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Pine Mountain Lake

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Pine Mountain Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-60	Pre-spawn largemouth bass are moving from winter deep water areas to warming shallow bays and flats, staging near spawning areas Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, focusing on feeding to build energy reserves for spawning	Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation near deeper water access Secondary points leading into spawning bays Reed lines adjacent to deeper water	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs along reed edges Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly in staging areas	Bluegill beginning to become more active in the shallows Various minnow species in warming areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-48	Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves, primarily during dawn and dusk periods due to moderate water clarity Fish are staging near spawning areas and transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallow spawning locations	Shallow weed beds and rock piles in 7-foot depth range Reed beds and emerging vegetation edges near spawning areas Points and bays with access to deeper water, providing transition routes	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Spinnerbaits Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Shiners and young-of-year perch Bluegills near weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Fish are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning flats, with males scouting and preparing nests while females stage in nearby deeper water Pre-spawn feeding activity is high as fish build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during warming trends	Protected shallow bays with mixed vegetation of reeds and lily pad stems Secondary points leading into spawning bays Areas where deep water access meets shallow flats with emerging vegetation	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around emerging vegetation and potential spawning areas Swim Jigs worked through sparse vegetation and along edges Soft Jerkbaits for targeting pre-spawn fish staging near deeper breaks	Bluegill beginning to move shallow Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	45-58	Pike are actively feeding post-spawn in shallow areas around rock piles and weed beds, showing aggressive behavior towards moving baits Most active during low-light periods due to moderate water clarity, utilizing vegetation and rock structure as ambush points	Rock piles near markers in 7-foot depth range Shallow weed beds adjacent to deeper water Points and bays with emerging vegetation	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked around rock piles and weed edges Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) for imitating young-of-year fish	Young-of-year perch Shiners Bluegills near weed edges	Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are recovering from spawn, transitioning to more active feeding patterns while remaining relatively shallow Fish are utilizing emerging weed growth and reed edges as primary holding areas, making short movements to feed	Reed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water Emerging weed growth in 4-8 foot depth range Secondary points with mixed vegetation	Swim Jigs worked through emerging vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around reed patches Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along weed edges	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas Young of year baitfish emerging in vegetation Crawfish active in slightly deeper rocky areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	45-58	Pike are actively feeding post-spawn, establishing territories around shallow vegetation and ambush points Most aggressive during early morning and evening hours due to moderate water clarity, with increased shallow water activity	Shallow weed beds and rock piles in 7-foot depth range Edges of reeds and milfoil where they meet deeper water Points and bays with emerging vegetation	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to weed edges Spinnerbaits retrieved steadily through emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near structure	Young-of-year perch and shiners in shallow zones Bluegills relating to emerging weed growth Small pike gathering in spawning areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-84	Actively feeding in and around thick vegetation (reeds, lily pads, rice), particularly during morning and evening periods Using vegetation edges as ambush points to target bluegill, with increased activity in areas where deep water access is nearby	Reed beds mixed with deep milfoil edges Lily pads mixed with rice Points and bays with vegetation adjacent to deeper water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with 1/2 oz tungsten weights in thick cover Frogs/Toads worked over vegetation mats Swim Jigs along vegetation edges	Bluegill in and around vegetation Young of year baitfish in vegetation edges	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	65-78	Pike establish summer territories along weed edges and points, actively ambushing prey during early morning and evening hours During midday, pike move slightly deeper along weed edges where they can access both cooler water and hunting opportunities Fish become more aggressive during overcast conditions and will move shallower into weed beds to hunt	Deep weed edges where vegetation meets deeper water, especially near points Outer edges of milfoil beds in 8-15 foot depth range Areas where lily pads and wild rice transition to open water	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily along vegetation transitions Trolling Shallow (0-9') with deep diving crankbaits along weed edges	Bluegills concentrated around weed edges Young-of-year perch schooling near vegetation Various minnow species utilizing weed cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Pine Mountain Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are in transition mode, moving between shallow feeding areas and deeper staging areas as they follow baitfish. They are actively feeding to build up reserves for winter. Fish are relating to reed edges near deeper water access, making feeding moves into vegetation during prime periods	Reed edges with access to deeper water Points and inside turns with mixed vegetation Deeper weed edges adjacent to shallow feeding areas	Swim Jigs worked parallel to vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in thicker vegetation patches Spinnerbaits along reed edges during wind	Bluegill in vegetation Young of year baitfish schooling near vegetation edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Northern Pike	48-62	Pike are actively feeding to build up energy reserves for winter, targeting larger forage in predictable locations along weed edges and points Fish are following baitfish schools and becoming more aggressive as water temperatures cool, particularly during low-light periods	Deep weed edges where vegetation meets deeper water, especially near points Shallow bays with remaining vegetation where baitfish schools gather Rock piles adjacent to deeper water that hold baitfish	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily near vegetation edges Trolling Shallow (0-9') parallel to weed edges and points	Young-of-year perch congregating in schools Bluegills holding near remaining vegetation Various shiners schooling in shallow bays	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	38-45	Pike actively feeding in open water near depth transitions and rock structure, showing aggressive behavior towards baitfish schools Fish are establishing winter territories around key structure and following baitfish movements, with most active periods during low-light conditions	Deep weed edges adjacent to rock piles in 15-20 foot range Points and breaks where structure transitions from shallow to deep water Remaining patches of green vegetation in 8-12 foot depth	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)	Schooling shiners and young perch Suspended bluegills near remaining vegetation Small suckers moving along depth transitions	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Northern Pike concentrate in areas near remaining green weeds in 8-15 foot depth range, particularly along transitions to deeper water Most active during early morning and late afternoon, with feeding windows typically lasting 2-3 hours Prefer to ambush prey from stationary positions near structure, moving only short distances to attack	Deeper weed edges where healthy green vegetation remains, particularly in 12-15 foot range Points and inside turns that connect to deeper basins, especially those with remaining vegetation Shallow bays with remaining vegetation near deeper water access	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at varying depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with large profile baits	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed edges Young-of-year perch schooling in deeper transitions Shiners relating to vegetation edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Pine Mountain Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation near deeper water access	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow weed beds and rock piles in 7-foot depth range	Reed beds and emerging vegetation edges near spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with mixed vegetation of reeds and lily pad stems	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Rock piles near markers in 7-foot depth range	Shallow weed beds adjacent to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Reed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water	Emerging weed growth in 4-8 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow weed beds and rock piles in 7-foot depth range	Edges of reeds and milfoil where they meet deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Reed beds mixed with deep milfoil edges	Lily pads mixed with rice
Summer	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges where vegetation meets deeper water, especially near points	Outer edges of milfoil beds in 8-15 foot depth range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Reed edges with access to deeper water	Points and inside turns with mixed vegetation
Fall	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges where vegetation meets deeper water, especially near points	Shallow bays with remaining vegetation where baitfish schools gather
Winter	Northern Pike	Deep weed edges adjacent to rock piles in 15-20 foot range	Points and breaks where structure transitions from shallow to deep water
Ice	Northern Pike	Deeper weed edges where healthy green vegetation remains, particularly in 12-15 foot range	Points and inside turns that connect to deeper basins, especially those with remaining vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to become more active in the shallows	Various minnow species in warming areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shiners and young-of-year perch	Bluegills near weed edges
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year perch	Shiners
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas	Young of year baitfish emerging in vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year perch and shiners in shallow zones	Bluegills relating to emerging weed growth
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around vegetation	Young of year baitfish in vegetation edges
Summer	Northern Pike	Bluegills concentrated around weed edges	Young-of-year perch schooling near vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in vegetation	Young of year baitfish schooling near vegetation edges
Fall	Northern Pike	Young-of-year perch congregating in schools	Bluegills holding near remaining vegetation
Winter	Northern Pike	Schooling shiners and young perch	Suspended bluegills near remaining vegetation
Ice	Northern Pike	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed edges	Young-of-year perch schooling in deeper transitions

Bait Colors by Season for Pine Mountain Lake

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

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