How to Fish Lake Susan

Lake Susan fishing FAQ

How do you catch Northern Pike on Lake Susan in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 38-48°F. Northern Pike actively moving into shallow, warmer bays and flooded vegetation areas for spawning preparation Aggressive feeding behavior to build energy reserves before spawn, particularly during warming trends Key locations: Shallow bays and flooded vegetation areas in 2-4 feet of water; Transitions between deeper water and emerging weed growth; Areas with remaining green vegetation from previous season. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow areas, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve, Live Bait Rigs near vegetation edges. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in shallow warming areas, Young-of-year panfish from previous season. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.

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

Water temp 48-58°F. Bass are beginning to move from deeper winter areas to warming shallows, staging near pre-spawn areas Fish are becoming more active but still relatively lethargic, preferring slower presentations Feeding activity increases during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak Key locations: Shallow flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas, especially those with emerging vegetation; Laydowns and woody cover in 3-5 feet of water on the north side of the lake; Windward shorelines where sun exposure and wave action warm water faster. Best techniques: Lipless Crankbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation, Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves near cover, Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly along bottom transitions. Primary forage: Bluegill beginning to become more active in shallow areas, Small baitfish congregating in warming pockets. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Lake Susan in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 42-52°F. Males staging in shallow spawning areas near vegetation in 2-4 feet of water Post-spawn females recovering in slightly deeper water (5-7 feet) near spawning areas Aggressive feeding behavior as fish rebuild energy after spawn Key locations: Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-4 feet of water; Transitional areas between spawning flats and slightly deeper water (5-7 feet); Areas where remaining winter vegetation meets newly emerging spring growth. Best techniques: Inline Spinners worked slowly through shallow spawning areas, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near vegetation edges, Spinnerbaits worked parallel to emerging weed edges. Primary forage: Spawning Yellow Perch, Shallow water Bluegills, Small Northern Pike (cannibalistic behavior). Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Vibrant Craw Colors.

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

Water temp 55-65°F. Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, moving up to spawning areas as water temperatures stabilize Males preparing and guarding nests in protected areas, while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning flats Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased reaction to intrusive baits Key locations: Protected shallow flats with matted grass or laydowns in 2-4 feet of water; Transitions between spawning flats and deeper staging areas near weed edges; Windward shorelines with emerging vegetation and wood cover. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around visible cover, Swim Jigs with trailer worked parallel to spawning areas, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for targeting pre-spawn fish. Primary forage: Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas, Young of year baitfish emerging in warming shallows, Crawfish becoming active in warming water. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Lake Susan in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-65°F. Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, primarily in shallow vegetation zones Fish moving between shallow spawning areas and emerging weed growth, showing aggressive feeding behavior Key locations: Newly emerging weed beds in 4-6 feet of water; Shallow bays with remaining spawning vegetation; Transitions between spawning areas and deeper weed edges. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked steadily through emerging vegetation, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves near weed edges, Inline Spinners for aggressive reaction strikes. Primary forage: Young-of-year panfish, Juvenile bluegills, Small baitfish schools. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Pink Colors.

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

Water temp 58-68°F. Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are relating to the first available cover off spawning flats, particularly the weed edges developing in 7-9 feet Key locations: Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 4-7 feet; Laydowns and woody cover near developing weed growth; Windward shorelines where baitfish concentrate. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover and weed edges, Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges, especially on windy days, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and locating active fish. Primary forage: Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas, Young of year baitfish becoming more prevalent. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Lake Susan in Summer?

Water temp 72-77°F. Pike are seeking cooler refuges in deeper weed edges and thick vegetation due to warm water temperatures (77°F) Feeding activity concentrated during early morning and evening hours to avoid peak temperatures Relying heavily on lateral line sensitivity for prey detection due to very turbid conditions (2.3ft visibility) Key locations: Deep weed edges in 7-9 foot depth range offering cooler water and ambush points; Thick matted grass areas providing shade and cooler pockets; Any isolated weed patches near the deepest water available (around 9-10 feet). Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges with erratic retrieves to trigger reaction strikes, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slowly retrieved through gaps in vegetation, Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass during early morning/evening. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in weed edges and vegetation, Young-of-year fish seeking shelter in thick vegetation. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.

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

Water temp 72-82°F. Bass are actively feeding in and around heavy cover (matted grass, laydowns, and submergent weeds), primarily targeting bluegill in these areas Fish are holding tight to shade-providing cover during daylight hours due to shallow, turbid conditions Key locations: Openings and pockets within matted grass and submergent weed beds; Laydowns and woody cover, especially those adjacent to or integrated with vegetation; Windward shorelines where wind concentrates baitfish and creates feeding opportunities. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Worming) worked methodically through grass openings and around laydowns, Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass, Swim Jigs worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegill - primary forage confirmed by fishing reports, Young of year panfish in weed beds. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Lake Susan in Fall?

Water temp 45-65°F. Pike are transitioning to deeper weed edges as vegetation begins to die off, exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior to build energy reserves for winter Fish are actively ambushing prey along defined weed edges in 7-9 foot depth range, with brief but intense feeding periods Key locations: Outside edges of submerged weed lines in 7-9 feet of water; Deeper pockets adjacent to remaining healthy vegetation; Sparse weed patches near deeper basin areas. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow rolled through transition areas, Trolling Shallow (0-9') along weed edges. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated near remaining weed cover, Young-of-year baitfish schooling along weed edges. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Vibrant Craw Colors.

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

Water temp 52-68°F. Bass transitioning from summer patterns to fall feeding, following baitfish movements to shallower flats and weedlines Aggressive feeding periods during low-light conditions, especially on windward shores Relating strongly to remaining vegetation edges and wood cover in 4-7 foot depth range Key locations: Weed edges and remaining vegetation in 7-9 foot range; Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially with wood cover; Windward shorelines during active feeding periods. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges, Lipless Crankbaits through scattered vegetation, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for mimicking fleeing baitfish. Primary forage: Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation, Young-of-year baitfish schooling in flats. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Lake Susan in Winter?

Water temp 45-55°F. Pike will be active throughout the water column but concentrate near remaining green vegetation edges Feeding periods are extended in cooler water, with fish more willing to chase prey Key locations: Deep weed edges in 7-9 feet of water; Remaining patches of green vegetation; Transition areas between weeds and open water. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves, Lipless Crankbaits worked through sparse vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegills seeking remaining weed cover, Small pike and yellow perch. Best bait colors: Bold Striped Patterns, Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Lake Susan in Ice?

Water temp 33-39°F. Pike will be most active during early morning and late afternoon, concentrating near remaining green weeds that provide oxygen and ambush opportunities Feeding activity intensifies during stable weather patterns, with fish showing preference for larger, slower-moving prey presentations Key locations: Deeper weed edges in 7-9 foot range where vegetation remains green; Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, particularly during prime feeding periods; Areas where remaining vegetation meets harder bottom transitions. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at varying depths, Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes in turbid conditions, Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for finesse presentation during neutral periods. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in remaining weed patches, Small perch schools roaming deeper edges. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Pink Colors.