How to Fish Owasco Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques

Owasco Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 22, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Owasco Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	48-58	Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are following daily temperature patterns, moving shallower during warm afternoons and retreating to nearby deeper water during cold fronts	Rocky points and transitions adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet Steep drop-offs near potential spawning areas with scattered rock and gravel Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel in 12-20 feet	Blade Baits worked with a slow lift-drop along depth transitions Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky structure Ned Rigs worked slowly on points and transitions Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish	Perch schooling near rocky structure Alewife moving into shallower water during warming trends Crawfish becoming more active on rocky areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	47-52	Pre-spawn largemouth bass transitioning from winter areas to spawning locations, actively feeding while holding near cover Fish staging on transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning flats, using laydowns as primary ambush points	Laydowns and woody cover in transition areas between winter and spawning zones Secondary points with access to deeper water Protected coves with emerging vegetation	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to laydowns and through transition zones Drop Shot rigged with finesse baits around wood cover Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly near cover	Shad moving into pre-spawn staging areas Alewife schools in transition zones	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	38-48	Yellow perch are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, actively feeding and moving towards spawning areas in moderately shallow water Fish are schooling more tightly and becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise, following baitfish movements	Transitions between weed beds and sand flats in 12-15 foot depth range Rock rubble areas adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depths Deeper edges of emerging weed growth in protected bays and coves	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Tubes	Small baitfish (alewife) Aquatic insects emerging from winter dormancy	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Lake Trout	38-48	Lake Trout transitioning from deep winter haunts to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, particularly active during early morning and late evening Aggressive feeding patterns as fish bulk up for spawning, targeting schools of perch and alewife near structure transitions	Rock rubble areas and points in 15-25 foot depth range where pre-spawn staging occurs Deep-to-shallow transitions near submerged weed edges Offshore humps and structure adjacent to deep basins	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Alewife schools congregating in pre-spawn areas Yellow Perch moving along structure edges Various baitfish utilizing emerging weed growth	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	55-65	Smallmouth bass are transitioning to spawning areas, with males preparing and guarding nests in shallow water (2-8 feet) while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent areas Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial, especially males guarding nests, making them more likely to strike reaction baits and nest intruders	Rock and gravel flats near drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially in protected bays and coves Secondary points with mixed rock and sand substrate leading into spawning bays Scattered weed beds adjacent to hard bottom areas where pre-spawn staging occurs	Tubes worked slowly around potential nest sites and rocky areas Ned Rigs for finesse presentation to spooky pre-spawn fish Soft Jerkbaits for covering water and targeting actively feeding fish	Yellow Perch congregating in similar spawning areas Alewife beginning to move shallow as water warms	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	47-65	Fish transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, with males preparing and guarding nests while females move between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites, especially from male bass Feeding activity peaks during early morning and late evening, with defensive strikes during midday around nests	Protected shallow bays and coves with hard bottom, particularly those with nearby deep water access Secondary points leading into spawning bays, especially those with laydowns or submerged vegetation Shallow flats adjacent to significant depth changes, particularly those with emerging vegetation	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and visible beds Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shoreline transitions between staging and spawning areas Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning flats and emerging vegetation	Shad concentrating in spawning bays and around emerging vegetation Bluegill beginning to move shallow around emerging vegetation Alewife schools transitioning to shallower water	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	45-52	Moving into shallow bays and vegetated areas (8-15 feet) for spawning activities Actively feeding during pre and post-spawn periods, with brief slowdown during actual spawn Schooling in larger groups near transitional areas between spawning and deeper holding zones	Shallow weed beds in 8-15 foot range with nearby access to deeper water Protected bays with mix of vegetation and sandy bottom Transition areas between rock rubble and sand flats	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Tubes Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small invertebrates and insects emerging in spring Young-of-year baitfish Small crayfish becoming active with warming water	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Lake Trout	42-52	Lake Trout transitioning from winter deep-water patterns to shallower spawning areas, typically staging near points and drop-offs adjacent to spawning grounds Fish becoming more active with rising water temperatures, showing increased feeding activity during dawn and dusk periods Moving between various depth ranges throughout the day, following preferred temperature zones	Rock rubble areas in 15-25 foot depth range near spawning grounds Points and humps with access to deeper water Offshore structure adjacent to spawning flats	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with consistent speed control Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are concentrated Live Bait Rigs with slower presentations	Alewife schooling in transitional areas Perch along structure edges Various small baitfish gathering near spawning areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Transitioning to post-spawn recovery and active feeding patterns, with fish moving from shallow spawning areas to nearby deeper structure Establishing summer feeding patterns with aggressive pursuit of both bottom-oriented and suspended forage Showing preference for areas with quick access to both shallow and deep water for temperature regulation	Rock rubble areas adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet Offshore humps with scattered grass in 12-20 feet Points and drop-offs near weed edges in 12-25 feet	Drop Shot with slow, subtle presentations for recovering fish Tubes worked along bottom structure and transition areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding fish Ned Rigs for pressured or finicky fish	Yellow Perch concentrating near bottom structure Alewife beginning to school in open water Crayfish emerging in rocky areas	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, moving from spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are establishing territories near submerged vegetation and laydowns, utilizing these areas as ambush points for feeding	Weed edges and emerging vegetation in 8-12 foot depth range Secondary points with access to deeper water Laydowns and woody cover near spawning flats	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and vegetation Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along points	Shad schools beginning to group up in post-spawn areas Bluegill moving shallow for their spawn Crawfish active in warming waters	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	48-62	Yellow perch become more active and dispersed post-spawn, moving to moderate depths (12-20 feet) and transitioning to more aggressive feeding patterns Fish are likely to school up around structure and move between feeding areas throughout the day, particularly near weed-to-sand transitions	Scattered weed beds adjacent to sand flats in 12-20 foot depths Rock rubble areas near vegetation transitions Protected coves and bays with emerging vegetation	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small baitfish (alewife) Emerging aquatic insects Small crayfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Lake Trout	45-52	Post-spawn Lake Trout transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper, cooler water as temperatures rise Actively feeding to recover energy after spawn, targeting abundant perch and alewife populations around structure	Deep water adjacent to rock rubble points in 15-28 foot range Offshore humps with access to deep water Weed edges near deep basins where perch congregate	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with moderate speed to cover water Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are spotted on structure Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along structure edges	Alewife schools in open water and around structure Yellow Perch along weed edges and rock rubble Various baitfish species transitioning to summer patterns	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	72-78	Actively feeding along weed edges and drop-offs, with aggressive strikes on falling baits Utilizing grass beds in 12-foot range as primary feeding zones, moving deeper during bright conditions	Grass edges adjacent to steep drop-offs in 12-foot range Offshore humps with mixed vegetation Rocky points with scattered weed growth	Tubes worked with a pop-and-drop technique along weed edges Drop Shot with finesse presentations for pressured fish Ned Rigs worked slowly through vegetation	Perch Alewife	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	68-82	During summer, largemouth bass establish primary feeding zones in and around submerged vegetation, particularly in the 12-15 foot depth range where the lake shows significant structure Fish are most active during early morning and evening hours, moving shallower to feed on shad and alewife near weed edges During midday, bass retreat to deeper weed edges and adjacent structure for shade and comfort	Thick weed beds adjacent to deeper water in the 12-15 foot range Points with vegetation that intersect with baitfish migration routes Humps with vegetation tops in 8-12 foot range	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked through vegetation edges and pockets Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) during low light periods when bass are actively chasing shad Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along deeper weed edges during midday periods	Shad schools concentrated near vegetation edges Alewife moving along deeper structure Various sunfish species holding in weed beds	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Yellow Perch	65-78	Actively feeding in scattered weed beds and around rock/sand transitions, typically most active during early morning and evening hours Schooling behavior becomes more pronounced, with groups moving between structure and open water following baitfish	Scattered weed beds in 12-15 foot depths adjacent to sand flats Rock rubble to sand transitions in 15-20 foot range Deeper weed edges near points and coves in 18-25 foot range	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Drop Shot Live Bait Rigs	Small baitfish (likely alewife) Aquatic insects around weed beds Small crayfish near rock/sand transitions	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Lake Trout	48-52	Lake Trout moving deeper during midday seeking cold water refuge, typically found in depths of 40-60 feet due to summer thermal stratification Early morning and late evening feeding activity near thermocline, following baitfish movements and targeting perch and alewife	Deep basins adjacent to offshore humps and points where cold water refuges form Steep breaks and rock rubble areas near the thermocline during low light periods Offshore structure in 40-60 foot range, especially areas with nearby access to even deeper water	Trolling Deep (20'+) with downriggers to target specific depth zones Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) over marked fish concentrations Spoons worked through suspended fish marked on electronics	Alewife schools suspending in deeper, cooler water Yellow Perch relating to deep structure Suspended baitfish concentrations near thermocline	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Owasco Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	58-73	Actively feeding on baitfish (particularly alewife) around offshore structure as they bulk up for winter Moving between humps and adjacent deep water, following baitfish schools	Offshore humps, particularly those adjacent to deeper water Deep rock piles and transition areas near drop-offs Points with access to deep water	Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended baitfish schools Tubes dragged along bottom structure Drop Shot with baitfish imitations	Alewife schools congregating near structure Yellow Perch along bottom structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Shad Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Bass actively chasing shad and alewife schools in the mid-depth range, following baitfish migrations to creek arms and coves Transitioning from summer vegetation patterns to harder structure, especially around points and depth changes Increased feeding activity during cooling water periods, positioning near ambush points adjacent to deep water	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those near creek channel intersections Remaining patches of green vegetation adjacent to depth changes in 8-15 foot range Secondary points in major creek arms where shad schools are present	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to points and vegetation edges Spinnerbaits worked through remaining vegetation and around points during cloudy conditions Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) to match predominant shad size	Shad schools migrating into creek arms Alewife concentrations near points and depth changes Remaining bluegill in vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Yellow Perch	48-62	Yellow perch begin to school more tightly in fall, moving to deeper structures (15-25 feet) as water temperatures cool Feeding activity increases with aggressive pursuit of baitfish and increased interest in larger profile baits	Deep weed edges adjacent to sand flats in 12-20 foot range Rock rubble transitions near points and bays in 15-25 foot depths Deeper suspended schools over main lake basins, especially near structure transitions	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended schools Drop Shot with minnow-style soft plastics near bottom structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with aggressive lift-drop cadence	Alewife and other small baitfish schools Small perch and juvenile panfish Aquatic invertebrates near weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Lake Trout	48-58	Lake Trout transitioning from deep summer haunts to shallower waters (25-45 feet) as water temperatures cool, becoming more active in their feeding patterns Fish actively pursuing baitfish schools (alewife and perch) along structure breaks and points, with increased feeding activity during low-light periods	Deep rock points and humps adjacent to deep basins, especially those with quick access to 25-45 foot depths Steep breaklines near submerged weed edges where baitfish concentrate Offshore structure features that intersect with baitfish migration routes	Trolling Deep (20'+) with downriggers along structure breaks and points Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) when fish are marked on electronics Spoons worked vertically through baitfish schools	Alewife schools moving along structure edges Yellow Perch relating to remaining weed edges and rock-sand transitions Smaller Lake Trout and other cold-water baitfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Yellow Perch	34-38	Perch are actively roaming and suspending in moderate depths (15-28 feet), following baitfish schools and showing preference for slow-moving presentations Fish are maintaining feeding activity even in cold water (36°F), with light bites indicating selective feeding behavior	Rock rubble and sand flats with scattered weed beds in 15-28 foot range Submerged vegetation edges in moderate depths (12-15 feet) Transition areas between different bottom substrates where forage concentrates	Drop Shot with small slider plastics, worked with slow, steady retrieves Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) cast and retrieved slowly with periodic pauses Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') focusing on suspended fish	Minnows and small baitfish Young-of-year perch	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Lake Trout	36-42	Lake Trout are actively feeding in deep basins and near structural elements, taking advantage of cold water temperatures optimal for their metabolism Fish are following schools of perch and alewife, making predictable movements between deep basins and offshore structure	Deep basins and holes in 15-28 foot range where baitfish schools concentrate Offshore humps and points with access to deep water Transition areas between rock rubble and sand flats where forage fish gather	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with aggressive jigging action to trigger reaction strikes Trolling Deep (20'+) along edges of deep basins and structure breaks Spoons worked vertically through baitfish schools	Alewife schools concentrated in deep basins Yellow Perch relating to bottom structure Various small baitfish utilizing deep water refuges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Yellow Perch	34-38	Perch are forming winter schools and actively feeding in moderate depths of 12-15 feet, showing interest in moving baits indicating they're suspending and hunting rather than staying tight to bottom Fish are responding well to minnow-based presentations, suggesting they're keying in on baitfish forage during ice season	Points in 12-15 foot depth range with scattered weed beds Rock rubble to sand flat transitions in moderate depths Areas near submerged vegetation where baitfish concentrate	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements to trigger light-biting perch Ice Fishing Spoons with erratic action to attract actively feeding schools Ice Fishing Tip-Ups rigged with live minnows for larger perch	Fathead Minnows, as specifically mentioned in recent reports Small Baitfish/Alewife, based on lake profile observations Aquatic Invertebrates near weed beds and bottom structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Ice	Lake Trout	34-38	Lake Trout actively feeding near bottom structure and along steep breaks, particularly during prime dawn/dusk periods Fish staging in 15-28 foot depths, following schools of perch and alewife More aggressive feeding patterns due to optimal cold water temperatures around 36°F	Deep water humps and points in 15-28 foot range Steep breaks near rock rubble areas Offshore structure adjacent to sand flats	Ice Fishing Spoons - work aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs - tipped with minnows for natural presentation Ice Fishing Tip-Ups - particularly effective for targeting suspended fish	Perch - primary forage based on multiple reports Alewife - important pelagic forage species Small panfish utilizing weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Owasco Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and transitions adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet	Steep drop-offs near potential spawning areas with scattered rock and gravel
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and woody cover in transition areas between winter and spawning zones	Secondary points with access to deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Transitions between weed beds and sand flats in 12-15 foot depth range	Rock rubble areas adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depths
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Lake Trout	Rock rubble areas and points in 15-25 foot depth range where pre-spawn staging occurs	Deep-to-shallow transitions near submerged weed edges
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rock and gravel flats near drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially in protected bays and coves	Secondary points with mixed rock and sand substrate leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays and coves with hard bottom, particularly those with nearby deep water access	Secondary points leading into spawning bays, especially those with laydowns or submerged vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Shallow weed beds in 8-15 foot range with nearby access to deeper water	Protected bays with mix of vegetation and sandy bottom
Spring (Spawn)	Lake Trout	Rock rubble areas in 15-25 foot depth range near spawning grounds	Points and humps with access to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rock rubble areas adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet	Offshore humps with scattered grass in 12-20 feet
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Weed edges and emerging vegetation in 8-12 foot depth range	Secondary points with access to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Scattered weed beds adjacent to sand flats in 12-20 foot depths	Rock rubble areas near vegetation transitions
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Lake Trout	Deep water adjacent to rock rubble points in 15-28 foot range	Offshore humps with access to deep water
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Grass edges adjacent to steep drop-offs in 12-foot range	Offshore humps with mixed vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Thick weed beds adjacent to deeper water in the 12-15 foot range	Points with vegetation that intersect with baitfish migration routes
Summer	Yellow Perch	Scattered weed beds in 12-15 foot depths adjacent to sand flats	Rock rubble to sand transitions in 15-20 foot range
Summer	Lake Trout	Deep basins adjacent to offshore humps and points where cold water refuges form	Steep breaks and rock rubble areas near the thermocline during low light periods
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Offshore humps, particularly those adjacent to deeper water	Deep rock piles and transition areas near drop-offs
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those near creek channel intersections	Remaining patches of green vegetation adjacent to depth changes in 8-15 foot range
Fall	Yellow Perch	Deep weed edges adjacent to sand flats in 12-20 foot range	Rock rubble transitions near points and bays in 15-25 foot depths
Fall	Lake Trout	Deep rock points and humps adjacent to deep basins, especially those with quick access to 25-45 foot depths	Steep breaklines near submerged weed edges where baitfish concentrate
Winter	Yellow Perch	Rock rubble and sand flats with scattered weed beds in 15-28 foot range	Submerged vegetation edges in moderate depths (12-15 feet)
Winter	Lake Trout	Deep basins and holes in 15-28 foot range where baitfish schools concentrate	Offshore humps and points with access to deep water
Ice	Yellow Perch	Points in 12-15 foot depth range with scattered weed beds	Rock rubble to sand flat transitions in moderate depths
Ice	Lake Trout	Deep water humps and points in 15-28 foot range	Steep breaks near rock rubble areas

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Perch schooling near rocky structure	Alewife moving into shallower water during warming trends
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad moving into pre-spawn staging areas	Alewife schools in transition zones
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish (alewife)	Aquatic insects emerging from winter dormancy
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Lake Trout	Alewife schools congregating in pre-spawn areas	Yellow Perch moving along structure edges
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Yellow Perch congregating in similar spawning areas	Alewife beginning to move shallow as water warms
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrating in spawning bays and around emerging vegetation	Bluegill beginning to move shallow around emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small invertebrates and insects emerging in spring	Young-of-year baitfish
Spring (Spawn)	Lake Trout	Alewife schooling in transitional areas	Perch along structure edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Yellow Perch concentrating near bottom structure	Alewife beginning to school in open water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools beginning to group up in post-spawn areas	Bluegill moving shallow for their spawn
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish (alewife)	Emerging aquatic insects
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Lake Trout	Alewife schools in open water and around structure	Yellow Perch along weed edges and rock rubble
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Perch	Alewife
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated near vegetation edges	Alewife moving along deeper structure
Summer	Yellow Perch	Small baitfish (likely alewife)	Aquatic insects around weed beds
Summer	Lake Trout	Alewife schools suspending in deeper, cooler water	Yellow Perch relating to deep structure
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Alewife schools congregating near structure	Yellow Perch along bottom structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating into creek arms	Alewife concentrations near points and depth changes
Fall	Yellow Perch	Alewife and other small baitfish schools	Small perch and juvenile panfish
Fall	Lake Trout	Alewife schools moving along structure edges	Yellow Perch relating to remaining weed edges and rock-sand transitions
Winter	Yellow Perch	Minnows and small baitfish	Young-of-year perch
Winter	Lake Trout	Alewife schools concentrated in deep basins	Yellow Perch relating to bottom structure
Ice	Yellow Perch	Fathead Minnows, as specifically mentioned in recent reports	Small Baitfish/Alewife, based on lake profile observations
Ice	Lake Trout	Perch - primary forage based on multiple reports	Alewife - important pelagic forage species

Bait Colors by Season for Owasco Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Lake Trout	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Lake Trout	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Lake Trout	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Lake Trout	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Shad Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Lake Trout	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Natural Shad Colors
Winter	Yellow Perch	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Lake Trout	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Ice	Yellow Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Ice	Lake Trout	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors