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

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Lake Phalen

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 13, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Phalen

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-60	Gradually moving from winter deep water areas towards warming shallow spawning bays, staging on transition points Becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, with increased feeding to prepare for spawn	Secondary points and channel swings near spawning bays Deep water access points near dam area Outside edges of emerging weed growth in 5-15 foot depth	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs along transition areas Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly over points	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas Small bluegills near emerging vegetation Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Staging in pre-spawn areas and moving into shallow spawning flats as water temperatures rise Males actively preparing and guarding nests in protected shallow areas Females moving between deeper staging areas and spawning flats	Protected shallow coves and bays with firm bottom Secondary points leading into spawning bays Submerged vegetation edges in 2-6 feet of water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for cruising fish Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and bedding bass	Small bluegill and sunfish around spawning areas Shad in slightly deeper staging areas Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-65	Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are showing preference for structure-oriented presentations, particularly around the dam area as evidenced by recent catches	Dam area, where recent catches have been reported Outside edges of weed beds, providing post-spawn transition areas Secondary points leading to deeper water	Drop Shot - proven effective in recent reports, especially around the dam Grass Jigs - recent success reported with this technique Texas Rigs (Worming) - effective for covering transitional areas Shakey Heads - good for probing deeper structure	Shad - primary forage based on recent fishing reports Minnows - confirmed in recent catches Crawfish - indicated by successful jig fishing	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-82	Actively feeding around weed edges and points, with most consistent activity during early morning and evening hours Seeking thermal refuge in deeper water or thick cover during midday when temperatures reach 80°F Establishing regular feeding patterns along weed edges and points, using vegetation as ambush points	Outside edges of submerged vegetation, particularly where it meets deeper water Main lake points with access to deeper water Creek channels with heavy vegetation	Finesse Jigs worked slowly along weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) with weightless presentation in vegetation Drop Shot along points and deeper structure	Bluegill and sunfish in weed beds Minnows along weed edges Crawfish near firm bottom areas	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Phalen

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass actively feeding on baitfish, following shad schools to shallower flats and creek arms as water cools Fish transitioning from deep summer patterns to shallower feeding zones, targeting abundant forage	Outside edges of weed beds adjacent to deeper water Creek arms and flats where shad are congregating Dam area transition zones between shallow and deep water	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Spinnerbaits Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Drop Shot	Shad schools moving into shallower water Remaining summer baitfish in weed edges Young of year panfish	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Phalen

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and channel swings near spawning bays	Deep water access points near dam area
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves and bays with firm bottom	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dam area, where recent catches have been reported	Outside edges of weed beds, providing post-spawn transition areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Outside edges of submerged vegetation, particularly where it meets deeper water	Main lake points with access to deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Outside edges of weed beds adjacent to deeper water	Creek arms and flats where shad are congregating

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas	Small bluegills near emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Small bluegill and sunfish around spawning areas	Shad in slightly deeper staging areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on recent fishing reports	Minnows - confirmed in recent catches
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill and sunfish in weed beds	Minnows along weed edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools moving into shallower water	Remaining summer baitfish in weed edges

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Phalen

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

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