How to Fish Prairie Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques

Prairie Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 29, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Prairie Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Bass are actively moving into shallow warming bays seeking optimal pre-spawn staging areas, with some males beginning to scout bedding locations Fish are primarily feeding on crawfish near shallow cover, showing aggressive behavior during warmer parts of the day	Protected shallow bays with emergent vegetation and stumps in 2-4 feet of water Laydowns and floating bogs in calm areas Shoreline cover with brush and sticks adjacent to potential spawning flats	Structure Jigs worked slowly around laydowns and bogs Wacky Rigs skipped under shoreline cover Bladed Jigs around emergent vegetation	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small minnows in shallow bays	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	38-48	Pre-spawn walleye are staging near spawning areas and making shallow migrations during low light periods Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly focused on baitfish in transitional areas	Shallow gravel or rocky areas near spawning locations in 2-6 feet of water Transition areas between back bays and main lake points in 6-12 feet Submerged vegetation edges where baitfish concentrate in warming waters	Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations using minnows Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with methodical lifts and drops Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas	Small Minnows concentrated in warming shallow areas Young of Year Perch in weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	52-65	Bluegills are transitioning from deeper winter areas to warming shallow bays, becoming more active as water temperatures rise Fish are staging near spawning areas but not yet on beds, focusing on feeding to build energy reserves	Protected back bays with emerging vegetation Shallow areas near laydowns and floating bogs Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water	Live Bait Rigs with light wire hooks Bobbers suspended 2-4 feet deep Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly (effective in spring)	Small aquatic insects and larvae Emerging weed-based microorganisms Small crustaceans in shallow areas	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Crappies are transitioning into shallow, warmer back bays in pre-spawn staging, actively feeding on minnows around cover Fish are suspending near woody cover in protected areas where water temperatures are warming fastest	Back bays with laydowns and woody cover where water is warming Protected coves with complex shorelines offering staging areas Shallow cover zones near deeper water access	Bobbers - specifically slip bobbers with live bait Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around visible cover Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') in and around cover	Minnows - primary forage during pre-spawn period Bluegills - secondary forage option	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass transitioning to spawning areas in shallow bays and protected coves, with pre-spawn feeding actively occurring Males establishing and guarding nests in 2-4 ft depths near cover, while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent water 6-8 ft Crepuscular feeding patterns intensify during pre-spawn, with increased activity during warming trends	Protected shallow bays with mixed vegetation and wood cover Secondary points leading into spawning bays Laydowns and floating bogs in 2-4 ft of water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and floating bogs Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and locating active fish Spinnerbaits worked parallel to spawning areas	Crawfish emerging as primary forage in warming shallows Small bluegills beginning to move shallow Minnows congregating around spawning areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around gravel or rocky substrate in 2-6 feet of water Fish are most active during low-light periods, with peak activity occurring at dusk and dawn Post-spawn females will transition to adjacent deeper water while males linger in spawning areas	Shallow rock and gravel areas, particularly in protected bays that warm first Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water Areas with laydowns and floating bogs adjacent to spawning areas	Live Bait Rigs with minnows worked slowly along bottom Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with lightweight jigs Blade Baits worked with slow, subtle lifts	Spawning spot-tail shiners Small perch in shallow areas Various minnow species concentrated in warming bays	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Actively moving into shallow bays and protected areas for spawning, with males creating and guarding nests in 2-6 feet of water Males become increasingly aggressive and territorial around nesting sites, while females stage in slightly deeper water nearby	Protected back bays with firm bottom near lily pad edges Shallow areas near laydowns and floating bogs Calm bays with submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Bobbers with small live bait suspended just above bottom Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly near spawning beds Micro Crankbaits retrieved slowly parallel to spawning areas	Small insects and larvae Tiny crustaceans Small aquatic worms	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-65	Actively moving into shallow warming bays (2-6 feet) for spawning, with males establishing nests near cover and females staging slightly deeper Feeding activity increases during pre-spawn, with fish suspending near structure and responding to slower presentations	Back bays with laydowns and brush in 2-6 foot depths Protected areas near floating bogs offering overhead cover Shallow coves with submerged vegetation edges	Bobbers with live bait suspended at key depths around cover Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around visible cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through staging areas	Small minnows congregating in warming shallows Young-of-year bluegills in protected areas	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	70-78	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding throughout the day, with peak activity during early morning and sunset as reported. Fish are transitioning between shallow spawning areas and early summer patterns. Fish are relating strongly to cover in 3-8 foot depth range, showing aggressive feeding behavior particularly around submerged vegetation and wood cover.	Submerged vegetation in 6-7 foot of water, especially areas adjacent to shallow flats Laydowns and downed trees in 3-4 feet of water Floating bogs with access to 5-8 foot depths	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and floating bogs Hard Topwater (Prop) during morning hours in shallow areas Spinnerbaits worked through submerged vegetation	Crawfish - primary forage as evidenced by successful catches on green pumpkin baits Minnows - secondary forage particularly during morning topwater bite	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-62	Walleye recovering from spawn are transitioning to more active feeding patterns, particularly during low-light periods near weed edges and points Fish are moving between shallow and mid-depth areas, following baitfish schools and utilizing warming back bays	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range, especially near points or irregular shoreline features Warming back bays with laydowns and floating bogs Main lake points with access to both shallow and deeper water	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and points Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve near structure Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods	Minnows concentrating in warming back bays Young of year perch beginning to emerge Smaller baitfish utilizing weed edges for cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Post-spawn bluegills are recovering and beginning to establish summer feeding patterns, actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth areas Fish are utilizing vegetation edges and moving between shallow cover and slightly deeper feeding areas	Weed edges near lily pads in 4-8 feet of water Protected back bays with submerged vegetation Areas near laydowns and floating bogs in 3-6 feet of water	Bobbers with small jigs suspended at varying depths Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs	Aquatic insects and larvae Small crustaceans Zooplankton	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Post-spawn crappies transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, suspending near cover in 6-12 foot depths Actively feeding during morning and evening periods, with schools relating to submerged vegetation edges and woody cover	Brush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning bays in 6-12 foot depths Edges of floating bogs providing shade and cover Submerged vegetation in 6-7 foot depth range	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges and near floating bogs Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around brush piles and laydowns Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near defined cover	Small bluegills Various minnow species Young-of-year panfish	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-78	Establishing primary feeding areas around laydowns and floating bogs with aggressive strikes during low light conditions Moving to slightly deeper adjacent areas when sun is high or boat traffic increases Actively feeding on bluegills near surface cover during early/late day periods	Laydowns and fallen timber, especially those adjacent to deeper water Floating bogs and mat vegetation Shaded areas under overhanging brush	Frogs/Toads worked through heavy cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting wood cover Buzzbaits during low light periods	Bluegill concentrated around cover Various sunfish species Young of year baitfish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Walleye	65-78	Walleye transition to deeper water during bright midday hours, but remain active near structure during low-light periods Fish are establishing regular feeding patterns along weed edges and woody cover, especially during dawn and dusk Utilizing the complex shoreline features as ambush points, particularly where current or wind creates food delivery systems	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range, especially near points or irregular shoreline features Laydowns and floating bogs with access to deeper water Main lake points and structure in clearer water areas, particularly during midday	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and structure breaks Trolling Shallow (0-9') during low light periods near shoreline structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') during bright midday hours	Minnows concentrated around submerged vegetation Small perch relating to weed edges Baitfish schools suspended near woody cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	72-82	Actively feeding in and around vegetation, particularly lily pads, during early morning and evening hours Establishing territories in shallow, protected areas with abundant cover Moving slightly deeper during midday heat, but remaining within reach of shallow cover	Lily pad fields in 2-6 feet of water Protected back bays with submerged vegetation Shallow areas near floating bogs and laydowns	Bobbers with live bait presentations, especially slip bobbers for depth control Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with small plastics or live bait Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around vegetation edges	Aquatic insects and larvae Small crustaceans Tiny minnows and fish fry	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-78	Crappies are suspending near floating bogs and submerged vegetation edges, seeking shade and cooler water during summer heat Fish are actively feeding during early morning and evening hours, moving between deep and shallow cover	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range with nearby deeper water Shaded areas under floating bogs Laydowns and brush piles, especially those near deep water access	Crappie Spider Rigging Hover/Mid-Strolling Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Small bluegills Various minnow species	Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Prairie Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are actively feeding in shallow bays and around wood cover, following baitfish movements as they school up for fall Fish are exhibiting aggressive chase behavior, making reaction baits effective, especially around laydowns	Laydowns in shallow bays, especially those near deeper water access Secondary points with wood cover leading into bays Areas with floating vegetation mats adjacent to deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to laydowns Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for mimicking fleeing baitfish Lipless Crankbaits worked through shallow bays	Minnows schooling in bays Bluegill relating to wood cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Walleye are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and utilizing deep to mid-depth transitions Fish become more active during low-light periods, moving shallower to feed along weed edges and near woody structure	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake points Submerged wood structure in 12-20 foot depth range Clean bottom transitions near bays where baitfish concentrate	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits	Minnows congregating in large schools Young-of-year perch near weed edges Remaining shallow water baitfish moving deeper	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	52-65	Bluegill transitioning from shallow to deeper water, congregating near deep weed edges and woody structure as water cools Feeding patterns become more concentrated during midday hours when water temperatures are warmest Fish forming loose schools in deeper water near structure, especially in protected bays	Deep weed edges adjacent to lily pad fields in 8-15 feet of water Protected bays with submerged vegetation and laydowns Deeper dock areas with nearby deep water access	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Finesse Hair Jigs	Small aquatic insects and larvae Zooplankton Small crustaceans	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappies are transitioning from summer patterns, actively feeding to build up reserves for winter. They are schooling more tightly and following baitfish movements. Fish are relating strongly to the mid-depth weed edges (6-7 foot range) and woody structure, particularly during morning and evening feeding periods	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range, especially near deeper water access Laydowns and brush piles adjacent to deeper water Areas near floating bogs that provide overhead cover	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges to locate active schools Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') once schools are located Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) near woody cover and bogs	Bluegills Small minnows schooling near structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	45-55	Late fall walleye transitioning to winter patterns, actively feeding on concentrated baitfish schools near deep structure Most active during low-light periods, moving shallower during dawn/dusk to feed	Deep main lake points adjacent to bays where baitfish concentrate Deeper weed edges transitioning to hard bottom areas Deep water areas near laydowns and woody structure	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Trolling Mid Depth (10-19')	Concentrated schools of minnows Small perch around deeper weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	45-58	Suspending in deeper water columns of back bays, generally staying close to structure Feeding activity peaks during late afternoon when water temperatures are highest Congregating near deep edges of weed lines and laydowns that provide both cover and access to food	Protected back bays with depths of 8-15 feet Deep edges of weed lines near floating bogs Areas with submerged timber or laydowns in 10-20 feet of water	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Finesse Hair Jigs	Small aquatic insects Zooplankton Tiny minnows	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Winter	Crappie	48-55	Late fall crappies schooling in deeper water near structure, often suspended at mid-depth ranges Feeding periods become more concentrated during midday hours when water temperatures are highest	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 15-25 foot range Deep edges of weed lines near drop-offs Deeper coves with submerged timber	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Damiki Rig Hover/Mid-Strolling	Small bluegills Winter-stressed baitfish Small minnows	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Ice	Walleye	33-35	Walleye are showing typical winter patterns, with more active feeding during late night periods as mentioned in recent reports Fish are relating to baitfish schools and utilizing ledge areas for staging between feeding movements	Ledges where depth changes provide access to both feeding shelves and deeper water refuge Areas with concentrated baitfish schools, particularly near structural elements Main lake points and breaks where winter baitfish schools congregate	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with live minnows, as confirmed successful in recent reports Ice Fishing Spoons worked near baitfish schools for active fish Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for finicky biters	Minnows, specifically mentioned in multiple recent fishing reports Small perch that typically school in similar winter locations	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Chartreuse Colors
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	34-39	Bluegill concentrate in deeper basins and back bays, typically suspending near bottom structure in 15-25 feet of water Feeding activity becomes more concentrated during prime daylight hours, especially late morning to mid-afternoon Fish become less aggressive but maintain steady feeding patterns on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton	Deep basins adjacent to vegetation edges where winter oxygen levels remain stable Protected back bays with depths of 15-25 feet Areas near submerged timber and laydowns in moderate depths	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements 6-12 inches off bottom Ice Fishing Spoons jigged aggressively to attract fish, then slowed for strikes Live Bait Rigs with tiny minnows or waxworms for finicky fish	Small aquatic invertebrates and larvae Zooplankton Tiny baitfish fry	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappies are suspending near deep brush piles and laydowns in 15-20 foot zones, moving minimally to conserve energy Feeding activity is most pronounced during early morning and late afternoon periods, with fish becoming more active during stable weather patterns	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 15-20 foot range, especially near channel bends Transition areas between deeper basin and shallow flats where submerged vegetation was present in summer Areas near floating bog edges that provided summer cover, now serving as winter staging areas	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements, especially effective with live bait Ice Fishing Spoons with erratic action to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to locate suspended fish	Small minnows, particularly suspended in the water column Juvenile bluegills concentrated near structure Micro invertebrates near remaining vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Prairie Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with emergent vegetation and stumps in 2-4 feet of water	Laydowns and floating bogs in calm areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Shallow gravel or rocky areas near spawning locations in 2-6 feet of water	Transition areas between back bays and main lake points in 6-12 feet
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected back bays with emerging vegetation	Shallow areas near laydowns and floating bogs
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Back bays with laydowns and woody cover where water is warming	Protected coves with complex shorelines offering staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with mixed vegetation and wood cover	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Shallow rock and gravel areas, particularly in protected bays that warm first	Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected back bays with firm bottom near lily pad edges	Shallow areas near laydowns and floating bogs
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Back bays with laydowns and brush in 2-6 foot depths	Protected areas near floating bogs offering overhead cover
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation in 6-7 foot of water, especially areas adjacent to shallow flats	Laydowns and downed trees in 3-4 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range, especially near points or irregular shoreline features	Warming back bays with laydowns and floating bogs
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Weed edges near lily pads in 4-8 feet of water	Protected back bays with submerged vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning bays in 6-12 foot depths	Edges of floating bogs providing shade and cover
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and fallen timber, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Floating bogs and mat vegetation
Summer	Walleye	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range, especially near points or irregular shoreline features	Laydowns and floating bogs with access to deeper water
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Lily pad fields in 2-6 feet of water	Protected back bays with submerged vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range with nearby deeper water	Shaded areas under floating bogs
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns in shallow bays, especially those near deeper water access	Secondary points with wood cover leading into bays
Fall	Walleye	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake points	Submerged wood structure in 12-20 foot depth range
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges adjacent to lily pad fields in 8-15 feet of water	Protected bays with submerged vegetation and laydowns
Fall	Crappie	Weed edges in 6-7 foot depth range, especially near deeper water access	Laydowns and brush piles adjacent to deeper water
Winter	Walleye	Deep main lake points adjacent to bays where baitfish concentrate	Deeper weed edges transitioning to hard bottom areas
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected back bays with depths of 8-15 feet	Deep edges of weed lines near floating bogs
Winter	Crappie	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 15-25 foot range	Deep edges of weed lines near drop-offs
Ice	Walleye	Ledges where depth changes provide access to both feeding shelves and deeper water refuge	Areas with concentrated baitfish schools, particularly near structural elements
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep basins adjacent to vegetation edges where winter oxygen levels remain stable	Protected back bays with depths of 15-25 feet
Ice	Crappie	Deep brush piles and laydowns in 15-20 foot range, especially near channel bends	Transition areas between deeper basin and shallow flats where submerged vegetation was present in summer

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small minnows in shallow bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Small Minnows concentrated in warming shallow areas	Young of Year Perch in weed edges
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects and larvae	Emerging weed-based microorganisms
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows - primary forage during pre-spawn period	Bluegills - secondary forage option
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging as primary forage in warming shallows	Small bluegills beginning to move shallow
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Spawning spot-tail shiners	Small perch in shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae	Tiny crustaceans
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows congregating in warming shallows	Young-of-year bluegills in protected areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish - primary forage as evidenced by successful catches on green pumpkin baits	Minnows - secondary forage particularly during morning topwater bite
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Minnows concentrating in warming back bays	Young of year perch beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Aquatic insects and larvae	Small crustaceans
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small bluegills	Various minnow species
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated around cover	Various sunfish species
Summer	Walleye	Minnows concentrated around submerged vegetation	Small perch relating to weed edges
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Aquatic insects and larvae	Small crustaceans
Summer	Crappie	Small bluegills	Various minnow species
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Minnows schooling in bays	Bluegill relating to wood cover
Fall	Walleye	Minnows congregating in large schools	Young-of-year perch near weed edges
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects and larvae	Zooplankton
Fall	Crappie	Bluegills	Small minnows schooling near structure
Winter	Walleye	Concentrated schools of minnows	Small perch around deeper weed edges
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects	Zooplankton
Winter	Crappie	Small bluegills	Winter-stressed baitfish
Ice	Walleye	Minnows, specifically mentioned in multiple recent fishing reports	Small perch that typically school in similar winter locations
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic invertebrates and larvae	Zooplankton
Ice	Crappie	Small minnows, particularly suspended in the water column	Juvenile bluegills concentrated near structure

Bait Colors by Season for Prairie Lake

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