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Rend Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 23, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Rend Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Crappie are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, actively feeding on minnows near shoreline structure Fish are becoming more aggressive and moving into shallower water, particularly around docks and other cover as they prepare for spawning	Docks in protected coves and creek channels, particularly those with deeper water access Brush piles in 5-7 foot depth range near spawning areas Creek channel bends with adjacent shallow flats	Crappie Dock Shooting - proven effective in recent reports and perfect for targeting fish around docks Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) - effective for working brush piles and visible cover Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) - useful for locating active fish transitioning between areas	Minnows - primary forage confirmed by recent fishing reports Shad - consistently mentioned as key forage in lake profile	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise Fish are feeding heavily to prepare for spawning, targeting crawfish and early baitfish movements in staging areas	Secondary points and creek channel bends adjacent to spawning flats Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 foot depth range Rocky transition areas between deeper water and shallow spawning flats	Lipless Crankbaits worked through submerged timber and along channel edges Bladed Jigs around brush piles and timber edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover in staging areas	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish schools beginning to move shallow	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	52-65	Pre-spawn white bass are beginning their upstream migration, actively feeding in preparation for spawning. They're likely to be found in schools following shad movements along migration routes. Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive as water temperatures rise, with feeding activity concentrated in the early morning and late afternoon periods.	Main lake points and creek mouths where white bass stage before moving up tributaries Secondary points in major creek arms along migration routes Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water where baitfish gather	Blade Baits worked vertically along creek channel edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily through staging areas Lipless Crankbaits burned through schools when fish are actively feeding	Shad schools congregating near creek mouths Small baitfish gathering in pre-spawn staging areas	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie are in their spawning phase, concentrating around shallow hard-bottom areas and structure, particularly active around the dam area as noted in recent reports Fish are staging in predictable locations and becoming more aggressive in their feeding patterns as they prepare for and engage in spawning activities	Dam area, especially under bridge structures where recent catches have been reported Shallow dock areas providing stable spawning habitat Protected coves with hard bottom areas, particularly those with brush or timber	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') - proven effective in recent reports, especially around the dam area Crappie Dock Shooting - effective for targeting fish around numerous dock structures Bobbers - excellent for maintaining precise depth control in shallow spawning areas	Small baitfish and minnows Juvenile shad	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Largemouth bass are in spawning mode, moving into shallow protected areas to establish and guard nests. Males will be particularly aggressive in defending nests against threats. Fish are most active during warmer parts of the day, particularly in shallow areas where water temperatures rise fastest	Protected shallow coves with flooded brush and timber, especially those with hard bottom Secondary points leading into spawning pockets with nearby deep water access Shallow flats adjacent to creek channels with scattered wood cover	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover in spawning areas Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shorelines when searching for spawning areas Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning flats	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small bluegill and sunfish in spawning areas Shad moving into spawning pockets	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	58-68	Actively moving into tributaries and creek arms for spawning, often in large schools Males arrive first on spawning grounds, followed by females, with aggressive feeding before and after spawning Frequently surface feeding when chasing shad in pre-spawn periods	Tributary mouths and creek arms with gravel or rocky bottoms Main lake points near spawning tributary entrances Shallow flats adjacent to deeper staging areas	Inline Spinners cast parallel to shorelines and retrieved steadily Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked through spawning areas Lipless Crankbaits retrieved with yo-yo action near staging areas	Shad congregating near spawning areas Small baitfish in tributary mouths Juvenile sunfish in shallow areas	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning to early summer patterns, actively feeding around docks and other shaded cover in relatively shallow water Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, particularly around structure, as they recover energy from spawning activities	Docks with good shade coverage and adequate depth Brush piles in 5-7 foot depth range near transition areas Standing timber providing shade and vertical cover	Crappie Dock Shooting Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Minnows Small shad	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Bass are actively feeding post-spawn, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns using points as staging areas Fish are keying on crawfish in rocky areas and showing aggressive feeding behavior	Main lake and secondary points with rocky composition Areas with brush piles near points in 5-15 foot depth range Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked along points and through brush Swim Jigs targeting rocky areas and wood cover Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to points	Crawfish - primary forage during this period Small Baitfish gathering around points	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	62-72	Actively schooling and feeding in post-spawn recovery, following shad schools in the upper water column Moving between points and creek arms, utilizing wind-blown areas for feeding opportunities Targeting shad near submerged timber and main lake structure during morning and evening periods	Main lake points with access to deep water Creek arm mouths with submerged timber Wind-blown banks where shad are congregating	Inline Spinners worked quickly through the upper water column Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) mimicking shad schools Lipless Crankbaits retrieved at varying speeds	Shad schools in upper water column Small baitfish around timber Young-of-year baitfish	Bold Striped Patterns Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are holding tight to shaded structure during summer, particularly around boat docks and submerged timber, using these areas as thermal refuge in the turbid conditions Fish are actively feeding on minnows during early morning and late evening periods, utilizing dock areas and timber as ambush points	Boat docks with good shade coverage and nearby deep water access Standing timber areas, especially those adjacent to creek channels Brush piles in 8-15 foot depth range near main lake structure	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around docks and timber Crappie Dock Shooting for accessing fish holding tight under dock structures Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') when fish are tightly holding to cover	Minnows Shad	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	80-86	Bass are establishing deep summer patterns, actively feeding along river channel ledges and near flooded brush adjacent to deeper water Fish are showing two distinct pattern types - deep main lake fish relating to ledges, and shoreline-oriented fish utilizing brush cover as shade during hot periods	Main lake ledges adjacent to river channels, especially those with nearby brush or wood cover Flooded brush and timber near deeper water access Secondary points with access to deep water and woody cover	Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) worked along ledges and channel breaks Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around flooded brush Football Jigs worked along hard bottom areas of ledges	Crawfish in areas with hard bottom and around brush Shad schools relating to main lake structure and ledges	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	White Bass	78-86	White bass are schooling in deeper water (15-25 feet) during daytime due to high summer temperatures, moving shallower during dawn/dusk to feed on shad Fish are actively chasing shad schools near main lake points and dam areas, particularly when wind creates advantageous feeding conditions Seeking thermal refuge near creek mouths and utilizing submerged timber as ambush points	Main lake points and ledges near deep water access Creek mouth areas where cooler water enters the reservoir Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot depths	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with heavy spoons or blade baits around schooling fish Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with inline spinners or small crankbaits along points and ledges Casting Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) during low light periods when fish move shallow	Shad schools concentrated in the upper water column Small baitfish relating to brush piles and timber	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Rend Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-68	Crappie are transitioning from summer patterns to fall feeding, following baitfish schools and becoming more active as water temperatures cool Fish are schooling more tightly and actively feeding during low-light periods, particularly around structure that concentrates baitfish	Deep brush piles near creek channel bends in 12-15 foot range Boat dock corners with deeper water access Standing timber adjacent to creek channels	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging	Shad schools congregating in creek channels and near structure Small minnows gathering around brush piles and dock structures	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are actively feeding and following baitfish schools into creek arms and coves as water temperatures cool Fish are transitioning from deep summer patterns to shallower areas, relating heavily to wood cover and points	Creek arms and coves with standing timber or brush piles Main lake and secondary points adjacent to river channels Shallow wood cover in 3-8 feet of water	Spinnerbaits worked around shallow wood cover and points Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to shoreline structure Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover	Shad schools moving into creeks and coves Crawfish still active in rocky areas Remaining summer baitfish pods	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Fall	White Bass	62-75	Actively schooling and chasing shad in the upper water column, particularly during low-light periods Moving between main lake points and creek arms following baitfish migrations	Main lake points near deep water access Creek arm mouths with presence of shad schools Brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot depth range	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended schools Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved at varying speeds Lipless Crankbaits burned through schooling fish	Shad schools migrating to creek arms Small baitfish around brush piles	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	36-42	Crappie are tightly schooled in deep brush piles near channel edges, exhibiting sluggish feeding behavior typical of cold water conditions Fish are making selective feeding movements during prime periods, targeting shad in and around brush pile zones	Brush piles in 5-7 foot depth range, particularly those near deeper water access Channel edge brush piles with nearby deep water refuge Protected coves with submerged brush structure	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') - precise vertical presentations directly in brush Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) - slow rolling through brush pile zones Ice Fishing Jigs - for ultra-finesse presentation in cold water	Shad - primary winter forage based on multiple reports Small Minnows - secondary forage in brush pile areas	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-52	Largemouth bass are concentrating in deeper areas near river channel ledges and brush piles, moving minimally to conserve energy Feeding windows are shorter and typically occur during warmer parts of the day, with bass targeting larger, slower-moving prey	Deep brush piles and standing timber adjacent to river channel ledges in 15-25 foot range Secondary points with access to deep water and woody cover Deep creek channel intersections with abundant cover	Football Jigs worked slowly along bottom near deep structure Blade Baits vertically jigged through suspended fish Large Hair Jigs (Preacher) slow-rolled near brush piles	Larger shad concentrations in deeper water Dormant crawfish in rocky areas Smaller sunfish around brush piles	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	White Bass	42-52	White bass will school tightly in deeper water, typically 15-25 feet, near main lake structure and dam areas during winter Feeding activity becomes more concentrated during stable weather periods, with fish moving up in the water column during warming trends	Deep main lake points and ledges near the dam Submerged brush piles in 15-25 feet of water Creek channel intersections with the main lake	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended schools Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with heavy spoons Lipless Crankbaits retrieved slowly through suspended fish	Schooling shad in deeper water Small baitfish concentrated near brush piles Suspended shad schools near channel edges	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Rend Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Docks in protected coves and creek channels, particularly those with deeper water access	Brush piles in 5-7 foot depth range near spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and creek channel bends adjacent to spawning flats	Brush piles and standing timber in 8-15 foot depth range
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	Main lake points and creek mouths where white bass stage before moving up tributaries	Secondary points in major creek arms along migration routes
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Dam area, especially under bridge structures where recent catches have been reported	Shallow dock areas providing stable spawning habitat
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with flooded brush and timber, especially those with hard bottom	Secondary points leading into spawning pockets with nearby deep water access
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	Tributary mouths and creek arms with gravel or rocky bottoms	Main lake points near spawning tributary entrances
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Docks with good shade coverage and adequate depth	Brush piles in 5-7 foot depth range near transition areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake and secondary points with rocky composition	Areas with brush piles near points in 5-15 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	Main lake points with access to deep water	Creek arm mouths with submerged timber
Summer	Crappie	Boat docks with good shade coverage and nearby deep water access	Standing timber areas, especially those adjacent to creek channels
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Main lake ledges adjacent to river channels, especially those with nearby brush or wood cover	Flooded brush and timber near deeper water access
Summer	White Bass	Main lake points and ledges near deep water access	Creek mouth areas where cooler water enters the reservoir
Fall	Crappie	Deep brush piles near creek channel bends in 12-15 foot range	Boat dock corners with deeper water access
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Creek arms and coves with standing timber or brush piles	Main lake and secondary points adjacent to river channels
Fall	White Bass	Main lake points near deep water access	Creek arm mouths with presence of shad schools
Winter	Crappie	Brush piles in 5-7 foot depth range, particularly those near deeper water access	Channel edge brush piles with nearby deep water refuge
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep brush piles and standing timber adjacent to river channel ledges in 15-25 foot range	Secondary points with access to deep water and woody cover
Winter	White Bass	Deep main lake points and ledges near the dam	Submerged brush piles in 15-25 feet of water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows - primary forage confirmed by recent fishing reports	Shad - consistently mentioned as key forage in lake profile
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish schools beginning to move shallow
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	Shad schools congregating near creek mouths	Small baitfish gathering in pre-spawn staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small baitfish and minnows	Juvenile shad
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small bluegill and sunfish in spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	Shad congregating near spawning areas	Small baitfish in tributary mouths
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Minnows	Small shad
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish - primary forage during this period	Small Baitfish gathering around points
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	Shad schools in upper water column	Small baitfish around timber
Summer	Crappie	Minnows	Shad
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish in areas with hard bottom and around brush	Shad schools relating to main lake structure and ledges
Summer	White Bass	Shad schools concentrated in the upper water column	Small baitfish relating to brush piles and timber
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools congregating in creek channels and near structure	Small minnows gathering around brush piles and dock structures
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools moving into creeks and coves	Crawfish still active in rocky areas
Fall	White Bass	Shad schools migrating to creek arms	Small baitfish around brush piles
Winter	Crappie	Shad - primary winter forage based on multiple reports	Small Minnows - secondary forage in brush pile areas
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Larger shad concentrations in deeper water	Dormant crawfish in rocky areas
Winter	White Bass	Schooling shad in deeper water	Small baitfish concentrated near brush piles

Bait Colors by Season for Rend Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Fall	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Crappie	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	White Bass	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

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