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

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Lake Havasu

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Havasu

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	57-68	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning to shallower staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are relating heavily to structure, particularly docks and rock piles, while making periodic movements to feed	Docks with adjacent deep water access, especially those with tule pockets nearby Rock piles and points in 12-15 foot depth range Tule fields with pockets and irregular edges	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around docks and structure Drop Shot with finesse presentations in deeper staging areas Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along points and transitions	Crawfish emerging and active in rocky areas and around docks Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas near points	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	47-59	Smallmouth bass actively transitioning from winter to pre-spawn patterns, utilizing points as staging areas before moving to spawning grounds Fish becoming more aggressive with warming trends, showing willingness to chase moving baits in upper water column as evidenced by topwater success at 59°F	Main lake points, especially those with rocky composition serving as pre-spawn staging areas Flats with scattered grass adjacent to deeper water Secondary points leading into spawning pockets with 2-8 ft depth range	Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly along bottom in cold, calm conditions Hard Topwater (Prop) across points during warmer days with surface ripple Drop Shot with light fluorocarbon leader for clear water presentations	Crawfish emerging as primary forage in rocky areas Shad present in open water and around points	Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	56-67	Actively feeding on shad schools in the upper-middle water column, particularly in the 15-20 foot depth range as they prepare for spawn Following pre-spawn migration patterns along main lake points and channel edges, with increased activity during morning and evening periods	Main lake points and channel edges in 15-20 foot depth range where shad schools are present Areas near submerged vegetation that provide habitat for baitfish schools Current breaks and ambush points in coves and channel intersections	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with crankbaits to cover water and locate active fish Umbrella Rigs worked through bait schools when fish are actively feeding Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') cast near points and structure during higher activity periods	Shad schools in the mid-depth range Various baitfish relating to submerged vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	59-67	Actively spawning with fish moving into shallow areas and establishing beds. Males are aggressive in protecting nests while females move between shallow and slightly deeper staging areas. Pre-spawn and spawning fish showing mixed behavior - some actively on beds while others staging in transition areas, as evidenced by reaction bait success	Shallow spawning flats near docks and pilings with protective cover Reed beds and tule areas in protected pockets Transition areas between shallow and deep water with submerged vegetation	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to visible beds and cover Ned Rigs for finesse presentations to spooky bed fish Bladed Jigs for covering water and targeting transition fish	Shad moving into spawning areas Crawfish becoming more active in shallow areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	63-66	Actively spawning in shallow water (2-8 ft) with males guarding nests around docks and rock piles Some fish transitioning between spawning areas and deeper points, showing split patterns Highly visible and aggressive when protecting beds, but requiring finesse presentations for success	Dock areas with hard bottom in 2-8 ft depth Rock piles and gravel areas in protected bays Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats	Ned Rigs worked slowly around beds and visible fish Drop Shot with light fluorocarbon leaders for spooky fish Hard Jerkbaits for fish transitioning between areas	Crawfish emerging in warming waters Small baitfish in shallow areas	Light Neutral Colors Pink Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	56-67	Striped bass are actively moving into spawning areas, following pre-spawn feeding patterns with aggressive pursuit of shad schools in the 15-20 ft range Fish are utilizing current breaks and points as staging areas, making frequent movements between deeper and shallower water as water temperatures fluctuate	Main lake points and channel edges where pre-spawn staging occurs Shallow tributary areas and coves where warmer water temperatures develop first Current breaks near submerged vegetation where shad congregate	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with artificial lures to cover water and locate active schools Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended fish marked on electronics Large Hair Jigs (Preacher) worked vertically through suspended schools	Shad schools concentrated in the upper-middle water column Secondary forage relating to emerging vegetation patterns	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	64-72	Post-spawn largemouth transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish holding tight to structure during daylight hours, becoming more active in low light conditions around reed edges	Reed lines and edges in 5-15 foot depth range Ledge points transitioning from 20-40 foot depths Deep weed edges in 15-20 foot range	Swim Jigs worked through and around reed edges Drop Shot for deeper ledge points and structure Texas Rigs pitched to tight structure	Crawfish active in shallow to mid-depth areas Shad schools beginning to form in post-spawn period Bluegill becoming more active in vegetation	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	60-70	Fish transitioning off beds but remaining relatively shallow (3-8 ft) with active feeding patterns resuming Showing aggressive behavior around hard structure, particularly around docks and boulders	Docks in Thompson Bay (3-8 ft depth range) Boulder fields and rock piles near spawning areas Points with hard bottom composition	Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom near structure Drop Shot with finesse presentations Soft Jerkbaits for more active fish	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas Small baitfish (smelt) in open water	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	56-67	Actively feeding on shad schools in the upper-middle water column, particularly during low light periods Following predictable migration routes along points and channel edges as they recover from spawn Schooling behavior becomes more pronounced as fish group up to chase bait in post-spawn period	Main lake points intersecting with channel edges where current breaks form Submerged vegetation edges in 15-20 foot depth range Secondary points in major creek arms where shad schools congregate	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with multiple lines to cover water effectively Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended fish schools Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow rolled through bait schools	Shad schools in upper-middle water column Young of year baitfish relating to vegetation edges	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-85	Bass are actively feeding on shad and crawfish, relating heavily to submerged vegetation in the 15-foot zone Fish showing dual pattern behavior - some holding in matted grass for shade, others actively chasing shad in deeper vegetation	Submerged vegetation in 15-foot depth zone Matted grass areas with shade Brush piles adjacent to deep weed edges	Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked through submerged vegetation Grass Jigs flipped into matted grass Football Jigs worked through brush piles	Shad schooling around deep vegetation Crawfish in brush piles and grass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-82	Actively feeding on crawfish around rocky structure, particularly during early morning and evening hours Establishing deeper holding patterns during midday, relating to points and rock piles as primary feeding zones	Rock piles with adjacent deeper water Main lake points with chunk rock Steep rocky banks with larger boulders	Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure Football Jigs dragged through rocky areas Drop Shot with finesse presentations in deeper water during midday	Crawfish Small bottom-dwelling baitfish	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	65-82	During summer, striped bass will be actively schooling and chasing shad in the upper water column during early morning and late evening, moving to deeper water during midday heat Fish will concentrate near current breaks and points where cooler, oxygenated water meets structure, creating prime feeding zones	Main lake points and channel edges where current meets structure, especially in 15-25 foot depth range Areas adjacent to submerged vegetation where shad schools congregate Deep water sanctuaries near major creek channels and main lake structure during midday	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with umbrella rigs and crankbaits during morning and evening periods Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) during midday heat when fish move deeper Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along points and grass edges during active feeding periods	Shad schools concentrated in the upper water column during low light periods Smaller baitfish relating to grass beds and structure edges	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Havasu

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Fish are actively feeding on both crawfish and shad, transitioning between shallow and deep water as they follow baitfish movements Largemouth are relating heavily to vegetation edges and points, using these areas as ambush points for feeding	Matted grass edges and deep weed lines in 15-20 foot range Main lake points with access to deep water Submerged vegetation patches near channel swings	Swim Jigs worked through and around grass mats Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked along points Ned Rigs worked through submerged vegetation	Crawfish in and around vegetation and structure Shad schools suspending near points and grass edges	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	55-68	Smallmouth bass are actively feeding on crawfish around rock-based structure, preparing for winter Fish are transitioning between summer and winter locations, using ledges as primary feeding zones	Rocky ledges with nearby deep water access Main lake points with mixed rock and gravel Deep rock piles adjacent to primary forage areas	Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure Drop Shot with small profile baits Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along ledges	Crawfish Small Baitfish	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Striped Bass	56-67	Striped bass actively following large schools of shad as they migrate to creek arms and major coves Fish transitioning between shallow and deep water throughout the day, with most active feeding during low light periods Aggressive schooling behavior with surface feeding activity, especially during early morning and evening hours	Main lake points adjacent to deep water channels Creek arm mouths with submerged vegetation Channel edges near major structural transitions	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Umbrella Rigs Hard Body Swimbaits Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Threadfin and Gizzard Shad schools Young-of-year baitfish Bluegill near vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	50-64	Bass are schooling tightly around remaining deep vegetation and structure, making concentrated feeding movements during warmer periods Fish are relating heavily to transition areas between deep water and structure, particularly where grass edges meet points	Outside edges of submerged grass where they intersect with secondary or main lake points in 10-14 foot range Deep grass clumps in mouth of coves 5-20 feet deep Main lake points with access to deeper water	Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked along grass edges and point transitions Drop Shot with 4-inch soft plastics for precise presentations in deeper grass Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly around dying grass edges	Shad schooling in deeper water near structure Crawfish active around grass edges and rocky points	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	47-50	Smallmouth bass are holding on deep structure, especially points and boulder areas, with limited shallow activity. Fish are responding to slow-moving baits with long pauses, indicating a more lethargic winter pattern Feeding activity appears concentrated during specific windows, with strikes occurring on the fall of baits, suggesting a reactive strike response rather than active pursuit	Main lake points, particularly those with access to deeper water Boulder fields and rock piles in 13-20 foot depth range Transitional areas between deep wintering holes and secondary points	Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses (8-10 seconds) on fluorocarbon line Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked slowly around structure Drop Shot with subtle movements in deeper water	Crawfish seeking shelter in rocky areas Shad schools suspended in deeper water	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	52-62	Striped bass actively following large shad schools in deeper main lake areas, with feeding activity concentrated during warmer parts of the day Fish moving along channel edges and deep points, suspending in 15-25 foot depths near structure that concentrates bait	Main lake points adjacent to deep water channels where shad schools concentrate Channel edges near submerged vegetation in 15-25 foot depths Deep water current breaks near complex shoreline structures	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with umbrella rigs and deep diving crankbaits Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with blade baits and spoons Live Bait Rigs with down-lines in areas where fish are marked	Large schools of threadfin and gizzard shad Smaller baitfish relating to submerged vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Havasu

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks with adjacent deep water access, especially those with tule pockets nearby	Rock piles and points in 12-15 foot depth range
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points, especially those with rocky composition serving as pre-spawn staging areas	Flats with scattered grass adjacent to deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main lake points and channel edges in 15-20 foot depth range where shad schools are present	Areas near submerged vegetation that provide habitat for baitfish schools
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow spawning flats near docks and pilings with protective cover	Reed beds and tule areas in protected pockets
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Dock areas with hard bottom in 2-8 ft depth	Rock piles and gravel areas in protected bays
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main lake points and channel edges where pre-spawn staging occurs	Shallow tributary areas and coves where warmer water temperatures develop first
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Reed lines and edges in 5-15 foot depth range	Ledge points transitioning from 20-40 foot depths
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Docks in Thompson Bay (3-8 ft depth range)	Boulder fields and rock piles near spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main lake points intersecting with channel edges where current breaks form	Submerged vegetation edges in 15-20 foot depth range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation in 15-foot depth zone	Matted grass areas with shade
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Rock piles with adjacent deeper water	Main lake points with chunk rock
Summer	Striped Bass	Main lake points and channel edges where current meets structure, especially in 15-25 foot depth range	Areas adjacent to submerged vegetation where shad schools congregate
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Matted grass edges and deep weed lines in 15-20 foot range	Main lake points with access to deep water
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky ledges with nearby deep water access	Main lake points with mixed rock and gravel
Fall	Striped Bass	Main lake points adjacent to deep water channels	Creek arm mouths with submerged vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Outside edges of submerged grass where they intersect with secondary or main lake points in 10-14 foot range	Deep grass clumps in mouth of coves 5-20 feet deep
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points, particularly those with access to deeper water	Boulder fields and rock piles in 13-20 foot depth range
Winter	Striped Bass	Main lake points adjacent to deep water channels where shad schools concentrate	Channel edges near submerged vegetation in 15-25 foot depths

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging and active in rocky areas and around docks	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas near points
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging as primary forage in rocky areas	Shad present in open water and around points
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools in the mid-depth range	Various baitfish relating to submerged vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad moving into spawning areas	Crawfish becoming more active in shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in warming waters	Small baitfish in shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools concentrated in the upper-middle water column	Secondary forage relating to emerging vegetation patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish active in shallow to mid-depth areas	Shad schools beginning to form in post-spawn period
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas	Small baitfish (smelt) in open water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools in upper-middle water column	Young of year baitfish relating to vegetation edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling around deep vegetation	Crawfish in brush piles and grass
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish	Small bottom-dwelling baitfish
Summer	Striped Bass	Shad schools concentrated in the upper water column during low light periods	Smaller baitfish relating to grass beds and structure edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish in and around vegetation and structure	Shad schools suspending near points and grass edges
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish	Small Baitfish
Fall	Striped Bass	Threadfin and Gizzard Shad schools	Young-of-year baitfish
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in deeper water near structure	Crawfish active around grass edges and rocky points
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish seeking shelter in rocky areas	Shad schools suspended in deeper water
Winter	Striped Bass	Large schools of threadfin and gizzard shad	Smaller baitfish relating to submerged vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Havasu

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Light Neutral Colors Pink Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

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