How to Fish Lavon Lake

Lavon Lake fishing FAQ

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

Water temp 52-62°F. Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy for spawning Fish are relating to transitional structure between deep and shallow water, particularly active during warmer parts of the day Key locations: Rip rap banks near deeper water, particularly those receiving afternoon sun; Sparse brush piles on points leading into spawning pockets; Untouched shorelines with natural cover in 10-12 foot depth range. Best techniques: Bladed Jigs worked with yo-yo retrieve parallel to rip rap, Lipless Crankbaits around sparse brush piles and point edges, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along shoreline transitions. Primary forage: Shad schools transitioning to spawning areas, Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Crappie on Lavon Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Crappie are staging in pre-spawn areas near spawning grounds, actively feeding as they prepare for the spawn Fish are moving between deeper staging areas and shallower pre-spawn zones, following daily temperature fluctuations Key locations: Drops and ledges adjacent to spawning flats with stumps or timber; Secondary points with standing timber in 10-19 foot range; Brush piles positioned near spawning coves. Best techniques: Finesse Jigs worked slowly around vertical cover, Crappie Spider Rigging targeting suspended fish near structure, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around timber. Primary forage: Shad schools suspending near structure, Small minnows in and around timber. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 62-72°F. Bass are actively spawning with fish moving between bedding areas and staging points, highly influenced by water temperature fluctuations (62-72°F reported) Fish showing aggressive territorial behavior around beds in marinas and grass mats, with increased activity during stable weather patterns Key locations: Matted vegetation along steeper banks near flooded brush, particularly in smaller main lake pockets where water warms quickly; Marina areas with grass and visible beds; Rip rap areas on bridges and dam providing staging areas. Best techniques: Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly through holes in grass and along edges, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with soft plastics targeting beds and grass holes, Shallow Diving Crankbaits worked along rip rap and hard structure, Bladed Jigs around grass edges and transitional areas. Primary forage: Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports), Bluegill (common spawning period forage). Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Lavon Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-72°F. Crappie are moving into shallow areas (2-8 feet) near woody cover and vegetation for spawning, with males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper Fish are highly active during dawn and dusk periods, with males becoming increasingly aggressive in protecting spawning areas Key locations: Flooded brush and timber in 2-8 feet of water, especially in protected coves; Vegetation edges near deeper water access; Stumps and wood cover adjacent to spawning flats. Best techniques: Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling), Crappie Dock Shooting, Bobbers. Primary forage: Small shad in shallow spawning areas, Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish, Small minnows gathering in warming shallows. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Pink Colors.

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

Water temp 65-75°F. Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding on shad and crawfish during morning and evening periods Fish are relating heavily to brush piles and woody structure, particularly during the post-spawn shad spawn period Key locations: Brush piles near spawning flats in 5-15 foot depth range; Secondary points with woody cover; Grass edges adjacent to deeper water. Best techniques: Structure Jigs worked through brush piles, Bladed Jigs around shad spawn areas, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in heavy cover. Primary forage: Shad (particularly during morning spawn), Crawfish in and around woody structure, Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Crappie on Lavon Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 68-78°F. Post-spawn crappie are transitioning to deeper water, regaining energy after spawning while actively feeding on shad Fish are establishing summer patterns, suspending near vertical cover and moving between brush piles Key locations: Brush piles and standing timber in 10-19 feet of water; Main lake points with access to deeper water; Edges of matted grass near deeper water. Best techniques: Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling), Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Crappie Spider Rigging. Primary forage: Shad, Small Sunfish, Juvenile Bass. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

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

Water temp 80-87°F. Bass are actively feeding around flooded brush and timber edges during summer heat, with reported temperatures around 80-87°F Fish are relating strongly to cover and showing preference for shaded areas during bright conditions Key locations: Flooded brush and timber adjacent to weed edges; Stump fields in deeper water; Shaded areas under matted vegetation. Best techniques: Grass Jigs flipped into flooded brush and timber, Wacky Rigs worked around stumps and woody cover, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting thick cover. Primary forage: Shad - primary forage based on recent reports, Bluegill - typically abundant around flooded brush and vegetation. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Light Neutral Colors, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Lavon Lake in Summer?

Water temp 72-85°F. Crappie are holding on brush piles at mid-depths (10-19 feet), suspending near structure during summer heat Fish are schooling around vertical cover, using brush piles as primary holding areas to stay near preferred temperatures while maintaining access to forage Key locations: Brush piles in 10-19 foot depth range; Standing timber with nearby deep water access; Deep dock edges with vertical posts and brush. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Crappie Spider Rigging, Hover/Mid-Strolling. Primary forage: Shad, Small sunfish, Young of year baitfish. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

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

Water temp 65-69°F. Bass are actively following shad schools and feeding opportunistically, with increased activity around structured areas Fish are transitioning between shallow and mid-depth zones, using ledges and drop-offs as primary feeding stations Key locations: Rip rap and bridge areas with rock structure, particularly near depth changes; Brush piles in 8-14 foot range; Banks with nearby drop-offs and ledges in 5-8 foot range. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses (5+ seconds) near structure, Shakey Heads worked slowly along rocky areas, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) near brush piles, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for reactionary strikes in shallow zones. Primary forage: Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports), Crawfish (secondary forage in rocky areas). Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Shad Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Lavon Lake in Fall?

Water temp 58-72°F. Crappie are actively following shad schools as they migrate to creek arms and coves during fall cooling patterns Fish are suspending near vertical cover (standing timber) and transitioning between summer deep water and shallower feeding zones Key locations: Main lake points with standing timber near deep water access; Creek arm channels with brush piles in 12-20 foot range; Shallow coves with remaining vegetation where shad are congregating. Best techniques: Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling), Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Crappie Spider Rigging. Primary forage: Shad schools migrating to backs of creeks, Young-of-year baitfish around remaining vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Light Neutral Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Lavon Lake in Winter?

Water temp 45-55°F. Bass are congregating around deep structure, primarily relating to drops and ledges in 15+ foot range where they can easily access shad schools Fish are exhibiting more lethargic behavior typical of winter, but will actively feed on shad during warming trends Key locations: Deep ledges and drop-offs in 15-25 foot range, especially those near channel swings; Bridge pilings and riprap areas that provide vertical structure and trap baitfish; Deep brush piles adjacent to creek channels or main lake points. Best techniques: Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked slowly along depth changes, Football Jigs dragged slowly across deep structure, Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish. Primary forage: Shad schools concentrated in deeper water, Smaller baitfish relating to deep structure. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Lavon Lake in Winter?

Water temp 48-58°F. Crappie are suspending near vertical cover (timber, brush piles) in deeper water, typically moving less but feeding opportunistically on shad schools Schools become more concentrated in winter, with fish seeking stable temperatures and following baitfish Feeding activity peaks during warmer periods of the day, especially in afternoons when water temperatures rise slightly Key locations: Deep brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot range; Creek channel bends with adjacent timber; Deep water adjacent to primary points with vertical cover. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Crappie Spider Rigging, Live Bait Rigs. Primary forage: Suspended shad schools in deeper water, Small baitfish relating to brush piles, Juvenile sunfish near timber. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Light Neutral Colors.