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Richard B Russell Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 21, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Richard B Russell Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, primarily on secondary points in creek arms and along riprap banks Fish are becoming more active but may temporarily slow down during cold fronts, requiring methodical presentations	Secondary points in creek arms where fish are staging for the spawn Riprap banks, especially focusing on bends and transitions Main lake points leading into spawning pockets	Shakey Heads with finesse worms, particularly effective with ball-style heads as mentioned in reports Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked slowly along riprap and points Hard Jerkbaits like the Duo Realis 120SP for suspended fish	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas Blueback herring starting to move shallow with warming trends	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	51-63	Fish are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding on points with stumps and rock More aggressive feeding during stable weather, becoming slightly less active during cold fronts	Red clay points with rock Points with stumps in 6-12 foot range Shallow points with rock piles	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked slowly back to boat Shakey Heads on points with stumps Carolina Rigs when fish are less aggressive Hard Jerkbaits when wind picks up	Crawfish Shad	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Staging in slightly deeper water adjacent to shallow spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawn Moving progressively shallower as water temperatures rise, following creek channels and points as migration routes Congregating around brush piles in 8-15 foot range during cold fronts or early morning	Secondary points and creek arms in 6-12 foot depth range Brush piles positioned near spawning flats in 8-15 foot range Protected coves with emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depth	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Shad congregating in pre-spawn areas Blueback herring in transition zones Small bluegill in emerging vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Bass are in spawn/pre-spawn phase with water temperatures at 68°F, actively moving between staging areas and spawning flats Fish are relating heavily to shoreline structure and utilizing points as transition zones between deeper staging areas and spawning locations	Main lake and secondary points, particularly those with access to spawning flats Brush piles in pre-spawn staging areas Protected shallow coves with firm bottom for spawning	Carolina Rigs worked along points and staging areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for spawning fish near cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) to mimic blueback herring	Blueback Herring schooling around points Shad in and around brush piles Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	58-68	Moving shallow to spawn on hard bottom areas near points and rock piles in 3-12 foot range Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure Feeding actively on crawfish in pre and post-spawn phases	Rocky points with gradual slopes in 3-12 foot range Rip rap areas with nearby deep water access Hard bottom pockets near points with scattered brush	Shakey Heads worked slowly around spawning areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover Spinnerbaits for pre-spawn fish moving shallow	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Blueback herring beginning to spawn Shad moving into spawning pockets	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie are moving into shallow staging areas and spawning zones, particularly in protected coves and creek arms where water warms first Males are establishing and guarding nests in 2-6 foot depths, while females stage slightly deeper on nearby structure Aggressive feeding periods occur during pre-spawn, with activity becoming more focused on spawning as water temperatures stabilize	Protected shallow coves and creek arms with stable temperatures Brush piles in 8-15 foot range near spawning flats Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Small shad in the 1-2 inch range Blueback herring moving shallow Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	51-73	Post-spawn largemouth are actively feeding to recover energy, showing mixed patterns between shallow feeding (targeting bluegill/herring) and deeper staging areas on points Fish are exhibiting both shallow and deep patterns, with morning activity in shallow water followed by movement to deeper structure later in the day	Points (both main lake and secondary) with access to deeper water Shallow coves with bluegill and herring activity Bridge areas with vertical structure	Hard Jerkbaits in shallow zones targeting active fish Shakey Heads worked on deeper points Damiki Rig for suspended fish around bridges	Blueback Herring schooling in open water and around structure Bluegill in shallow coves and around cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	58-67	Spotted bass actively feeding in 9-14 foot depth range, showing consistent activity throughout the day on main lake structure Fish are relating to a mix of shallow and mid-depth areas, targeting both crawfish and shad as primary forage	Main lake points, especially those transitioning from shallow to deep water Humps with scattered brush in 9-14 foot range Rocky points with access to deeper water	Carolina Rigs with soft plastics worked along bottom structure Hard Jerkbaits worked over points and near brush piles Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') targeting transitional areas	Crawfish moving actively on hard bottom areas Shad schooling in the mid-depth ranges	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, staging along points and channel edges Actively feeding to recover from spawn, with aggressive feeding periods during early morning and evening Suspending near brush piles and other structure in 8-15 foot range during midday	Main lake points adjacent to spawning bays Brush piles in 15-25 foot range near river channels Secondary points with access to deeper water	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Shad Blueback Herring Small Baitfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	84-89	Fish are showing a two-phase daily pattern - early morning surface activity followed by movement to deeper structure during peak heat Actively feeding on blueback herring and bluegill, with schooling activity reported during low light periods Seeking thermal refuge near deep structure during midday, relating strongly to brush piles in 15-20 foot range	Main lake points with brush piles in 15-20 foot range Deep brush piles near creek channel swings Shallow docks during early morning periods	Drop Shot with finesse worms worked slowly through brush piles Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning hours Football Jigs worked along points with brush Carolina Rigs with finesse worms for covering water	Blueback Herring - primary offshore forage Bluegill - particularly around shallow cover Crawfish - evidenced by successful craw-colored baits	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Spotted Bass	65-87	Spotted bass are holding on deep brush piles (15-25 feet) during peak summer temperatures, actively feeding during low light and afternoon periods Fish are relating to bait schools and utilizing points as feeding stations, with improved activity in afternoons	Brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range, especially near channel swings Long, gently sloping main lake points with access to deep water Areas where bait schools are concentrated, particularly near structure	Shakey Heads worked slowly through brush piles and along points Drop Shot for suspended fish above cover or around bait schools Deep diving crankbaits for actively feeding fish on points	Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports) White Perch (mentioned in reports as secondary forage)	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Summer	Crappie	82-87	Crappie are actively following baitfish along river channels and suspended in the water column, showing a preference for faster-moving presentations at 1.0 mph Fish are seeking cooler, more oxygenated water during hot summer conditions, utilizing deeper structure during peak daylight hours	River channels with adjacent structure in 15-25 foot depth range Brush piles positioned along primary river channel edges Deep points intersecting with river channels where currents concentrate baitfish	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) with small swimbaits at 1.0 mph Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around brush piles during midday Spider Rigging along channel edges with multiple rod spreads	Shad schools suspended in the water column Blueback herring relating to channel edges Young-of-year crappie fry	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Richard B Russell Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	68-83	Bass are beginning their fall transition, moving from summer patterns to following bait schools. Recent reports indicate slower activity, suggesting they're in between patterns with the cooling trend Fish are relating to main lake structure (points and humps) but success rates suggest they're scattered during the transition	Main lake points with access to deep water, particularly those near bait schools Main lake humps, especially those in 15-25 foot range with brush piles Secondary points in creek arms where bait may be migrating	Carolina Rigs worked along points and depth transitions, as validated by recent success Spinnerbaits worked around bait schools and point transitions Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along point contours	Shad (confirmed in recent reports as primary forage) Blueback Herring (noted in lake profile as significant forage) Crawfish (suggested by lake profile color preferences)	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Spotted Bass	55-81	Fish are transitioning with falling water temperatures (55-81°F), following bait to creek arms and holding on points Actively feeding on both crawfish and blueback herring, with a preference for bottom-oriented feeding	Long secondary points with rock or brush in 15-20 foot range Rock piles and brush piles near deep water Main lake points with access to deeper water	Drop Shot with finesse baits worked slowly Ned Rig dragged slowly along points Carolina Rig worked along deeper structure	Crawfish on rocky structure Blueback Herring in open water Minnows around brush piles	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Crappie	58-72	Transitioning from summer deep water patterns to shallower feeding zones, following baitfish schools (shad and blueback herring) as they move into creeks and coves Becoming increasingly active during daylight hours as water temperatures moderate, with aggressive feeding periods during morning and evening	Main lake points and channel swings adjacent to creek mouths where baitfish are migrating Brush piles in 15-20 foot range near creek channels Secondary points in major creek arms with access to deeper water	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) with small swimbaits at 0.8-1.2 mph along channel edges Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around brush piles and structure Crappie Spider Rigging near points and channel breaks to cover water effectively	Shad schools migrating into creeks Blueback herring following baitfish movements	Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

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 are schooling around deeper brush piles, following blueback herring schools for efficient feeding Fish are remaining relatively stationary near deep structure to conserve energy while maintaining proximity to forage	Brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range, especially those near points or channel swings Deep secondary points with access to creek channels Deep rock piles adjacent to primary lake points	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through brush piles Drop Shot with finesse presentations around deep structure Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish	Blueback Herring schooling in deeper water Smaller baitfish suspended near brush piles	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Spotted Bass	51-63	Spotted bass will be actively feeding during stable weather periods, following forage to deeper structure in 15-25 foot range Fish tend to school more tightly in winter, often gathering around high-percentage areas like deep points and brush piles Feeding windows are shorter but more predictable, typically most active during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak	Deep points with access to brush piles in 15-25 foot range Rock piles and rip rap areas adjacent to deeper water Creek channel bends with hard bottom structure	Drop Shot worked slowly around brush piles and points Shakey Heads dragged along hard bottom areas Blade Baits for actively feeding fish near schools of bait	Shad concentrated in deeper water Blueback herring in open water near points Crawfish less active but still present around rock structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Winter	Crappie	45-52	During open water winter, crappie tend to school tightly in deeper water, primarily around river channels and brush piles in the 15-25 foot range Feeding activity is more concentrated during mid-day hours when water temperatures reach their daily peak Fish are suspending near structure but will move up in the water column to feed on shad schools	Deep brush piles in 15-25 foot range, especially those near river channels Main river channel bends and drops with nearby structure Deep points adjacent to creek channels where shad schools congregate	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Crappie Spider Rigging Damiki Rig	Shad schools suspended in deeper water Blueback herring relating to channel edges Small sunfish around brush piles	Chartreuse Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Richard B Russell Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points in creek arms where fish are staging for the spawn	Riprap banks, especially focusing on bends and transitions
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Red clay points with rock	Points with stumps in 6-12 foot range
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Secondary points and creek arms in 6-12 foot depth range	Brush piles positioned near spawning flats in 8-15 foot range
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake and secondary points, particularly those with access to spawning flats	Brush piles in pre-spawn staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Rocky points with gradual slopes in 3-12 foot range	Rip rap areas with nearby deep water access
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow coves and creek arms with stable temperatures	Brush piles in 8-15 foot range near spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points (both main lake and secondary) with access to deeper water	Shallow coves with bluegill and herring activity
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Main lake points, especially those transitioning from shallow to deep water	Humps with scattered brush in 9-14 foot range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Main lake points adjacent to spawning bays	Brush piles in 15-25 foot range near river channels
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with brush piles in 15-20 foot range	Deep brush piles near creek channel swings
Summer	Spotted Bass	Brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range, especially near channel swings	Long, gently sloping main lake points with access to deep water
Summer	Crappie	River channels with adjacent structure in 15-25 foot depth range	Brush piles positioned along primary river channel edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with access to deep water, particularly those near bait schools	Main lake humps, especially those in 15-25 foot range with brush piles
Fall	Spotted Bass	Long secondary points with rock or brush in 15-20 foot range	Rock piles and brush piles near deep water
Fall	Crappie	Main lake points and channel swings adjacent to creek mouths where baitfish are migrating	Brush piles in 15-20 foot range near creek channels
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range, especially those near points or channel swings	Deep secondary points with access to creek channels
Winter	Spotted Bass	Deep points with access to brush piles in 15-25 foot range	Rock piles and rip rap areas adjacent to deeper water
Winter	Crappie	Deep brush piles in 15-25 foot range, especially those near river channels	Main river channel bends and drops with nearby structure

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas	Blueback herring starting to move shallow with warming trends
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Crawfish	Shad
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad congregating in pre-spawn areas	Blueback herring in transition zones
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Blueback Herring schooling around points	Shad in and around brush piles
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Blueback herring beginning to spawn
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small shad in the 1-2 inch range	Blueback herring moving shallow
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Blueback Herring schooling in open water and around structure	Bluegill in shallow coves and around cover
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Crawfish moving actively on hard bottom areas	Shad schooling in the mid-depth ranges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad	Blueback Herring
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Blueback Herring - primary offshore forage	Bluegill - particularly around shallow cover
Summer	Spotted Bass	Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports)	White Perch (mentioned in reports as secondary forage)
Summer	Crappie	Shad schools suspended in the water column	Blueback herring relating to channel edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad (confirmed in recent reports as primary forage)	Blueback Herring (noted in lake profile as significant forage)
Fall	Spotted Bass	Crawfish on rocky structure	Blueback Herring in open water
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools migrating into creeks	Blueback herring following baitfish movements
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Blueback Herring schooling in deeper water	Smaller baitfish suspended near brush piles
Winter	Spotted Bass	Shad concentrated in deeper water	Blueback herring in open water near points
Winter	Crappie	Shad schools suspended in deeper water	Blueback herring relating to channel edges

Bait Colors by Season for Richard B Russell Lake

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

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