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Lake Umatilla

Published: Nov 1, 2018

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Umatilla

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	48-58	Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Moving from winter deep water locations to transitional structures, following warming trends Becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with increased feeding activity during stable weather	Rock transitions and rip-rap areas adjacent to spawning flats Deep water points with quick access to shallow areas Secondary points in protected coves with hard bottom composition	Blade Baits worked slowly along depth transitions Ned Rigs dragged on rocky bottom structures Tubes hopped along rock and rip-rap edges	Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation Small scattered schools of shad in transition areas Small baitfish relating to rock structure	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	42-48	Pre-spawn walleye are staging near spawning areas and beginning to move shallow, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are most active during low-light periods, particularly around sunrise and sunset, moving between staging and feeding areas	Rocky points and gravel shorelines near spawning areas in 8-15 foot depths Steep breaks and ledges in 15-25 foot range adjacent to spawning flats Wind-swept shorelines with good current flow and rock/gravel substrate	Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rocky structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during peak feeding periods	Small shad congregating in pre-spawn staging areas Perch near rocky structure Smaller baitfish in shallow warming bays	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	48-65	Staging near spawning flats and moving into shallower areas (2-8 feet) as water temperatures rise, particularly focusing on rocky and gravel areas Males becoming territorial and aggressive in defense of nesting sites, making them more likely to strike reaction baits Transitioning from deeper winter holdover areas to pre-spawn staging points, utilizing drop-offs as migration routes	Rocky points and rip-rap areas adjacent to spawning flats Gravel banks with quick access to deeper water Protected coves with hard bottom composition	Tubes worked slowly along rocky areas and drop-offs Ned Rigs presented with subtle movements near potential spawning areas Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shoreline structure during warming trends	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas Small perch and juvenile fish near spawning areas	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, with pre-spawn staging on adjacent deep breaks Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with increased daytime activity in cloudy conditions	Rocky points and shorelines with gravel substrate in 3-12 foot depths Tributary mouths and current areas with firm bottom Deep breaks adjacent to spawning areas in 15-25 foot range for staging fish	Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows worked slowly along bottom Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with jigs and minnows Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline structure	Spawning shiners and small baitfish in shallow areas Shad schools moving into warmer shallow waters	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Smallmouth transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish moving between shallow and mid-depth zones, following baitfish schools and targeting crawfish	Rocky points and drop-offs near spawning flats Rip rap banks with quick access to deeper water Weed edges developing in 8-15 foot depth range	Drop Shot with finesse presentations along drop-offs Tubes worked along rocky structure Ned Rigs dragged slowly on transition areas Soft Jerkbaits for suspended fish following bait schools	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Shad schools in transition areas Young of year baitfish beginning to appear	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-58	Post-spawn walleye are beginning to transition from shallow spawning areas to deeper structural elements, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are utilizing points, rock piles, and emerging weed edges as transition zones, particularly during dawn and dusk periods	Rocky points and drop-offs in 15-25 foot depth range Emerging weed edges adjacent to deeper water Wind-swept shorelines with rock or gravel substrate	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transition areas Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding on structure	Young-of-year shad beginning to emerge Small perch in shallow rocky areas Minnows gathering around emerging vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-78	Active feeding in early mornings and evenings on shad near surface, transitioning to deeper structure during midday heat Opportunistically feeding on both shad and crawfish, with location shifts based on forage availability and water temperature	Rock piles and rip rap in 20-25 foot depth range with access to deep water Weed edges adjacent to hard structure and drop-offs Main lake points and boulder fields near bait balls	Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning and evening hours Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along rock structures Football Jigs in deeper water targeting bait balls Tubes worked along weed edges and rock transitions	Shad schools concentrated in 20-25 foot depths Crawfish in rocky areas and along weed edges	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-78	Walleye are actively feeding during low-light periods (dawn/dusk) near weed edges and rock structures, following shad schools in 20-25 foot depth range During midday, fish move deeper to coolwater sanctuaries near ledges and drop-offs, becoming more structure-oriented Early morning surface feeding activity occurs, especially when baitfish are pushed shallow	Weed edges and rock piles in 15-25 foot depth range Deep ledges and drop-offs adjacent to feeding flats Points and structural elements with current breaks	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with crankbaits along weed edges and break lines Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') on active fish marked on electronics Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure	Shad schools concentrated in 20-25 foot depth range Young-of-year perch relating to weed edges Juvenile panfish in and around vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Umatilla

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Smallmouth bass are actively chasing baitfish in shallow to mid-depth areas, particularly around drop-offs and transitions, with aggressive feeding behavior noted in recent reports Fish are showing clear preference for suspended bait presentations just below the surface, especially around structure and depth transitions during the fall transition period	Drop-offs near shallow feeding areas, particularly where deep water meets shoreline structure Rip rap banks with remaining patches of live grass Points and ledges adjacent to deeper water	Soft Jerkbaits worked weightless just below the surface Hard Jerkbaits with moderate retrieve speed Hard Topwater (Popping) during active feeding periods	Shad schools in transition areas Minnows around structure Secondary forage in remaining vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Walleye	45-58	Walleye are schooling in deep water (60-80 ft) following baitfish, with strong vertical feeding patterns Fish are likely to be tightly grouped around deep structural elements, actively feeding on suspended baitfish schools	Deep basin areas with nearby structural elements in 60-80 ft range Deep rocky points and ledges adjacent to baitfish schools Sharp drop-offs near deep water holding areas	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with blade baits for suspended fish Trolling Deep (20'+) along depth contours where baitfish are present Live Bait Rigs near bottom structure in deep water	Schooling shad in deep water Deep water baitfish species	Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	38-45	Walleye transition between relatively shallow feeding areas and deeper winter holding areas near main lake structures, actively feeding during low-light periods Fish tend to suspend over deep structural elements when inactive, moving up to feed on large schools of shad in 20-25 foot ranges during prime periods	Deep main lake points and rock piles in 40-60 foot range adjacent to sharp breaks Steep ledges and drop-offs where suspended baitfish schools concentrate in 20-25 foot depth Protected bays with deeper water access during harsh weather periods	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with heavy jigging spoons and blade baits for suspended fish Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along edges of structure when fish are more active Structure Jigs worked slowly along deep rock piles and points	Shad schools concentrated in 20-25 foot depth ranges Smaller baitfish relating to deep structure	Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Ice	Walleye	33-39	Walleye concentrate in deep basins near structural elements, generally between 25-40 feet during early ice, moving to 40-60 feet during mid to late ice Feeding activity peaks during dawn and dusk, with a secondary bite window during overcast conditions Fish relate strongly to bottom structure and typically stay within 1-3 feet of the bottom	Deep basin areas adjacent to rock piles and ledges in 40-60 foot range Transition areas where rock structure meets softer bottom in 25-40 foot range Deep points and steep breaks near primary lake basin	Ice Fishing Spoons - work with aggressive jigging motion followed by pause Ice Fishing Jigs - tipped with minnows and worked with subtle movements Ice Fishing Tip-Ups - set at varying depths to locate active fish	Shad schools concentrated in deep basins Small perch found near rocky structure Juvenile whitefish in deeper water	Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors Purple Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Umatilla

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rock transitions and rip-rap areas adjacent to spawning flats	Deep water points with quick access to shallow areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and gravel shorelines near spawning areas in 8-15 foot depths	Steep breaks and ledges in 15-25 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and rip-rap areas adjacent to spawning flats	Gravel banks with quick access to deeper water
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and shorelines with gravel substrate in 3-12 foot depths	Tributary mouths and current areas with firm bottom
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and drop-offs near spawning flats	Rip rap banks with quick access to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and drop-offs in 15-25 foot depth range	Emerging weed edges adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Rock piles and rip rap in 20-25 foot depth range with access to deep water	Weed edges adjacent to hard structure and drop-offs
Summer	Walleye	Weed edges and rock piles in 15-25 foot depth range	Deep ledges and drop-offs adjacent to feeding flats
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Drop-offs near shallow feeding areas, particularly where deep water meets shoreline structure	Rip rap banks with remaining patches of live grass
Fall	Walleye	Deep basin areas with nearby structural elements in 60-80 ft range	Deep rocky points and ledges adjacent to baitfish schools
Winter	Walleye	Deep main lake points and rock piles in 40-60 foot range adjacent to sharp breaks	Steep ledges and drop-offs where suspended baitfish schools concentrate in 20-25 foot depth
Ice	Walleye	Deep basin areas adjacent to rock piles and ledges in 40-60 foot range	Transition areas where rock structure meets softer bottom in 25-40 foot range

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation	Small scattered schools of shad in transition areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Small shad congregating in pre-spawn staging areas	Perch near rocky structure
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Spawning shiners and small baitfish in shallow areas	Shad schools moving into warmer shallow waters
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Shad schools in transition areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Young-of-year shad beginning to emerge	Small perch in shallow rocky areas
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in 20-25 foot depths	Crawfish in rocky areas and along weed edges
Summer	Walleye	Shad schools concentrated in 20-25 foot depth range	Young-of-year perch relating to weed edges
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools in transition areas	Minnows around structure
Fall	Walleye	Schooling shad in deep water	Deep water baitfish species
Winter	Walleye	Shad schools concentrated in 20-25 foot depth ranges	Smaller baitfish relating to deep structure
Ice	Walleye	Shad schools concentrated in deep basins	Small perch found near rocky structure

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Umatilla

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Walleye	Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Walleye	Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Ice	Walleye	Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors Purple Colors

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