How to Fish Schutz Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Schutz Lake

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Schutz Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Pre-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding and transitioning to shallow water, with reports showing fish in 5-10 foot depth range and moving up on banks Morning feeding windows are particularly active, with multiple reports of successful early day catches	Submerged vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depth range Shallow banks with emerging lily pads Protected shoreline areas with early season vegetation growth	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges Swim Jigs with swimmer trailer Spinnerbaits during morning hours	Bluegill - multiple reports confirm as primary forage Baitfish - indicated by success of silver/white baits	Vibrant Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-52	Pre-spawn pike actively feeding in shallow zones, particularly near emerging vegetation and warmer bays as they prepare for spawning Fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with increased feeding activity during warming trends	Emerging weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range, particularly near spawning areas Shallow bays with developing vegetation, especially areas with coontail Transition areas between shallow spawning areas and deeper water	Inline Spinners worked slowly through emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to weed edges Spinnerbaits worked around vegetation transitions	Bluegill concentrating in warming shallow areas Small pike and other baitfish moving shallow	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass actively moving into shallow areas (2-4 feet) for spawning, with males preparing beds and females staging nearby Feeding activity increases during warmer parts of day, particularly around emerging vegetation Fish showing aggressive territorial behavior around bedding areas, especially near lily pad fields	Emerging lily pad fields in 2-4 feet of water Outside edges of submerged vegetation Protected shallow flats with firm bottom composition	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with underspin for staging fish Wacky Rigs worked along weed edges Frogs/Toads during low light periods	Bluegill Insects Crawfish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-52	Northern Pike are in spawning mode, seeking shallow, weedy areas with warming water. They become aggressive and territorial during this period, defending spawning sites. Post-spawn fish will remain shallow but transition to active feeding to recover energy, particularly targeting abundant bluegill population in the 5-10 foot zones	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation and lily pad stems, especially in 2-4 foot depths Edges of coontail beds in 5-10 foot range where spawned-out fish transition Protected shoreline areas with developing weed growth	Inline Spinners worked slowly through shallow spawning areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to weed edges Spinnerbaits worked around emerging vegetation	Bluegill concentrating in warming shallows Young-of-year baitfish in emerging weed growth	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	60-72	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding in shallower zones near submerged vegetation Fish showing aggressive feeding behavior during morning hours, with willingness to chase moving baits and strike topwater presentations	Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly where coontail creates defined edges Submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range Secondary points with vegetation where bass stage during post-spawn recovery	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges with rage menace trailer Wacky Rigs as follow-up presentation after missed strikes Hard Topwater (Walking) during morning hours	Bluegill beginning to congregate near vegetation Insects, particularly around shallow vegetation Young of the year baitfish emerging in shallows	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	55-66	Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, primarily hunting in vegetation edges and shallow flats Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, becoming more aggressive as water warms	Weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range, particularly where coontail meets open water Shallow flats with emerging lily pads Transition areas between spawning bays and summer feeding grounds	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve Inline Spinners near vegetation Trolling Shallow (0-9') along weed edges	Bluegill concentrating near emerging vegetation Young-of-year perch in shallow flats Small baitfish schools moving shallow	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	68-82	Active feeding during morning and evening periods, particularly around vegetation edges, with distinct shallow water activity during low light conditions Holding tight to weed edges and lily pads during daylight hours, actively ambushing prey along these edges Showing aggressive response to moving baits, especially during morning hours, indicating active feeding patterns	Outside edges of submerged coontail beds where they meet deeper water Lily pad fields, especially during low light periods Emergent vegetation edges intersecting with submerged vegetation	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges with steady retrieve Swim Jigs targeting gaps in vegetation and pad edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked through vegetation lanes Buzzbaits and topwater presentations during low light periods	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports Insects - secondary forage especially during evening periods	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	68-78	Pike are actively feeding in and around vegetation, particularly lily pads, using these areas as ambush points for bluegill Fish are likely most active during early morning and evening hours, moving to slightly deeper adjacent areas during bright midday periods	Lily pad edges and pockets, especially where they meet deeper water Coontail weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range Shallow vegetation flats during low light periods	Swim Jigs worked through vegetation edges Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges Frogs/Toads over lily pads during low light periods	Bluegill Young-of-year baitfish in vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Schutz Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-65	Bass are actively feeding on bluegill around vegetation edges, showing aggressive feeding behavior to build up pre-winter reserves Fish are holding in moderate depths (around 6 feet) and responding well to moving baits, indicating active pursuit of prey	Edges of lily pads where they meet deeper water, especially near 6-foot depth breaks Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 foot depth range Remaining green lily pad patches with access to deeper water	Bladed Jigs worked steadily along weed edges - dominant pattern in recent reports Swim Jigs retrieved through sparse vegetation and pad edges Lipless Crankbaits worked over the top of submerged vegetation	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple recent catches and reports Small baitfish relating to weed edges	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	45-65	Northern Pike becoming more active with cooling water temperatures, aggressively feeding to build up reserves for winter Moving from deeper summer locations to shallower feeding areas, particularly targeting remaining vegetation edges and bluegill concentrations	Weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range, particularly where coontail meets deeper water Remaining lily pad edges transitioning to deeper water Any remaining vegetation patches near shoreline structure	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges with occasional pauses Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled through transitional areas Trolling Shallow (0-9') along weed edges with inline spinners or crankbaits	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation Small baitfish schools moving shallow	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	38-45	Pike actively feeding near weed edges and remaining vegetation, using these areas as ambush points Fish are generally more active during low-light periods, moving into shallower water during these times Suspended in open water near structure during midday, following baitfish schools	Edges of remaining coontail beds in 5-10 foot range Deep weed edge transitions to open water Areas with remaining green vegetation near deeper water access	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) Blade Baits Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation Small baitfish schools in open water Juvenile perch in deeper vegetation edges	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	33-39	Pike become less active but maintain feeding periods, especially during early and late ice when oxygen levels are higher Concentrate near remaining green vegetation where oxygen levels are better and baitfish gather Follow schools of bluegill, their primary forage, which typically hold in mid-depth zones near structure	Remaining green coontail beds in 5-10 foot range where oxygen levels are highest Edges of lily pad stems where they meet deeper water Mid-depth flats adjacent to vegetation where bluegill schools concentrate	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with live bait positioned at varying depths to locate active fish Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for a more subtle presentation	Bluegill concentrating in schools near remaining vegetation Small perch utilizing similar habitat as bluegill	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Natural Baitfish Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Schutz Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depth range	Shallow banks with emerging lily pads
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Emerging weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range, particularly near spawning areas	Shallow bays with developing vegetation, especially areas with coontail
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Emerging lily pad fields in 2-4 feet of water	Outside edges of submerged vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation and lily pad stems, especially in 2-4 foot depths	Edges of coontail beds in 5-10 foot range where spawned-out fish transition
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly where coontail creates defined edges	Submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range, particularly where coontail meets open water	Shallow flats with emerging lily pads
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Outside edges of submerged coontail beds where they meet deeper water	Lily pad fields, especially during low light periods
Summer	Northern Pike	Lily pad edges and pockets, especially where they meet deeper water	Coontail weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Edges of lily pads where they meet deeper water, especially near 6-foot depth breaks	Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 foot depth range
Fall	Northern Pike	Weed edges in 5-10 foot depth range, particularly where coontail meets deeper water	Remaining lily pad edges transitioning to deeper water
Winter	Northern Pike	Edges of remaining coontail beds in 5-10 foot range	Deep weed edge transitions to open water
Ice	Northern Pike	Remaining green coontail beds in 5-10 foot range where oxygen levels are highest	Edges of lily pad stems where they meet deeper water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - multiple reports confirm as primary forage	Baitfish - indicated by success of silver/white baits
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrating in warming shallow areas	Small pike and other baitfish moving shallow
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Insects
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrating in warming shallows	Young-of-year baitfish in emerging weed growth
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to congregate near vegetation	Insects, particularly around shallow vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrating near emerging vegetation	Young-of-year perch in shallow flats
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports	Insects - secondary forage especially during evening periods
Summer	Northern Pike	Bluegill	Young-of-year baitfish in vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple recent catches and reports	Small baitfish relating to weed edges
Fall	Northern Pike	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation	Small baitfish schools moving shallow
Winter	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation	Small baitfish schools in open water
Ice	Northern Pike	Bluegill concentrating in schools near remaining vegetation	Small perch utilizing similar habitat as bluegill

Bait Colors by Season for Schutz Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Winter	Northern Pike	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Ice	Northern Pike	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Natural Baitfish Colors

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