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Williamsport Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 16, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Williamsport Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning areas, actively feeding while staging near spawning flats Fish are becoming more active with warming trends, moving between deeper wintering areas and shallow transition zones	Rip rap banks that provide both warmth and transition zones Secondary points leading into spawning pockets Laydowns in 4-8 feet of water near potential spawning flats	Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to rip rap Lipless Crankbaits around transition areas Hard Jerkbaits with longer pauses between twitches	Crawfish becoming more active in warming water Resident baitfish in transition areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Crappie transitioning from winter deep water pattern to shallower staging areas, becoming more active with warming temperatures Fish beginning to group up near spawning areas but not yet on beds, feeding more aggressively as metabolism increases	Laydowns and woody cover in 6-12 feet of water near spawning flats Secondary points leading into spawning coves Deep brush piles adjacent to spawning areas	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging	Shad schools transitioning to shallower water Small baitfish gathering near warming shoreline areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around laydowns and protected coves Males actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning flats Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, especially near woody cover and riprap	Protected shallow coves with laydowns and woody cover Riprap areas providing stable spawning substrate Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water access	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and shallow cover Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and slow presentations Shakey Heads for pre-spawn staging areas	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small bluegill in shallow areas Shad moving into spawning areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Fish are moving from deeper winter holding areas to shallow spawning areas, particularly focused around laydowns and other shallow cover Males will stage and prepare nests in 2-6 foot depths, while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn Feeding activity increases as water warms, with aggressive strikes during pre-spawn	Laydowns and woody cover in 2-6 foot depths, especially in protected coves Secondary points leading into spawning coves Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water staging areas	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Shad Small sunfish Juvenile baitfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are relating to cover near spawning flats but beginning to move toward deeper structure Most active during morning and evening, seeking shade during bright midday periods	Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to spawning flats Rip rap areas providing transition routes to deeper water Creek channels and depth changes near shallow flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and shallow cover Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transition areas Spinnerbaits parallel to banks and through woody cover	Bluegill moving into spawning areas Crawfish active in shallow rocky areas Small shad schools beginning to form	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, moving along depth transitions and suspended near cover Actively feeding to recover from spawn, with increased interest in shad and small baitfish	Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water near spawning flats Main lake points and creek channel edges adjacent to spawning areas Suspended schools near deeper dock areas	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Crappie Dock Shooting Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Shad schools beginning to group up in slightly deeper water Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish in shallow areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	82-86	Bass are active around laydowns and woody cover, with strong feeding periods during morning and evening due to 84°F water temperatures Fish are relating to both shallow and mid-depth zones, actively feeding on bluegill and utilizing ambush points near woody structure	Laydowns and fallen trees, especially those near deeper water access Areas with baitfish concentrations, particularly around depth changes Shallow water vegetation near woody structure	Neko Rigs worked slowly around laydowns Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') targeting baitfish schools Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around cover	Bluegill Mixed Baitfish	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are suspending near cover in deeper water during daytime heat, moving shallow to feed during dawn/dusk periods Schools are more loosely grouped than winter months, relating to structure and following shad movements	Deeper brush piles and laydowns in 12-15 feet of water Main lake points with access to deeper water Shaded dock areas with good depth	Crappie Dock Shooting Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Shad schools in 8-15 foot depth range Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish near cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Williamsport Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-72	Bass are in fall transition, following shad schools and actively feeding but with sporadic activity patterns, particularly more active during the last hours of daylight Fish are relating to structure near deep water access, showing classic fall migration behavior between shallow feeding areas and deeper staging zones	Laydowns with deep water access, particularly on wind-blown sides Rip rap areas, especially during evening hours Open water areas where shad are present, particularly near depth changes	Frogs/Toads worked methodically around laydowns and surface cover Hard Jerkbaits in open water, especially during active feeding periods Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') near rocky areas and transition zones	Shad - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports Bluegill - secondary forage around shallow cover	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Crappie	55-68	Crappie are transitioning to deeper water, following shad schools and actively feeding to build up reserves for winter Fish are schooling more tightly and becoming increasingly concentrated in specific areas, particularly near depth changes and structure	Deep basin areas where schools of shad are suspending Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water Deeper laydowns and woody cover near drop-offs	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)	Shad schools concentrating in deeper water Small baitfish seeking warmer water temperatures	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	38-48	Fish are concentrating in deep water near laydowns and rip rap, conserving energy and seeking stable temperatures Bass will primarily feed during warmer periods of the day, with activity increasing on sunny days Fish are moving slowly and prefer slower-moving presentations	Deep creek channels near laydowns offering quick access to varying depths Rip rap areas, especially those adjacent to deeper water Deep water structure near primary points	Blade Baits worked slowly along deep structure Shakey Heads dragged slowly near vertical structure Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in transition areas	Shad suspended in deeper water Crawfish in rocky areas and around rip rap	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Suspending in deeper basin areas in large schools, following and feeding on concentrated baitfish Most active during low-light periods, with schooling behavior becoming more pronounced in winter months	Deep basin areas with suspended schools of baitfish Transition areas between shallow flats and deep basins Deep water adjacent to channel edges	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Hover/Mid-Strolling	Winter-stressed shad schools Small baitfish	Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Williamsport Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Rip rap banks that provide both warmth and transition zones	Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Laydowns and woody cover in 6-12 feet of water near spawning flats	Secondary points leading into spawning coves
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with laydowns and woody cover	Riprap areas providing stable spawning substrate
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Laydowns and woody cover in 2-6 foot depths, especially in protected coves	Secondary points leading into spawning coves
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to spawning flats	Rip rap areas providing transition routes to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and laydowns in 8-15 feet of water near spawning flats	Main lake points and creek channel edges adjacent to spawning areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and fallen trees, especially those near deeper water access	Areas with baitfish concentrations, particularly around depth changes
Summer	Crappie	Deeper brush piles and laydowns in 12-15 feet of water	Main lake points with access to deeper water
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns with deep water access, particularly on wind-blown sides	Rip rap areas, especially during evening hours
Fall	Crappie	Deep basin areas where schools of shad are suspending	Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep creek channels near laydowns offering quick access to varying depths	Rip rap areas, especially those adjacent to deeper water
Winter	Crappie	Deep basin areas with suspended schools of baitfish	Transition areas between shallow flats and deep basins

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish becoming more active in warming water	Resident baitfish in transition areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad schools transitioning to shallower water	Small baitfish gathering near warming shoreline areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small bluegill in shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Shad	Small sunfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill moving into spawning areas	Crawfish active in shallow rocky areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Shad schools beginning to group up in slightly deeper water	Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish in shallow areas
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Mixed Baitfish
Summer	Crappie	Shad schools in 8-15 foot depth range	Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish near cover
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports	Bluegill - secondary forage around shallow cover
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools concentrating in deeper water	Small baitfish seeking warmer water temperatures
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad suspended in deeper water	Crawfish in rocky areas and around rip rap
Winter	Crappie	Winter-stressed shad schools	Small baitfish

Bait Colors by Season for Williamsport Lake

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

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