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Loch Raven Reservoir

Published: Updated:

Spring Fishing Patterns on Loch Raven Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass58-65
  • Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning areas, staging near shallow spawning flats but not yet committed to beds. Fish are actively feeding but locations can be inconsistent as noted in reports.
  • Fish are showing increased activity in the 63°F water temperature range, responding well to moving baits like bladed jigs and spinnerbaits especially around shallow cover.
  • Shallow rock areas near mid-lake humps, as specifically mentioned in recent successful reports
  • Laydowns in shallow water, which produced multiple fish in post-frontal conditions
  • Submerged vegetation in shallow water, where pre-spawn fish are relating to cover
  • Bladed Jigs worked around shallow cover and transition areas
  • Texas Rigs (Worming) and Wacky Rigs for slower presentations
  • Spinnerbaits especially effective during post-frontal conditions
  • Shad, as evidenced by success with shad-imitating moving baits
  • Crawfish, indicated by success with crawdad-colored baits and presence near rocky areas
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass60-70
  • Bass moving into spawning areas, transitioning between pre-spawn staging and active spawning based on 60-70°F temperature range from reports
  • Fish relating heavily to cover (timber, laydowns, grass) in shallow to mid-depth zones as evidenced by multiple recent catches
  • Grass lines in 20ft near points, where recent 4.2lb bass was caught
  • Standing timber and laydowns in spawning pockets, confirmed by multiple recent catches
  • Protected shallow coves with complex shoreline features, indicated by lake's high shoreline development index
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover like laydowns, proven successful in 68° water
  • Neko Rigs worked slowly around deeper grass points, validated by recent 4.2lb catch
  • Spinnerbaits around laydowns, particularly effective in 60° water conditions
  • Crawfish becoming active in warming water, indicated by success of green/watermelon colored baits
  • Shad present in system, supported by success of white-colored baits and lake profile data
  • Natural Craw Colors
  • Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass62-72
  • Bass are transitioning to post-spawn patterns, moving from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations (15-25ft) on rock dropoffs and points
  • Fish are actively feeding on both shad and crawfish, with shad schools becoming increasingly important as fish move deeper
  • Rock dropoffs and points in 15-25 foot range
  • Laydowns with nearby shad schools
  • Deep weedlines adjacent to spawning flats
  • Drop Shot with finesse baits on deeper rock structure
  • Bladed Jigs around points and shad schools
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and timber
  • Shad schools moving to deeper water
  • Crawfish active around rocky structure and laydowns
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Green Colors
  • Natural Craw Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
SummerLargemouth Bass78-85
  • Bass are schooled up on deep offshore structure in 20-30ft, actively feeding on shad. Schools are concentrated but require time to locate.
  • Fish are showing both deep and surface feeding activity, with some opportunistic topwater strikes during partly cloudy conditions.
  • Deep ledges with nearby grass lines in 20-25ft
  • Main lake points extending into 20-30ft
  • Offshore humps near deep water
  • Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked along ledges and points
  • Large Soft Body Swimbaits for targeting bigger individual fish
  • Hard Topwater (Walking) during cloud cover or early/late day
  • Shad schools in open water near structure
  • Baitfish concentrations around deep grass edges
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Loch Raven Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
FallLargemouth Bass58-72
  • Bass are actively following shad schools, feeding heavily to build reserves for winter
  • Fish are transitioning from deep summer haunts to shallower feeding zones, especially in creek arms and along points
  • Aggressive feeding periods during overcast conditions and early/late in day
  • Main lake points with access to deep water and grass lines in 20ft range
  • Creek arms with remaining grass and timber cover
  • Offshore humps and ledges in 20-30ft range where shad schools congregate
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along grass edges and through schooling fish
  • Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to points and ledges
  • Spinnerbaits worked through shallow cover during overcast conditions
  • Shad schools moving into creeks and along points
  • Crawfish still active in grass and rock areas
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Natural Craw Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
WinterLargemouth Bass38-45
  • Bass are suspending near deep grass lines in a relatively inactive state, requiring slow presentations
  • Fish are relating strongly to the grass edge transitions, using them as ambush points for occasional feeding
  • Deep grass lines in 15-20ft range
  • Points and ledges adjacent to grass lines
  • Protected pockets with remaining vegetation
  • Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses
  • Drop Shot with small profile baits
  • Blade Baits worked slowly through suspended fish
  • Shad suspended near grass lines
  • Small bluegill relating to remaining vegetation
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Loch Raven Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesPrimary StructureSecondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassShallow rock areas near mid-lake humps, as specifically mentioned in recent successful reportsLaydowns in shallow water, which produced multiple fish in post-frontal conditions
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassGrass lines in 20ft near points, where recent 4.2lb bass was caughtStanding timber and laydowns in spawning pockets, confirmed by multiple recent catches
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassRock dropoffs and points in 15-25 foot rangeLaydowns with nearby shad schools
SummerLargemouth BassDeep ledges with nearby grass lines in 20-25ftMain lake points extending into 20-30ft
FallLargemouth BassMain lake points with access to deep water and grass lines in 20ft rangeCreek arms with remaining grass and timber cover
WinterLargemouth BassDeep grass lines in 15-20ft rangePoints and ledges adjacent to grass lines

Primary Forage by Season

SeasonSpeciesPrimary ForageSecondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassShad, as evidenced by success with shad-imitating moving baitsCrawfish, indicated by success with crawdad-colored baits and presence near rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassCrawfish becoming active in warming water, indicated by success of green/watermelon colored baitsShad present in system, supported by success of white-colored baits and lake profile data
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassShad schools moving to deeper waterCrawfish active around rocky structure and laydowns
SummerLargemouth BassShad schools in open water near structureBaitfish concentrations around deep grass edges
FallLargemouth BassShad schools moving into creeks and along pointsCrawfish still active in grass and rock areas
WinterLargemouth BassShad suspended near grass linesSmall bluegill relating to remaining vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Loch Raven Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Natural Craw Colors
  • Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Green Colors
  • Natural Craw Colors
SummerLargemouth Bass
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
FallLargemouth Bass
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Natural Craw Colors
WinterLargemouth Bass
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Light Neutral Colors