools along deep weed edges Fish transitioning from summer patterns to fall feeding, with increased activity during midday hours as recreational boat traffic decreases	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range where vegetation meets deeper water Remaining green weed patches that haven't died off yet Transition areas between weeds and open water where baitfish schools congregate	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges with moderate retrieve Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) burned through baitfish schools Lipless Crankbaits worked through scattered vegetation	Schooling baitfish preparing for winter Bluegills concentrated in remaining green vegetation Young-of-year minnows in open water edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	42-56	Pike will stage in open water near deeper vegetation edges and drop-offs during late fall to winter transition Feeding activity concentrates during mid-morning to early afternoon when water temperatures are most stable Fish become more selective and methodical in their feeding approach compared to warmer seasons	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range where vegetation is still present Open water areas adjacent to remaining vegetation Deeper depressions near shallow flats where baitfish school	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Schooling baitfish concentrated in deeper water Bluegills holding near remaining vegetation Smaller pike and yellow perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Pike will establish winter feeding territories near remaining weed edges and transition areas between shallow flats and deeper basins Most active feeding periods occur during early morning and late afternoon, with reduced activity during bright midday conditions	Deep weed edge transitions in 10-12 foot range where vegetation remains green Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially areas with patches of remaining vegetation Mid-depth basins where schools of baitfish concentrate during winter months	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at varying depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for finesse presentation during slower periods	Bluegills concentrated in remaining weed edges Minnow schools suspended in mid-depth basins Small perch roaming across shallow flats	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake George (2)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with deeper water access	Protected areas with emerging vegetation in 5-8 feet of water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays and flats with emerging vegetation in 3-6 foot depth	Channels and breaks leading to spawning areas in 8-10 foot depth
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with mix of sand grass and milfoil in 2-4 feet	Dock areas with adjacent vegetation in 3-6 feet
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-4 feet of water	Transition areas between spawning flats and developing weed edges in 6-8 feet
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, especially where they intersect with docks	Shallow vegetation patches adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Weedlines in 10-12 foot depth range, particularly edges with clear ambush points	Shallow vegetation areas during early morning and evening periods
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Weed edges in 10-15 feet with mixed vegetation (sand grass and milfoil)	Docks with access to deep water, especially those near healthy weed growth
Summer	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range, especially areas with less boat traffic	Thick vegetation patches adjacent to open water pockets
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake weed edges in 10-12 feet of water where vegetation meets deeper water	Reed beds with active baitfish schools
Fall	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range where vegetation meets deeper water	Remaining green weed patches that haven't died off yet
Winter	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range where vegetation is still present	Open water areas adjacent to remaining vegetation
Ice	Northern Pike	Deep weed edge transitions in 10-12 foot range where vegetation remains green	Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially areas with patches of remaining vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows gathering near emerging vegetation	Bluegill beginning to move shallower with warming trends
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow water baitfish schools	Bluegills staging near emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill holding in shallow vegetation	Small baitfish in emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow water minnow species gathering in spawning bays	Bluegills moving into early developing weed growth
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill starting to establish summer patterns in vegetation	Small baitfish relating to dock structures and weed edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrated in weed areas	Various minnow species utilizing vegetation edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated in and around vegetation	Shad present as secondary forage
Summer	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrated in weed areas	Minnow schools along weed edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on recent reports and surface activity	Other juvenile panfish relating to weed edges
Fall	Northern Pike	Schooling baitfish preparing for winter	Bluegills concentrated in remaining green vegetation
Winter	Northern Pike	Schooling baitfish concentrated in deeper water	Bluegills holding near remaining vegetation
Ice	Northern Pike	Bluegills concentrated in remaining weed edges	Minnow schools suspended in mid-depth basins

Bait Colors by Season for Lake George (2)

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

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