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Portage Lakes

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 12, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Portage Lakes

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are moving along depth transitions near spawning areas, using docks and vegetation as staging points	Docks adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with deeper water access Submerged vegetation edges in pre-spawn staging areas Secondary points leading into spawning coves	Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches Swim Jigs worked steadily through vegetation and around dock posts Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along vegetation edges	Bluegill congregating near warming shallow areas Fathead minnows in transition areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-65	Bass are transitioning into spawning mode with water temperatures in the mid-50s, moving between staging areas and shallow spawning flats Fish showing selective feeding patterns due to spawning focus, with bigger fish being particularly challenging as noted in tournament results	Submerged vegetation edges in shallow spawning flats Protected coves with vegetation, particularly given the lake's highly irregular shoreline Transition areas between shallow and deep water near vegetation	Drop Shot - proven effective in recent reports for finesse presentation to pressured fish Bladed Jigs - successful when slow rolling through shallow vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) - effective for thoroughly working shallow vegetation	Bluegill - specifically mentioned in recent reports Shad - indicated in lake profile as primary forage	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed heavily, transitioning between spawning areas and early summer habitat Fish are utilizing the extensive weed growth as ambush points, particularly during morning and evening feeding periods Bass are showing clear shallow-to-deep daily movement patterns, especially with pleasure boat traffic influence	Weed edges in 8-10 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats Points and irregularities in the shoreline with submerged vegetation Deeper vegetation areas near drop-offs for midday refuge	Swim Jigs worked through vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Worming) for thorough coverage of transitional areas Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along weed edges during active periods	Bluegill gathering in newly emerging vegetation Shad schools in slightly deeper water near drop-offs Young of year baitfish beginning to appear in shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	74-82	Bass are showing a two-phase daily pattern - early morning shallow activity followed by movement to deeper weed edges during peak daylight hours Fish are actively feeding but becoming conditioned to boat traffic, with best activity during lower-pressure periods	Deep weed edges in 8-10 foot range Shallow vegetation during early morning hours Dock areas, especially those adjacent to deep water access	Drop Shot with 10-inch leader in deep weeds for bigger bass Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning over grass lines Bladed Jigs worked across tops of submerged grass	Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports Bluegill - indicated by successful green pattern baits	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Portage Lakes

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are in full fall feeding mode, actively feeding during early morning hours and transitioning to deeper water as the day progresses Fish are relating heavily to thick, green vegetation and using it as ambush points, especially near depth transitions	Thick, green grass beds adjacent to drop-offs Points with deep water access Shallow vegetation flats with clear transitions to deeper water	Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked from shallow to deep water along points and grass edges Grass Jigs with slow hops near thick vegetation Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning hours	Shad schooling in deeper water Bluegill relating to vegetation	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Shad Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	38-48	Bass are concentrating in deeper, more stable water zones near primary structural elements, moving less and feeding opportunistically Fish are generally lethargic but will actively feed during stable weather patterns and warming trends	Deep weed edges where healthy vegetation meets depth transitions Protected coves with deeper water access Points and drop-offs adjacent to primary lake basin	Blade Baits worked slowly along deep weed edges and drop-offs Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near structure Lipless Crankbaits slow-rolled through remaining vegetation	Shad schooling in deeper water Bluegill holding tight to remaining vegetation Smaller baitfish concentrated in deeper water columns	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Portage Lakes

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with deeper water access	Submerged vegetation edges in pre-spawn staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation edges in shallow spawning flats	Protected coves with vegetation, particularly given the lake's highly irregular shoreline
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Weed edges in 8-10 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats	Points and irregularities in the shoreline with submerged vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 8-10 foot range	Shallow vegetation during early morning hours
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Thick, green grass beds adjacent to drop-offs	Points with deep water access
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges where healthy vegetation meets depth transitions	Protected coves with deeper water access

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating near warming shallow areas	Fathead minnows in transition areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - specifically mentioned in recent reports	Shad - indicated in lake profile as primary forage
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in newly emerging vegetation	Shad schools in slightly deeper water near drop-offs
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports	Bluegill - indicated by successful green pattern baits
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in deeper water	Bluegill relating to vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in deeper water	Bluegill holding tight to remaining vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Portage Lakes

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

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