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

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Lake Stevens

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Stevens

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	51-55	Pre-spawn smallmouth are transitioning from winter areas to spawning grounds, actively feeding on rock piles and near timber in 8-20 foot depth range Fish are showing increased activity during afternoon hours with sun, but remain easily spooked requiring longer casts	Rock piles in 15-20 feet with access to deeper water Boulder and timber areas in 8-10 feet of water Transitional areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning flats	Finesse Jigs worked slowly with long casts to avoid spooking fish Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') bounced off rock and timber with short pauses Drop Shot with natural presentations in clear water conditions	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy on rocky structure Perch relating to mid-depth structure	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	51-60	Actively moving between deep rock piles (15-20ft) and spawning areas, with frequent feeding periods Highly structure-oriented, relating strongly to rock piles that provide both spawning habitat and forage Showing aggressive response to moving baits, particularly during choppy conditions	Rock piles in 15-20 foot depth range with nearby spawning flats Transitional areas between deep water and shallow spawning zones Protected rocky areas in 10-15 foot depth range	Hard Jerkbaits with jerk-jerk-pause cadence Drop Shot with 16-18 inch leader in clear water Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with pendulum swing presentation Football Jigs dragged slowly along bottom	Perch Baitfish (Shad)	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Post-spawn smallmouth are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones (8-20 feet), moving between feeding areas throughout the day	Rocky points and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats in 12-20 foot depth range Rock piles in 15-20 foot range, especially those near deeper water access Transition areas between shallow flats and main lake points where perch congregate	Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly along rock transitions Tubes dragged and hopped through rock piles Ned Rigs worked methodically on points and structure edges Small/Medium Soft Body Swimbaits for actively feeding fish	Perch congregating near rock-sand transitions Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas Pelagic baitfish (Kokanee) starting to school in open water	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	65-78	Actively feeding on both structure and in open water, following baitfish schools (particularly Kokanee and Perch) while utilizing rock structures as ambush points Showing varied depth preferences throughout the day, with deeper activity during bright conditions and shallower feeding during low light	Open water areas near Kokanee schools, particularly in deeper basins Rock piles and ledges in 15-20 foot depth range Areas where perch schools are congregating, typically near structure-to-open water transitions	Drop Shot - particularly effective in clear water when targeting suspended fish near bait schools Ned Rigs - proven highly effective on ledges and rock structure as noted in recent reports Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) - successful when targeting fish actively feeding on perch schools	Kokanee - primary open water forage supporting larger bass Perch - significant forage particularly around structure	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Stevens

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	52-65	Smallmouth bass are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and targeting larger forage Fish are transitioning from summer patterns to deeper water, with most activity occurring in 15-25 foot depth range Aggressive feeding windows during low-light periods and weather changes, particularly around rocky structure	Deep rock piles in 15-20 foot range adjacent to deeper water Main lake points with access to deep water Open water areas where schools of kokanee are present	Drop Shot with small baitfish profiles worked slowly near bottom structure Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked along rocky transitions	Kokanee in open water areas Yellow Perch around structure Crawfish in rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Stevens

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rock piles in 15-20 feet with access to deeper water	Boulder and timber areas in 8-10 feet of water
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rock piles in 15-20 foot depth range with nearby spawning flats	Transitional areas between deep water and shallow spawning zones
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats in 12-20 foot depth range	Rock piles in 15-20 foot range, especially those near deeper water access
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Open water areas near Kokanee schools, particularly in deeper basins	Rock piles and ledges in 15-20 foot depth range
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Deep rock piles in 15-20 foot range adjacent to deeper water	Main lake points with access to deep water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy on rocky structure	Perch relating to mid-depth structure
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Perch	Baitfish (Shad)
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Perch congregating near rock-sand transitions	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Kokanee - primary open water forage supporting larger bass	Perch - significant forage particularly around structure
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Kokanee in open water areas	Yellow Perch around structure

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Stevens

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors

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