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Moodus Reservoir

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Moodus Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-58	Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding on minnows near vegetation Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, showing increased response to moving baits	Submerged vegetation adjacent to spawning flats Secondary points with mixed vegetation and wood cover Protected coves with emerging vegetation	Hard Jerkbaits with longer pauses between twitches Lipless Crankbaits around emerging vegetation Spinnerbaits on windy shorelines with vegetation	Minnows Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Pike are in pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves before spawning. They are most active during warming trends and responding to shallow water temperature changes. Fish are utilizing transitional areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning bays, particularly focusing on areas with submerged vegetation and woody cover for ambush points.	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially near deeper water access Points and inside turns with laydowns or woody structure adjacent to spawning areas Protected coves with warmer water temperatures	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through transition areas Spinnerbaits near woody cover and emerging vegetation Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') with stop-and-go retrieves	Bluegills congregating in warming shallows Minnows moving into spawning areas Winter-stressed baitfish in transitional areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Crappie are transitioning from deeper winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding on bluegill near submerged vegetation Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, showing increased willingness to chase moving baits like shallow crankbaits	Submerged vegetation edges in 6-12 feet of water, especially near deeper water access Protected coves with emerging vegetation, particularly those with complex shoreline features Dock areas with nearby vegetation, offering both cover and ambush points	Crappie Spider Rigging Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Crappie Dock Shooting	Bluegill Small Shad	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around vegetation edges and woody cover in protected coves Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning waves	Protected shallow coves with mixed vegetation and wood cover Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow vegetation edges near deeper water access	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas Soft Jerkbaits for staging fish and sight fishing Wacky Rigs for finesse presentations to spooky shallow fish	Bluegill beginning to move shallow for their own spawning activities Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-52	Northern Pike are in pre and post-spawn locations, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning bays with vegetation and flooded areas Fish are aggressive but location-specific, with males staying in spawning areas longer while females move to recovery areas post-spawn	Shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation and flooded areas Transitional areas near points leading to spawning bays Submerged wood cover in protected areas near spawning locations	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through spawning areas Spinnerbaits retrieved near emerging vegetation Inline Spinners worked parallel to shoreline structure	Spawning Bluegills in shallow areas Shallow-water Minnow schools	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie are moving into shallow spawning areas near laydowns, lily pads, and protected coves in 2-6 feet of water Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper, making frequent trips to spawning areas Feeding activity increases during pre-spawn, with aggressive strikes during prime spawning conditions	Protected shallow coves with submerged vegetation and laydowns Areas adjacent to docks in 4-8 feet of water Deeper grass lines near spawning areas serving as staging points	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Bluegill fry and small juveniles Small minnows around vegetation Aquatic insects near spawning areas	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding in shallow vegetation and around docks, focusing on bluegill and other shallow forage Fish are showing typical spring patterns, striking on initial bait drops near cover and maintaining shallow water positioning	Lily pad fields with adjacent submerged vegetation Docks with nearby vegetation Shallow coves with complex cover combinations	Texas Rigs (Worming) with slow sinking presentations near vegetation Frogs/Toads worked over lily pads and matted vegetation Soft Jerkbaits worked along weed edges	Bluegill congregating in shallow vegetation Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	52-65	Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, making frequent shallow water feeding runs during early morning and overcast periods Transitioning between shallow spawning areas and summer holding areas, using weed edges and woody cover as travel corridors	Emerging weed edges adjacent to spawning bays Submerged wood cover and laydowns in 5-12 feet of water Points and coves with matted grass providing ambush coverage	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges and through scattered vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near structure Inline Spinners retrieved steadily in shallow feeding areas	Bluegills gathering in warming shallows Minnow schools moving along weed edges Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	68-75	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning to deeper water, suspending near vertical cover and weed edges Fish are actively feeding to recover from spawn, with peak activity during early morning and evening hours	Deeper edges of weed lines and submerged vegetation in 8-15 feet Suspended near dock structures, especially those near deeper water Deeper brush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning areas	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Dock Shooting Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Small Bluegill Young of Year Shad Small Minnows	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals 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 around vegetation and wood cover combinations, primarily targeting bluegill. They show classic summer patterns with early morning surface activity and movement to deeper vegetation as the day progresses Fish are holding tight to cover during bright conditions, requiring precise presentations to laydowns and grass clumps, with increased activity during low light periods	Deep grass lines adjacent to wood cover, especially laydowns in shaded areas Matted grass and lily pad fields during morning and evening periods Submerged vegetation edges near points and hard bottom transitions	Grass Jigs worked through vegetation and around wood cover Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation and lily pads Wacky Rigs worked slowly through deeper vegetation Buzzbaits during low light periods around cover	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports and observations Crawfish - indicated by success of jig presentations and bottom-oriented techniques	Black/Blue Green Pumpkin Black
Summer	Northern Pike	68-78	Pike are actively feeding during early morning hours, showing aggressive behavior towards moving baits in shallow zones near vegetation Fish are utilizing vegetation edges and woody cover as ambush points throughout the complex shoreline	Submerged vegetation edges, particularly in early morning Laydowns and woody cover areas near vegetation Points and coves with mixed vegetation and structure	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along weed edges Spinnerbaits parallel to vegetation lines Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) for mimicking bluegill prey	Bluegill Minnows	Natural Baitfish Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are suspending near deeper vegetation and dock structures during summer heat, with most active feeding during early morning and evening hours Fish are relating closely to shade and cover during bright midday periods, moving to edges of vegetation for feeding opportunities	Deep weed edges and clumps, particularly where they intersect with docks Shaded areas under docks with access to deeper water Deeper vegetation in 12-15 foot range where present	Crappie Dock Shooting Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling	Young-of-year Bluegill Small Minnows Aquatic Insects	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Moodus Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are actively chasing baitfish in open water and near river channels, following fall bait migrations as evidenced by recent fishing reports Fish are likely to school up more than in summer, with a focus on covering water to find active groups	River channels where baitfish are congregating, as indicated in recent reports Deep weed edges near points and irregularities, suggested by lake profile Complex cover combinations of laydowns and vegetation, particularly near depth changes	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) on underspin or standard retrieve, proven effective in recent reports Spinnerbaits worked around baitfish schools and vegetation edges Lipless Crankbaits around deeper grass edges and through baitfish schools	Minnows/Shad schools, primary current forage based on fishing reports Bluegill, indicated as abundant forage in lake profile	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Northern Pike	45-65	Pike become more aggressive in fall as they feed heavily to prepare for winter, with increased activity during cloudy days and low-light periods Fish are transitioning from summer weed patterns to deeper structure, following baitfish movements	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, especially near points and coves Laydowns and woody structure near remaining vegetation Deep grass edges near creek channels or depth changes	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through remaining vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near structure Trolling Shallow (0-9') along weed edges and points	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed edges Minnows schooling in deeper water near structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappie are transitioning to deeper water, following baitfish schools and actively feeding to build up reserves for winter Fish are schooling more tightly and becoming increasingly structure-oriented, particularly around deeper vegetation and dock edges	Deeper dock edges adjacent to vegetation Deep weed clumps in 12-15 foot range Points and creek channel bends with submerged timber	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling	Bluegill Young-of-year shad Small sunfish	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	38-45	Pike will be actively patrolling drop-offs and weed edges during low light periods, using the stained water conditions to their advantage for daytime feeding Fish are likely to suspend near structure and vegetation, making periodic moves to shallow feeding zones	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water where vegetation is still green Submerged wood cover near points and coves Secondary drop-offs with remaining vegetation	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly along weed edges Blade Baits worked with controlled lifts near structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near suspended fish	Bluegills seeking warmth near remaining vegetation Schooled minnows in deeper water	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	42-52	Crappie are schooling in deeper water near key structure, typically relating to submerged vegetation and laydowns Fish are more active during warmer parts of the day, suspending near structure and moving up in the water column to feed	Deep weed edges and clumps, particularly near drop-offs Deeper sections near docks, especially where multiple docks create a complex area Submerged laydowns in deeper water, particularly those near channel bends	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling Crappie Spider Rigging	Smaller sized bluegills Young-of-year baitfish	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Pike become more lethargic but maintain feeding periods, typically during mid-morning to early afternoon when sunlight warms the shallower areas They position near structure that provides access to both shallow and deeper water, allowing them to move between thermal zones Feeding becomes more opportunistic with less chase-down predation, focusing on larger, slower-moving prey	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, particularly near points and coves Areas with submerged wood cover in 8-15 foot depth range Shallow bays with remaining green vegetation, especially near deeper water access	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at various depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked with aggressive jigging followed by longer pauses Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows near structure	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed beds Larger minnows seeking warmer water pockets Suspended baitfish schools in deeper water	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappie are suspending near deep vegetation edges and structured areas, typically schooling tightly in 12-20 foot ranges Feeding activity is most intense during early morning and late afternoon, with fish becoming more selective during bright conditions	Deep weed edges adjacent to coves, especially near points Deeper basins near submerged vegetation clumps Areas around deep dock structures where available	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements near structure Ice Fishing Spoons for aggressive reaction strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to pattern fish	Small Bluegill Small Minnows Zooplankton	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Moodus Reservoir

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation adjacent to spawning flats	Secondary points with mixed vegetation and wood cover
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially near deeper water access	Points and inside turns with laydowns or woody structure adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 6-12 feet of water, especially near deeper water access	Protected coves with emerging vegetation, particularly those with complex shoreline features
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with mixed vegetation and wood cover	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation and flooded areas	Transitional areas near points leading to spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow coves with submerged vegetation and laydowns	Areas adjacent to docks in 4-8 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields with adjacent submerged vegetation	Docks with nearby vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Emerging weed edges adjacent to spawning bays	Submerged wood cover and laydowns in 5-12 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Deeper edges of weed lines and submerged vegetation in 8-15 feet	Suspended near dock structures, especially those near deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep grass lines adjacent to wood cover, especially laydowns in shaded areas	Matted grass and lily pad fields during morning and evening periods
Summer	Northern Pike	Submerged vegetation edges, particularly in early morning	Laydowns and woody cover areas near vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Deep weed edges and clumps, particularly where they intersect with docks	Shaded areas under docks with access to deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	River channels where baitfish are congregating, as indicated in recent reports	Deep weed edges near points and irregularities, suggested by lake profile
Fall	Northern Pike	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, especially near points and coves	Laydowns and woody structure near remaining vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Deeper dock edges adjacent to vegetation	Deep weed clumps in 12-15 foot range
Winter	Northern Pike	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water where vegetation is still green	Submerged wood cover near points and coves
Winter	Crappie	Deep weed edges and clumps, particularly near drop-offs	Deeper sections near docks, especially where multiple docks create a complex area
Ice	Northern Pike	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, particularly near points and coves	Areas with submerged wood cover in 8-15 foot depth range
Ice	Crappie	Deep weed edges adjacent to coves, especially near points	Deeper basins near submerged vegetation clumps

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows	Bluegill
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating in warming shallows	Minnows moving into spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Bluegill	Small Shad
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow for their own spawning activities	Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Spawning Bluegills in shallow areas	Shallow-water Minnow schools
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Bluegill fry and small juveniles	Small minnows around vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating in shallow vegetation	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegills gathering in warming shallows	Minnow schools moving along weed edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small Bluegill	Young of Year Shad
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports and observations	Crawfish - indicated by success of jig presentations and bottom-oriented techniques
Summer	Northern Pike	Bluegill	Minnows
Summer	Crappie	Young-of-year Bluegill	Small Minnows
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Minnows/Shad schools, primary current forage based on fishing reports	Bluegill, indicated as abundant forage in lake profile
Fall	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed edges	Minnows schooling in deeper water near structure
Fall	Crappie	Bluegill	Young-of-year shad
Winter	Northern Pike	Bluegills seeking warmth near remaining vegetation	Schooled minnows in deeper water
Winter	Crappie	Smaller sized bluegills	Young-of-year baitfish
Ice	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed beds	Larger minnows seeking warmer water pockets
Ice	Crappie	Small Bluegill	Small Minnows

Bait Colors by Season for Moodus Reservoir

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Black/Blue Green Pumpkin Black
Summer	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Ice	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors

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