How to Fish Nimisila Reservoir: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Nimisila Reservoir

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 27, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Nimisila Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Males and smaller females moving shallow (2-6ft) to stage near spawning areas, with larger females holding slightly deeper on adjacent structure Most active feeding during early morning hours (before 9am), following a distinct feeding window pattern Fish relating heavily to points and old lily pad stalks as staging areas	Points adjacent to spawning flats in 6-10ft Old lily pad stalks and submerged vegetation in 4-6ft Mid-lake areas with deeper vegetation for staging females	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly near bottom with cadence changes Texas Rigs (Worming) worked through submerged vegetation Spinnerbaits along points and vegetation edges	Perch - primary forage based on recent reports Crappie - mentioned in reports as secondary forage Bluegill - indicated as consistent forage base from lake profile	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass moving into shallow spawning areas near points and protected coves, actively defending nesting sites Pre-spawn staging and spawning activity focused in 6ft depth range with periodic feeding on bluegill	Protected spawning flats near points with moderate depth transitions in 4-6ft range Secondary points with matted grass and coontail vegetation Shallow coves with lily pads and laydowns providing spawning sanctuary	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and cover Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and slow presentations	Bluegill congregating in spawning areas Perch around vegetation edges	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding in and around vegetation, particularly new coontail mats, as they recover energy after spawning Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, willing to chase moving baits like swim jigs, indicating a return to normal feeding patterns	New coontail grass mats in 3-6 foot depth range Points with emerging vegetation near spawning flats Secondary points with matted grass	Swim Jigs with soft plastic trailers worked through and around vegetation Texas Rigs pitched to gaps in grass mats Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) on jigheads worked along grass edges	Bluegill Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	74-85	Fish are exhibiting a dual pattern - active shallow feeding early/late in vegetation and edges, while transitioning to deeper ledges during midday heat Showing aggressive feeding behavior when shallow, actively striking topwater baits and pursuing moving presentations around cover	Matted grass and vegetation edges in shallow water, especially near deeper water access Ledges and drop-offs in 6-12 foot range adjacent to shallow feeding areas Laydowns and woody cover integrated with vegetation	Hard Topwater (Walking) during low light periods around vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Worming) through matted grass and over laydowns Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along deeper ledges during midday Blade Baits working transitional areas between shallow and deep water	Bluegill concentrating around vegetation and cover Shad schools relating to deeper structure and ledges	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Nimisila Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass actively feeding on shad and bluegill near vegetation edges and lay downs, showing aggressive surface activity Fish transitioning between shallow vegetation and nearby deeper structure, following baitfish movements	Submerged vegetation edges near deeper water Lay downs and woody cover adjacent to grass mats Points with matted grass or vegetation	Bladed Jigs worked above submerged grass Frogs/Toads buzzed over matted vegetation Spinnerbaits along vegetation edges	Shad schooling near points and vegetation edges Bluegill holding in and around thick vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	38-45	Suspending near steep break lines and deeper structure, typically in 15-25 foot range with occasional movements to shallower water during warming trends Reduced activity periods with most feeding occurring during mid-day when water temperatures peak Concentrated in areas with quick access to both deep water and winter forage	Deep water adjacent to main lake points with access to vegetation Deeper edges of creek channels near remaining vegetation Protected coves with steep breaks and wood cover	Blade Baits worked vertically along break lines Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses near structure Drop Shot with small profile baits near deep structure	Bluegill concentrated in remaining deep vegetation Small baitfish schools in deeper water Perch relating to deep structure	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Nimisila Reservoir

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points adjacent to spawning flats in 6-10ft	Old lily pad stalks and submerged vegetation in 4-6ft
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected spawning flats near points with moderate depth transitions in 4-6ft range	Secondary points with matted grass and coontail vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	New coontail grass mats in 3-6 foot depth range	Points with emerging vegetation near spawning flats
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Matted grass and vegetation edges in shallow water, especially near deeper water access	Ledges and drop-offs in 6-12 foot range adjacent to shallow feeding areas
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation edges near deeper water	Lay downs and woody cover adjacent to grass mats
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep water adjacent to main lake points with access to vegetation	Deeper edges of creek channels near remaining vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Perch - primary forage based on recent reports	Crappie - mentioned in reports as secondary forage
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating in spawning areas	Perch around vegetation edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Perch
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around vegetation and cover	Shad schools relating to deeper structure and ledges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling near points and vegetation edges	Bluegill holding in and around thick vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated in remaining deep vegetation	Small baitfish schools in deeper water

Bait Colors by Season for Nimisila Reservoir

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

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