How to Fish Kabetogama Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques

Kabetogama Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 28, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Kabetogama Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Transitioning from winter deep water areas to shallow spawning locations, staging at key structural elements along migration routes Feeding actively but in short windows, particularly during dawn and dusk periods Moving along deeper edges of spawning flats, making frequent shallow-to-deep movements based on light conditions	Rock piles and boulder areas in 8-15 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats Wind-blown points with direct access to deeper water Emerging weed edges in 10-15 foot range where present	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during prime feeding windows Blade Baits worked along deeper edges	Small baitfish schools in transition areas Leeches becoming more active in warming shallows Juvenile perch along emerging weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	48-58	Fish are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding on crawfish in shallow rocky areas Smallmouth becoming more aggressive as water warms, using shallow rock-sand transitions as feeding zones	Rocky shorelines with mixed gravel and sand in 2-8 feet Protected shallow flats with scattered rocks and boulders Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline with varied retrieve Tubes dragged and hopped along rock-sand transitions Ned Rigs worked slowly around rocky structure	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish relating to warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	48-58	Moving from deep winter basins (20-35 feet) towards shallower warming bays and protected areas in preparation for spawn Staging in layers with larger females holding deeper while smaller males push shallower Becoming more active during warming trends, especially during afternoon hours	Protected shallow bays with slower warming water Transition areas between deep basins and spawning flats (15-25 feet) Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling	Small baitfish in pre-spawn staging areas Early season insects emerging in warming shallows Small crustaceans in transition zones	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves, particularly in shallow bays and near potential spawning areas Fish are moving from deeper wintering areas to warmer, shallow waters, especially focusing on areas with emerging vegetation	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially on the north side of the lake where waters warm first Transitions between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning bays Protected areas around islands that warm quickly and offer wind protection	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through shallow areas Spinnerbaits retrieved at moderate speeds parallel to emerging weed edges Live Bait Rigs with large minnows near transition areas	Large Minnows gathering in warming shallows Walleye moving into similar spawning areas Cisco schools transitioning from deep water to shallower areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye are transitioning from winter areas to spawning locations, typically moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries where available Fish become more active during low-light periods, especially at dusk and dawn, with pre-spawn feeding becoming more aggressive	Rocky shorelines and points in 2-8 feet of water, particularly on wind-blown areas Tributary mouths and current areas with hard bottom Secondary drop-offs in 12-15 feet adjacent to spawning areas	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky areas Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle movements Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional areas	Small minnows and shiners gathering in spawning areas Juvenile perch in slightly deeper adjacent areas Leeches becoming more active in warming shallows	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	52-62	Fish actively moving to spawning beds in shallow rocky areas, with some already establishing nests as indicated by recent reports Aggressive territorial behavior around bedding areas, particularly near boulder fields and rocky points	Boulder fields in shallow water (4-8 feet) where spawning beds are being established Rocky points adjacent to deeper water providing staging areas Protected bays with hard bottom structure for early spawning activity	Drop Shot with finesse baits, working slowly around bedding areas Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in staging areas Tubes dragged slowly across rocky structure	Crawfish emerging from winter habitat and highly active Small insects and aquatic invertebrates Small baitfish relating to spawning areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Moving into shallow bays and protected areas for spawning, with males staging and preparing nests in 3-8 feet of water Pre-spawn females staging in slightly deeper adjacent areas (8-15 feet), moving shallow during prime temperature periods	Protected shallow bays with soft bottom and sparse vegetation in 3-8 feet Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow flats adjacent to deeper staging areas	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Small minnows and juvenile fish Aquatic insects and larvae	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Northern Pike are in shallow, vegetated bays and backwater areas (2-8 feet) for spawning, with post-spawn fish remaining nearby to recover Aggressive feeding patterns emerge as water warms, with fish actively striking at flash and vibration in their spawning and recovery zones	Shallow, weedy bays with emerging vegetation near tributary inflows or protected areas Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays where post-spawn fish stage Protected areas between islands with emerging weed growth	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow vegetation and around emerging weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved with a steady presentation near spawning areas Inline Spinners cast parallel to weed edges and retrieved at moderate speeds	Shallow water minnow species congregating in spawning bays Young-of-year panfish emerging in vegetated areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	50-74	Post-spawn walleyes exhibiting mixed behavior patterns - some resting in deeper water (20-35') after spawn while others actively feeding in shallow areas (2-15') particularly along wind-blown shorelines Feeding activity increases during lower light conditions and wind events, with fish responding to both shallow and deep presentations depending on light levels and weather	Wind-blown shorelines and points in 5-15 feet of water Deep breaks and ledges in 20-35 feet where post-spawn fish rest Rock piles and boulder areas in 3-10 feet during active feeding periods Emerging weed edges in 10-15 feet as vegetation begins to develop	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with 1/8 oz jigs and minnows along wind-blown shores Live Bait Rigs with leeches or crawlers in 10-15' near emerging weeds Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') with loud, vibrant patterns during active periods Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with stand-up jigs for resting post-spawn fish	Minnows (primary forage during post-spawn period) Mayflies (emerging and causing periodic challenging bite) Leeches (becoming more active as water warms)	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	65-74	Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding and recovering, moving between shallow spawning areas and nearby deeper structure Fish are aggressive and responsive to reaction baits, showing increased feeding activity as they replenish energy	Shallow rocky shorelines with gradual tapers, especially near spawning bays Rock piles and island structures in 5-10 foot depth range Points and ledges adjacent to spawning areas	Bladed Jigs worked along shorelines with varying retrieves Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') over rocky areas Hard Topwater (Walking) for covering water and aggressive fish	Crawfish Minnows Cisco/Whitefish	Chartreuse Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	58-72	Transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding in shoreline zones and beginning to suspend near cover Showing increased activity during morning and evening periods, with schools breaking into smaller groups	Shallow bays with emerging weed growth in 8-15 feet Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays Suspended cover near deep basin edges in 15-20 feet	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Hover/Mid-Strolling	Small insects and emerging larvae Young-of-year baitfish Zooplankton	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	52-65	Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, particularly during early morning and late evening Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer locations, following baitfish schools Aggressive feeding behavior near weed edges and points, with frequent ambush attacks	Emerging weed edges in 8-15 foot depths Points and island structures adjacent to spawning bays Submerged vegetation near deeper water access	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve Inline Spinners near surface during low light periods	Young-of-year baitfish schools Smaller pike and panfish Emerging perch schools	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-72	Walleyes are actively feeding on windblown structure during summer, with distinct shallow and deep patterns evident based on light conditions and temperature Fish are showing both shallow rock-oriented feeding (2-8ft) during lower light and wind conditions, and deep basin suspended patterns (20+ ft) during bright conditions with water temps in high 60s	Shallow wind-blown rock piles and points with nearby deep water access Deep basin areas and offshore humps in 20+ feet of water Wind-swept shoreline structure transitions to deeper water	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along wind-blown rock structure Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) over suspended schools Live Bait Rigs with leeches or crawlers at various depths Trolling Deep (20'+) in open water basins	Minnows/small baitfish schools Crawfish around rocky structure	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-74	Actively feeding on rocky structures and humps during early morning and evening, with strong topwater activity in 5-10 foot depths Moving between shallow feeding zones and adjacent deeper water during midday, using points and boulder fields as primary transition areas	Rocky points with extended shallow-to-deep transitions and boulder coverage Shallow humps topping out at 5-10 feet, especially those with rock or boulder structure Boulder fields adjacent to deeper water	Hard Topwater (Popping) during low-light periods over shallow structure Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along points and transitions Tubes worked through boulder fields	Crawfish - primary forage around rocky structure Minnows - actively pursued during shallow feeding periods	Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Crappie	68-78	Crappies suspend in deeper water (15-25 feet) during bright midday periods, moving shallower during morning and evening Schools actively feed in twilight hours around weed edges and points, dispersing into smaller groups Maintain proximity to primary structure but become more suspended in the water column	Deep weed edges in 12-18 feet of water adjacent to points Suspended over deep basins near structure in 20-25 feet Secondary points with access to deep water	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Young-of-year baitfish schools Aquatic insects Small crustaceans near weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	68-78	Pike are actively patrolling weed edges and points during early morning and evening, moving to deeper adjacent structure during bright midday periods Aggressive feeding behavior occurs around schools of baitfish, particularly near island drops and weed bed edges	Deep weed edges adjacent to points and islands (15-20 feet) Submerged rock piles near deeper water (18-25 feet) Shallow weed flats with access to deeper water (8-12 feet)	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near structure transitions Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along island contours and points	Cisco schools suspending near deep structure Young-of-year walleye in weed edges Various minnow species relating to vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Kabetogama Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Walleye	48-56	Walleye actively feeding on offshore structure, particularly mid-lake humps, as they transition to winter patterns with cooling water temperatures Fish are schooling on defined structure and responding well to aggressive jigging presentations, suggesting active feeding behavior	Mid-lake humps with deep water access Deep rock structures in 20'+ of water Transitional areas between shallow and deep water	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Blade Baits Hard Body Swimbaits	Minnows Small Bottom-Dwelling Baitfish	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	52-64	Actively feeding and schooling around mid-lake structures, particularly humps and rock piles, as they bulk up for winter Following baitfish movements while maintaining proximity to deep-water access points	Mid-lake humps with large boulders and rock piles Main lake points with deep water access Offshore rock piles adjacent to deep water	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with aggressive presentations around humps Lipless Crankbaits worked from deep to shallow across structure Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with varied retrieve speeds	Minnows schooling around deep structure Crawfish in rocky areas	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	55-65	Forming large, tight schools in deep basins (20-35 feet) over soft bottom areas, appearing as 'Christmas tree' formations on sonar Active feeding at 65°F water temperature, responding well to vertical presentations with moderate to aggressive jigging motions	Soft bottom basins in 20-35 feet of water Deep brush piles in 30-foot depths Suspended schools in open water areas over deep basins	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Insects Small minnows	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	55-68	Pike are actively feeding in cooling fall waters (65°F), using island structures and rocky areas as ambush points to target concentrating baitfish Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, evidenced by their willingness to chase spinnerbaits and the presence of trophy-class fish (41.75 inches)	Islands with adjacent boulder structure, focusing on nooks and crannies that provide ambush points Rocky points and transitions near deeper water that concentrate baitfish Remaining weed edges adjacent to deeper water where baitfish school	Spinnerbaits worked along island edges and through boulder fields Large Soft Body Swimbaits targeting actively feeding pike around structure Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along island edges and points during midday	Minnows and smaller baitfish schooling around structure Ciscoes moving into shallower water during fall cooling	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	45-52	Late fall walleye transitioning to winter patterns, seeking deeper main basin areas and structural elements adjacent to deep water Active feeding during low-light periods, especially near sunrise and sunset, with increased daytime activity due to reduced light penetration	Deep main lake rock piles and humps in 25-35 foot range Sharp breaks and points adjacent to deep basin areas Wind-blown shoreline structure with quick access to deeper water	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Blade Baits Trolling Deep (20'+)	Suspended baitfish schools in deeper water Bottom-oriented forage like small perch Late-season lingering leeches	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Crappie	34-42	Crappies form dense schools in deep basins, suspending over 20-35 foot depths in a classic winter pattern Fish become more active during stable weather periods, making subtle vertical movements within the water column Feeding periods are shorter but more predictable, typically most active during early morning and late afternoon	Main lake basins with soft bottom in 20-35 foot range Deep holes adjacent to structural elements like points or sunken islands Protected bays with adequate depth, particularly during severe weather	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Ice Fishing Jigs Damiki Rig	Small baitfish suspended in schools Zooplankton concentrations in deep water Dormant aquatic insects	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	34-42	Northern Pike actively feeding in deeper water structures (15-25 feet) during open water winter conditions, focusing on suspended baitfish schools More sluggish movement patterns but will strike opportunistically when prey is presented within their strike zone	Deep edges of main lake points near islands where baitfish suspend Deep weed edges transitioning to rock piles in 15-25 foot range Deeper holes adjacent to shallow flats where baitfish school	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Ciscoes suspended in deeper water Suspended schools of young-of-year perch Concentrated schools of smaller walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Walleye	33-38	Walleye concentrate near bottom structure and transition areas, becoming most active during dawn and dusk periods Fish tend to school more tightly in winter, often relating to specific structural elements that provide access to both deep water and feeding shelves	Rock piles and boulder areas adjacent to deep water basins (20-35 feet) Mid-lake humps with access to deeper water Transition areas where hard bottom meets soft bottom in 15-25 foot range	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements near bottom Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging followed by long pauses Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to locate active fish	Small perch and other juvenile fish concentrated near structure Juvenile cisco/tullibees suspended off structure edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Crappie	33-39	Large schools of crappies suspend over deep basins (20-35 feet), maintaining tight schooling behavior as observed in pre-ice period Feeding activity is most intense during early morning and late afternoon periods, with fish becoming more active on stable weather days Schools will move vertically in the water column based on light conditions and forage movement	Deep basins with soft bottom in 20-35 foot range, particularly where schools were located in late fall Transition areas between deep basins and structural elements like points or underwater humps Deep weed edges that maintain green vegetation through early ice	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements to trigger bites from neutral fish Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive action to call fish in from a distance Live Bait Rigs using smaller minnows or waxworms for finicky fish	Small minnows suspended in schools Zooplankton and micro invertebrates Inactive or dying insects near bottom structure	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Northern Pike become less active but maintain feeding periods, typically during mid-morning and late afternoon, concentrating near primary forage locations Fish position near deeper structures adjacent to shallow feeding flats, moving up to feed on concentrated schools of baitfish	Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow flats where baitfish concentrate Island points and saddles in 15-25 foot depth range Deep rock piles and humps that hold winter baitfish schools	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at various depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for a more subtle presentation	Cisco and Tullibees congregating in deep water Small Walleye in moderate depths Concentrated schools of winter minnows	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Kabetogama Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rock piles and boulder areas in 8-15 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats	Wind-blown points with direct access to deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky shorelines with mixed gravel and sand in 2-8 feet	Protected shallow flats with scattered rocks and boulders
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow bays with slower warming water	Transition areas between deep basins and spawning flats (15-25 feet)
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially on the north side of the lake where waters warm first	Transitions between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky shorelines and points in 2-8 feet of water, particularly on wind-blown areas	Tributary mouths and current areas with hard bottom
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Boulder fields in shallow water (4-8 feet) where spawning beds are being established	Rocky points adjacent to deeper water providing staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow bays with soft bottom and sparse vegetation in 3-8 feet	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow, weedy bays with emerging vegetation near tributary inflows or protected areas	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays where post-spawn fish stage
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Wind-blown shorelines and points in 5-15 feet of water	Deep breaks and ledges in 20-35 feet where post-spawn fish rest
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shallow rocky shorelines with gradual tapers, especially near spawning bays	Rock piles and island structures in 5-10 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow bays with emerging weed growth in 8-15 feet	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Emerging weed edges in 8-15 foot depths	Points and island structures adjacent to spawning bays
Summer	Walleye	Shallow wind-blown rock piles and points with nearby deep water access	Deep basin areas and offshore humps in 20+ feet of water
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points with extended shallow-to-deep transitions and boulder coverage	Shallow humps topping out at 5-10 feet, especially those with rock or boulder structure
Summer	Crappie	Deep weed edges in 12-18 feet of water adjacent to points	Suspended over deep basins near structure in 20-25 feet
Summer	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges adjacent to points and islands (15-20 feet)	Submerged rock piles near deeper water (18-25 feet)
Fall	Walleye	Mid-lake humps with deep water access	Deep rock structures in 20'+ of water
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Mid-lake humps with large boulders and rock piles	Main lake points with deep water access
Fall	Crappie	Soft bottom basins in 20-35 feet of water	Deep brush piles in 30-foot depths
Fall	Northern Pike	Islands with adjacent boulder structure, focusing on nooks and crannies that provide ambush points	Rocky points and transitions near deeper water that concentrate baitfish
Winter	Walleye	Deep main lake rock piles and humps in 25-35 foot range	Sharp breaks and points adjacent to deep basin areas
Winter	Crappie	Main lake basins with soft bottom in 20-35 foot range	Deep holes adjacent to structural elements like points or sunken islands
Winter	Northern Pike	Deep edges of main lake points near islands where baitfish suspend	Deep weed edges transitioning to rock piles in 15-25 foot range
Ice	Walleye	Rock piles and boulder areas adjacent to deep water basins (20-35 feet)	Mid-lake humps with access to deeper water
Ice	Crappie	Deep basins with soft bottom in 20-35 foot range, particularly where schools were located in late fall	Transition areas between deep basins and structural elements like points or underwater humps
Ice	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow flats where baitfish concentrate	Island points and saddles in 15-25 foot depth range

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Small baitfish schools in transition areas	Leeches becoming more active in warming shallows
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish relating to warming shallows
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small baitfish in pre-spawn staging areas	Early season insects emerging in warming shallows
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Large Minnows gathering in warming shallows	Walleye moving into similar spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Small minnows and shiners gathering in spawning areas	Juvenile perch in slightly deeper adjacent areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter habitat and highly active	Small insects and aquatic invertebrates
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows and juvenile fish	Aquatic insects and larvae
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow water minnow species congregating in spawning bays	Young-of-year panfish emerging in vegetated areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Minnows (primary forage during post-spawn period)	Mayflies (emerging and causing periodic challenging bite)
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish	Minnows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small insects and emerging larvae	Young-of-year baitfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year baitfish schools	Smaller pike and panfish
Summer	Walleye	Minnows/small baitfish schools	Crawfish around rocky structure
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish - primary forage around rocky structure	Minnows - actively pursued during shallow feeding periods
Summer	Crappie	Young-of-year baitfish schools	Aquatic insects
Summer	Northern Pike	Cisco schools suspending near deep structure	Young-of-year walleye in weed edges
Fall	Walleye	Minnows	Small Bottom-Dwelling Baitfish
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Minnows schooling around deep structure	Crawfish in rocky areas
Fall	Crappie	Insects	Small minnows
Fall	Northern Pike	Minnows and smaller baitfish schooling around structure	Ciscoes moving into shallower water during fall cooling
Winter	Walleye	Suspended baitfish schools in deeper water	Bottom-oriented forage like small perch
Winter	Crappie	Small baitfish suspended in schools	Zooplankton concentrations in deep water
Winter	Northern Pike	Ciscoes suspended in deeper water	Suspended schools of young-of-year perch
Ice	Walleye	Small perch and other juvenile fish concentrated near structure	Juvenile cisco/tullibees suspended off structure edges
Ice	Crappie	Small minnows suspended in schools	Zooplankton and micro invertebrates
Ice	Northern Pike	Cisco and Tullibees congregating in deep water	Small Walleye in moderate depths

Bait Colors by Season for Kabetogama Lake

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