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

Fathers Day Promo: Buy Any Reel, Get Omnia PRO Free. Learn More

20% Off Xzone Lures, Through 06/17. Save Now

20% Off All St. Croix Mojo Bass Rods, Through 06/28. Save Now

PRO Members: Get 2X Credit Back On All Fishing Line. Learn More

Built to Serve Tee + PRO = $20 Donated Per Order → Shop Now

Save Up To $500 on Select Minn Kota, Through 06/18. Save Now

Buy One, Get One FREE P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon. Learn More

PRO members get free shipping, rewards & local lake data! Join Today

Markdowns on popular products - See all bargain offers

Lake Yale

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 23, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Yale

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	60-64	Bass are actively staging near pre-spawn areas, positioning around submerged hydrilla in 6-12 foot depth range Fish showing increased chasing behavior in clear water conditions, willing to move significant distances to strike baits Mixed behavioral patterns with some early spawning activity occurring, but majority still in pre-spawn feeding mode	Taller clumps of hydrilla in 7-12ft water, especially those standing above surrounding grass Clean bottom areas adjacent to submerged vegetation Staging areas outside spawning flats with hydrilla edges	Drop Shot with finesse worms worked slowly around vegetation edges Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in clear water Lipless Crankbaits around hydrilla edges during cloudy conditions	Shad schools around vegetation edges Minnows in and around hydrilla clumps	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	61-72	Bass are in various spawning phases, with some actively spawning on beds while others are staging in nearby deeper water Most active during evening hours, particularly around shallow vegetation as evidenced by recent fishing reports Fish are utilizing both shallow spawning areas and slightly deeper vegetation edges as transition zones	Scattered hydrilla patches in 6-12 foot range adjacent to spawning flats Standing grass and lily pads near shoreline Protected shallow areas with good bedding substrate	Drop Shot - especially effective for sight fishing and targeting bass holding on deeper vegetation Texas Rigs (Worming) - productive around shallow vegetation and bedding areas Buzzbaits - particularly effective during evening hours around shallow cover	Shad - primary forage as mentioned in recent reports Bluegill - common spawning season forage especially around vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	72-78	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing hydrilla edges and ledges as primary feeding zones Fish are establishing summer patterns, transitioning between shallow and moderate depths (10-16 feet) throughout the day	Holes and edges in hydrilla beds in 10-16 foot depth range Ledges transitioning from shallow to deeper water Points with submerged vegetation near deeper water access	Drop Shot worked methodically through hydrilla holes Bladed Jigs worked along ledges from deep to shallow Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting vegetation edges	Shad moving along vegetation edges Bluegill establishing in vegetation	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Natural Shad Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	82-87	Bass are actively feeding during low-light periods (morning/evening) on shad and bluegill near vegetation edges During midday heat, fish are moving deeper into thick vegetation (hydrilla) for shade and comfort Fish are showing aggressive topwater strikes during active feeding periods, especially around baitfish schools	Offshore hydrilla mats in 6-12 foot depth range Reed lines and lily pad edges, especially where they meet deeper water Areas where baitfish are schooling, particularly near vegetation edges	Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly through deep hydrilla Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation during low light Hard Topwater (Walking and Popping) during baitfish activity	Shad schooling near vegetation edges Bluegill in and around thick vegetation Minnows in open water areas	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Yale

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	68-78	Bass are actively feeding on shad and other baitfish, following baitfish schools as they migrate to shallower creek arms and coves Fish are transitioning from summer deep patterns to shallower zones, especially during periods of falling water temperatures Increased feeding activity during morning and evening hours, utilizing hydrilla edges as primary ambush points	Hydrilla edges in 6-12 foot depth range, especially near creek channel swings Secondary points with vegetation leading into coves Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with baitfish present	Lipless Crankbaits worked through tops of hydrilla beds Spinnerbaits parallel to vegetation edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for following baitfish schools	Shad schools migrating to backs of creeks Bluegill relating to vegetation edges Minnows schooling in shallow zones	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	52-61	Suspended near deep hydrilla edges, moving up to feed during warming trends Relating strongly to depth changes where vegetation meets deeper water Grouping around primary points and deeper vegetation edges where shad school	Deep hydrilla edges in 8-12 foot range Primary points with access to deep water Protected coves with remaining vegetation	Lipless Crankbaits worked through remaining vegetation Shakey Heads along deep vegetation edges Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to points	Shad schools suspended near vegetation edges Bluegill holding in remaining vegetation Minnows along points and vegetation edges	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Yale

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Taller clumps of hydrilla in 7-12ft water, especially those standing above surrounding grass	Clean bottom areas adjacent to submerged vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Scattered hydrilla patches in 6-12 foot range adjacent to spawning flats	Standing grass and lily pads near shoreline
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Holes and edges in hydrilla beds in 10-16 foot depth range	Ledges transitioning from shallow to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Offshore hydrilla mats in 6-12 foot depth range	Reed lines and lily pad edges, especially where they meet deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Hydrilla edges in 6-12 foot depth range, especially near creek channel swings	Secondary points with vegetation leading into coves
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep hydrilla edges in 8-12 foot range	Primary points with access to deep water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools around vegetation edges	Minnows in and around hydrilla clumps
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage as mentioned in recent reports	Bluegill - common spawning season forage especially around vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad moving along vegetation edges	Bluegill establishing in vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling near vegetation edges	Bluegill in and around thick vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating to backs of creeks	Bluegill relating to vegetation edges
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools suspended near vegetation edges	Bluegill holding in remaining vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Yale

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

Enter your email address to get 10% off your first order

Join over 100k anglers who receive our newsletter.
Techniques, tips and tackle breakdowns personalized to your local area.

© 2025 Omnia Fishing Inc. All Rights Reserved

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy