How to Fish Lake McClure

Lake McClure fishing FAQ

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Lake McClure in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Spotted bass are transitioning to pre-spawn patterns, actively moving into staging areas near spawning flats while feeding opportunistically around grass and wood cover Fish are showing deliberate movement patterns, relating strongly to small patches of grass and laydowns as evidenced by recent fishing reports Key locations: Shallow grass patches and laydowns near spawning flats; Rocky points adjacent to spawning pockets; Secondary points with mixed vegetation and rock. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits slow-rolled through vegetation and around laydowns, Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around cover, Shakey Heads worked along rocky transitions. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter patterns, Small baitfish in staging areas. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Lake McClure in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-62°F. Bass are transitioning from winter deep structure to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are becoming more aggressive and moving into 5-15 foot depths, particularly during warming trends Key locations: Secondary points with mixed rock and vegetation near spawning pockets; Transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning flats; Rock structures (rip rap, rock piles) that warm quickly on sunny days. Best techniques: Lipless Crankbaits worked through staging areas with erratic retrieves, Bladed Jigs around shallow rock and emerging vegetation, Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along transition zones. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Shad schools in transition areas, Small baitfish in warming shallows. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Lake McClure in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-65°F. Spotted bass are actively moving into spawning areas, with some fish already on beds as indicated by recent reports. They're splitting time between pre-spawn staging areas and shallow spawning zones. Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior around rock structures, likely taking advantage of emerging crawfish activity as water temperatures warm to the low 60s. Key locations: Rocky areas and boulder fields in shallow water, particularly where spotted bass are establishing spawning beds; River channel edges where pre-spawn fish are staging; Points and transitions zones near spawning flats, especially those with rock or gravel substrate. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits slow-rolled around rocky areas, matching recent success patterns, Ned Rigs worked along river channels, which has produced multiple fish in the 1.5-2.5 pound range, Shakey Heads worked through rocky areas for spawning fish. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy in rocky areas, Small baitfish moving into spawning areas. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Lake McClure in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, focusing on protected coves and bays with stable temperatures Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water nearby Fish are highly territorial and aggressive in defending nest sites Key locations: Protected shallow coves with mixed cover of submerged vegetation and laydowns; Secondary points leading into spawning bays; Rocky areas and rip-rap in 2-6 foot depth range. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas, Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly for staging fish, Shakey Heads for methodically working potential bed areas. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging in shallow rocky areas, Small baitfish in spawning areas, Shad starting to move shallow. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Lake McClure in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 62-72°F. Post-spawn spotted bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper main lake structure, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are establishing predictable daily feeding patterns, moving between deep and shallow water following baitfish Key locations: Rocky points and transition areas between spawning pockets and main lake; Submerged vegetation and laydowns in 8-15 foot depth range; Secondary points with access to deeper water. Best techniques: Shakey Heads worked slowly along rocky points and transitions, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to shoreline structure, Spinnerbaits around submerged vegetation and laydowns. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging in rocky areas, Small shad schools beginning to form, Various minnow species in shallow vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Lake McClure in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 65-75°F. Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding on shad in shallow to mid-depth zones Fish are showing aggressive surface feeding behavior, particularly during low-light periods, as evidenced by topwater success Key locations: Rip rap banks with access to deeper water, where recent catches have been reported; Main lake points with irregular shoreline features; Shallow areas with submerged vegetation near post-spawn transition routes. Best techniques: Hard Topwater (Popping) - proven effective by recent catches, Spinnerbaits - effective for actively feeding bass chasing shad, Soft Jerkbaits - excellent for suspended fish transitioning between depths. Primary forage: Shad - primary forage based on recent reports, Crawfish - active in rocky areas during this season. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Metallic Colors, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Lake McClure in Summer?

Water temp 80-84°F. Spotted bass are actively feeding in the 10-20 foot depth range during summer, with a preference for structure-oriented locations Fish are likely making feeding moves during lower light periods, utilizing points and boulder areas as ambush locations Key locations: Rocky points in 10-20 foot depth range; Boulder fields and rock piles; Deep structure adjacent to shoreline points. Best techniques: Wacky Rigs with slow, deliberate presentations, Drop Shot along deeper structure edges, Shakey Heads worked around boulders and points. Primary forage: Minnows, Crawfish around rocky structure. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Lake McClure in Summer?

Water temp 72-84°F. Active feeding during early morning and evening hours, utilizing shallow to mid-depth areas near structure Moving to deeper water (15-25ft) during bright midday periods Aggressive reaction strikes on shad schools around points and vegetation edges Key locations: Main lake points with access to deep water; Submerged vegetation edges near creek channels; Riprap banks with shade during midday; Laydowns and natural structure in 5-15 foot depth range. Best techniques: Buzzbaits and walking topwaters during morning/evening periods, Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along points during midday, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and vegetation, Spinnerbaits in shad patterns around active bait schools. Primary forage: Shad schools in open water and around points, Crawfish in rocky areas and riprap, Bluegill in vegetation edges. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Lake McClure in Fall?

Water temp 62-72°F. Actively chasing shad schools in the 15-30ft range, with increased feeding activity during morning and evening periods Relating heavily to rock-to-water transitions and points as baitfish move through these areas Showing aggressive feeding patterns as they bulk up for winter, often schooling and herding bait against structure Key locations: Main lake points with rock transitions, especially those adjacent to deeper water; Secondary points in major creek arms where shad schools are present; Steep rocky banks with boulders in 15-25ft depth range. Best techniques: Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to rocky points, Spinnerbaits retrieved at varying speeds around baitfish schools, Drop Shot worked vertically when fish are spotted on electronics. Primary forage: Shad schools congregating in creek arms and around points, Crawfish still active on rocky structure, Small bluegill and sunfish around remaining vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Metallic Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Lake McClure in Fall?

Water temp 58-72°F. Fish are actively feeding on crawfish around hard structure, transitioning between summer and winter patterns Moving between shallow and mid-depth areas, following baitfish and targeting crawfish near cover Key locations: Pilings and dock areas with rocky bottom composition; Main lake points with rock structure; Protected coves with submerged vegetation. Best techniques: Shakey Heads worked slowly around hard cover, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around pilings and cover, Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along rocky points. Primary forage: Crawfish, Shad, Minnows. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Lake McClure in Winter?

Water temp 54-58°F. Spotted bass are holding in deep water (30-50ft) relating to hard structure, moving slowly and requiring methodical presentations Fish are showing preference for bottom-oriented presentations with occasional reaction strikes on suspended baits Key locations: Deep rock piles and boulder fields in 30-50ft range; Deep points with access to standing timber; Steep ledges adjacent to deep water. Best techniques: Drop Shot with subtle shakes and long pauses, Football Jigs worked with small hops along bottom, Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses, Umbrella Rigs for suspended fish. Primary forage: Shad suspended in deeper water, Crawfish in rocky areas, Minnows along deep structure. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Pink Colors, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Lake McClure in Winter?

Water temp 42-49°F. Bass are moving sluggishly due to cold water temperatures, holding tight to deep structure and feeding conservatively Fish are primarily ambush feeding on crawfish and baitfish near hard structure, with limited movement between spots Key locations: Deep rock piles in 20-35 foot range, especially those near channel swings; Deep points with rock or boulder structure; Steep bluff walls with scattered rock. Best techniques: Finesse Jigs worked slowly along bottom structure, Football Jigs dragged across deep rock, Ned Rigs deadsticked near structure. Primary forage: Crawfish seeking shelter in rock crevices, Small baitfish holding near deep structure. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Green Colors.