How to Fish Tenmile Lake

Tenmile Lake fishing FAQ

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-68°F. Bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, seeking warmer water temperatures Fish become more active as water temperatures rise, with aggressive feeding periods during stable weather Males begin moving shallow first to scout spawning areas, while larger females stage slightly deeper Key locations: Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with emerging vegetation; Deep weed edges in 9-13 feet transitioning to spawning flats; Protected coves with early-warming water and emergent reeds. Best techniques: Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging weed edges, Bladed Jigs slow-rolled through sparse vegetation, Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in staging areas. Primary forage: Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows, Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small baitfish schools relating to warming areas. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-58°F. Pre-spawn smallmouth bass transitioning to rocky structures in preparation for spawning, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish staging near spawning areas but holding in slightly deeper water, making feeding forays into shallower areas during warming trends Key locations: Rock piles in 10-18 feet of water, particularly those adjacent to potential spawning flats; Transition areas where rock structure meets deeper water; Secondary points with boulder structure leading to spawning bays. Best techniques: Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock piles, Drop Shot with small profile baits near deep rock edges, Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses over rocky structure. Primary forage: Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small baitfish schools staging near rocky structure. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 62-70°F. Bass actively moving into spawning areas, particularly in and around reed beds where water temperatures are reaching optimal spawning range Fish are staging between pre-spawn and spawning phases, with some beginning to establish nesting sites in protected areas Key locations: Reed beds in protected areas, especially where they meet slightly deeper water; Secondary points near spawning flats with vegetation; Shallow weed edges in 5-8 foot depth range where they transition to spawning flats. Best techniques: Grass Jigs worked slowly through reeds and vegetation, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around cover, Wacky Rigs worked slowly in openings between vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegill starting to move shallow and become more active, Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters. Best bait colors: Watermelon, Dark Neutrals, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Smallmouth bass are moving into spawning areas, particularly focusing on rock and gravel areas in 4-8 feet of water for bed building Males are aggressively defending nesting sites while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning activities Key locations: Rocky flats and gravel areas in 4-8 feet of water near shoreline points; Adjacent deeper rock piles in 10-18 feet for staging fish; Protected coves with hard bottom composition. Best techniques: Tubes worked slowly around spawning areas, Ned Rigs dragged along bottom near beds, Drop Shot with finesse presentations for wary fish. Primary forage: Crayfish emerging from winter locations, Small baitfish in warming shallows, Young of year bluegill starting to appear. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 68-72°F. Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed more aggressively, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper structure Fish are establishing summer patterns, relating heavily to the deep weed edges (9-13 feet) and using points as migration routes Key locations: Deep weed edges in 9-13 feet where vegetation meets deeper water; Points with access to both shallow and deep water; Secondary points near spawning bays with emerging vegetation. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges, Texas Rigs (Worming) through sparse vegetation, Soft Jerkbaits for active fish, Wacky Rigs for pressured fish holding tight to cover. Primary forage: Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas, Crawfish active in warmer waters around vegetation, Small baitfish relating to weed edges. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning between spawning flats and early summer locations Fish are moving along weed edges and rock transitions, particularly during morning and evening feeding periods Key locations: Rock piles and boulder fields in 10-18 feet of water; Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats; Points and transition areas where rock meets emerging weed growth. Best techniques: Drop Shot with finesse baits worked slowly along rock transitions, Ned Rigs dragged through boulder fields, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to weed edges. Primary forage: Crayfish emerging from winter hibernation, Small baitfish relating to newly emerging weed growth, Young of year bluegill beginning to appear. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Summer?

Water temp 75-82°F. Bass are actively feeding along deep weed edges during summer, utilizing the vegetation as ambush points and for temperature regulation Fish are showing consistent feeding patterns in the 9-13 foot depth range, especially during daylight hours when they relate strongly to the deep weed edge Key locations: Deep weed edges in 9-13 feet of water, particularly where vegetation meets deeper water; Points and irregular features with submerged vegetation; Deeper vegetation patches that provide shade and ambush points. Best techniques: Wacky Rigs worked slowly just above vegetation, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to weed edges, Spinnerbaits retrieved along weed edges. Primary forage: Crawfish - primary forage based on recent reports, Bluegill - utilizing weed edges as cover. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-78°F. Smallmouth bass are relating heavily to weed edges during summer, particularly where weeds meet rocky structure or deeper water Fish are actively feeding but seeking cooler water and shade during peak daylight hours Key locations: Outside edges of weed lines, especially where they intersect with rock structure; Deep weed-rock transition areas in 12-20 feet of water; Shaded areas near submerged vegetation during midday. Best techniques: Drop Shot with finesse worms worked slowly along weed edges, Ned Rigs dragged through transitions between weeds and rocks, Tubes worked along the deeper weed edges. Primary forage: Young of the year baitfish around weed edges, Crayfish in rocky areas adjacent to weeds. Best bait colors: Light Neutral Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Fall?

Water temp 58-74°F. Bass are actively feeding on forage, transitioning from deep weedlines to shallower areas as they follow baitfish Fish are showing aggressive behavior towards reaction baits near vegetation edges, particularly during warmer parts of the day Key locations: Deep weed edges in 9-14 foot range, especially where they intersect with points or irregular features; Reed lines and emergent vegetation in shallower water, particularly on sunny afternoons; Secondary points with access to both shallow and deep water. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges, varying retrieve speed to trigger strikes, Bladed Jigs worked through sparse vegetation and around reed edges, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked methodically through thicker vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation, Crawfish active on firm bottom areas near vegetation. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Tenmile Lake in Fall?

Water temp 52-65°F. Actively feeding on bluegill near boulder structures, showing increased activity during fall feeding period Transitioning between shallow and deep water, using rock structures as primary holding areas Key locations: Boulder fields and rock piles in 10-18 foot depth range; Transition areas where rocks meet weeds; Deep points with scattered rock structure. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits worked with longer pauses around boulder areas, Drop Shot with finesse baits near rock structure, Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock to weed transitions. Primary forage: Bluegill concentrating around boulder fields, Young of year baitfish schooling in the area. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.