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

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Little Waverly Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 12, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Little Waverly Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-58	Pre-spawn bass are beginning to move from winter areas to warming shallow areas, especially near potential spawning locations Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warmer parts of the day Bass are utilizing docks and laydowns as staging areas, moving between deeper and shallower water based on daily temperature fluctuations	Shallow protected coves with docks, especially those with afternoon sun exposure Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to slightly deeper water Secondary points leading into spawning pockets	Lipless Crankbaits worked parallel to depth transitions Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and laydowns	Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows Small baitfish transitioning to spawning areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	47-55	Forming large schools ('wolfpacks') and staging near spawning areas in vegetation Actively feeding on insects while suspended at specific depths in the water column Moving between isolated vegetation stalks and matted flats, concentrating in wind-protected areas	Isolated vegetation stalks and matted flats in protected areas Shallow coves with emerging vegetation Wind-protected points with submerged vegetation	Bobbers with small jigs suspended at specific depths Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around isolated vegetation Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along edges of matted flats	Insects Small minnows	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Bass are moving into shallow staging areas and beginning their spawning ritual, with males preparing and guarding nests while females move between deeper pre-spawn staging areas and shallow spawning flats Fish are most active during warmer parts of the day, particularly in afternoon hours when water temperatures peak	Protected shallow areas near docks with sparse vegetation Shallow flats adjacent to laydowns Small coves and protected points with gradual slopes	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and potential spawning areas Wacky Rigs worked slowly near visible structure Spinnerbaits along edges of sparse vegetation	Bluegill moving into shallows Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	49-62	Pre-spawn crappie forming schools ('wolfpacks') near spawning areas, actively staging in and around vegetation and matted flats Suspended at specific depths, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures increase toward spawning temperatures	Isolated vegetation stalks and matted flats in protected coves Wind-protected shorelines with emerging vegetation Docks and other structures near spawning flats	Bobbers with vertical presentations for suspended fish Crappie Dock Shooting for fish relating to dock structure Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around vegetation	Insects, particularly emerging aquatic insects Small baitfish gathering in warming shallows	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and feeding, moving from shallow spawning areas to nearby feeding zones with cover Fish are utilizing the abundant dock structures and laydowns as primary ambush points, especially during bright conditions With the stained water (1.1m secchi), bass are staying relatively shallow and relating heavily to structure	Docks with nearby deep water access, especially those with sparse weed growth Laydowns and woody cover in 3-6 foot depth range Secondary points with a mix of hard bottom and vegetation	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and laydowns Swim Jigs through sparse vegetation and between cover Wacky Rigs for a finesse approach when fish are less aggressive	Bluegill gathering in shallow areas near cover Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge Crawfish active in warmer, shallow areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, forming loose schools near submerged vegetation and dock structures Fish are actively feeding to recover energy after spawning, with most activity during early morning and evening hours	Deeper edges of vegetation mats in 6-8 feet of water Shaded areas under and between docks Wind-protected coves with submerged vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along vegetation edges Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding under structures Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs around vegetation	Small insects and aquatic invertebrates Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge Small crustaceans in vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-85	Bass are actively feeding under and around docks, particularly in shaded areas with sparse weeds, using these structures as ambush points Fish are most active during early morning and evening hours, retreating to deeper dock edges during bright midday periods	Docks with sparse weed growth, focusing on corners, ends, and shaded areas Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to docks Shallow weed edges near deeper water access	Wacky Rigs skipped under docks and worked slowly through shaded areas Structure Jigs flipped to dock posts and corners Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked through sparse vegetation near docks	Bluegill concentrating around dock areas Young of year baitfish beginning to school	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Crappie	68-82	Crappie will be suspended in deeper water near structure during hot summer days, moving shallower during dawn and dusk to feed Schools will concentrate around submerged vegetation edges and dock structures that provide shade and cooler water	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 6-8 feet of water Shaded areas under and between docks Wind-protected coves with matted vegetation	Crappie Dock Shooting for targeting fish holding tight to dock structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around vegetation edges Crappie Spider Rigging for covering water and finding suspended schools	Small bluegills and juvenile fish around vegetation Insects near surface and around vegetation Small minnows suspended near dock structures	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Little Waverly Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish around cover, increasing activity to build fat reserves for winter Moving between shallow cover and nearby deeper areas as temperatures fluctuate throughout the day	Laydowns and docks in 3-8 feet of water Sparse weed edges near deeper water access Protected coves with woody cover	Bladed Jigs worked around cover to trigger reaction strikes Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with creature baits around docks and laydowns Spinnerbaits parallel to shoreline cover in stained water	Bluegill around dock structures Crayfish around woody cover	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappie transitioning to deeper water, forming tight schools near structure as water cools Feeding activity increases during low-light periods, with aggressive pursuit of baitfish schools	Deep edges of submerged vegetation adjacent to deeper water Wind-protected dock areas with 4-8 feet of water Deeper pockets near matted vegetation flats	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Crappie Spider Rigging	Small baitfish schools congregating near structure Late-season insects near vegetation Young-of-year panfish	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappie school tightly in deeper main lake areas near structure, typically suspending at consistent depths with reduced movement to conserve energy Feeding becomes more selective and less aggressive, with fish responding best to slow, subtle presentations	Deep main lake areas adjacent to submerged vegetation where slopes meet basin Wind-protected deeper dock areas offering vertical structure Deeper holes near channel bends with reduced current	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with subtle movements and long pauses Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly with tiny twitches Damiki Rig suspended at the exact depth of fish schools	Small minnows in 1-2 inch range Dormant aquatic insects near vegetation Young-of-year panfish	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappie school tightly in deeper basins and around submerged vegetation, suspending at consistent depths Most active during early morning and late afternoon, with reduced movement during extreme cold periods	Deep vegetation edges near basin areas Wind-protected coves with remaining vegetation Deeper dock areas with vertical structure	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements Ice Fishing Spoons for aggressive reaction strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups for covering multiple depths	Small minnows and juvenile baitfish Aquatic insects Zooplankton	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Little Waverly Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow protected coves with docks, especially those with afternoon sun exposure	Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to slightly deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Isolated vegetation stalks and matted flats in protected areas	Shallow coves with emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow areas near docks with sparse vegetation	Shallow flats adjacent to laydowns
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Isolated vegetation stalks and matted flats in protected coves	Wind-protected shorelines with emerging vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks with nearby deep water access, especially those with sparse weed growth	Laydowns and woody cover in 3-6 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Deeper edges of vegetation mats in 6-8 feet of water	Shaded areas under and between docks
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Docks with sparse weed growth, focusing on corners, ends, and shaded areas	Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to docks
Summer	Crappie	Deep edges of submerged vegetation in 6-8 feet of water	Shaded areas under and between docks
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and docks in 3-8 feet of water	Sparse weed edges near deeper water access
Fall	Crappie	Deep edges of submerged vegetation adjacent to deeper water	Wind-protected dock areas with 4-8 feet of water
Winter	Crappie	Deep main lake areas adjacent to submerged vegetation where slopes meet basin	Wind-protected deeper dock areas offering vertical structure
Ice	Crappie	Deep vegetation edges near basin areas	Wind-protected coves with remaining vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows	Small baitfish transitioning to spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Insects	Small minnows
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill moving into shallows	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Insects, particularly emerging aquatic insects	Small baitfish gathering in warming shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in shallow areas near cover	Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small insects and aquatic invertebrates	Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around dock areas	Young of year baitfish beginning to school
Summer	Crappie	Small bluegills and juvenile fish around vegetation	Insects near surface and around vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill around dock structures	Crayfish around woody cover
Fall	Crappie	Small baitfish schools congregating near structure	Late-season insects near vegetation
Winter	Crappie	Small minnows in 1-2 inch range	Dormant aquatic insects near vegetation
Ice	Crappie	Small minnows and juvenile baitfish	Aquatic insects

Bait Colors by Season for Little Waverly Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Winter	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

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