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

Fathers Day Promo: Buy Any Reel, Get Omnia PRO Free. Learn More

20% Off Xzone Lures, Through 06/17. Save Now

20% Off All St. Croix Mojo Bass Rods, Through 06/28. Save Now

PRO Members: Get 2X Credit Back On All Fishing Line. Learn More

Built to Serve Tee + PRO = $20 Donated Per Order → Shop Now

Save Up To $500 on Select Minn Kota, Through 06/18. Save Now

Buy One, Get One FREE P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon. Learn More

PRO members get free shipping, rewards & local lake data! Join Today

Markdowns on popular products - See all bargain offers

Lake Josephine

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Josephine

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-58	Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to shallower staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are following daily temperature patterns, moving shallower in afternoons when water warms and deeper during cold fronts	Vegetation edges near deeper water access, particularly in south/southeast corner deep holes Docks and laydowns on the northern shoreline that receive most sun exposure Shallow stumps and wood cover adjacent to deeper water	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and wood cover	Bluegill concentrating near emerging vegetation Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Fish moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning locations, staging along transition areas Feeding activity increases with warming water, particularly during low-light periods and throughout day due to turbid conditions Congregating near points and breaks adjacent to potential spawning areas	Weed edges and breaks in 11-13 foot range where they intersect with points Sand-bottom transitions leading to spawning areas Deeper holes in S/SE corner serving as staging areas	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Blade Baits	Small minnows and shiners Young of year perch Small bottom-dwelling prey	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Largemouth bass are transitioning to spawning areas, with males creating and guarding nests in shallow protected areas Fish are more aggressive during pre-spawn, becoming territorial during spawn, particularly around nesting sites Activity levels increase during warmer parts of the day, especially in this northern lake	Protected shallow areas near submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of water Areas adjacent to docks and laydowns providing spawning sanctuary Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper holes, particularly in S/SE corner	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover and spawning areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water during pre-spawn Spinnerbaits worked slowly around vegetation edges	Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas Small baitfish moving into warming shallows Crawfish becoming more active in warming water	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye actively moving to shallow spawning areas, particularly around sand-weed transitions due to the lake's sandy bottom composition Extended feeding periods due to poor water clarity (2.3ft Secchi), with fish remaining active during daylight hours Concentrating around limited available structure due to the lake's simple circular shape and limited complexity	Sandy flats adjacent to weedline breaks in 6-8 feet of water Points with mixed sand and vegetation in 4-7 feet Deeper holes in S/SE corner serving as staging areas	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along sand-weed transitions Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations near staging areas Finesse Jigs with subtle movements near spawning flats	Small Minnows, particularly concentrated around weed edges Young of Year Perch in deeper holes Small Shiners around spawning areas	Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are relating heavily to shallow cover and showing increased feeding activity, particularly around docks as evidenced by recent reports	Docks, particularly those with deeper water access, as confirmed by recent fishing reports Submerged vegetation edges in 3-8 feet of water Shallow wood cover and laydowns near shoreline areas	Ned Rigs, which have proven effective in recent shore fishing reports Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and shallow cover Swim Jigs through vegetation gaps	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas Young of the year baitfish becoming more active in warming waters	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-58	Post-spawn walleye transitioning to feeding patterns, actively hunting along weed edges during lower light conditions Fish utilizing shallow to mid-depth structure (11-13 ft) due to limited lake depth, particularly active around weed-sand transitions	Weed edges along points in 11-13 ft of water Sand-weed transitions near deeper holes in S/SE corner Sparse weed patches adjacent to sandy areas	Finesse Jigs worked slowly along weed edges Live Bait Rigs with minnows near transition areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) parallel to weedlines	Minnows concentrating along weed edges Young of year perch beginning to emerge in weed growth	Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	65-80	Actively feeding in and around submerged vegetation and dock areas, showing aggressive pursuit of moving baits in the upper water column Moving between shallow cover and slightly deeper areas as temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, with increased activity during wind conditions	Submerged grass beds, especially edges and openings where vegetation meets slightly deeper water Docks and adjacent cover, particularly those near depth changes or vegetation Scattered stumps and woody cover, especially those adjacent to vegetation	Swim Jigs worked through and over vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) around docks and cover Hard Jerkbaits when wind is present, especially over grass beds	Bluegill concentrated in vegetation and around docks Young-of-year perch relating to vegetation edges	Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-78	Holding on deep weed edges during daylight hours, moving shallower during low light periods Summer time walleye more active in darker conditions due to lake's turbidity (2.3ft clarity) Relating strongly to limited structural elements, concentrating around weed edges and points	Weed edges in 11-13 foot depth range, particularly where they intersect with points Deeper holes in S/SE corner during peak daylight hours Scattered coontail beds adjacent to sand flats	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along weed edges Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with aggressive jigging cadence Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along weed edges	Various minnow species concentrated along weed edges Young-of-year perch utilizing weed cover Small panfish relating to vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Josephine

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are actively feeding in and around grass beds, showing aggressive pursuit of prey as evidenced by reaction strikes on moving baits Fish are utilizing shallow to mid-depth vegetation as primary cover, with increased activity around scattered grass patches	Scattered grass beds in shallow to mid-depth zones Laydowns and woody cover near vegetation Points with grass coverage	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked steadily through grass Swim Jigs with steady retrieves near vegetation Finesse Jigs worked slowly around hard cover	Crawfish in and around vegetation Bluegill relating to grass beds	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Walleye transitioning to deeper water haunts, actively feeding during low-light periods and throughout overcast days due to turbid conditions (2.3ft visibility) Fish staging near the deepest available structure (S/SE corner holes) and relating strongly to remaining weed edges as vegetation begins to die off	Deep holes in S/SE corner where remaining weeds meet deeper water Weed edges along points in 11-13 ft depth range Sand-to-weed transitions near the few available structural points	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs	Baitfish schools concentrating near remaining weed edges Young-of-year perch relating to weed edges Native minnow species	Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	48-55	Fish are concentrating in the deeper holes in the S/SE corner of the lake during late fall transition, showing increased feeding activity during daylight hours due to low water clarity Walleye are relating tightly to the few available structure elements, particularly deep weed edges where they meet breaks and points	Deep holes in S/SE corner, particularly where they intersect with remaining weed edges Points and breaks in 11-13 foot range with access to deeper water Remaining deep weedline edges, especially where they meet sandy bottom transitions	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Live Bait Rigs	Small minnows congregating near remaining deep weed edges Young-of-year baitfish schooling in deeper holes Small perch relating to weed edges	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Walleye	33-39	Actively feeding during dusk periods along weed edges and first break lines into main basin Concentrated in predictable locations due to limited structural complexity of the lake	Weedline edges where they meet the first break into main basin Deep holes in S/SE corner of lake Main basin breaks in 11-13 ft range	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with treble hooks positioned along weedline breaks Ice Fishing Jigs worked near bottom in deeper holes Ice Fishing Spoons for more active presentations during prime feeding windows	Fathead Minnows Shiners	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Josephine

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vegetation edges near deeper water access, particularly in south/southeast corner deep holes	Docks and laydowns on the northern shoreline that receive most sun exposure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Weed edges and breaks in 11-13 foot range where they intersect with points	Sand-bottom transitions leading to spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow areas near submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of water	Areas adjacent to docks and laydowns providing spawning sanctuary
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Sandy flats adjacent to weedline breaks in 6-8 feet of water	Points with mixed sand and vegetation in 4-7 feet
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks, particularly those with deeper water access, as confirmed by recent fishing reports	Submerged vegetation edges in 3-8 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Weed edges along points in 11-13 ft of water	Sand-weed transitions near deeper holes in S/SE corner
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Submerged grass beds, especially edges and openings where vegetation meets slightly deeper water	Docks and adjacent cover, particularly those near depth changes or vegetation
Summer	Walleye	Weed edges in 11-13 foot depth range, particularly where they intersect with points	Deeper holes in S/SE corner during peak daylight hours
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Scattered grass beds in shallow to mid-depth zones	Laydowns and woody cover near vegetation
Fall	Walleye	Deep holes in S/SE corner where remaining weeds meet deeper water	Weed edges along points in 11-13 ft depth range
Winter	Walleye	Deep holes in S/SE corner, particularly where they intersect with remaining weed edges	Points and breaks in 11-13 foot range with access to deeper water
Ice	Walleye	Weedline edges where they meet the first break into main basin	Deep holes in S/SE corner of lake

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating near emerging vegetation	Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Small minnows and shiners	Young of year perch
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas	Small baitfish moving into warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Small Minnows, particularly concentrated around weed edges	Young of Year Perch in deeper holes
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas	Young of the year baitfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Minnows concentrating along weed edges	Young of year perch beginning to emerge in weed growth
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated in vegetation and around docks	Young-of-year perch relating to vegetation edges
Summer	Walleye	Various minnow species concentrated along weed edges	Young-of-year perch utilizing weed cover
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish in and around vegetation	Bluegill relating to grass beds
Fall	Walleye	Baitfish schools concentrating near remaining weed edges	Young-of-year perch relating to weed edges
Winter	Walleye	Small minnows congregating near remaining deep weed edges	Young-of-year baitfish schooling in deeper holes
Ice	Walleye	Fathead Minnows	Shiners

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Josephine

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

Enter your email address to get 10% off your first order

Join over 100k anglers who receive our newsletter.
Techniques, tips and tackle breakdowns personalized to your local area.

© 2025 Omnia Fishing Inc. All Rights Reserved

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy