How to Fish Pleasant Creek Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques

Pleasant Creek Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 14, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Pleasant Creek Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-58	Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active but still relatively lethargic with 50°F water temperatures Fish are relating heavily to structure, particularly laydowns and rocky areas, using these as warming zones and staging points	Laydowns and woody structure in shallow water, especially those receiving afternoon sun Boulder and rock areas in 2-10 foot range, which warm faster and hold heat Protected coves with complex structure, particularly those with a mix of wood and rock	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through laydowns, as confirmed by recent success Neko Rigs with subtle hops near rocky structure, matching recent successful reports Shakey Heads worked slowly along bottom structure for less active fish	Bluegill, confirmed by recent fishing reports as primary forage Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	45-55	Pre-spawn walleye are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are responding strongly to wind-driven patterns, concentrating along windblown shorelines and structure Aggressive feeding during low-light periods, particularly targeting shad and bluegill in shallow zones	Wind-blown rocky points and rip-rap areas with access to deeper water Shallow coves with hard structure (laydowns and brush) in 5-10 foot range Transitional areas between deeper winter haunts and spawning zones	Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve in shallows Lipless Crankbaits around windblown structure Live Bait Rigs near rocky points and rip-rap	Shad concentrating in wind-blown coves Bluegill relating to shallow brush and laydowns Small baitfish moving shallow with warming trends	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	58-68	Bluegills are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, moving from deeper winter locations to warmer, shallower areas near potential spawning sites Fish are becoming more active and feeding opportunistically as water temperatures rise, particularly during sunny afternoons near structure	Rock piles and riprap areas that warm up quickly in spring sunlight Shallow brush and laydowns in 5-10 foot depth range Protected coves with emerging vegetation	Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms suspended near structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs around brush and rocks Bobbers with suspended baits worked slowly over shallow structure	Small aquatic insects emerging in warming water Small crustaceans active near rocky areas Tiny baitfish beginning to school in shallows	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	52-65	Pre-spawn striped bass are actively feeding to build energy reserves, following shad schools in medium depths and transitional areas Fish are making gradual movements from winter depths toward spawning areas, staging near points and channel swings	Main lake points and channel swings adjacent to spawning areas Wind-blown shorelines where baitfish concentrate Riprap banks and structure in transitional depths	Umbrella Rigs worked through baitfish schools Large Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges	Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming water	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Male bass actively making beds in shallow water around brush, showing aggressive territorial behavior Fish are responding to slow presentations, requiring patience when baits are in the strike zone	Shallow flooded brush areas in 2-4 feet of water Protected coves with hard bottom and brush Wind-protected shorelines with adequate cover	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through bedding areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and brush Wacky Rigs deadsticked near spawning areas	Bluegill in shallow spawning areas Smaller baitfish around brush	Light Neutral Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye actively moving into shallow rocky areas and wind-swept shorelines for spawning, with post-spawn fish staging near adjacent deeper water Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with increased daytime activity due to spring conditions and spawning behavior Fish showing aggressive feeding patterns before and after spawning, targeting shad and bluegill in 5-10 foot depth range	Rocky points and rip-rap areas with access to deeper water Wind-blown shorelines with gravel or rock substrate Shallow coves with hard structure like laydowns and brush	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky areas Blade Baits with slow, vertical presentations Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieves Lipless Crankbaits worked parallel to spawning areas	Shad concentrating in wind-blown areas and coves Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas as water warms Bluegill moving shallow with warming trends	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Bluegill actively moving into shallow spawning areas, establishing colonies near protective cover and hard bottom areas Males becoming aggressive and territorial, defending nesting sites while females stage nearby Feeding activity increases with warming water temperatures, especially during morning and evening hours	Protected shallow bays with hard bottom and submerged vegetation Areas near flooded brush and laydowns in 2-6 foot depths Rock piles and riprap areas in spawning depth ranges	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly near spawning colonies Bobbers with small jigs suspended at spawning depth Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to spawning areas	Small insects and larvae Zooplankton Tiny minnows and fry	Pink Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	55-68	Striped bass are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning behavior, following temperature-driven urges to move into shallower tributaries and back-bay areas Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased aggression during pre-spawn periods	Wind-blown points and shallow flats adjacent to deeper water where temperatures warm fastest Rocky shorelines and riprap areas that retain heat and attract baitfish Tributary mouths and major coves where spawning activity will occur	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly along transitional areas between shallow and deep water Umbrella Rigs to mimic schools of shad in pre-spawn feeding areas Hard Jerkbaits with longer pauses to target suspended fish	Shad schools congregating in warmer, shallow water Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	72-77	Bass are actively feeding in shallow water (2-5 feet) around hard structure, particularly during wind-blown conditions Fish are showing preference for ambush points near shoreline structure, utilizing laydowns and riprap as primary feeding zones	Riprap banks in 2-5 foot depth range, especially wind-blown sections Shallow to mid-depth coves with brush and laydowns Rocky points and transition areas with mixed rock/wood cover	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieves at slow to medium speeds Spinnerbaits worked parallel to riprap and structure Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and brush	Bluegill in shallow cover and around brush Baitfish relating to riprap and rocky areas	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	50-62	Post-spawn walleye actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during low light periods and wind-driven conditions Fish relating strongly to wind-blown structure and transitioning between spawning areas and early summer feeding locations	Wind-blown rocky points and rip-rap areas in 5-10 foot depth Shallow coves with access to deeper water Areas with abundant laydowns and brush near shoreline transitions	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along structure edges Live Bait Rigs near bottom structure Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along wind-blown banks	Shad concentrating in coves and along structure Bluegill beginning to move shallow near brush and laydowns	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Post-spawn bluegills transitioning from nesting areas to feeding locations, actively searching for insects and small crustaceans around vegetation and brush Fish becoming more active during daylight hours as water temperatures stabilize, showing increased feeding activity particularly during morning and evening periods	Submerged vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depth range, especially near points and coves Rock piles and riprap areas where insects and small invertebrates are abundant Flooded brush and laydowns adjacent to spawning flats	Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near cover Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around brush and vegetation edges Micro Crankbaits worked slowly parallel to structure	Aquatic insects and larvae Small crustaceans Zooplankton	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	58-72	Post-spawn striped bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting shad in open water and around structure Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper main lake areas, frequently using points and creek channels as migration routes Showing aggressive feeding behavior during early morning and evening hours, especially in wind-blown areas that concentrate baitfish	Main lake points and creek channel intersections where fish stage during post-spawn transition Wind-blown shorelines with riprap or other structure that concentrates baitfish Secondary points with access to deeper water and current breaks	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along depth transitions near points Umbrella Rigs for actively feeding fish in open water Spinnerbaits around wind-blown structure and riprap	Shad schools beginning to group up in post-spawn patterns Bluegill in shallow areas near structure	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-79	Bass are actively feeding in the 5-10 foot depth range, relating strongly to structure and showing preference for early morning and late afternoon feeding periods Fish are utilizing woody cover and rock structures as ambush points, particularly during peak summer temperatures of 72-79°F	Submerged timber and laydowns in 5-8 feet of water Rock piles and riprap banks, especially wind-blown areas Flooded brush and brush piles near depth changes	Structure Jigs worked slowly along bottom near wood and rock Neko Rigs with subtle hops in brushy areas Shallow diving crankbaits on wind-blown rocky banks Ned Rigs worked through offshore timber	Bluegill Crawfish	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Walleye	72-78	Actively feeding on shad in windblown coves, positioning in shallow water (5-10 feet) during feeding periods Moving between shallow feeding zones and deeper sanctuary areas as temperatures fluctuate throughout the day	Windblown coves with concentrated baitfish, especially in 5-10 foot depths Rocky points and rip-rap areas adjacent to deeper water Shallow feeding flats near deep-water access points	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through baitfish schools Trolling Shallow (0-9') along wind-swept shorelines Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to structure	Shad concentrated in windblown areas and coves Bluegill around structure and vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	72-79	Highly active in shallow to mid-depth areas (5-10 ft), with peak feeding during early morning and evening hours Establishing spawning colonies in protected areas with firm bottom, regularly feeding in nearby zones Responding to wind-generated currents that concentrate plankton and small insects	Submerged vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depths Flooded brush and laydowns near spawning areas Wind-blown shorelines with rock or riprap structure	Live Bait Rigs with small worms or insects suspended below a bobber Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs around structure Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through vegetation edges	Aquatic insects and larvae Zooplankton in wind-driven currents Small crustaceans near rocky areas	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	68-77	Striped bass are actively feeding during early morning and late evening, pursuing shad schools in open water and along structure edges During midday heat, fish move to deeper, cooler water near structure and current breaks, suspending near thermocline	Wind-blown points and coves where baitfish concentrate Deep structure adjacent to open water, including brush piles and riprap Main lake current breaks created by irregular shoreline features	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked at varying depths to match baitfish movement Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along structure edges and through baitfish schools Umbrella Rigs during low light conditions when fish are actively chasing bait	Shad schools concentrated in wind-driven areas Bluegill around structure and cover	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Pleasant Creek Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are following baitfish schools and actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter. They're transitioning from shallow to deeper structure as temperatures cool. Fish are showing increased activity during midday hours when water temperatures peak, particularly around wind-blown areas with baitfish presence.	Main lake points and rock piles adjacent to deeper water Wind-blown banks with laydowns and brush piles in 4-8 foot range Shallow coves with remaining baitfish schools	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline structure Spinnerbaits around wind-blown points and through baitfish schools Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching fall baitfish Football Jigs worked slowly along rocky bottom structure	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation and woody cover Baitfish schools moving through the water column Crawfish still active around rock structures	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Walleye	52-65	Walleye actively feeding on shad in wind-blown areas and coves, with increased activity during low-light periods Fish transitioning between shallow feeding zones (5-10ft) and adjacent deeper water, following forage movements Increased feeding activity ahead of cold weather, particularly around structure and points	Wind-blown points and rip-rap areas with access to deeper water Shallow coves with abundant shad populations, especially during low light Rocky areas and laydowns in 5-10 foot depth range	Blade Baits worked along wind-swept structure Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve near structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') in coves with active shad	Shad schools congregating in coves and along structure Bluegill relating to shallow structure and laydowns Young-of-year baitfish in shallow feeding zones	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	55-68	Bluegills are transitioning to deeper water (8-15 ft) as water temperatures cool, forming tight schools near structure Feeding patterns become more concentrated during daylight hours, with fish actively foraging on remaining insects and small crustaceans	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water Rock piles and riprap areas with nearby deeper water Wind-blown points with submerged vegetation	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Live Bait Rigs Drop Shot	Aquatic insects Small crustaceans Zooplankton	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Striped Bass	58-68	Actively chasing baitfish in open water with increased feeding activity due to falling temperatures and pre-winter feeding patterns Moving between structure and open water, utilizing wind-driven current breaks to ambush prey	Open water areas near boat ramps and docks where baitfish schools are present Wind-blown points and coves that concentrate baitfish Main lake structure with proximity to deep water	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through the water column Umbrella Rigs to mimic schooling baitfish Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around structure and bait schools	Shad schools congregating in fall patterns Bluegill around dock structures and shoreline cover	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-52	Largemouth bass become more lethargic and concentrate in deeper areas near structure, typically moving slower and feeding less frequently but opportunistically Fish tend to school more tightly in winter, often relating closely to brush piles and rock structures that provide both cover and warmth retention	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 8-10 foot range, especially those near channel swings or depth changes Rock piles and riprap areas that retain heat, particularly on sunny afternoons Protected coves with good depth and woody structure, especially on the northern bank which receives more sunlight	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') worked slowly through brush piles and around structure Blade Baits worked with a slow, vertical presentation near structure Football Jigs dragged slowly along bottom near rock piles and riprap	Slower-moving crawfish around rock structures Bluegill concentrated in deeper brush piles Small baitfish schools in protected areas	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Walleye	42-52	Walleye actively feeding on wind-blown structure and near deep-water access points during daylight hours due to winter's lower light penetration Fish are staging in areas where wind-driven currents concentrate baitfish, particularly near transition areas between shallow feeding zones and deeper water	Wind-blown rocky points with quick access to deeper water Rip rap areas adjacent to deeper water, especially those affected by wind Deep coves with abundant structure like laydowns and brush that concentrate baitfish	Blade Baits worked vertically along depth transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with controlled lifts and drops Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) slow-rolled along structure	Shad concentrating in wind-blown areas and coves Bluegill holding tight to available cover in 5-10 foot range	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	34-39	Bluegill are schooling in predictable winter locations near submerged vegetation and brush, maintaining relatively stable positions Fish are actively feeding but with reduced movement patterns, focusing on concentrated areas	Submerged vegetation edges in 10-19 feet of water Brush piles and woody cover in mid-depth ranges Deep basin areas adjacent to structure	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Ice Fishing Jigs Hover/Mid-Strolling	Small aquatic insects Zooplankton Tiny minnows	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	45-55	Schooling in deeper water, following large bait balls of shad and targeting them in concentrated feeding periods More lethargic during cold water periods, but will actively feed during warmer parts of the day, especially in wind-driven current areas	Deep main lake points adjacent to creek channels where baitfish concentrate Wind-blown areas creating current breaks near structure Deep water areas near riprap and bridge pilings that hold heat	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Umbrella Rigs Large Hair Jigs (Preacher)	Schooling shad in deeper water Suspended bluegill near structure	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Pleasant Creek Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and woody structure in shallow water, especially those receiving afternoon sun	Boulder and rock areas in 2-10 foot range, which warm faster and hold heat
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Wind-blown rocky points and rip-rap areas with access to deeper water	Shallow coves with hard structure (laydowns and brush) in 5-10 foot range
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Rock piles and riprap areas that warm up quickly in spring sunlight	Shallow brush and laydowns in 5-10 foot depth range
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main lake points and channel swings adjacent to spawning areas	Wind-blown shorelines where baitfish concentrate
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow flooded brush areas in 2-4 feet of water	Protected coves with hard bottom and brush
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and rip-rap areas with access to deeper water	Wind-blown shorelines with gravel or rock substrate
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected shallow bays with hard bottom and submerged vegetation	Areas near flooded brush and laydowns in 2-6 foot depths
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Wind-blown points and shallow flats adjacent to deeper water where temperatures warm fastest	Rocky shorelines and riprap areas that retain heat and attract baitfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Riprap banks in 2-5 foot depth range, especially wind-blown sections	Shallow to mid-depth coves with brush and laydowns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Wind-blown rocky points and rip-rap areas in 5-10 foot depth	Shallow coves with access to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Submerged vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depth range, especially near points and coves	Rock piles and riprap areas where insects and small invertebrates are abundant
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main lake points and creek channel intersections where fish stage during post-spawn transition	Wind-blown shorelines with riprap or other structure that concentrates baitfish
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Submerged timber and laydowns in 5-8 feet of water	Rock piles and riprap banks, especially wind-blown areas
Summer	Walleye	Windblown coves with concentrated baitfish, especially in 5-10 foot depths	Rocky points and rip-rap areas adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Submerged vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depths	Flooded brush and laydowns near spawning areas
Summer	Striped Bass	Wind-blown points and coves where baitfish concentrate	Deep structure adjacent to open water, including brush piles and riprap
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points and rock piles adjacent to deeper water	Wind-blown banks with laydowns and brush piles in 4-8 foot range
Fall	Walleye	Wind-blown points and rip-rap areas with access to deeper water	Shallow coves with abundant shad populations, especially during low light
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water	Rock piles and riprap areas with nearby deeper water
Fall	Striped Bass	Open water areas near boat ramps and docks where baitfish schools are present	Wind-blown points and coves that concentrate baitfish
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 8-10 foot range, especially those near channel swings or depth changes	Rock piles and riprap areas that retain heat, particularly on sunny afternoons
Winter	Walleye	Wind-blown rocky points with quick access to deeper water	Rip rap areas adjacent to deeper water, especially those affected by wind
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Submerged vegetation edges in 10-19 feet of water	Brush piles and woody cover in mid-depth ranges
Winter	Striped Bass	Deep main lake points adjacent to creek channels where baitfish concentrate	Wind-blown areas creating current breaks near structure

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill, confirmed by recent fishing reports as primary forage	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Shad concentrating in wind-blown coves	Bluegill relating to shallow brush and laydowns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects emerging in warming water	Small crustaceans active near rocky areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas	Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow spawning areas	Smaller baitfish around brush
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Shad concentrating in wind-blown areas and coves	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas as water warms
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae	Zooplankton
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools congregating in warmer, shallow water	Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow cover and around brush	Baitfish relating to riprap and rocky areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Shad concentrating in coves and along structure	Bluegill beginning to move shallow near brush and laydowns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Aquatic insects and larvae	Small crustaceans
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Shad schools beginning to group up in post-spawn patterns	Bluegill in shallow areas near structure
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Crawfish
Summer	Walleye	Shad concentrated in windblown areas and coves	Bluegill around structure and vegetation
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Aquatic insects and larvae	Zooplankton in wind-driven currents
Summer	Striped Bass	Shad schools concentrated in wind-driven areas	Bluegill around structure and cover
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation and woody cover	Baitfish schools moving through the water column
Fall	Walleye	Shad schools congregating in coves and along structure	Bluegill relating to shallow structure and laydowns
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Aquatic insects	Small crustaceans
Fall	Striped Bass	Shad schools congregating in fall patterns	Bluegill around dock structures and shoreline cover
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Slower-moving crawfish around rock structures	Bluegill concentrated in deeper brush piles
Winter	Walleye	Shad concentrating in wind-blown areas and coves	Bluegill holding tight to available cover in 5-10 foot range
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects	Zooplankton
Winter	Striped Bass	Schooling shad in deeper water	Suspended bluegill near structure

Bait Colors by Season for Pleasant Creek Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Light Neutral Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Pink Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Walleye	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors