How to Fish Turtle Flambeau Flowage: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Turtle Flambeau Flowage

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Sep 24, 2024

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Turtle Flambeau Flowage

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	52-62	Actively staging on transitional structures between winter and spawning areas, with increased feeding activity as water warms Moving progressively shallower and relating heavily to rock and brush structure as noted in recent fishing success	Rock and brush-covered ledges in 5-15 foot depth range Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel substrate Protected rocky bays with good sun exposure	Ned Rigs worked slowly around brush and rock structure Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky transitions	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish (smelt and juvenile perch)	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	38-54	Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves, primarily in shallow waters 2-8 feet deep near spawning areas Fish are moving from winter deep-water haunts to shallow bays and tributary areas where ice melts first	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially areas with dark bottoms that warm quickly Creek mouths and tributary inflows where warmer water enters the system Gradual sloping flats adjacent to spawning areas	Inline Spinners worked slowly near emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve just above bottom Trolling Shallow (0-9') along transition areas between spawning bays and deeper water	Perch congregating in pre-spawn areas Shad schools in warming shallow bays	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to warming shallow bays, actively seeking warmer water temperatures while beginning to stage for spawning Fish are moving along shorelines and utilizing undercut banks and cattails as primary cover, becoming more active during warm afternoon periods	Cattail beds and undercut banks in protected bays where water warms fastest Shallow flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas Dark bottom areas that absorb heat more quickly	Wacky Rigs worked slowly with extended pauses to trigger lethargic fish Neko Rigs for deeper presentations along transition areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around cattails and bank cover	Bluegill concentrating in warming shallow areas Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	55-65	Fish transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, actively defending nesting sites in protected areas Males aggressively guarding nests during daylight hours, particularly responsive to threats to the nest	Protected shallow bays with mixed rock and gravel bottom in 2-6 feet Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with scattered rock Shallow flats near deep water access with boulder or rock structure	Tubes worked slowly along bottom near suspected nest sites Ned Rigs with subtle presentations around rocky areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water to locate active fish	Small crayfish emerging from winter habitats Young of year perch in shallow areas Minnows gathering in spawning areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	42-58	Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, targeting shallow bays and backwaters with emerging vegetation Fish transitioning between spawning areas and early summer locations, using weedlines and points as migration routes Aggressive feeding behavior during cooler parts of day, especially on overcast days	Shallow, weedy bays with emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Points and inside turns adjacent to spawning bays Developing weed edges in 4-8 feet of water	Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve along weed edges Inline Spinners near points and channel edges	Young-of-year perch congregating in emerging weed growth Shad schools moving into warming shallows Small sunfish in backwater areas	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	54-65	Largemouth bass transitioning to spawning areas, staging in pre-spawn locations near shallow flats and protected bays Males actively building and guarding nests in protected areas, while females move between staging and spawning areas Increased feeding activity during pre-spawn, followed by territorial behavior during actual spawning	Protected shallow bays with cattails and matted grass in 2-4 feet of water Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 4-6 feet Undercut banks providing shelter from cold fronts	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and visible beds Wacky Rigs worked slowly in staging areas Spinnerbaits along weed edges during pre-spawn movements	Bluegill in shallow spawning areas Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting minnows in shallow rocky areas Fish are showing aggressive behavior, willing to chase moving baits like soft jerkbaits and react to dragged presentations	Shallow rock structures and rip rap in 0-9 foot depth range Rocky humps and points near spawning bays Flooded brush adjacent to hard bottom areas	Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves to trigger reaction strikes Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with jigs tipped with soft plastics or live bait Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly across rocky areas	Minnows - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports Crawfish - becoming active in rocky areas as water warms	Pink Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	54-65	Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting shad and perch in shallow vegetation zones Fish are making frequent movements between deeper weed edges and shallow ambush points, especially during prime feeding periods	Weed edges and emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range Shallow bays with new weed growth in 2-4 feet of water Points and irregular shoreline features adjacent to spawning areas	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve Inline Spinners near emerging vegetation	Yellow Perch congregating near emerging weed growth Shad schools in warming shallow bays Small pike and panfish in post-spawn areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Post-spawn largemouth are actively feeding to recover energy, taking advantage of shallow cover and emerging weed growth Fish are establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper recovery zones	Emerging weed edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially near points and bays Shallow wood cover and undercut banks with nearby deeper water access Protected cattail edges adjacent to spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through emerging vegetation Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges and wood cover Wacky Rigs pitched to visible cover and transition areas	Bluegills gathering in shallow emerging vegetation Young of year baitfish starting to appear in warming shallows Crawfish becoming more active in warming water	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-74	Active feeding along weed edges, rock structure, and points during early morning and evening, with fish moving deeper during midday heat Utilizing both shallow and deep structure transitions, with most active feeding in 0-9 ft range especially around complex structure	Weed edges adjacent to deep water drops Rocky points and island areas with steep contours Submerged brush piles and wood structure in 5-10 ft	Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock structure and weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) slow rolled parallel to structure Wacky Rigs worked around vegetation edges Hard Topwater (Walking) early morning and evening over flats	Perch along weed edges Minnows in open water near structure	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Northern Pike	68-78	Pike are actively feeding in shallow, vegetated areas, showing aggressive topwater strikes around matted grass - classic ambush behavior Given the stained water (1.5m Secchi), fish are concentrating in the upper water column (0-9 feet) where visibility is best for hunting	Matted grass beds in shallow water, especially edges and openings Weed edges adjacent to deeper water Complex shoreline areas with irregular features and points	Hard Topwater (Prop) - matches recent success with Berkley Choppo Spinnerbaits - effective for covering water along weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) - mimics primary forage in stained water	Perch - confirmed in lake reports as primary forage Shad - mentioned in reports as secondary forage base	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	65-74	Actively feeding in and around dense weed growth and matted grass, particularly during early morning and evening hours Seeking shade and cooler water during midday, often relating to deeper weed edges and woody cover Aggressive feeding behavior during low-light periods, moving shallow to pursue bluegill and other forage	Dense weed mats and vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water Submerged wood cover near deeper weed edges Shaded pockets in cattail areas with undercut banks	Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around heavy cover and weed edges Swim Jigs through scattered vegetation Buzzbaits during low light periods	Bluegill in shallow vegetation Young of year perch around weed edges Crayfish in wood cover areas	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Turtle Flambeau Flowage

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Actively feeding on shad in shallow flats with weeds, showing aggressive surface feeding behavior Fish are moving in response to baitfish schools, requiring coverage of large areas Showing selective feeding patterns with fewer but higher quality bites	Shallow weed flats with active baitfish schools (0-9 feet) Rocky points adjacent to deep water Steep shoreline breaks near baitfish concentrations	Hard Topwater (Walking) with long casts to cover water Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) matched to shad size Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges	Shad (primary forage based on recent reports) Perch Minnows	Bold Striped Patterns Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Northern Pike	54-65	Pike transitioning to feeding heavily as water cools, following baitfish schools to mid-depth areas and weed edges Aggressive ambush behavior, particularly during low-light periods, targeting shad and perch in the 5-9 foot range	Weed edges and dying weed beds in 5-9 foot depth range Points and irregular shoreline features adjacent to deeper water Shallow bays with remaining vegetation where baitfish schools congregate	Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through dying vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved at varying speeds to match baitfish movement Trolling Shallow (0-9') parallel to weed edges and points	Shad schooling in larger groups during fall transition Perch holding near remaining weed edges	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	54-65	Actively feeding in shoreline areas and following baitfish schools as they migrate to creek arms and bays Moving between shallow feeding zones and slightly deeper staging areas as temperatures fluctuate	Protected bays with remaining vegetation and wood cover Points and channel swings adjacent to shallow feeding flats Undercut banks and cattail edges in 2-6 foot depth range	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to remaining weed edges and through scattered vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) targeting actively feeding fish around baitfish schools Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through vegetation and wood cover	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation Young-of-year baitfish schooling in bays and creek arms	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Northern Pike	38-54	Pike concentrate in shallow flats and weed edges between 3-9 feet due to stained water conditions, actively ambushing prey during low-light periods Fish are feeding opportunistically but less aggressively than peak seasons, typically moving between adjacent deep and shallow areas based on daily temperature changes	Remaining green weed edges in 5-9 foot depths, especially near points or bay entrances Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, particularly areas with scattered vegetation or woody debris Protected bays with remaining vegetation, especially on sunny afternoons when water temperatures rise slightly	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly along weed edges Spoons worked with a moderate lifting and falling action in openings between vegetation Inline Spinners retrieved steadily through shallow flats during warmer periods	Yellow Perch schooling in remaining weed edges Shad concentrated in protected bays and around structure	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors
Ice	Northern Pike	33-38	Pike will be concentrated in shallower bays (4-8 feet) with remaining green weeds, especially near perch schools Most active during early morning and late afternoon, with reduced activity during bright midday periods Aggressive reaction strikes to flashy presentations, particularly during low-light conditions	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water in 4-8 foot range Shallow bays with remaining green vegetation Points and neck-downs where perch schools concentrate	Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with large live bait positioned at varying depths Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for finesse presentation	Yellow Perch schooling in remaining weed edges Shad concentrated in warmer, shallow bays Small Pike feeding on abundant juvenile fish	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Turtle Flambeau Flowage

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rock and brush-covered ledges in 5-15 foot depth range	Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel substrate
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially areas with dark bottoms that warm quickly	Creek mouths and tributary inflows where warmer water enters the system
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Cattail beds and undercut banks in protected bays where water warms fastest	Shallow flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with mixed rock and gravel bottom in 2-6 feet	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with scattered rock
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Shallow, weedy bays with emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Points and inside turns adjacent to spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with cattails and matted grass in 2-4 feet of water	Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 4-6 feet
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Shallow rock structures and rip rap in 0-9 foot depth range	Rocky humps and points near spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Weed edges and emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range	Shallow bays with new weed growth in 2-4 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Emerging weed edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially near points and bays	Shallow wood cover and undercut banks with nearby deeper water access
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Weed edges adjacent to deep water drops	Rocky points and island areas with steep contours
Summer	Northern Pike	Matted grass beds in shallow water, especially edges and openings	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dense weed mats and vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water	Submerged wood cover near deeper weed edges
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shallow weed flats with active baitfish schools (0-9 feet)	Rocky points adjacent to deep water
Fall	Northern Pike	Weed edges and dying weed beds in 5-9 foot depth range	Points and irregular shoreline features adjacent to deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Protected bays with remaining vegetation and wood cover	Points and channel swings adjacent to shallow feeding flats
Winter	Northern Pike	Remaining green weed edges in 5-9 foot depths, especially near points or bay entrances	Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, particularly areas with scattered vegetation or woody debris
Ice	Northern Pike	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water in 4-8 foot range	Shallow bays with remaining green vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish (smelt and juvenile perch)
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Perch congregating in pre-spawn areas	Shad schools in warming shallow bays
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in warming shallow areas	Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Small crayfish emerging from winter habitats	Young of year perch in shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Northern Pike	Young-of-year perch congregating in emerging weed growth	Shad schools moving into warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow spawning areas	Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Minnows - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports	Crawfish - becoming active in rocky areas as water warms
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Northern Pike	Yellow Perch congregating near emerging weed growth	Shad schools in warming shallow bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegills gathering in shallow emerging vegetation	Young of year baitfish starting to appear in warming shallows
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Perch along weed edges	Minnows in open water near structure
Summer	Northern Pike	Perch - confirmed in lake reports as primary forage	Shad - mentioned in reports as secondary forage base
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow vegetation	Young of year perch around weed edges
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Shad (primary forage based on recent reports)	Perch
Fall	Northern Pike	Shad schooling in larger groups during fall transition	Perch holding near remaining weed edges
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation	Young-of-year baitfish schooling in bays and creek arms
Winter	Northern Pike	Yellow Perch schooling in remaining weed edges	Shad concentrated in protected bays and around structure
Ice	Northern Pike	Yellow Perch schooling in remaining weed edges	Shad concentrated in warmer, shallow bays

Bait Colors by Season for Turtle Flambeau Flowage

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

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