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Mark Twain Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 14, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Mark Twain Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-57	Pre-spawn bass are actively transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, staging on secondary points and channel swings Fish are responding well to slow presentations due to cool water temperatures (52-57°F) and recent cold fronts Bass showing increased feeding activity targeting crawfish in rocky areas	Secondary points adjacent to creek channels Small pockets off creek channels Areas with chunk rock near the bottom Shallow protected areas with clearer water under muddy surface water	Finesse Jigs worked slowly along bottom Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses Bladed Jigs ticking bottom structure Shallow Diving Crankbaits rolled slowly	Crawfish Small Baitfish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Crappie are staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding while preparing for spawning. They are moving from deeper winter areas toward shallow spawning zones, following channel edges and staging near brush piles. Fish are becoming more active with warming water temperatures, showing increased feeding activity especially during warmer afternoons.	Brush piles and standing timber along channel edges in 8-15 foot depths Secondary points near spawning flats with rip rap or rocky structure Staging areas near flooded brush in 6-12 foot depths	Crappie Spider Rigging with slow presentations around brush piles and channel edges Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) when targeting visible cover Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') when fish are holding tight to cover	Shad schools concentrated in pre-spawn staging areas Small minnows gathering in warming shallow waters	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	52-65	Catfish are transitioning from winter patterns to more active feeding, following warming water temperatures and moving to shallower staging areas Fish are becoming more active during daylight hours due to the stained water conditions, with peak activity during afternoon warming periods	Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 feet of water near channel swings Secondary points with access to deeper water Newly flooded shoreline areas during high water periods	Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or crawfish positioned near structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along brush piles and timber Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for working flooded cover during high water	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters Small sunfish near shallow structure	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-76	Bass are in spawning mode, staying tight to wood cover in shallow water. Bites are light and subtle due to protective rather than feeding behavior Fish are sensitive to cold fronts, becoming less active and requiring slower presentations when temperatures drop	Standing timber and stumps in shallow water, particularly important during spawn Protected shallow bays with woody cover Secondary points with wood cover near spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked extremely slow around wood cover Soft Jerkbaits dead-sticked near cover Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') for actively roaming fish	Crawfish becoming active in spring Shad present in the system	Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-62	Crappies are actively moving to shallow banks for spawning, with fish replenishing areas throughout the day as water temperatures hold around 60°F Fish are holding near rip rap and other shallow structure, likely staging and preparing spawning beds	Rip rap banks in shallow water, especially those adjacent to deeper water Flooded brush and woody cover in shallow spawning areas Protected shallow bays with gravel or rocky bottom composition	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with road runners for active fish Bobbers with jigs worked slowly around shallow cover Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to structure	Minnows - primary forage confirmed by recent fishing reports Shad - abundant in the lake system based on profile inferences	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	57-68	Moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning flats, actively seeking warmer water temperatures Males preparing and guarding spawning nests in protected areas with firm bottom Increased feeding activity during pre-spawn, followed by more territorial behavior during actual spawn	Shallow flats adjacent to river channels, especially near brush piles and standing timber Protected coves and bays with firm bottom composition Flooded brush and laydowns in 3-8 feet of water	Live Bait Rigs with cut bait or live offerings Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near structure Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover	Shad schools moving into spawning areas Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters Small sunfish and various minnows in shallow areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	66-76	Bass are transitioning to post-spawn patterns, becoming more active and beginning to feed aggressively after spawning energy expenditure Fish showing timing-dependent activity, with periods of cruising the banks and moving between shallow and deeper water as temperatures rise	Points with access to deeper water, especially those near spawning flats Flooded brush and standing timber in transitional depths Secondary points with shad activity	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along points and timber Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through brush Bladed Jigs around points and cover Drop Shot for more finesse approach when fish are pressured	Shad beginning to school in post-spawn areas Bluegill in shallow areas near cover Crawfish in rocky areas and around brush	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie are actively feeding to recover energy, gradually transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper structure Fish are spreading out along brush piles and timber in 8-15 foot depths, feeding opportunistically on shad and minnows	Brush piles and standing timber adjacent to spawning flats Rip rap banks with access to deeper water Creek channel edges with woody cover in 8-15 foot range	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Shad schools beginning to concentrate in post-spawn areas Small minnows around brush and timber Young-of-year baitfish starting to emerge	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	58-72	Post-spawn catfish becoming increasingly active, moving from deeper wintering areas to feeding flats and transitional zones Actively feeding during low-light periods and overcast days, taking advantage of stained water conditions for daytime activity Responding to water level fluctuations by moving into newly flooded areas to feed on displaced prey	Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 feet of water Recently flooded shoreline areas with laydowns River channel edges adjacent to shallow flats	Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or crawfish Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near structure Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for flooded brush	Shad schools moving into shallower water Crawfish becoming active in warming waters Small baitfish displaced by rising water levels	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	78-82	Bass are actively feeding on shad schools in flooded cover, showing aggressive ambush behavior during feeding periods Fish are transitioning between shallow and deeper water throughout the day, using points and brush piles as staging areas	Flooded brush and grass areas, especially where shad are schooling Main lake and secondary points with access to deeper water Brush piles near creek channels or depth changes	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through flooded cover Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around brush piles and points Soft Jerkbaits for post-frontal conditions in laydowns Shakey Heads worked along points for more pressured fish	Shad (primary forage based on multiple recent reports) Smaller bass and sunfish in shallow cover	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are suspending near deeper brush piles and standing timber, moving deeper during midday heat Feeding activity peaks during early morning and evening, following shad movements in the water column	Deep brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot ranges Creek channel intersections with abundant cover Shaded areas under docks with good depth	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along channel edges and through suspended fish Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around brush piles Crappie Spider Rigging near creek channel bends with structure	Shad schools in open water and near structure Small minnows relating to brush piles	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Summer	Catfish	72-82	Catfish are highly active in summer, feeding aggressively during dawn, dusk, and night hours, with increased daytime activity due to stained water conditions Fish are utilizing flooded brush and timber as ambush points, moving between deep and shallow water based on temperature and oxygen levels	Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 feet of water near river channel edges Recently flooded shoreline areas with laydowns during high water periods Deep river channel bends with adjacent structure	Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or whole crawfish near structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along timber edges during dawn/dusk Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) into heavy cover and brush piles	Shad schools concentrated around structure Crawfish in flooded brush areas Small sunfish around woody cover	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Mark Twain Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass actively chasing shad in shallow water, particularly evident where shad are being pushed against banks Fish showing selective location preferences due to lake turnover, avoiding areas with 'pea soup' conditions and favoring clearer water	Shallow brush piles in clearer water sections Banks where shad are being corralled Secondary points near clear water zones	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked around brush Umbrella Rigs for actively feeding fish Spinnerbaits for covering water and targeting shad	Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports) Baitfish schools congregating in clearer water areas	Chartreuse Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Crappie	52-68	Crappie are following shad schools and actively feeding to build up reserves for winter. They are typically suspending near structure adjacent to deeper water. Fish are transitioning from shallow feeding periods during low light to deeper haunts during bright conditions, with most active feeding during dawn and dusk.	Deep brush piles and standing timber near channel edges (15-25 feet) River and creek channel bends with woody structure Rip rap areas adjacent to deeper water	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging	Shad schools in deeper water Small minnows around structure	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Catfish	55-72	Actively feeding on shad schools in preparation for winter, with increased activity during falling water temperatures Moving between deep channel areas and shallower feeding zones, particularly during lake turnover events Becoming more concentrated in specific areas as water temperatures decline and baitfish school up	Deep river channels adjacent to feeding flats Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot depths Points and channel bends with woody cover	Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or whole shad near channel edges Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) near suspended bait schools Trolling Deep (20'+) along channel edges during turnover periods	Shad schools congregating in deeper water Crawfish remaining active in brush piles Dying or stunned baitfish during turnover events	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	35-42	Largemouth bass are schooling near deep brush piles, following shad concentrations in winter Fish are maintaining a slow, energy-conserving pattern but will actively feed during stable weather periods	Deep brush piles near channel bends (15-25 feet) Secondary points with access to deep water Standing timber adjacent to deeper channels	Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Drop Shot	Shad concentrations in deeper water Small bluegill near brush	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappie are suspending near deep river and creek channels, often relating to schools of shad. They become less active during cold fronts but feed actively during stable weather. Fish tend to school tightly in winter, often holding in the same areas for extended periods. They typically feed more actively during warming trends.	Deep river and creek channels with nearby brush piles or standing timber in 18-25 feet of water Channel bends with vertical structure like standing timber Deep brush piles near primary channel edges	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) - work jigs slowly with subtle movements near structure Ice Fishing Jigs - even in open water, small jigging presentations can be highly effective Crappie Spider Rigging - effective for covering water and maintaining precise depth control	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Small minnows near channel edges	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Winter	Catfish	37-45	Catfish are concentrated in deep, stable water environments, particularly in river channels and near deep structure, moving minimally to conserve energy Feeding windows are shorter and less frequent, with most activity occurring during warmer parts of the day when water temperatures rise slightly	Deep river channels with depths over 20 feet, especially near structure or subtle bottom changes Deep brush piles and standing timber adjacent to channel edges Deep holes near major points where current creates subtle water movement	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with scent-enhanced baits Live Bait Rigs with larger offerings presented directly on bottom Structure Jigs worked slowly through deep cover	Concentrated schools of winter shad, especially those that are struggling or dying Small bottom-dwelling fish seeking warmth in deep water	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Mark Twain Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points adjacent to creek channels	Small pockets off creek channels
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and standing timber along channel edges in 8-15 foot depths	Secondary points near spawning flats with rip rap or rocky structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 feet of water near channel swings	Secondary points with access to deeper water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber and stumps in shallow water, particularly important during spawn	Protected shallow bays with woody cover
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Rip rap banks in shallow water, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Flooded brush and woody cover in shallow spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Shallow flats adjacent to river channels, especially near brush piles and standing timber	Protected coves and bays with firm bottom composition
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points with access to deeper water, especially those near spawning flats	Flooded brush and standing timber in transitional depths
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and standing timber adjacent to spawning flats	Rip rap banks with access to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 feet of water	Recently flooded shoreline areas with laydowns
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Flooded brush and grass areas, especially where shad are schooling	Main lake and secondary points with access to deeper water
Summer	Crappie	Deep brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot ranges	Creek channel intersections with abundant cover
Summer	Catfish	Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 feet of water near river channel edges	Recently flooded shoreline areas with laydowns during high water periods
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shallow brush piles in clearer water sections	Banks where shad are being corralled
Fall	Crappie	Deep brush piles and standing timber near channel edges (15-25 feet)	River and creek channel bends with woody structure
Fall	Catfish	Deep river channels adjacent to feeding flats	Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot depths
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep brush piles near channel bends (15-25 feet)	Secondary points with access to deep water
Winter	Crappie	Deep river and creek channels with nearby brush piles or standing timber in 18-25 feet of water	Channel bends with vertical structure like standing timber
Winter	Catfish	Deep river channels with depths over 20 feet, especially near structure or subtle bottom changes	Deep brush piles and standing timber adjacent to channel edges

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish	Small Baitfish
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad schools concentrated in pre-spawn staging areas	Small minnows gathering in warming shallow waters
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish becoming active in spring	Shad present in the system
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows - primary forage confirmed by recent fishing reports	Shad - abundant in the lake system based on profile inferences
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Shad schools moving into spawning areas	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad beginning to school in post-spawn areas	Bluegill in shallow areas near cover
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad schools beginning to concentrate in post-spawn areas	Small minnows around brush and timber
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	Shad schools moving into shallower water	Crawfish becoming active in warming waters
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad (primary forage based on multiple recent reports)	Smaller bass and sunfish in shallow cover
Summer	Crappie	Shad schools in open water and near structure	Small minnows relating to brush piles
Summer	Catfish	Shad schools concentrated around structure	Crawfish in flooded brush areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports)	Baitfish schools congregating in clearer water areas
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools in deeper water	Small minnows around structure
Fall	Catfish	Shad schools congregating in deeper water	Crawfish remaining active in brush piles
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrations in deeper water	Small bluegill near brush
Winter	Crappie	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Small minnows near channel edges
Winter	Catfish	Concentrated schools of winter shad, especially those that are struggling or dying	Small bottom-dwelling fish seeking warmth in deep water

Bait Colors by Season for Mark Twain Lake

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

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