How to Fish Third Crow Wing Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Third Crow Wing Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 11, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Third Crow Wing Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	57-65	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to spawning areas, actively seeking warmer water in protected bays and coves Fish are becoming more active but still relatively methodical in their feeding, responding well to slower presentations Bass are staging near spawning flats, using adjacent deeper water as sanctuary during cold fronts	Protected shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning bays Transition areas between 6-12 foot cabbage beds and spawning flats	Shakey Heads worked slowly along bottom transitions Texas Rigs (Worming) through emerging vegetation Lipless Crankbaits over submerged vegetation	Bluegill beginning to move shallow Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	57-65	Crappie are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are becoming more aggressive and schooling near shallow cover and vegetation edges as water temperatures rise	Cabbage weed edges in 6-12 foot range, especially where they meet deeper water Protected bays and coves with emerging vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around vegetation edges Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') in and around cabbage beds Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges	Juvenile Bluegill concentrating around vegetation Small minnows gathering in warming shallows	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	57-65	Fish are actively engaging in spawning behavior, with males guarding beds in shallow areas near vegetation Feeding activity occurs between spawning periods, particularly during early morning and evening Fish are responding well to slow, methodical presentations as indicated by drop shot and Texas rig success	Shallow flats with submerged vegetation in 3-6 foot range, especially near spawning areas Protected bays and coves with firm bottom composition Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats	Drop Shot with finesse presentations around identified beds Texas Rigs (Worming) with slow presentations through vegetation Shakey Heads worked methodically along firm bottom areas	Bluegill, particularly around vegetation and spawning areas Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	57-65	Crappie are moving into shallow warming bays and staging near spawning areas, actively feeding during pre-spawn Fish are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning locations, often following creek channels and staging on points	Shallow bays with cabbage weed edges in 6-8 foot range Protected shoreline areas with complex structure in 4-6 foot depth Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around shallow cover Bobbers with slow presentations near weed edges Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') in deeper staging areas	Bluegill fry and small juveniles Small minnows relating to warming shallows Aquatic insects emerging in warming water	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	57-65	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy but still relating to shoreline areas Fish are becoming more aggressive but still show preference for methodical presentations due to cooler northern waters Movement patterns are strongly influenced by bluegill spawning activities in shallow areas	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with submerged vegetation in 6-12 foot range Shallow weed edges near firm bottom areas, especially where cabbage is present Protected coves with emerging vegetation, particularly those with bluegill bedding areas	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through vegetation edges Shakey Heads on firm bottom areas adjacent to vegetation Drop Shot along deeper weed edges for finesse presentation	Bluegill, especially around spawning areas Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge Crawfish becoming more active in warmer shallows	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappies are actively feeding and relating heavily to newly emerging cabbage weeds in 6-12 foot range Fish are showing preference for slow-moving presentations (0.5-0.8 mph) suggesting deliberate feeding patterns along weed edges	Thick cabbage weed beds in 6-12 foot range, especially the outer edges Protected bays with emerging vegetation Points and irregularities along the shoreline where vegetation meets deeper water	Tubes worked slowly around vegetation Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges at 0.5-0.8 mph Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) targeting specific weed pockets	Young-of-year bluegill in and around vegetation Small baitfish relating to weed edges	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	70-75	Bass are actively feeding in and around vegetation, but showing a preference for slower, methodical presentations due to pike presence and moderate water temperatures Fish are holding tight to cover and ambush points, requiring baits to be worked slowly with frequent pauses to trigger strikes	Reed beds in 4-8 foot depth range, especially where they meet deeper water Submerged vegetation patches, particularly cabbage in 6-12 foot range Points and coves with vegetation due to the complex shoreline	Shakey Heads worked with long pauses, letting the bait sit on bottom Bladed Jigs retrieved slowly through vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked methodically around reed edges	Bluegill, particularly those relating to vegetation edges Young of year panfish in shallow vegetation	Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	65-75	Actively feeding in and around cabbage weed edges during early morning and evening, suspending near vegetation during midday Schooling in loose groups near deep weed edges and points, moving shallower during low light periods	Cabbage weed edges in 6-12 foot depth range Points with vegetation where deep water meets weed edges Protected bays with submerged vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) at 0.5-0.8mph along weed edges Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) during low light periods Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') in thick cabbage areas	Juvenile Bluegill Small Minnows Aquatic Insects	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Third Crow Wing Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-65	Actively feeding on bluegill and other baitfish, following forage to deeper structure as water cools Transitioning from summer patterns to fall feeding, becoming more aggressive during prime feeding windows	Deep weed edges in 8-12 foot range, particularly near points and inside turns Secondary breaks with remaining cabbage patches Protected bays with remaining vegetation near deeper water access	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through remaining vegetation Spinnerbaits parallel to deep weed edges Shakey Heads on firm bottom areas adjacent to vegetation	Bluegill concentrating near remaining green vegetation Small baitfish schools in deeper water	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappie are transitioning from summer patterns to fall feeding, congregating around remaining vegetation edges and deeper structure as water cools Fish are actively schooling and feeding more aggressively during low-light periods, preparing for winter	Deep edges of cabbage weed beds in 10-12 foot range Secondary points near bays with remaining vegetation Transitions between weeds and deeper water where schools are staging	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Juvenile Bluegill Small Minnows	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	35-45	Crappie are suspending near the edges of cabbage weed beds in 6-12 foot range, typically holding tight to the vegetation for both cover and feeding opportunities Fish are showing selective feeding patterns as indicated by the success of slow presentation speeds (0.5-0.8mph), suggesting the need for precise bait placement and methodical approaches	Deep edges of cabbage weed beds in 8-12 foot range where vegetation meets open water Protected bays with remaining green vegetation, especially areas with complex shoreline features Deeper holes adjacent to shallow flats where vegetation is present	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle movements to target suspended fish Ice Fishing Jigs worked methodically through the water column Damiki Rig presented vertically along weed edges	Small Bluegill Young-of-year Perch Small Minnows	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Suspending in deeper basin areas near remaining weed edges, typically schooling in 8-15 foot depths Most active during early morning and late afternoon, with feeding periods lasting 30-45 minutes Relating strongly to transitions between cabbage bed edges and adjacent deeper water	Deep edges of dying cabbage weed beds in 8-12 foot range Basin areas adjacent to remaining vegetation Deeper holes near shoreline points where remaining vegetation meets deeper water	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements 6-12 inches off bottom Ice Fishing Spoons with erratic action to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to locate active schools	Small Bluegills Young-of-year perch Zooplankton	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Third Crow Wing Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Cabbage weed edges in 6-12 foot range, especially where they meet deeper water	Protected bays and coves with emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow flats with submerged vegetation in 3-6 foot range, especially near spawning areas	Protected bays and coves with firm bottom composition
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow bays with cabbage weed edges in 6-8 foot range	Protected shoreline areas with complex structure in 4-6 foot depth
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with submerged vegetation in 6-12 foot range	Shallow weed edges near firm bottom areas, especially where cabbage is present
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Thick cabbage weed beds in 6-12 foot range, especially the outer edges	Protected bays with emerging vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Reed beds in 4-8 foot depth range, especially where they meet deeper water	Submerged vegetation patches, particularly cabbage in 6-12 foot range
Summer	Crappie	Cabbage weed edges in 6-12 foot depth range	Points with vegetation where deep water meets weed edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 8-12 foot range, particularly near points and inside turns	Secondary breaks with remaining cabbage patches
Fall	Crappie	Deep edges of cabbage weed beds in 10-12 foot range	Secondary points near bays with remaining vegetation
Winter	Crappie	Deep edges of cabbage weed beds in 8-12 foot range where vegetation meets open water	Protected bays with remaining green vegetation, especially areas with complex shoreline features
Ice	Crappie	Deep edges of dying cabbage weed beds in 8-12 foot range	Basin areas adjacent to remaining vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Juvenile Bluegill concentrating around vegetation	Small minnows gathering in warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill, particularly around vegetation and spawning areas	Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Bluegill fry and small juveniles	Small minnows relating to warming shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill, especially around spawning areas	Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Young-of-year bluegill in and around vegetation	Small baitfish relating to weed edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill, particularly those relating to vegetation edges	Young of year panfish in shallow vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Juvenile Bluegill	Small Minnows
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating near remaining green vegetation	Small baitfish schools in deeper water
Fall	Crappie	Juvenile Bluegill	Small Minnows
Winter	Crappie	Small Bluegill	Young-of-year Perch
Ice	Crappie	Small Bluegills	Young-of-year perch

Bait Colors by Season for Third Crow Wing Lake

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

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