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Laurel River Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 26, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Laurel River Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Bass are actively transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging points, suspending 12-20 feet deep near access routes to spawning areas Feeding activity increases with warming trends, with fish showing aggressive behavior towards moving baits	Secondary points leading into spawning pockets, focusing on 15-20 foot depth range Laydowns and wood cover within 15 yards of the bank in 12-15 foot water Rock piles near transitional areas	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near depth changes Umbrella Rigs targeting suspended fish off points Finesse Jigs worked slowly around rock and wood cover	Shad schools suspended in the water column Crawfish becoming active on rocky structure Alewife present near points and transitions	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Chartreuse
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	48-55	Actively feeding on shad while staging on main lake points before spawning movement Moving between winter and pre-spawn staging areas, following predictable migration routes Becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with fish gathering in pre-spawn locations	Wind-blown main lake points with shad present Deep-to-shallow transition areas near spawning flats Rocky points with access to deeper water	Umbrella Rigs mimicking shad schools Blade Baits worked along point contours Ned Rigs worked slowly on hard bottom areas	Shad schools congregating around points Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn spotted bass are staging near deep vertical structure, actively feeding while preparing for the spawn Fish are likely suspending near bluff walls and following shad schools in the water column	Main lake bluffs with vertical structure Deep main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets Transitional rock and boulder areas near deep water	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along bluff walls Umbrella Rigs for actively feeding fish following shad schools Shakey Heads worked along rocky transitions	Shad schools suspending near vertical structure Crawfish emerging from winter patterns in rocky areas	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Largemouth bass are in spawning mode, actively creating and guarding nests in shallow protected areas near wood cover Males are extremely territorial and aggressive in defending nests, while females move between slightly deeper staging areas and spawning flats	Shallow areas with stumps and laydown trees in protected pockets Secondary points with timber leading into spawning pockets Protected coves with wood cover in 2-6 foot depth range	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around visible cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to stumps Soft Jerkbaits for cruising fish between spawning areas	Bluegill gathering in similar spawning areas Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	57-62	Transitioning into spawning phase with water temperatures between 57-61°F, staging on points and moving into shallower areas near potential spawning sites Actively feeding on crawfish around hard-bottom areas and stumps, particularly in 6-10 foot depth range	Rocky points and transitions leading to spawning pockets Stumps in flatter pockets with 6-10 feet of water Brush piles near spawning areas	Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom near spawning areas and points Tubes dragged on hard bottom areas Drop Shot with finesse presentations for suspended fish	Crawfish - primary forage during spawn period Shad - secondary forage option, especially for transitioning fish	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	58-68	Spotted bass actively staging and spawning on secondary points and bluff transitions, typically in 5-15 foot depths Males guarding nests during peak spawn, while pre/post spawn females moving between deeper staging areas and spawning flats Aggressive territorial behavior around spawning areas, particularly near rock and boulder transitions	Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel near deeper water Bluff wall transitions to spawning pockets Protected rocky coves with brush or timber	Shakey Heads worked slowly around spawning areas and transition points Soft Jerkbaits fished with erratic retrieves parallel to spawning areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover near spawning zones	Shad schools suspending near spawning areas Crawfish emerging in rocky areas Small bluegill around shallow cover	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing brush piles and laydowns as ambush points Fish are transitioning between shallow spawning areas and deeper summer haunts, making points key transition zones	Deeper brush piles on main lake and secondary points Tree laydowns in 5-15 foot zones Secondary points with access to spawning pockets	Shakey Heads worked slowly through brush and around points Hard Jerkbaits worked methodically around laydowns Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting specific pieces of cover	Crawfish emerging in brush pile areas Shad schools around points and timber	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	63-72	Fish are actively feeding in mid-depth zones (8-10 feet) around timber and laydowns, showing post-spawn recovery behavior Beginning to establish summer patterns with both bottom-oriented feeding (crawfish) and surface activity (bluegill)	Mid-lake pockets with standing timber in 8-10 foot depth range Shallow laydowns and brush near surface Rocky areas with boulders in transition depths	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around timber and laydowns Hard Topwater (Popping) early and late day Football Jigs on rocky transitions	Crawfish actively moving in timber areas Bluegill in shallow cover Baitfish suspending near timber	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	62-72	Actively feeding in post-spawn recovery, primarily targeting shad in transitional areas between spawning flats and summer haunts Showing aggressive behavior during feeding windows, especially during cloudy conditions or early/late day periods Relating heavily to brush piles and standing timber in 10-20 foot depth ranges as they transition from spawning areas	Main lake points with access to deep water and abundant timber Secondary points with brush piles in 10-20 foot range Bluff walls adjacent to spawning pockets	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked at varying depths around timber Shakey Heads worked through brush piles and along bluff transitions Spinnerbaits paralleling points and timber edges	Shad schools suspending near timber and points Bluegill beginning to spawn in protected pockets Crawfish active on rocky transitions	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	78-85	Fish are showing dual patterns: deep brush pile oriented fish and actively schooling fish feeding on shad in open water With water temperatures around 83°F, fish are fully in their summer pattern, requiring targeted approaches to either deep structure or active schools	Deep brush piles and woody structure in 15-25 foot range Open water areas near bait schools, particularly early/late in day Main lake points with nearby deep water access	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through brush piles Shakey Heads for finesse presentation in deep cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for schooling fish	Crawfish relating to deep brush and structure Shad in open water, creating schooling opportunities	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	72-82	Smallmouth bass are establishing summer feeding patterns, actively hunting in early morning and late evening, with reduced activity during bright midday periods Fish are relating to deeper structure during the day (15-25 feet) but moving shallower to feed, especially around points and timber	Main lake points with access to deep water, especially those with rock or gravel Standing timber in 8-15 feet of water Deeper brush piles near migration routes	Drop Shot with finesse worms worked slowly along deep structure Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) targeting points and timber edges Tubes dragged along rocky points and transitions Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning and late evening	Crawfish in rocky areas Bluegill in shallow cover Shad schools in open water	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Summer	Spotted Bass	75-83	Spotted bass positioning along thermocline depths (15-25 feet) near main lake structure, actively feeding on suspended shad schools Most active feeding periods during early morning and evening, moving shallower to hunt during low light conditions Exhibiting schooling behavior when pursuing shad, with frequent repositioning based on bait movements	Deep main lake points with access to timber and brush piles near thermocline depth Bluff walls with nearby brush or timber in 15-25 foot range Suspended timber near channel swings where current creates bait aggregations	Drop Shot worked through suspended timber at thermocline depth Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved through suspended bait schools Spybaits slow rolled along thermocline edges	Suspended shad schools in open water Bluegill around shallow brush during morning/evening periods Small baitfish relating to timber edges	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Laurel River Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-72	Bass actively chasing shad schools in the backs of creeks and coves during fall feeding period Fish transitioning between shallow feeding areas and deeper winter holding areas, following bait migrations Schooling activity common during morning and evening periods when shad are near surface	Creek channel bends with adjacent timber in 8-15 foot depth range Main lake points intersecting with major creek channels Shallow brush piles in the backs of creeks near bait schools	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to timber lines Spinnerbaits around schooling activity and timber edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for suspended fish following bait Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along creek channel edges	Shad schools migrating into creeks Remaining crawfish in timber areas Small bluegill near shallow cover	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	55-68	Smallmouth bass are actively feeding to build reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and targeting crawfish in rocky areas Fish are transitioning from summer patterns to deeper water, making frequent moves between deep and mid-depth structure	Deep rocky points adjacent to main lake areas Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot range Transitional areas between shallow flats and deep water	Drop Shot with small baitfish profiles worked slowly near structure Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along point transitions	Shad schools suspending near structure Crawfish in rocky areas Bluegill around remaining shallow cover	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Spotted Bass	58-72	Actively chasing shad schools in the 10-25 foot range, with increased feeding activity during cooling water periods Transitioning from summer deep water patterns to more aggressive feeding in middepth zones Utilizing standing timber and brush piles as ambush points near primary points and creek channels	Main lake points with access to deep water and nearby timber Brush piles positioned on channel swings in 15-25 foot range Bluff walls adjacent to creek channel intersections	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked through suspended bait schools Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along bluff walls and points Drop Shot near vertical structure and brush piles	Shad schools transitioning to creek channels Small bluegill relating to brush piles Juvenile crawfish near rocky structure	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	42-48	Bass are suspending near large schools of shad, actively feeding but in concentrated areas as indicated by livescope reports Fish are relating to deep structure but not necessarily holding tight to bottom, showing preference for brush piles and points	Brush piles in 15-25 foot depths, especially those near points or channel swings Main lake and secondary points with access to deep water Areas where shad schools are suspending near vertical structure	Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended fish schools Damiki Rig vertical presentation when fish are spotted on electronics Texas Rigs worked slowly along points and brush	Shad schools concentrated in winter areas Smaller baitfish relating to brush piles	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	42-48	Smallmouth bass are suspending near baitfish schools in deeper water, often relating to vertical structure Fish are less active but will feed opportunistically during stable weather periods, particularly during midday warming trends	Deep points with vertical structure adjacent to winter baitfish holding areas Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot depths Steep rocky banks near deep water access	Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended baitfish schools Spybaits retrieved slowly through the suspended zone	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Small baitfish suspended in the water column	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Spotted Bass	46-52	Spotted bass are suspending near deep bluff walls and main lake points, following schools of shad in 15-30 foot depths Fish are schooling more actively, with a preference for slower, more methodical presentations in the cold water Feeding windows are shorter and more concentrated during warmer parts of the day	Deep bluff walls with access to timber and vertical structure Main lake points with transitions from rock to deeper water Suspended timber in 15-30 foot depths near channel swings	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly Umbrella Rigs matching shad schools Underspins worked at varying depths through bait schools	Suspended shad schools in deeper water Small bluegills near brush and timber Crawfish (less active but still present near rock structure)	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Laurel River Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points leading into spawning pockets, focusing on 15-20 foot depth range	Laydowns and wood cover within 15 yards of the bank in 12-15 foot water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Wind-blown main lake points with shad present	Deep-to-shallow transition areas near spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Main lake bluffs with vertical structure	Deep main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow areas with stumps and laydown trees in protected pockets	Secondary points with timber leading into spawning pockets
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and transitions leading to spawning pockets	Stumps in flatter pockets with 6-10 feet of water
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel near deeper water	Bluff wall transitions to spawning pockets
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Deeper brush piles on main lake and secondary points	Tree laydowns in 5-15 foot zones
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Mid-lake pockets with standing timber in 8-10 foot depth range	Shallow laydowns and brush near surface
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Main lake points with access to deep water and abundant timber	Secondary points with brush piles in 10-20 foot range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep brush piles and woody structure in 15-25 foot range	Open water areas near bait schools, particularly early/late in day
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with access to deep water, especially those with rock or gravel	Standing timber in 8-15 feet of water
Summer	Spotted Bass	Deep main lake points with access to timber and brush piles near thermocline depth	Bluff walls with nearby brush or timber in 15-25 foot range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Creek channel bends with adjacent timber in 8-15 foot depth range	Main lake points intersecting with major creek channels
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Deep rocky points adjacent to main lake areas	Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot range
Fall	Spotted Bass	Main lake points with access to deep water and nearby timber	Brush piles positioned on channel swings in 15-25 foot range
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Brush piles in 15-25 foot depths, especially those near points or channel swings	Main lake and secondary points with access to deep water
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Deep points with vertical structure adjacent to winter baitfish holding areas	Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot depths
Winter	Spotted Bass	Deep bluff walls with access to timber and vertical structure	Main lake points with transitions from rock to deeper water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools suspended in the water column	Crawfish becoming active on rocky structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools congregating around points	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad schools suspending near vertical structure	Crawfish emerging from winter patterns in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in similar spawning areas	Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish - primary forage during spawn period	Shad - secondary forage option, especially for transitioning fish
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad schools suspending near spawning areas	Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging in brush pile areas	Shad schools around points and timber
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish actively moving in timber areas	Bluegill in shallow cover
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Shad schools suspending near timber and points	Bluegill beginning to spawn in protected pockets
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish relating to deep brush and structure	Shad in open water, creating schooling opportunities
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish in rocky areas	Bluegill in shallow cover
Summer	Spotted Bass	Suspended shad schools in open water	Bluegill around shallow brush during morning/evening periods
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating into creeks	Remaining crawfish in timber areas
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools suspending near structure	Crawfish in rocky areas
Fall	Spotted Bass	Shad schools transitioning to creek channels	Small bluegill relating to brush piles
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in winter areas	Smaller baitfish relating to brush piles
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Small baitfish suspended in the water column
Winter	Spotted Bass	Suspended shad schools in deeper water	Small bluegills near brush and timber

Bait Colors by Season for Laurel River Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Chartreuse
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Summer	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Spotted Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

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