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Otter Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 31, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Otter Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Actively feeding while transitioning from winter areas to spawning locations, focusing on brush and shallow structure Moving into 2-4 foot depths adjacent to deeper water, showing aggressive feeding behavior	Flooded brush in 2-4 feet of water adjacent to deeper drops Rip rap areas with good sun exposure Protected coves with gradual slopes	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Bladed Jigs Swim Jigs	Crawfish emerging from winter areas Bluegill in and around brush	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	52-65	Staging in deeper water (12-16 feet) adjacent to potential spawning flats, making periodic movements to shallower water to feed as temperatures rise Beginning to show increased feeding activity, especially during warmer afternoons when water temperatures rise	Brush piles and woody cover in 8-12 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats Rip rap areas with emerging grass in 4-8 feet of water Protected coves with afternoon sun exposure where water warms first	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly near brush piles Bobbers with small jigs suspended at varying depths Finesse Hair Jigs worked vertically through cover	Small aquatic insects emerging with warming water Small minnows in shallow areas Early season larvae and small crustaceans	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-68	Bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and near shoreline structure Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent water Pre-spawn feeding activity intensifies, with fish utilizing 2-4 foot flats near deeper water	Protected coves with rip rap structure in 2-4 feet of water Shallow flats adjacent to 12-16 foot drops Brush-filled areas in protected pockets	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and spawning areas Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly for staging fish Spinnerbaits along rip rap and through spawning flats	Crawfish emerging and active in shallow areas Bluegill congregating near spawning areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Actively moving into shallow spawning areas (2-4 feet) near deeper water retreats, establishing and guarding nesting colonies Males becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial as they prepare and defend spawning beds	Shallow flats with firm bottom near brush piles in 2-4 feet of water Protected coves with rip rap and grass in 2-4 feet of water Shoreline areas adjacent to deeper water (12-16 feet)	Bobbers with small jigs or live bait suspended 1-2 feet deep Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through spawning areas Finesse Hair Jigs worked methodically around bedding areas	Small insects and larvae Small crustaceans Aquatic worms	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are utilizing the 2-4 foot flats adjacent to deeper water (12-16 feet) as primary feeding zones Most active during morning and evening, moving shallower to feed then retreating to deeper water during bright conditions	Rip rap areas near deeper water access Brush piles in 4-8 foot depth range Points and coves with defined drop-offs	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Swim Jigs Texas Rigs (Worming) Shakey Heads	Bluegill in shallow areas around brush and structure Crawfish active in rip rap and rocky areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Fish transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but becoming more structure-oriented Moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper adjacent areas throughout the day	Brush piles in 8-12 feet adjacent to spawning flats Rip rap areas with grass in 4-8 feet of water Deeper edges of shallow coves near woody cover	Bobbers with small jigs suspended at varying depths Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs	Small insects and larvae Small crustaceans Newly hatched fry	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	75-85	Bass are establishing feeding patterns around drop-offs, moving between shallow and deep water throughout the day based on temperature and light conditions Active feeding periods occur in shallower water (2-4 feet) adjacent to deeper water, especially during early morning and evening hours	Rip rap areas along the dam, especially where it transitions to deeper water (12-16 feet) Points with access to both shallow and deep water Rock piles in 2-4 feet of water adjacent to deeper water	Swim Jigs worked along drop-offs and rip rap edges Carolina Rigs dragged through deeper water transitions Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to rip rap and points	Bluegill in shallow water around structure Crawfish around rock and rip rap areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	75-85	During summer, bluegill and panfish are heavily focused on spawning and feeding activities, with multiple spawning cycles possible. They are most active during early morning and evening hours, moving between shallow spawning areas and nearby deeper retreats during midday. Fish are establishing colonies in shallow protected areas, particularly around brush piles and vegetated areas, while using deeper water as refuge during bright, hot periods.	Shallow spawning flats (2-4 feet) near brush piles with adjacent deeper water access Rip rap areas with grass in 2-4 foot depth range Protected coves with flooded brush and woody cover	Bobbers with precise depth control, particularly effective around shallow brush and spawning areas Live Bait Rigs worked slowly around structure and spawning beds Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to shoreline structure during feeding periods	Small insects and larvae around vegetation Small crustaceans near brush piles Juvenile fish fry in shallow spawning areas	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Otter Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are actively feeding and following baitfish movements, relating heavily to riprap areas and transitional structures as they prepare for winter Fish are grouping up more than in summer, particularly around hard structure with nearby depth changes	Riprap points with adjacent grass, especially where deep water access is nearby Main lake points with significant depth changes from 2-4 feet dropping into 12-16 feet Protected coves with hard structure, particularly during fall wind events	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along riprap edges Wacky Rigs worked slowly around grass edges and structure Spinnerbaits parallel to riprap in windy conditions	Crawfish, particularly around riprap and rocky structure Bluegill concentrating near grass edges Shad schools moving into creek arms and coves	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	55-68	Transitioning from shallow summer areas to deeper winter locations, actively feeding to build up fat reserves for winter Schooling behavior increases, with groups congregating around key structure in 8-14 foot depth range	Brush piles and woody cover in 8-14 feet of water near deep water access Rip rap areas with remaining vegetation, especially in afternoon hours Deep edges of coves where schools can gather near remaining vegetation	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Bobbers Ice Fishing Jigs	Small insects and zooplankton Small minnows Remaining aquatic larvae	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	38-45	Fish are generally less active and seeking stable conditions, concentrating in deeper water near drop-offs and structure Feeding windows are shorter and typically occur during warmer parts of the day, with fish moving shallower during these periods	Deep drop-offs adjacent to 12-16 foot depths, especially near rip rap structure Protected coves with depth transitions, particularly on the north side of the lake Areas where deep water meets remaining brush or structure	Blade Baits worked slowly along depth transitions Jigs worked methodically along deep structure Drop Shot with subtle movements in deeper water	Bluegill suspending near deeper structure Crawfish in rocky areas and rip rap Small baitfish schooling in deeper water	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	34-39	Bluegill and panfish are concentrated in deeper areas due to ice coverage limiting available space. They are likely schooling tightly in remaining open water areas. Feeding activity is reduced and more methodical during cold water periods, with fish making smaller movements to conserve energy	Deep ledges near remaining open water areas, particularly in 12-16 foot range Brush piles in deeper water, especially those near channel bends Deep water areas adjacent to rip rap where remaining open water exists	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Ice Fishing Jigs Live Bait Rigs	Small aquatic insects Dormant crayfish Young-of-year baitfish	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Otter Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Flooded brush in 2-4 feet of water adjacent to deeper drops	Rip rap areas with good sun exposure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Brush piles and woody cover in 8-12 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats	Rip rap areas with emerging grass in 4-8 feet of water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected coves with rip rap structure in 2-4 feet of water	Shallow flats adjacent to 12-16 foot drops
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Shallow flats with firm bottom near brush piles in 2-4 feet of water	Protected coves with rip rap and grass in 2-4 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Rip rap areas near deeper water access	Brush piles in 4-8 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Brush piles in 8-12 feet adjacent to spawning flats	Rip rap areas with grass in 4-8 feet of water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Rip rap areas along the dam, especially where it transitions to deeper water (12-16 feet)	Points with access to both shallow and deep water
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Shallow spawning flats (2-4 feet) near brush piles with adjacent deeper water access	Rip rap areas with grass in 2-4 foot depth range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Riprap points with adjacent grass, especially where deep water access is nearby	Main lake points with significant depth changes from 2-4 feet dropping into 12-16 feet
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Brush piles and woody cover in 8-14 feet of water near deep water access	Rip rap areas with remaining vegetation, especially in afternoon hours
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep drop-offs adjacent to 12-16 foot depths, especially near rip rap structure	Protected coves with depth transitions, particularly on the north side of the lake
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep ledges near remaining open water areas, particularly in 12-16 foot range	Brush piles in deeper water, especially those near channel bends

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter areas	Bluegill in and around brush
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects emerging with warming water	Small minnows in shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging and active in shallow areas	Bluegill congregating near spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae	Small crustaceans
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow areas around brush and structure	Crawfish active in rip rap and rocky areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae	Small crustaceans
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow water around structure	Crawfish around rock and rip rap areas
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae around vegetation	Small crustaceans near brush piles
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish, particularly around riprap and rocky structure	Bluegill concentrating near grass edges
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and zooplankton	Small minnows
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill suspending near deeper structure	Crawfish in rocky areas and rip rap
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects	Dormant crayfish

Bait Colors by Season for Otter Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

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