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

20% Off Strike King, Through 06/03. Save Now

20% Off Bubba, Through 06/16. Save Now

Built to Serve Tee + PRO = $20 Donated Per Order → Shop Now

Save Up To $500 on Select Minn Kota, Through 06/18. 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 Mission Lake

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Upper Mission Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Bass moving from winter depths to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, typically holding near transitions between deep water access and spawning flats Feeding activity increasing as water warms, with fish becoming more aggressive during stable weather patterns Fish positioning near emerging vegetation, particularly around newly growing cabbage and green grass beds	Emerging cabbage and grass beds in 5-8 foot depth range adjacent to deeper water Reed lines and shallow vegetation edges with access to deeper water Secondary points and channel swings leading into potential spawning bays	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked methodically around reed lines	Bluegill beginning to move shallow and become more active Crawfish becoming more active as water warms Small baitfish schooling in pre-spawn staging areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near emergent vegetation and protected shorelines Males actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning flats Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites	Reed beds in 2-4 feet of water, especially in protected bays Shallow cabbage weed edges adjacent to spawning flats Protected coves with firm bottom composition	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) Wacky Rigs Soft Jerkbaits	Spawning Bluegill Young of Year Panfish Juvenile Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are utilizing emerging weed growth in 5-10 foot depth range, particularly cabbage beds and reed edges	Emerging cabbage weed beds in 5-10 foot depth range Reed line edges where they meet deeper water Secondary points with access to both shallow and deeper water	Swim Jigs worked through emerging vegetation Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around reed edges Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges	Bluegill gathering in emerging weed growth Young of year baitfish starting to appear Crawfish active in warmer shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	74-82	Bass are establishing deep summer patterns, holding on first breaks and offshore structure in 12-14 foot range during daytime hours Fish are relating heavily to submerged vegetation, particularly cabbage beds, and responding well to slow, methodical presentations	First break lines with cabbage beds in 12-14 foot range Submerged vegetation patches in deeper water Offshore humps with vegetation	Ned Rigs worked with deadstick presentation along weed edges Texas Rigs pitched into vegetation with snap-through retrieves Drop Shot along deeper weed edges	Bluegill in and around vegetation Young of year baitfish beginning to school	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Upper Mission Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-64	Bass are actively feeding in preparation for winter, targeting bluegill and crawfish around vegetation edges Fish are transitioning from deeper summer locations to shallower feeding areas, particularly active during warmer parts of the day	Reed beds and thick reed clumps, especially on points Cabbage and mixed green grass in 5-10 foot depth range Protected areas with submerged vegetation near shore	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked around vegetation edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in thick reed areas Bladed Jigs for covering water and generating reaction strikes	Bluegill congregating around vegetation Crawfish active in vegetation and reed areas	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Natural Baitfish Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Upper Mission Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Emerging cabbage and grass beds in 5-8 foot depth range adjacent to deeper water	Reed lines and shallow vegetation edges with access to deeper water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Reed beds in 2-4 feet of water, especially in protected bays	Shallow cabbage weed edges adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Emerging cabbage weed beds in 5-10 foot depth range	Reed line edges where they meet deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	First break lines with cabbage beds in 12-14 foot range	Submerged vegetation patches in deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Reed beds and thick reed clumps, especially on points	Cabbage and mixed green grass in 5-10 foot depth range

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow and become more active	Crawfish becoming more active as water warms
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Spawning Bluegill	Young of Year Panfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in emerging weed growth	Young of year baitfish starting to appear
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around vegetation	Young of year baitfish beginning to school
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating around vegetation	Crawfish active in vegetation and reed areas

Bait Colors by Season for Upper Mission Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Natural Baitfish Colors

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