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Washburn Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 11, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Washburn Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	32-45	Pre-spawn bass transitioning from winter areas, staging near access to spawning flats while remaining close to deeper water for security Feeding activity increasing but still temperature dependent, with most active periods during warmer parts of day	Laydowns and wood cover adjacent to deeper water Rocky areas and boulders that warm quickly Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked slowly along transition areas Ned Rigs worked around rocky structure and boulders Lipless Crankbaits burned through staging areas	Bluegill concentrating in warmer, shallow areas Crawfish becoming more active as water warms	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	62-68	Crappies are actively moving shallow and staging near spawning areas, with increased feeding activity as water temperatures reach 67°F Fish are relating heavily to visible structure like brush piles near shoreline areas, showing aggressive feeding behavior during pre-spawn	Brush piles in 6-12 foot depth range near spawning flats Protected shoreline areas with complex cover Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs near structure Bobbers with slow vertical presentations around brush Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to cover	Bluegill Small minnows	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Bass are actively seeking out shallow spawning areas near protective cover, especially in coves and protected areas with firm bottom Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water, moving up periodically Feeding activity is sporadic but aggressive when protecting nests	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and nearby deep water access Areas with laydowns and lily pad stems in 2-4 feet of water Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) Wacky Rigs Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Bluegill beginning to move shallow Small baitfish in spawning areas Crawfish becoming more active in warming water	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-72	Fish are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) near shoreline structure, particularly in protected coves and bays with warming water Pre-spawn feeding is aggressive as fish stage near spawning areas, with peak activity during warming trends Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn	Protected shallow coves with brush piles in 4-8 feet of water Emerging lily pad fields and weed edges in 2-6 feet Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around visible shoreline structure Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly around brush piles Crappie Dock Shooting in protected areas	Young-of-year Bluegill Small minnows Aquatic insects	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish moving between shallow cover and nearby deeper water, especially during changing light conditions	Weed edges and emerging vegetation in 8-12 foot range Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays Brush piles and laydowns near deeper water access	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through cover Swim Jigs along weed edges Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to breaks	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows Young of year baitfish becoming active Crawfish active in rocky areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, suspending near vertical cover and actively feeding to recover Fish are relating to the first major break near spawning flats, often staging at 8-12 feet during feeding periods	Brush piles positioned on the first break line adjacent to spawning flats Deeper edges of lily pad fields and weed edges in 6-12 feet of water Secondary points with vertical cover near spawning bays	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Crappie Spider Rigging	Juvenile Bluegill in the 1-2 inch range Small minnows and fry gathering around newly emerging vegetation Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation edges	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-82	Bass actively feeding along defined weed edges in 12-18 foot depth range, utilizing these areas as primary feeding zones Fish showing preference for natural structure transitions, moving between deeper water and established weed growth based on light and temperature conditions	Weed edges in 12-18 foot depth range, particularly where they intersect with other structure Deep dock areas adjacent to weed growth Lily pad fields, especially outer edges connecting to deeper water	Ned Rigs worked slowly along weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) through lily pads and weed transitions Drop Shot for suspended fish along deeper weed edges	Bluegill Young of year baitfish	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-82	Crappie will be moving to deeper water structures during hot summer days, but will utilize weed edges and lily pads during morning and evening feeding periods Schools become more concentrated around key structure in 12-18 foot depths during peak daylight hours	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake points Offshore brush piles in 12-18 feet of water Lily pad fields during low light periods	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Bluegill fry Small minnows Aquatic insects	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Washburn Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	48-65	Fall largemouth bass are following baitfish schools and actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, making them aggressive and likely to chase moving baits Fish are transitioning from summer deep weed edges (12-18 feet) to shallower feeding areas, particularly in the backs of coves where baitfish gather	Main lake points adjacent to deep water access, especially those with remaining weed growth Protected coves with baitfish schools, particularly areas with wood cover or remaining vegetation Steep shoreline breaks near the complex shoreline features, focusing on 8-15 foot depth transitions	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline breaks and through baitfish schools Spinnerbaits retrieved at varying speeds around remaining vegetation and wood cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching the predominant forage size	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation Young-of-year baitfish schooling in coves and along points	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Moving from summer weed patterns to deeper structure, staging at mid-depth breaks near deep wintering areas Schooling more heavily as water cools, following baitfish movements and concentrating around key structure	Deep brush piles adjacent to creek channels in 15-20 foot range Dying weed edges near points and drop-offs in 8-12 foot range Deep coves with remaining vegetation and woody structure	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Juvenile Bluegill concentrating in schools Small minnows schooling near structure Young-of-year shad in deeper water	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Schooling tightly in deep basins and main lake structure between 18-25 feet, moving minimally to conserve energy Feeding during prime periods (dawn/dusk) with occasional midday activity during stable weather	Deep basins near the intersection of creek channels and main lake points Brush piles and woody structure in 18-25 foot depth range Steep breaks adjacent to winter forage concentrations	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Ice Fishing Jigs Damiki Rig	Suspended young-of-year bluegill in deep water Small minnows concentrating in deep water columns Juvenile yellow perch schooling near bottom structure	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Congregating in deeper basins near structure, typically suspended 1-3 feet off bottom Feeding patterns become most active during dawn and dusk periods, with shorter feeding windows Schooling becomes more concentrated with multiple fish gathering in prime winter locations	Deep basins adjacent to summer weed edges, typically 18-21 feet Suspended over brush piles in 15-20 foot ranges Deep coves and bays offering protection from harsh winter conditions	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements just above the fish Ice Fishing Spoons for more aggressive presentations during peak feeding times Live Bait Rigs with small minnows for finicky winter fish	Small Bluegills in the 1-2 inch range Young of the year shad and minnows Micro invertebrates	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Washburn Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and wood cover adjacent to deeper water	Rocky areas and boulders that warm quickly
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles in 6-12 foot depth range near spawning flats	Protected shoreline areas with complex cover
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and nearby deep water access	Areas with laydowns and lily pad stems in 2-4 feet of water
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow coves with brush piles in 4-8 feet of water	Emerging lily pad fields and weed edges in 2-6 feet
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Weed edges and emerging vegetation in 8-12 foot range	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles positioned on the first break line adjacent to spawning flats	Deeper edges of lily pad fields and weed edges in 6-12 feet of water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Weed edges in 12-18 foot depth range, particularly where they intersect with other structure	Deep dock areas adjacent to weed growth
Summer	Crappie	Deep weed edges adjacent to main lake points	Offshore brush piles in 12-18 feet of water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points adjacent to deep water access, especially those with remaining weed growth	Protected coves with baitfish schools, particularly areas with wood cover or remaining vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Deep brush piles adjacent to creek channels in 15-20 foot range	Dying weed edges near points and drop-offs in 8-12 foot range
Winter	Crappie	Deep basins near the intersection of creek channels and main lake points	Brush piles and woody structure in 18-25 foot depth range
Ice	Crappie	Deep basins adjacent to summer weed edges, typically 18-21 feet	Suspended over brush piles in 15-20 foot ranges

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in warmer, shallow areas	Crawfish becoming more active as water warms
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Bluegill	Small minnows
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Small baitfish in spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Young-of-year Bluegill	Small minnows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows	Young of year baitfish becoming active
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Juvenile Bluegill in the 1-2 inch range	Small minnows and fry gathering around newly emerging vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Young of year baitfish
Summer	Crappie	Bluegill fry	Small minnows
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation	Young-of-year baitfish schooling in coves and along points
Fall	Crappie	Juvenile Bluegill concentrating in schools	Small minnows schooling near structure
Winter	Crappie	Suspended young-of-year bluegill in deep water	Small minnows concentrating in deep water columns
Ice	Crappie	Small Bluegills in the 1-2 inch range	Young of the year shad and minnows

Bait Colors by Season for Washburn Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Summer	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Winter	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

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