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

HOT DEAL: Buy 5, Get 1 FREE Z-MAN. Save Now

Buy One, Get One FREE P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon. Learn More

PRO members get free shipping, rewards & local lake data! Join Today

Markdowns on popular products - See all bargain offers

Upper Hay Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Jul 6, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Upper Hay Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to spawning areas, staging on the first major break adjacent to spawning flats Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as they prepare for spawning, with feeding activity increasing during warming trends	Secondary points and transitions leading to spawning flats, especially near pencil reed areas Deep weed edges adjacent to potential spawning areas First break lines in 8-12 foot depth range near shallow flats	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs along weed edges and transition areas Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly in staging areas	Bluegill beginning to move shallow Young of year baitfish from previous season Crawfish becoming more active in warming water	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly near emergent vegetation like pencil reeds, searching for suitable nesting sites Males aggressively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning flats Feeding activity increases during pre-spawn, becomes territorial during spawn	Protected shallow bays near pencil reeds with firm bottom Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow weed edges in 2-6 feet of water	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) Soft Jerkbaits Wacky Rigs	Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are recovering from spawn, transitioning to more active feeding patterns while staying relatively shallow, especially during early morning and evening hours Fish are establishing post-spawn feeding stations near emerging weed edges and pencil reeds, making frequent moves between shallow and moderate depths	Emerging weed edges in 6-12 feet of water, especially near deeper water access Patches of pencil reeds in 2-6 feet, particularly during morning hours Secondary points and subtle depth changes adjacent to spawning flats	Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically with frequent pauses near weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through emerging vegetation Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges during low light conditions	Bluegill beginning to establish in shallow weed areas Young of the year baitfish emerging in warming shallows	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-82	Following typical summer patterns with early morning shallow feeding activity transitioning to deeper weed edges as sun rises Actively feeding on bluegill populations around vegetation edges, especially during morning hours	Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow feeding areas Pencil reed beds with submerged vegetation nearby Submerged vegetation in 8-15 foot depth range	Hard Topwater (Popping) during early morning hours Drop Shot along weed edges after sun gets high Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around reed beds	Bluegill concentrated around vegetation Young of year baitfish utilizing weed cover	Vibrant Assorted Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Upper Hay Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and targeting high-protein forage Moving between deep weed edges and adjacent flats as water temperatures cool, with increased activity during sunny afternoons	Deep weed edges adjacent to flats (8-12 feet) Points near pencil reed beds with access to deeper water Shallow flats with remaining vegetation (2-6 feet)	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to deep weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) through remaining vegetation Lipless Crankbaits over flats with sparse vegetation	Bluegill concentrating near remaining weed edges Young-of-year baitfish schooling in open water adjacent to structure	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Upper Hay Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and transitions leading to spawning flats, especially near pencil reed areas	Deep weed edges adjacent to potential spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays near pencil reeds with firm bottom	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Emerging weed edges in 6-12 feet of water, especially near deeper water access	Patches of pencil reeds in 2-6 feet, particularly during morning hours
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow feeding areas	Pencil reed beds with submerged vegetation nearby
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to flats (8-12 feet)	Points near pencil reed beds with access to deeper water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Young of year baitfish from previous season
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas	Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to establish in shallow weed areas	Young of the year baitfish emerging in warming shallows
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated around vegetation	Young of year baitfish utilizing weed cover
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating near remaining weed edges	Young-of-year baitfish schooling in open water adjacent to structure

Bait Colors by Season for Upper Hay Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Assorted Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Enter your email address to get 10% off your first order

Join over 100k anglers who receive our newsletter.
Techniques, tips and tackle breakdowns personalized to your local area.

© 2025 Omnia Fishing Inc. All Rights Reserved

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy