How to Fish Pickerel Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Pickerel Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Pickerel Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-48	Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding and moving towards shallow spawning areas, particularly reed beds and emergent vegetation Fish are primarily hunting by sensing vibration and movement in the turbid conditions, actively patrolling the edges of vegetation	Reed beds and emergent vegetation in shallow water (1-3 feet) Points and irregular shoreline features near spawning areas Edges of vegetation patches where pike can ambush prey	Spinnerbaits worked slowly along vegetation edges to provide flash and vibration Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily through shallow areas Inline Spinners cast parallel to reed beds for triggering reaction strikes	Young-of-year panfish congregating in shallow areas Shiners and small baitfish moving into spawning areas	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-52	Pike are actively spawning in shallow reed beds and emergent vegetation, using these areas for egg laying and feeding High turbidity (0.3m Secchi) means pike are relying more on lateral line sense and vibration to detect prey rather than sight	Reed beds and emergent vegetation in shallow water (0-4 feet) Protected coves with vegetation, especially on the windward side Transition areas where reeds meet slightly deeper water	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through vegetation Spinnerbaits with large blades for maximum vibration Inline Spinners near reed edges	Young-of-year panfish Shiners and small baitfish Various minnow species	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	52-65	Actively feeding in post-spawn recovery period, utilizing shallow vegetation edges and emerging weed growth as ambush points Most active during early morning and evening hours, moving between reed beds and nearby deeper pockets	Reed bed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water pockets (2-4 feet) Emerging weed growth near shoreline points and irregular features Protected coves with developing vegetation	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to reed edges with steady retrieve Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with erratic retrieve near vegetation Inline Spinners worked through gaps in emerging vegetation	Young-of-year panfish emerging in shallow areas Shiners and minnows gathering near new vegetation growth Small carp and suckers in muddy shallows	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	72-82	Pike will be holding in and around dense vegetation edges, making short aggressive strikes at prey during early morning and evening hours During midday heat, fish will retreat slightly deeper into vegetation mats or find shade, becoming more lethargic but still opportunistic	Weed edges and pockets in vegetation mats, especially near any depth changes Reed beds and cattail edges, particularly where they create points or pockets Shaded areas under floating vegetation or near shoreline features during peak daylight hours	Spinnerbaits worked just above and through vegetation Frogs/Toads worked across vegetation mats Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved along weed edges	Young-of-year panfish concentrated in vegetation Shiners and minnows schooling around weed edges Small carp and bullheads in shallow, turbid areas	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Pickerel Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	45-65	Pike are actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, targeting larger prey items in shallow vegetation and along edges Fish are relating heavily to remaining vegetation patches and ambush points, especially during low-light periods Movement patterns increase during cold fronts, with pike following baitfish schools in shallow flats	Edges of reed beds and remaining vegetation in 2-3 feet of water Shallow flats adjacent to slightly deeper pockets Points and irregular shoreline features where vegetation meets open water	Spinnerbaits worked along vegetation edges with slow-rolling retrieves Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to weed edges Inline Spinners retrieved at varying speeds to trigger reaction strikes	Young-of-year panfish concentrated in remaining vegetation Shiners schooling in shallow flats Small pike and other prey fish seeking warmer shallow water	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	45-55	Pike will be active but concentrated in areas with remaining green vegetation and near deeper pockets in this shallow lake Feeding periods will be extended due to moderate metabolism in cool water, with most activity during midday warming periods	Deeper pockets (4-6 feet) adjacent to dying vegetation beds Protected coves with remaining green vegetation Points and irregular shoreline features that create current breaks	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through remaining vegetation and along edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves near vegetation edges Lipless Crankbaits worked through sparse vegetation with yo-yo retrieves	Young-of-year panfish congregating in remaining vegetation Shiners and small baitfish schooling in slightly deeper areas	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	33-38	Pike will be most active during early and late ice, congregating in areas near remaining green vegetation and primary forage locations Given the extreme turbidity (0.3m Secchi), pike will rely heavily on vibration and flash detection for feeding, staying in relatively shallow water (2-4 feet) where light penetration is strongest	Edges of reed beds and remaining vegetation in 2-4 feet of water Shallow flats adjacent to any deeper pockets in the lake Areas near shoreline points where baitfish may concentrate	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large lively minnows positioned at varying depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to create flash and vibration Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnow heads and worked with sharp movements	Large shiners and suckers Young-of-year panfish Small yellow perch	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Pickerel Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Reed beds and emergent vegetation in shallow water (1-3 feet)	Points and irregular shoreline features near spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Reed beds and emergent vegetation in shallow water (0-4 feet)	Protected coves with vegetation, especially on the windward side
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Reed bed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water pockets (2-4 feet)	Emerging weed growth near shoreline points and irregular features
Summer	Northern Pike	Weed edges and pockets in vegetation mats, especially near any depth changes	Reed beds and cattail edges, particularly where they create points or pockets
Fall	Northern Pike	Edges of reed beds and remaining vegetation in 2-3 feet of water	Shallow flats adjacent to slightly deeper pockets
Winter	Northern Pike	Deeper pockets (4-6 feet) adjacent to dying vegetation beds	Protected coves with remaining green vegetation
Ice	Northern Pike	Edges of reed beds and remaining vegetation in 2-4 feet of water	Shallow flats adjacent to any deeper pockets in the lake

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish congregating in shallow areas	Shiners and small baitfish moving into spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish	Shiners and small baitfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish emerging in shallow areas	Shiners and minnows gathering near new vegetation growth
Summer	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish concentrated in vegetation	Shiners and minnows schooling around weed edges
Fall	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish concentrated in remaining vegetation	Shiners schooling in shallow flats
Winter	Northern Pike	Young-of-year panfish congregating in remaining vegetation	Shiners and small baitfish schooling in slightly deeper areas
Ice	Northern Pike	Large shiners and suckers	Young-of-year panfish

Bait Colors by Season for Pickerel Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Fall	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Winter	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

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