How to Fish Van Vliet Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Van Vliet Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 30, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Van Vliet Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	45-55	Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, following a gradual warming trend Fish are becoming more active and feeding opportunistically to build energy reserves for spawning Most active during warmer parts of the day when water temperatures peak	Rocky points and boulder fields in 6-12 foot depth adjacent to spawning flats Protected coves with gravel or rock bottom in 4-8 foot depth Steep shoreline transitions near deeper wintering areas	Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom in staging areas Tubes dragged and hopped through rock and boulder fields Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements on transition areas	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish schools in warming shallow areas Bottom-dwelling insects and larvae	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	55-65	Smallmouth bass are actively seeking spawning areas in shallow rocky zones, especially around boulder fields in 3-6 foot depths Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent areas Fish are most active during early morning and evening hours due to clear water conditions	Boulder fields and rocky areas in 3-6 foot depth range for active spawning Adjacent deeper breaks in 8-12 foot range where females stage Protected coves and points with rock or gravel bottom	Tubes worked slowly around spawning areas Ned Rigs for pressured fish in clear water Drop Shot with small profile baits for staging fish	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish in warming shallows Juvenile perch around rocky areas	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Post-spawn smallmouth are actively recovering and feeding while transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are most active during low-light periods (early morning/sunset) due to clear water conditions Smallmouth are relating to boulder fields in shallow water, with some fish still on beds	Boulder fields in 3-6 foot depth range Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper summer haunts Rocky points adjacent to deeper water	Drop Shot with finesse worms worked slowly around boulders Ned Rigs with small profile baits Tubes dragged along bottom structure	Crayfish emerging in rocky areas Small baitfish relating to boulder fields	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	65-78	During summer, smallmouth bass in this moderately clear lake will be most active during early morning and evening hours, seeking shelter in deeper water during bright midday periods Fish are likely to establish feeding stations near drop-offs and boulder fields, moving shallow to feed during low light conditions	Rocky points and boulder fields in 8-12 foot depth range adjacent to deeper water Main lake points with mixed rock and gravel in 6-15 foot range Deeper pockets near shoreline structure providing shade during midday	Drop Shot with finesse presentations in clear water conditions, especially during midday Tubes worked along rocky structure during prime feeding periods Ned Rigs for pressured fish in clear water situations	Crayfish, particularly abundant around boulder fields and rocky structure Small baitfish relating to rocky points and transitions Perch populations in the 3-6 foot rocky zones	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Van Vliet Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	52-65	Smallmouth bass are actively feeding to build reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and targeting crawfish in moderately deep structure Fish are moving between deep structure (8-12 feet) and shallower feeding zones (3-6 feet) based on light conditions and temperature changes	Rocky points and boulder fields in 3-6 foot range adjacent to deeper water Deep pockets near complex shoreline structures Transition areas between shallow feeding flats and deeper sanctuary areas	Drop Shot with slow, methodical presentations in deeper water Tubes worked along rocky structure and boulder fields Ned Rigs with subtle hops and drags along bottom structure	Crawfish still active in rocky areas Baitfish schools in transition areas Small perch along weedline edges	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Van Vliet Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and boulder fields in 6-12 foot depth adjacent to spawning flats	Protected coves with gravel or rock bottom in 4-8 foot depth
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Boulder fields and rocky areas in 3-6 foot depth range for active spawning	Adjacent deeper breaks in 8-12 foot range where females stage
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Boulder fields in 3-6 foot depth range	Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper summer haunts
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and boulder fields in 8-12 foot depth range adjacent to deeper water	Main lake points with mixed rock and gravel in 6-15 foot range
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and boulder fields in 3-6 foot range adjacent to deeper water	Deep pockets near complex shoreline structures

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish schools in warming shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small baitfish in warming shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crayfish emerging in rocky areas	Small baitfish relating to boulder fields
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Crayfish, particularly abundant around boulder fields and rocky structure	Small baitfish relating to rocky points and transitions
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish still active in rocky areas	Baitfish schools in transition areas

Bait Colors by Season for Van Vliet Lake

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

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