Waconda Lake
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Waconda Lake Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Waconda Lake. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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Smallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSummerStructureBouldersA tougher bite right now due to all the shad in the lake. I have never seen so many!! Caught several nice smallies slow retrieving a swim bait in 8-15’ of water off deeper rock structure. If you feel weight, set the hook! Lack of wind, which has been the case lately, makes the bite slower. If we get some wind, fishing will be better.
- Species
White BassTechniqueMedium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')SeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/BasinWas watching the gulls as they quickly help spot white bass feeding on surface—eating shad, which must number in the millions right now. I caught many nice whites throwing a medium diving crankbait. Good hookup rate with all the hooks!! Early morning is good to find feeding schools of whites. Didn’t fish the evening but that time of day likely good too.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Walking)SeasonSummerStructurePoints
Smallmouth bass hitting top water baits VERY close to banks along rocky points. Rocks are barely in the water due to lake being 4.5’ low. Don’t be afraid to actually throw the bait on the bank and pull it into the water. Smallies are waiting to ambush.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Walking)SeasonSummerStructureBoulders
Smallmouth bass are concentrated around newly flooded rock—-2’ or less water in most cases. Top water baits working well during most times of the day even on a hot day like today. Look for more rocky spots to flood if water rises a bit more.
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WalleyeTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonSummerStructureRock PileFound walleye today in 6-9’ of water around flooded foundations in west half of lake. Foundations are made of rock. Threw deeper diving jerkbaits to catch fish. Long casts with fairly slow jerking action. Walleye we’re 12-19” in length and we’re really slamming the baits.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSwim JigsSeasonSummerStructurePoints
Smallmouth are scattered along rocky banks and points. They are feeding heavily on newly hatched shad which are no bigger than 1/2”. Using smaller swim baits on 1/8 ounce heads working well. Small plastic bodies most resemble the shad hatch. Moving slowly and thoroughly fishing rocky areas working best right now. Fish are mostly 12-14” right now. Smaller ones mixed in.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Prop)SeasonSummerStructureDam
Smallmouth were taking topwater up until about 9:00 in the morning. Bite was fair with a lot of casts required. Shad are EVERYWHERE!!! I recommend popping the bait instead of “cast and reel” presentation.
- SpeciesWhite BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSummerStructureHumps
If you are willing to make lots of casts, the wiper bite can be good. I fished isolated humps around the lake and found nice wipers (4-7 lbs!!). Most water holding wipers is 4-9’ deep. I stay downwind and cast upwind to targeted spots. Wind helps with a better bite and holding fish to spots 2.8” to 4” swim baits all worked equally well.
