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Pool 7 Lake Onalaska

Published: Updated:

Spring Fishing Patterns on Pool 7 Lake Onalaska

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass56-65
  • Staging in pre-spawn areas near spawning pockets, actively feeding while preparing for spawn
  • Movement patterns vary with conditions - more active during cloudy/windy periods, less active during bright, calm conditions
  • Utilizing grass edges and current breaks as primary feeding zones
  • Weed flats and channels leading to spawning pockets
  • Submerged vegetation edges, especially near deeper water access
  • Current-influenced areas with rock and wood cover
  • Bladed Jigs worked through sparse vegetation during cloudy/windy conditions
  • Wacky Rigs worked slowly during sunny, calm conditions
  • Texas Rigs (Worming) around wood cover and current breaks
  • Shad
  • Bluegill
  • Minnows
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass56-67
  • Staging in pre-spawn areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
  • Moving from winter depths to shallower transition areas, particularly along rocky points and hard-bottom areas
  • Showing increased aggression and feeding activity as water temperatures rise
  • Rocky points and current breaks near spawning flats in 2-6 foot depth range
  • Hard bottom areas adjacent to deeper water
  • Wing dams and current breaks providing staging areas
  • Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
  • Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky bottom
  • Jerkbaits worked with longer pauses in transition areas
  • Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
  • Small baitfish concentrated near current breaks
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Walleye42-52
  • Pre-spawn walleye are actively feeding while staging near spawning areas, particularly around current breaks and wing dams
  • Fish are relating to shallow structural elements in 4-9 foot range, taking advantage of turbid conditions for daytime feeding
  • Wing dams with 4-9 foot drops where current breaks create feeding zones
  • Rock piles in shallow water adjacent to spawning areas
  • Shallow flats with hard bottom composition near shoreline points
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along structure breaks
  • Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near wing dams
  • Shad concentrating around current breaks
  • Small baitfish relating to rock structure
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill52-65
  • Moving from winter holding areas to shallow, warmer bays and backwaters, staging for upcoming spawn
  • Actively feeding on small invertebrates and zooplankton near emerging vegetation
  • Congregating in protected areas with reduced current, especially on sunny days when water temperatures rise
  • Protected shallow bays and backwaters with emerging vegetation, especially dark bottom areas that warm quickly
  • Current breaks near wing dams in 4-8 foot depths
  • Inside turns of creek channels in backwater areas
  • Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near emerging vegetation
  • Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around current breaks
  • Micro Crankbaits worked slowly along weed edges
  • Small insects and larvae emerging with warming water
  • Zooplankton concentrations in backwater areas
  • Small minnows in protected areas
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass56-68
  • Fish are moving shallow to spawn, holding tight to cover like laydowns and old grass beds for spawning protection
  • Males are actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby drop-offs between spawning waves
  • Laydowns and fallen trees in protected backwater areas
  • Old grass bed edges in spawning pockets
  • Secondary points leading into spawning bays
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with light but strong tackle for precise presentations to cover
  • Soft Jerkbaits for spawning fish and staged females
  • Shakey Heads for more finesse approach around bed areas
  • Crawfish becoming active in warming waters
  • Bluegill moving shallow with bass
  • Shad schools in pre-spawn patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth Bass56-67
  • Smallmouth bass actively spawning on hard bottom areas around rocks and stumps in shallow water, with water temperatures ranging from 56-67°F
  • Fish moving between spawning bays and nearby feeding areas, showing increased activity around matted vegetation and pad edges
  • Post-spawn fish beginning to stage near current breaks and drop-offs for recovery and feeding
  • Hard bottom areas with rocks and stumps in 2-6 foot depth range
  • Protected spawning bays with adjacent matted vegetation
  • Wing dams and sand drops near spawning areas
  • Drop Shot with small tubes for precise presentations to spawning fish
  • Soft Jerkbaits worked along structure edges and drops
  • Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation for post-spawn fish
  • Minnows around spawning areas
  • Crawfish in rocky areas
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Walleye42-52
  • Pre-spawn walleye staging near spawning areas, moving from wintering areas to shallow rocky structures
  • Active feeding during dawn and dusk, with increased daytime activity due to turbid conditions
  • Males arrive first at spawning areas, with females moving in as water temperatures reach optimal range
  • Rock piles and wing dams in 4-9 foot depth range
  • Current breaks near tributary mouths or flowing water areas
  • Hard bottom areas with gravel or rock substrate in shallow water
  • Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with controlled movements
  • Blade Baits worked slowly near bottom structure
  • Shad concentrations near current breaks
  • Small baitfish in shallow spawning areas
  • Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill65-75
  • Bluegill moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected bays and backwaters with vegetation
  • Males actively guarding nests in colonies, becoming aggressive and territorial
  • Feeding activity increases in pre-spawn, with fish targeting invertebrates and small prey near vegetation
  • Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and vegetation
  • Backwater areas with scattered lily pad growth
  • Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with emerging vegetation
  • Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly around vegetation
  • Live Bait Rigs with light line in spawning areas
  • Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to spawning flats
  • Small aquatic insects and larvae
  • Tiny crustaceans near vegetation
  • Small minnows in shallow water
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass65-75
  • Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding and recovering, moving between shallow cover and nearby feeding areas along weed edges
  • Fish are showing a clear pattern of movement from deeper weed edges to shallower cover as the day progresses, particularly into lily pads and grass
  • Outside weed lines adjacent to shallow cover
  • Dock corners with nearby weed edges or points
  • Lily pad fields and grass mats in shallow water
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and vegetation
  • Structure Jigs worked along weed edges
  • Swim Jigs through scattered vegetation
  • Shad
  • Bluegill
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass70-78
  • Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing current breaks and rip rap drops as ambush points
  • Fish are showing aggressive striking behavior in relatively shallow water, particularly along structure edges
  • Rip rap banks and drops with current influence
  • Wing dams and current breaks
  • Rocky points adjacent to deeper water
  • Carolina Rigs worked along rip rap drops
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to rocky banks
  • Bladed Jigs around current breaks
  • Crawfish emerging from rocky areas
  • Small baitfish relating to current breaks
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)Walleye48-62
  • Post-spawn walleye transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
  • Fish utilizing current breaks and wing dams as primary feeding zones, taking advantage of baitfish concentrations
  • Most active during low light periods and in turbid conditions due to 1.1m secchi depth
  • Wing dams and current breaks at 4-9 foot drops
  • Rock piles and hard-bottom structure areas
  • Shallow flats adjacent to spawning areas
  • Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to current breaks
  • Ned Rigs worked methodically on rock piles
  • Shad concentrating around current breaks
  • Small bottom-dwelling prey fish
  • Juvenile yellow perch
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill65-75
  • Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding to recover energy, focusing on shallow flats and weed edges in 2-6 feet of water
  • Fish are establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper sanctuaries near vegetation
  • Schools are breaking up from spawning groups but remain relatively concentrated around prime feeding areas
  • Weed edges and pockets in submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
  • Protected bays with matted grass and lily pads
  • Current breaks near wing dams with adjacent vegetation
  • Bobbers with small jigs suspended 1-3 feet below surface
  • Inline Spinners worked slowly through vegetation gaps
  • Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to weed edges
  • Small invertebrates and insects near vegetation
  • Young-of-year shad and minnows
  • Aquatic insect larvae and small crustaceans
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
SummerLargemouth Bass70-80
  • Fish are actively feeding in and around heavy vegetation and current seams, with peak activity during lower light conditions
  • Transitioning between shallow vegetation and deeper current-based structure as temperatures peak
  • Matted grass and lily pad fields in 3-4 feet of water
  • Current breaks and wing dams, especially those near deeper water
  • Weed edges adjacent to deeper water or current
  • Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation and lily pads
  • Hard Topwater (Walking) along weed edges and current seams
  • Carolina Rigs on deeper drops and current-based structure
  • Shad concentrating around vegetation edges and current breaks
  • Bluegill in and around shallow vegetation
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
SummerSmallmouth Bass70-75
  • Actively feeding around current breaks and wing dams, moving between different positions throughout the day based on current and forage
  • Establishing summer holding patterns near deep wood cover and drop-offs in 6+ feet of water, using these areas as ambush points
  • Wing dams and current breaks with nearby deep water access
  • Points near main river channel with wood cover and 6+ foot drop-offs
  • Riprap banks with current influence
  • Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along wing dams and current breaks
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) around points and wood cover
  • Finesse Jigs worked along riprap and rocky areas
  • Ned Rigs for when fish are less aggressive or in clearer water sections
  • Crawfish around rocky structure and riprap
  • Shad relating to current breaks and main channel edges
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
SummerWalleye75-82
  • Fish are holding on current breaks and drop-offs during summer heat, particularly around wing dams where they can ambush prey in turbid conditions
  • Actively feeding in early morning and evening, moving between shallow structure (4-6 feet) and adjacent deeper water (8-9 feet) as temperatures fluctuate
  • Wing dams with 4-9 foot drops, focusing on the edges and bottom of the drop-offs
  • Rock piles in 6-10 foot depth range, especially those near current breaks
  • Hard bottom areas adjacent to deeper water access
  • Ned Rigs worked down drop-offs, maintaining bottom contact
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along current breaks
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') when fish are holding tight to structure
  • Shad concentrating around current breaks
  • Bottom-dwelling baitfish relating to rock structure
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
SummerPanfish / Bluegill68-82
  • Active feeding in and around vegetation, particularly during early morning and evening hours, with movement to slightly deeper adjacent areas during bright midday periods
  • Forming loose schools around structure and weed edges, actively feeding on insects and small invertebrates
  • Utilizing shallow flats and backwater areas with cover for both feeding and protection from predators
  • Weed edges and pockets within lily pad fields in 2-6 feet of water
  • Protected backwater areas with submerged vegetation
  • Current breaks near wing dams with adjacent vegetation
  • Bobbers with small jigs suspended at varying depths around vegetation
  • Inline Spinners worked slowly through gaps in vegetation
  • Live Bait Rigs with light weights for natural presentation
  • Aquatic insects and larvae
  • Small crustaceans
  • Tiny minnows and fish fry
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Pool 7 Lake Onalaska

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
FallLargemouth Bass56-76
  • Bass are actively chasing shad in backwater areas and around laydowns, with most aggressive feeding occurring near bait concentrations
  • Fish are transitioning between grass edges and woody cover, particularly active around current breaks and slack water areas
  • Slack water areas off main channels with laydowns
  • Weed edges and open water basins adjacent to vegetation
  • Brush piles and logs where bait is congregating
  • Hard Jerkbaits with 4-count pause, working parallel to laydowns
  • Finesse Jigs worked along weed edges
  • Bladed Jigs around bait concentrations
  • Shad schools congregating around structure
  • Perch relating to vegetation edges
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
FallSmallmouth Bass72-76
  • Actively feeding on shad schools, using current breaks and structure to corral and ambush bait
  • Fish are feeding aggressively in the upper water column, evidenced by surface activity and 'boiling water' where bait is present
  • Wing dams and current breaks where shad are present
  • Points that intersect with current flows
  • Laydowns and wood cover near deeper water
  • Umbrella Rigs worked just subsurface where bait is present
  • Bladed Jigs with steady retrieve around current breaks
  • Hard Topwater (Walking) worked slowly over active bait
  • Shad schools in upper water column
  • Smaller baitfish concentrated around structure
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
FallWalleye52-65
  • Walleye actively feeding on shad around current breaks and hard structure, with increased feeding activity due to fall cooling trend
  • Fish transitioning from deeper summer haunts to shallower feeding zones, especially during low light periods
  • Wing dams with 4-9 foot drops, particularly where current meets structure
  • Rock piles adjacent to deeper water
  • Hard bottom areas near primary points and bays
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with aggressive snap-jigging presentation
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to structure
  • Blade Baits worked aggressively through current breaks
  • Shad schools congregating around current breaks
  • Young-of-year baitfish in shallow feeding zones
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
FallPanfish / Bluegill52-65
  • Schooling more tightly and moving to deeper backwater areas with less current as water temperatures cool
  • Feeding more aggressively during midday warming periods, especially around remaining vegetation and protected areas
  • Protected backwater areas with remaining vegetation, especially near deeper holes
  • Wing dam areas offering current breaks and concentrated forage
  • Deep weed edges adjacent to flats where vegetation is starting to die off
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
  • Live Bait Rigs
  • Bobbers
  • Small invertebrates and insects around remaining vegetation
  • Young-of-year shad concentrating in backwaters
  • Zooplankton in areas of current breaks
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
WinterWalleye38-45
  • Walleye are holding near bottom structure in deep current breaks, conserving energy while maintaining proximity to forage
  • Feeding windows concentrate around dawn and dusk periods, with fish making short movements to ambush shad in current seams
  • Wing dams with 4-9 foot drops, especially where current breaks create feeding zones
  • Deep rock piles adjacent to current seams
  • Channel edge transitions where shad congregate in winter
  • Blade Baits worked vertically along current breaks
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with heavy jigs in current
  • Live Bait Rigs with minnows near bottom structure
  • Shad concentrated in winter schools near current breaks
  • Small bottom-dwelling prey fish seeking shelter near rock structure
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
WinterPanfish / Bluegill38-45
  • Schooling in deeper backwater areas where currents are minimal and dissolved oxygen remains stable
  • Suspended off bottom near submerged vegetation or structure, maintaining position in areas with moderate current
  • Protected backwater areas with depths of 8-15 feet
  • Current breaks near wing dams where baitfish concentrate
  • Deep vegetation edges in bays where current is minimal
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
  • Live Bait Rigs
  • Hover/Mid-Strolling
  • Small minnows concentrated in backwater areas
  • Dormant aquatic invertebrates near vegetation
  • Suspended shad in current breaks
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
IceWalleye33-39
  • Walleye become more concentrated in specific areas during ice season, often relating to structural elements that provide access to both deep water and feeding shelves
  • Most active feeding periods occur during dawn and dusk, with fish moving between deeper holding areas and shallower feeding zones
  • In the turbid conditions (1.1m Secchi), walleye may extend feeding periods and utilize shallower water due to reduced light penetration
  • Wing dam areas with 4-9 foot drops, particularly where current meets structure
  • Rock piles adjacent to deeper wintering holes
  • Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water
  • Ice Fishing Jigs worked with a subtle lift-drop motion near bottom structure
  • Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging to attract fish in turbid conditions
  • Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set along depth transitions with live bait
  • Shad schooling near structural elements
  • Small bottom-dwelling prey fish utilizing rock structure
  • Juvenile perch around weed edges
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
IcePanfish / Bluegill34-39
  • Concentrated schools holding in deeper backwater areas with reduced current, actively feeding on small prey items
  • Most active during early morning and late afternoon periods, with feeding patterns closely tied to light penetration through ice
  • Protected backwater areas with depths of 8-15 feet
  • Points adjacent to deeper wintering holes
  • Areas with reduced current near wing dams
  • Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements just above the school
  • Ice Fishing Spoons for more aggressive fish and to call fish in from a distance
  • Hover/Mid-Strolling when fish are suspended off bottom
  • Small minnows
  • Aquatic invertebrates
  • Zooplankton
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Pool 7 Lake Onalaska

SeasonSpeciesPrimary StructureSecondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassWeed flats and channels leading to spawning pocketsSubmerged vegetation edges, especially near deeper water access
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth BassRocky points and current breaks near spawning flats in 2-6 foot depth rangeHard bottom areas adjacent to deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)WalleyeWing dams with 4-9 foot drops where current breaks create feeding zonesRock piles in shallow water adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillProtected shallow bays and backwaters with emerging vegetation, especially dark bottom areas that warm quicklyCurrent breaks near wing dams in 4-8 foot depths
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassLaydowns and fallen trees in protected backwater areasOld grass bed edges in spawning pockets
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth BassHard bottom areas with rocks and stumps in 2-6 foot depth rangeProtected spawning bays with adjacent matted vegetation
Spring (Spawn)WalleyeRock piles and wing dams in 4-9 foot depth rangeCurrent breaks near tributary mouths or flowing water areas
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / BluegillProtected shallow bays with firm bottom and vegetationBackwater areas with scattered lily pad growth
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassOutside weed lines adjacent to shallow coverDock corners with nearby weed edges or points
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth BassRip rap banks and drops with current influenceWing dams and current breaks
Spring (Post-Spawn)WalleyeWing dams and current breaks at 4-9 foot dropsRock piles and hard-bottom structure areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillWeed edges and pockets in submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of waterProtected bays with matted grass and lily pads
SummerLargemouth BassMatted grass and lily pad fields in 3-4 feet of waterCurrent breaks and wing dams, especially those near deeper water
SummerSmallmouth BassWing dams and current breaks with nearby deep water accessPoints near main river channel with wood cover and 6+ foot drop-offs
SummerWalleyeWing dams with 4-9 foot drops, focusing on the edges and bottom of the drop-offsRock piles in 6-10 foot depth range, especially those near current breaks
SummerPanfish / BluegillWeed edges and pockets within lily pad fields in 2-6 feet of waterProtected backwater areas with submerged vegetation
FallLargemouth BassSlack water areas off main channels with laydownsWeed edges and open water basins adjacent to vegetation
FallSmallmouth BassWing dams and current breaks where shad are presentPoints that intersect with current flows
FallWalleyeWing dams with 4-9 foot drops, particularly where current meets structureRock piles adjacent to deeper water
FallPanfish / BluegillProtected backwater areas with remaining vegetation, especially near deeper holesWing dam areas offering current breaks and concentrated forage
WinterWalleyeWing dams with 4-9 foot drops, especially where current breaks create feeding zonesDeep rock piles adjacent to current seams
WinterPanfish / BluegillProtected backwater areas with depths of 8-15 feetCurrent breaks near wing dams where baitfish concentrate
IceWalleyeWing dam areas with 4-9 foot drops, particularly where current meets structureRock piles adjacent to deeper wintering holes
IcePanfish / BluegillProtected backwater areas with depths of 8-15 feetPoints adjacent to deeper wintering holes

Primary Forage by Season

SeasonSpeciesPrimary ForageSecondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassShadBluegill
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth BassCrawfish emerging from winter dormancySmall baitfish concentrated near current breaks
Spring (Pre-Spawn)WalleyeShad concentrating around current breaksSmall baitfish relating to rock structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillSmall insects and larvae emerging with warming waterZooplankton concentrations in backwater areas
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassCrawfish becoming active in warming watersBluegill moving shallow with bass
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth BassMinnows around spawning areasCrawfish in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)WalleyeShad concentrations near current breaksSmall baitfish in shallow spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / BluegillSmall aquatic insects and larvaeTiny crustaceans near vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassShadBluegill
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth BassCrawfish emerging from rocky areasSmall baitfish relating to current breaks
Spring (Post-Spawn)WalleyeShad concentrating around current breaksSmall bottom-dwelling prey fish
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillSmall invertebrates and insects near vegetationYoung-of-year shad and minnows
SummerLargemouth BassShad concentrating around vegetation edges and current breaksBluegill in and around shallow vegetation
SummerSmallmouth BassCrawfish around rocky structure and riprapShad relating to current breaks and main channel edges
SummerWalleyeShad concentrating around current breaksBottom-dwelling baitfish relating to rock structure
SummerPanfish / BluegillAquatic insects and larvaeSmall crustaceans
FallLargemouth BassShad schools congregating around structurePerch relating to vegetation edges
FallSmallmouth BassShad schools in upper water columnSmaller baitfish concentrated around structure
FallWalleyeShad schools congregating around current breaksYoung-of-year baitfish in shallow feeding zones
FallPanfish / BluegillSmall invertebrates and insects around remaining vegetationYoung-of-year shad concentrating in backwaters
WinterWalleyeShad concentrated in winter schools near current breaksSmall bottom-dwelling prey fish seeking shelter near rock structure
WinterPanfish / BluegillSmall minnows concentrated in backwater areasDormant aquatic invertebrates near vegetation
IceWalleyeShad schooling near structural elementsSmall bottom-dwelling prey fish utilizing rock structure
IcePanfish / BluegillSmall minnowsAquatic invertebrates

Bait Colors by Season for Pool 7 Lake Onalaska

SeasonSpeciesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Walleye
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Walleye
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)Walleye
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
SummerLargemouth Bass
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
SummerSmallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
SummerWalleye
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
SummerPanfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
FallLargemouth Bass
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
FallSmallmouth Bass
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
FallWalleye
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
FallPanfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
WinterWalleye
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
WinterPanfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
IceWalleye
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
IcePanfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals