Category: Learn to Fish Reservoirs

The leaves look like a red, orange & yellow quilt against the bluebird sky.

It’s a subtle reminder that the days will be getting shorter soon. Darker. The evenings cooler.

Hoodie weather again. Maybe tonight would be a good night for some toasty s’mores with the kids.

Yeah… yeah let’s make it a point to set aside some quality time for family.

Fall in Reservoirs

Some of our friends are hanging up their rods for hunting gear and tree stands. Certainly nothing wrong with that… but this could be a great time to catch a trophy now that the fish are putting on the feedbag in preparation of winter. Not to mention the reduced fishing pressure, which will only continue to decline as the weather becomes even more “uncomfortable”.

The water temperatures are dropping as well; below the optimal temperature range for bass. The young shad have grown up to a size that is very interesting and appetizing, and the bass have taken notice. They’re schooled up tight and moving towards shore, to the shallows.

Fishing Muddy, Rising Water with Sharp Temperature Drops

While these are certainly tough conditions, the general consensus is that the changes do not actually displace the bass. Some anglers will switch to baits that cover the bottom, and slow down. Others prefer to tie on a muddy water bait and cover water; looking to stumps, hard cover of some sort, grasslines or submerged grassbeds.

Another option is to seek out the food. Where are the shad? Where is the forage? Find them, and be on the lookout for suspended fish. If you mark them, tie on a lipless crankbait and use it to cover water while following these moving shad.

If you find good looking hard cover, attack it using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and vibrating jigs. Look around to see if you can locate incoming water as well. Fishing around the source of inflowing water can be a solid strategy, and at the very least it is worth your inspection.

Fishing Falling Water with Sharp Temperature Drops

If the water clarity has stabilized – meaning the water clarity is “normal” – then your primary variable will be either the water temperature, or the water level. Pay close attention to both.

If the water is falling you can expect the bass to relocate to the ends of laydowns, and to back off of shallow water areas. If they are in the backs of creeks and bays for example, the falling water may push them back out to the main lake. They may even suspend.

Don’t shy away from main lake structure, and try to seek out areas that can funnel fish. Say a channel under a bridge, or the opening in a causeway (a causeway is a raised road or track across low or wet ground).

Since the water clarity is “normal”, don’t be afraid to fish fast with topwaters, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, vibrating jigs & swimbaits.

Moving Forward

Graham crackers are so crumbly.

Gosh.. they get everywhere.

That’s one nice thing about eating our s’mores outside by the lake. Let the bugs & the birds have the crumbs. Let the kids make a mess. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

And let’s be honest here – the main attraction is that marshmallow… which… has somehow ended up on the little dude’s forehead.

The fishing has been good this year, and there is still no end in sight. So even though we’re in the Midwest and the changing seasons can be frustrating, and yes – a bit sad – it’s hard to be grumpy when you have cool air and a fire going in the evening, surrounded by sticky, laughing children.

Thanks God.

Tight lines.

PREVIOUS SECTION: Summer Reservoir Fishing Scenarios

There are few things as satisfying as the crackle of a piping-hot grill.

Sharp, crispy-hot pops of delicious fat sliding off of that ribeye that we should probably share with someone else… but… we won’t.

We’ll devour it.

Much like the bass devoured our topwater frog this morning. Ah… that is one thing more satisfying than a smokey grill: topwater largemouth bass explosions. Maybe we’ll be able to get a few more tomorrow…

Summer in Reservoirs

The summer period is one of stability. Temperature changes are a non-issue for the most part, and several bass have moved out now that they are done spawning. Cool water inflows can attract and concentrate baitfish, and the bass will follow.

Heavy rainfall during the summer months can cause a sharp rise in the water level. This can also be followed by a sharp decline in the water level as the reservoir is brought back to the recommended pool.

Fishing Muddy, Rising Water in Summer

Muddy water prompts fish to relate tighter to their surroundings. We discussed this when we looked at a few springtime reservoir fishing scenarios as well – and the same advice holds true here…

Work your presentations tight to cover.

The presentations we’ll start with have expanded a bit more, and a big reason for that is warmer water temperatures and additional stability. During prespawn we’d reach for spinnerbaits and jigs – but now it’s a great idea to add buzzbaits, frogs, bladed jigs, additional pitching jigs and soft plastics to the mix!

Fishing Muddy, Falling Water in Summer

When the water returns to the normal elevation, it has much less of an effect on the bass. Many pros and hot-stick locals agree that this does not seem to be a major game-changer.

Continue to work tight to cover, but look to a few new locations.

Check shallower, offshore structure. Then drop back to deeper cover and structure, using louder, brighter, high-contrast baits. Don’t be afraid to add in scent if you haven’t already – you want to do everything you can do activate the other senses utilized by bass – not just vision.

Moving Forward

Speaking of scent… that steak is looking mighty fine this warm summer evening… mighty fine…

I still don’t think we’ll share any though.

Tight lines.

NEXT SECTION: Fall Reservoir Fishing Scenarios
PREVIOUS SECTION: Prespawn Reservoir Fishing Scenarios

Spring has sprung!

Well… spring has sprung in my head at least. At the earliest signs of melting snow and bright skies I’m ready to rip the Christmas lights down, tear off my hoodie (that’s strategically covering about 20 extra pounds of “holiday cheer” on my belly), and tie up any ‘ol rig so we can get out to the water and stick some bass!

The problem is that here in the Midwest, melting snow does not mean nice, warm water or active bass. Quite the opposite… we’ve got a ways to go, which means it’s a great time to do a bit more homework…

Prespawn in Reservoirs

During the prespawn period bass are programmed to do a few different things. Primarily though, they start to move towards shallow spawning areas. Big flats and bays. Keep in mind that not all fish will spawn at the exact same depth in a system, and it’s not uncommon for bass in certain lakes and reservoirs to spawn a bit deeper if they are larger.

This period is also prone to rain and muddy water. In some parts of the county (… like mine…) residual snow flurries and frost can still make an appearance as well.

It’s torture!

But as that water temperature starts to scoot higher and higher, a few different unique scenarios can present themselves.

Here’s how to fish ’em.

Muddy, Rising Water + Falling Temperatures

For many anglers – both pros and hot-stick weekend warriors – this is a recipe for disaster.

Under these conditions, most would suggest you fish shallow and tight to cover. One technique is to stay within the pre-flooded shoreline. Try to work into the new shallow water areas from there.

If you are able to make a move – consider traveling to the lower end of the lake in search of clearer water. In reservoirs, water carrying sediment is usually incoming at the upper (northern) end. This means that as a general rule of thumb, water at the upper end is both shallower and dirtier than what you will find as you get closer to the dam, at the lower end. This area is usually the deepest spot in the reservoir and water is outgoing.

Temperatures can also be more stable on the lower end of the reservoir, which is not a bad thing.

Fish your prespawn, muddy water confidence baits (for a few ideas check out our suggestions in The Prespawn Period (55°F to 65°F) / Learn to Fish Reservoirs) and don’t be afraid to bump up the size in search of a big fish.

Big baits. Big confidence – always worth testing.

Muddy, Falling Water + Falling Temperatures

What happens if the water is falling – still muddy and still dropping in temperature a bit like our last example – but the water level is actually getting lower?

This scenario can present itself in reservoirs with a flood-control function. A rise in springtime water is usually followed by a drop in reservoir level. Well… guess what?

This is another recipe for disaster.

Fish tight to available cover, fish muddy water, and fish your prespawn lures slowly. Go ahead and try to fish a bit further out from banks that are about 45 degrees or so.

Moving Forward

Whether the water is going up or going down – muddy, cold scenarios are never a great situation. They are uncomfortable. Frustrating.

About as frustrating as trying to fit my 20 extra “holiday cheer” pounds into my rain gear from last season…

But placing ourselves in uncomfortable situations is the best way to prompt growth. Progress. It’s a chance to get better when everyone else has thrown in the towel.

Don’t quit.

Let’s get better.

Tight lines!

NEXT SECTION: Summer Reservoir Fishing Scenarios
PREVIOUS SECTION: Fall into Winter (70°F & Cooling)

The days are starting to shorten.

It’s a grim reminder that another dark, dreary winter is coming; but there is still more work to do. You throw a thick hoodie over your head that matches your jeans and hiking boots, then grab a face shield – no – not a ‘Rona mask – something that will protect you from the wind.

While it’s not the end of the world, in some ways it certainly feels like it.

Water Level

While conditions heading into fall and winter are traditionally stable, the water is definitely cooling. Much like our warming trend in spring, except the pendulum is swinging back in the opposite direction.

In reservoirs that are part of a flood management system, the water levels are declining to what is called “winter pool”. Winter pool is when the water level is lowered. This can reduce ice damage to dams and shoreline structures, and allow for additional flood storage which will be necessary during the upcoming spring rains. Water fluctuations also discourage beavers and muskrats from creating shoreline habitat.

Before the water reaches it’s lowest point, shad will start to migrate to the backs of coves. If the water actually starts to rise, it can push bass further back into these coves as well – or scatter them. Many anglers turn to topwater this time of year, and suggest that flipping a jig becomes less effective.

Make sure you also spend some time working with jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits.

Slowly falling water won’t cause a dramatic change, but quick drops can move fish out onto flats, to the outer edges of weedbeds, or the ends of laydowns. They can even suspend out over deep water. If this is the case and the fish have moved out, fish the same presentations – but deeper.

Water Temperature

Even though the water temps are on a downward trend, most anglers would agree that this decline in water temperature has little effect on patterns or presentations.

Watch for extreme changes though – from 5°F to 10°F – or harsh weather conditions that can turn the fish off. Like we said before – slow down, downsize, and try finesse if the baits they were chewing on previously stop working.

Water Clarity

What baits do you have confidence in?

Use them.

This time of year the fish will be feeding up getting ready for winter. Clearer water conditions mean turning to more natural colors and shad-imitating presentations.

If inclement weather causes the water to muddy up, turn back to shallow cover and more obnoxious options. Try baits that are loud, brightly colored, or that kick off a lot of vibration. Fish tight to cover and if you don’t get bit, consider whether you are able to leave the area and find clearer water elsewhere on the lake.

In some cases, moving will be your best option.

Moving Forward

A quick look online proves most of your angling buddies are hanging it up for the season. They’re saying things like “well it was fun while it lasted!”, and “come on spring!” – or worse… “it’s a shame that it’s cooling off and the fish stopped biting…”

Some are trading their time on the water for time in a tree stand. Some are prepping snowmobiles. Others… they’ve just had enough of the wind and the cold and the rain that seem to pierce layers of clothing like a hot knife thru butter.

But you know better.

Fewer anglers means less pressure, more freedom to fish where you want when you want, and most importantly… peace. Many days you find yourself on the water alone.

Alone with your thoughts. Your goals. Your Creator.

Perhaps this time of year isn’t so much an end as it is a beginning?

Tight lines.

NEXT SECTION: Prespawn Reservoir Fishing Scenarios
PREVIOUS SECTION: The Summer Period (Over 70°F)

Still dark.

Early.

The faint smell of campfire hits your nostrils as you place your cap back upon your head. Some of the smoke from last nights fire has decided to linger – but you don’t mind. It’s the perfect compliment to the cup of black coffee you just poured yourself.

It’s summer… and we better get moving if we want to catch the morning bite.

Water Level

In summer the weather is more stable. Many bass have moved offshore to deeper structures, and they are less affected by the whims of Mother Nature.

As water rises and settles, the bass that have remained shallow move even further into shore. Starting with frogs, walking baits or buzzbaits can help you fish through this flooded cover.

Boat docks are a prime summer location, especially those with planks that sit closer to the water. Larger docks that offer extensive protection can attract more fish, especially if they are the last in a series of docks and the closest to deep water. Cast towards the outside edge, skip plastics up underneath, or run a swim jig right along the edge.

(Check out our Top 10 Swim Jigs if you’re looking for new gear.)

If the water recedes, fish will pull back offshore to the next available cover or suspend. A drop in depth of a foot or more is a good indicator that it’s time to look for deeper fish. Current is usually associated with a rise or fall in water levels, and current also has an impact on the position of fish.

Water Temperature

In summer changes in water temperature are rarely an issue. For the most part this is a stable period. Be mindful of huge swings – say 5°F to 10°F – or aggressive stormy weather that might “turn fish off”. When you’re able to get back out fish what was working previously, and if you don’t get bit – slow down, downsize, and try finesse.

Water Clarity

It takes a fair amount of time for shallow water to clear up in different parts of the country. As visibility increases, think stealth. Think natural colors. Think finesse for those fish that remain shallow.

If the water muddies up again, the fish can get displaced – even those that are deep-structure oriented. Muddy water means it’s time to focus on shallow cover.

Fish brighter. Fish tighter.

Grab a high-contrast spinnerbait with orange or chartreuse blades, a vibrating jig, squarebill crankbait or some jigs and soft plastics. In addition to the high-contrast colors, experiment with dark colors like black & blue. Dark colors can be more visible in dirty water.

Moving Forward

As the day comes to a close it’s time to tie the boat up for the evening. You notice a different smell as you wipe the sweat from your brow. It’s a bit fishy, but subtle – it smells like hard work. Like success.

You crack a smile.

Some men shy away from such a smell, but you pause for just a brief moment to relish in it as the sun starts to dip lower towards the horizon.

The lake glistens with a toasty orange haze and you turn back towards camp.

Time to get that fire going.

Tight lines.

NEXT SECTION: Fall into Winter (70°F & Cooling)
PREVIOUS SECTION: The Prespawn Period (55°F to 65°F)

Finally. It’s the end of the suck. Winter is dying. The water temperatures are coming back up, and the bass… well, the bass are moving shallow again to spawn.

This move won’t happen overnight. It takes time. It’s incremental. Therefore, it requires you the angler to explore and experiment to find the most effective depth to fish at.

It’s calm on the water.

But rest assured – the bass are moving beneath the surface.

Water Level

We’ve discussed how fish move shallow when the water rises (see Fluctuating Water Levels: Learning to Fish Rivers & Streams), and how they move out when the water falls. When the water is high, it’s not uncommon to see professional anglers working the first available cover that lies between shallow and deep water.

If you are in open water, turn towards a jerkbait or a lipless crankbait. Spinnerbaits are a great option in heavier cover, and don’t be afraid to try swim jigs. (If you have never tried this technique, check out this helpful guide: Learn How to Fish a Swim Jig or if you’re ready for some new gear, take a peek at our Top 10 Swim Jig Picks.)

All 4 of these presentations will help you cover a fair amount of water. This is a great way to find fish – but once you’ve found them, take some time to slow down and work the area over by pitching jigs and soft plastics into cover. Slower techniques can be fished more deliberately and help you dissect an area.

If the water is falling, bass are usually triggered into moving out from shore. They will leave shallow cover and spawning flats to head for the first drop outside of the spawning area, where the water is deeper. They may relate to a breakline (meaning a distinct drop or edge) or a creek channel, and they can set up at multiple depths within the water column.

This means that bottom-hugging presentations may work – but if the fish are suspended, something like a jerkbait can really shine.

A good way to search for fish during low water would be to start with the ends of laydowns and docks, steep banks, or any cover that protrudes out from shore into deeper water. Work the ends of these structures, searching for fish and work your way out fishing from top to bottom.

Water Temperature

On most bodies of water the temperature will fluctuate daily. High sun and bright skies can warm the water during the day, but cold nights can drop temps back down. Still, throughout the prespawn period there is definitely an upward trend in water warmth.

A good rule of thumb: don’t worry too much if the temperature swings 4°F or less from day to day. Usually – usually – temperature changes of this amount won’t have a major impact on the fish or their location. They’ll stay put. That said, if the fish are in very shallow water, they might move out.

If the cooling water has had an effect on the fish – start with the same presentations that were working the day before, move out to the next available cover or structure. Adjust your cadence. Slow down.

Water Clarity

Bass like to spawn in clear water.

Clear water means better visibility – for both you, and the fish.

Stealth mode: activate.

Start by fishing your confidence baits in natural colors. Shad colors, green pumpkins, finesse presentations and maybe even faster lure speeds. Faster lure speeds can trigger reaction strikes. The fish won’t get a great look at the bait, and they may attack out of pure instinct.

Shade can come into play, so make sure to explore shady areas throughout the day.

Depending on the conditions, clear water can turn muddy overnight. If the water muddies up and visibility drops, fish will hold tighter to cover and tend to stay in the area. You’ll need to fish up close to (or in) cover.

This is a good time to look to baits that will silhouette well like a black & blue jig, or something that stands out like an orange or chartreuse spinnerbait. Baits with more thump or appendages can come into play, as well as baits with more scent.

Fish brighter. Fish tighter.

When visibility drops – think about all of the senses of the bass and make it easier for them to find your offering. More contrast. More flash. More vibration. More scent.

Experiment with those adjustments in mind.

Moving Forward

Here in the Midwest, little changes in the weather around this time of year are extremely exciting. The days get longer. The air gets warmer. The bitter chill of winter starts to fade, giving way to small green buds on the trees and the reassuring sounds of songbirds.

Woodpeckers peck, peepers peep, and bulbs bloom.

The fish are on the move. It’s time for us to exit hibernation, venture forth from our winter haunts, and go visit our little green friends…

… even though they probably don’t miss us as much as we miss them.

Tight lines.

NEXT SECTION: The Summer Period (Over 70°F)
PREVIOUS SECTION: Differences in Natural Lakes & Reservoirs