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Douglas Lake

Published: Updated:

Spring Fishing Patterns on Douglas Lake

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass47-57
  • Fish are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
  • Bass are relating heavily to transition areas between deep water and spawning flats, particularly around river channels and points
  • River channels adjacent to pea gravel flats and points
  • Secondary points and back of pockets with rip rap
  • Brush piles along transitional banks
  • Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly along transition banks
  • Swim Jigs around channel edges
  • Lipless Crankbaits around grass flats and rip rap
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') near brush piles and stumps
  • Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports
  • Blueback Herring - noted in spring reports
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass45-55
  • Transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding but still relating heavily to bottom structure
  • Showing preference for rocky structure where the bottom transitions to slightly warmer water
  • Boulder fields and rock piles in 8-15 foot depth range
  • Transition areas where river channels meet main lake structure
  • Bluff walls adjacent to spawning flats
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along bottom
  • Ned Rigs worked through rocky areas
  • Drop Shot with small profile baits
  • Shad
  • Crawfish emerging from winter habitat
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Crappie47-59
  • Crappie are transitioning from winter patterns, staging in large schools at 10-12ft depths over deeper water (25-30ft), actively feeding on shad
  • Fish are suspended in the water column, following large bait schools in open water/basin areas during pre-spawn staging
  • Creek channels in 25-30ft of water, particularly where fish are suspended 10-12ft down
  • Main lake points near deep water access
  • Protected coves with transitional depth changes leading to spawning areas
  • Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) at 1 mph along creek channels
  • Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) targeting suspended schools in open water
  • Crappie Spider Rigging to precisely target suspended fish at specific depths
  • Shad (primary forage based on multiple fishing reports)
  • Small baitfish schools suspending at similar depths
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill55-65
  • Moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
  • Gathering in schools near spawning flats, focusing on areas with emerging vegetation and warming water
  • Protected creek mouths and coves with emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depth
  • Brush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning flats in 6-10 foot depth
  • Secondary points leading into spawning bays
  • Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms suspended near cover
  • Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly around emerging vegetation
  • Finesse Hair Jigs worked methodically through brush piles
  • Small insects and larvae beginning to emerge with warming water
  • Young-of-year shad in creek mouths and protected areas
  • Small crustaceans around vegetation and woody cover
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass52-65
  • Bass are actively engaging in spawning behavior, moving between staging areas and shallow spawning flats
  • Fish are relating heavily to shoreline structure, particularly wood and rock transitions as reported
  • Movement patterns suggest a transition phase with 57°F water temperature indicating pre-spawn to spawn conditions
  • Rock transitions on 45-degree or steeper banks, as specifically noted in recent success
  • Laydowns and wood cover near shoreline, particularly in protected areas
  • Points with access to deeper water, especially given recent Ned rig success
  • Shakey Heads with 7-inch finesse worms, proven effective in recent reports
  • Ned Rigs, particularly effective on points as reported
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow wood cover
  • Shad, confirmed as primary forage in reports
  • Crawfish, indicated by successful crawdad-colored presentations
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth Bass48-58
  • Pre-spawn smallmouth bass transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, making frequent stops at staging points near spawning areas
  • Males actively searching for and preparing nest sites in protected areas with hard bottom, while females remain in slightly deeper water
  • Protected rocky coves and pockets with gravel or small boulder bottom composition
  • Transition areas between deep winter haunts and spawning flats, especially around bluff walls
  • Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel near spawning bays
  • Tubes worked slowly along rocky transitions and potential bed areas
  • Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements around staging points
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to bluff walls
  • Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
  • Small shad schools in creek arms and coves
  • Small bluegill near spawning areas
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)Crappie58-68
  • Staging in shallow coves and protected areas (2-6 feet) for spawning, with males building and guarding nests while females move in and out of spawning areas
  • Highly aggressive territorial behavior from males guarding nests, making them more likely to strike at intrusive baits
  • Females staging slightly deeper (6-10 feet) near spawning areas, moving shallow periodically for spawning activity
  • Protected shallow coves with hard bottom and scattered wood cover
  • Shallow creek arms with stable water temperatures
  • Secondary points leading into spawning bays
  • Crappie Dock Shooting
  • Bobbers
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
  • Shad concentrating in spawning areas
  • Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish
  • Juvenile yellow perch
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill65-75
  • Spawning activity with males building and guarding nests in shallow protected areas
  • Aggressive territorial behavior, especially from males defending nests
  • Concentrating in large numbers in spawning colonies near shoreline structure
  • Protected coves with firm bottom in 2-4 feet of water
  • Areas near submerged vegetation and brush piles in shallow water
  • Creek mouth flats with scattered cover
  • Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-3 feet deep
  • Live Bait Rigs with small hooks and split shot
  • Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through spawning areas
  • Small insects and larvae
  • Juvenile shad
  • Plankton and microscopic organisms
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass65-77
  • Post-spawn bass are actively feeding and transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, with many fish relating to bait schools and showing aggressive surface feeding behavior
  • Fish are showing mixed depth patterns - some actively feeding shallow around cover while others are staging on deeper structure like points and river channels
  • Laydowns and floating docks near spawning pockets where shad are spawning
  • River rock points in the middle portion of the lake
  • Submerged vegetation and tree lines in shallow water
  • Swim Jigs around floating docks and laydowns during shad spawn
  • Carolina Rigs worked slowly along points with river rock
  • Hard Topwater (Walking) for schooling fish
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in vegetation and cover
  • Spawning Shad
  • Bream/Bluegill
  • Insects
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass58-68
  • Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, typically holding near rocky structure in 8-15 foot depths
  • Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, showing aggressive feeding behavior during stable weather
  • Bluff walls with boulder transitions
  • River channel rocky areas with current breaks
  • Main lake points with mixed rock and gravel
  • Drop Shot worked slowly along bluff walls
  • Tubes dragged and hopped through boulder fields
  • Shakey Heads worked on main lake points
  • Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
  • Small shad schools
  • Juvenile bluegill in shallow rock areas
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)Crappie62-72
  • Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
  • Schools are beginning to suspend near deeper structure, following shad movements in the water column
  • Main lake points adjacent to spawning bays where fish stage during transition
  • Brush piles and standing timber in 12-20 foot depths
  • Creek channel edges where they intersect with flats
  • Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) to cover water and locate active schools
  • Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around identified structure
  • Crappie Spider Rigging for precise depth control in suspended schools
  • Shad schools suspending near structure
  • Small bluegill and sunfish near shallow cover
  • Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill65-75
  • Post-spawn bluegill are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to slightly deeper structure
  • Fish are establishing summer patterns, congregating around brush piles and vegetation edges in 8-12 foot range
  • Feeding activity increases during morning and evening hours, with fish moving shallower during these prime periods
  • Brush piles and stumps in 8-12 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
  • Creek mouth transitions where vegetation meets deeper water
  • Protected coves with submerged vegetation and cover
  • Live Bait Rigs worked slowly around brush piles
  • Bobbers with small jigs suspended near cover
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around vegetation edges
  • Small insects and larvae near vegetation
  • Young-of-year shad in creek mouths
  • Plankton and micro-invertebrates around brush piles
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
SummerLargemouth Bass78-88
  • Actively feeding on shad in both shallow and deep areas, with strong topwater activity during low light periods and hot conditions (84°F reported)
  • Relating heavily to cover like brush piles, stumps, and laydowns, utilizing these structures as ambush points
  • River channel areas with stumps and laydowns
  • Brush piles in deeper water
  • Shallow areas with good cover, especially early and late in the day
  • Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') with aggressive 'burn and pause' retrieve
  • Hard Topwater (Popping) during low light periods and over brush
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') in river areas
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around heavy cover
  • Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports)
  • Insects (evidenced by topwater popper success)
  • Crappie (noted in brush pile areas)
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
SummerSmallmouth Bass68-82
  • Actively feeding around laydowns and bluff walls, showing aggressive behavior in summer patterns
  • Utilizing vertical structure for temperature regulation, moving between shallow and deeper water throughout the day
  • Laydowns on bluff walls - primary feeding zones
  • Rocky points with boulder structure
  • River channel edges with hard structure
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) - primary technique for targeting laydowns
  • Football Jigs - effective for working rocky structure
  • Drop Shot - for suspended fish near vertical structure
  • Shad - primary forage base noted in lake profile
  • Crawfish - likely present around rocky structure and bluffs
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
SummerCrappie72-85
  • Crappie will be suspending near thermocline depth, typically 12-15 feet, following large schools of shad in open water areas
  • During early morning and evening, fish move shallower to feed around cover in 5-8 feet of water, especially around dock structures
  • Deep dock structures adjacent to creek channels, especially those in 15-20 feet of water
  • Main lake points with submerged brush in 12-15 feet
  • Suspended schools in open water near creek channel bends
  • Crappie Dock Shooting - highly effective for reaching fish holding tight under docks during hot summer days
  • Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) - effective for covering water and finding suspended schools
  • Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') - precise presentation for dock and brush pile fish
  • Shad - primary forage base suspending in open water
  • Small Bluegill - secondary forage around dock structures
  • Small Minnows - abundant around brush piles and creek channels
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
SummerPanfish / Bluegill68-84
  • Actively feeding in and around vegetation and brush piles, particularly during early morning and evening hours
  • Establishing colonies near submerged cover in 8-12 foot depth range during peak daytime temperatures
  • Moving between shallow feeding areas and deeper resting locations throughout the day
  • Submerged brush piles and laydowns in 8-12 foot range
  • Creek mouth areas with vegetation
  • Shallow coves with abundant cover during morning/evening
  • Bobbers with small jigs suspended near cover
  • Live Bait Rigs worked slowly around structure
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near brush piles
  • Small insects and larvae around vegetation
  • Young-of-year shad in creek mouths
  • Aquatic invertebrates near brush piles
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Douglas Lake

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
FallLargemouth Bass34-65
  • Bass are actively chasing shad schools in shallow to mid-depth areas, particularly around creek mouths and points, with increased feeding activity during bait migrations
  • Fish are beginning to transition deeper as temperatures cool, showing both shallow feeding periods and deeper suspended patterns
  • Main lake points and creek mouths where shad are congregating
  • Channel swing banks with chunk rock transitions
  • Secondary points inside creek pockets
  • Lipless Crankbaits worked through shallow flats and creek mouths
  • Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') targeting rock transitions in 8-10ft range
  • Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly when fish are scattered and following bait
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly for suspended fish
  • Threadfin Shad - primary forage moving in large schools
  • Gizzard Shad - larger baitfish present in main lake areas
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
FallSmallmouth Bass70-76
  • Actively chasing shad and blueback herring in the middle water column, particularly along bluff walls and river channels
  • Exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior with water temperatures between 70-76°F, taking advantage of fall baitfish migrations
  • Bluff walls adjacent to river channels where baitfish are congregating
  • Boulder fields and rocky structure in main lake areas
  • Main river channel edges with vertical structure
  • Hard Body Swimbaits burned parallel to bluff walls
  • Shallow running crankbaits around boulders and rocky structure
  • Spinnerbaits worked along channel edges
  • Shad schools migrating along bluff walls
  • Blueback Herring in open water near structure
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
FallCrappie52-68
  • Crappie are following shad schools into creek arms and coves as water cools, suspending at mid-depths around structure
  • Becoming more aggressive in feeding to build up reserves for winter, creating concentrated feeding periods in morning and evening
  • Creek channel bends with adjacent timber in 15-25 foot depths
  • Main lake points near deep water access
  • Brush piles and standing timber in 12-18 feet of water
  • Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along creek channels and points
  • Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around brush piles and timber
  • Crappie Spider Rigging near suspended schools
  • Shad schools migrating into creeks
  • Small sunfish near structure
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
FallPanfish / Bluegill55-68
  • Bluegill are transitioning to deeper water and beginning to school more tightly as water temperatures cool, actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter
  • Fish are relating closely to structure like brush piles and creek channels, becoming more concentrated in these areas
  • Brush piles and stumps in 8-12 foot range near creek channels
  • Deep dock edges with nearby deeper water access
  • Creek mouth transitions where baitfish concentrate
  • Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms suspended just above structure
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with micro jigs around cover
  • Bobbers with adjusted depths to target suspended schools
  • Small shad and shad fry congregating in schools
  • Aquatic insects still active in moderating temperatures
  • Small crawfish around structure
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Pink Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
WinterLargemouth Bass42-48
  • Bass are holding in deeper water, typically 25-45 feet, especially around points and structure, with selective feeding periods during stable weather
  • Fish are responding well to vertical presentations and showing preference for slower, methodical retrieves with periodic pauses
  • Deep points with access to brush piles in 25-45 foot range
  • Deep flats with isolated cover or structure
  • Channel bends with adjacent brush piles
  • Blade Baits worked with short pulls and pauses
  • Lipless Crankbaits worked like blade baits in slightly shallower water
  • Ned Rigs worked slowly around deeper structure
  • Shad concentrations in deeper water
  • Alewife schools around points
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
WinterSmallmouth Bass42-48
  • Smallmouth bass are congregating in deeper water near vertical structure, especially around bluff walls and boulder fields, with less active feeding patterns
  • Fish are moving slowly and staying close to bottom structure, occasionally suspending near steep breaks to conserve energy
  • Deep river channel edges adjacent to bluff walls (15-30 feet)
  • Boulder fields and rock piles in 20-35 foot depth range
  • Steep dropping points with access to deep water
  • Blade Baits worked vertically with slow lifts and long pauses
  • Drop Shot with subtle movements near bottom structure
  • Football Jigs dragged slowly across rocky bottom
  • Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with methodical presentations
  • Sluggish winter crawfish
  • Deep-holding shad schools
  • Small bottom-dwelling prey fish
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
WinterCrappie38-48
  • Suspending in deep main lake basins and creek channels in large schools, typically at 20-30ft depths
  • Following and feeding on large shad schools during stable weather periods
  • Moving shallower during warming trends, especially in afternoon hours
  • Deep creek channel bends and intersections in 25-30ft range
  • Main lake points adjacent to deep water basins
  • Protected coves with deep water access during severe weather
  • Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) - work jigs slowly through suspended schools
  • Damiki Rig - effective for suspended fish when marked on electronics
  • Blade Baits - excellent for triggering reaction strikes in cold water
  • Shad schools concentrated in deep water
  • Small sunfish in protected areas
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Pink Colors
WinterPanfish / Bluegill34-45
  • Bluegill form tight schools in deeper brush piles and creek channels during winter, often suspending near structure
  • Feeding activity is reduced but still occurs during warmer parts of the day, especially around submerged cover
  • Creek mouths and river channels in 8-12 foot range with brush piles
  • Submerged brush piles near depth transitions
  • Deep coves with abundant cover
  • Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
  • Live Bait Rigs
  • Finesse Hair Jigs
  • Small insects and larvae
  • Juvenile shad
  • Zooplankton
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Douglas Lake

SeasonSpeciesPrimary StructureSecondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassRiver channels adjacent to pea gravel flats and pointsSecondary points and back of pockets with rip rap
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth BassBoulder fields and rock piles in 8-15 foot depth rangeTransition areas where river channels meet main lake structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)CrappieCreek channels in 25-30ft of water, particularly where fish are suspended 10-12ft downMain lake points near deep water access
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillProtected creek mouths and coves with emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depthBrush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning flats in 6-10 foot depth
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassRock transitions on 45-degree or steeper banks, as specifically noted in recent successLaydowns and wood cover near shoreline, particularly in protected areas
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth BassProtected rocky coves and pockets with gravel or small boulder bottom compositionTransition areas between deep winter haunts and spawning flats, especially around bluff walls
Spring (Spawn)CrappieProtected shallow coves with hard bottom and scattered wood coverShallow creek arms with stable water temperatures
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / BluegillProtected coves with firm bottom in 2-4 feet of waterAreas near submerged vegetation and brush piles in shallow water
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassLaydowns and floating docks near spawning pockets where shad are spawningRiver rock points in the middle portion of the lake
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth BassBluff walls with boulder transitionsRiver channel rocky areas with current breaks
Spring (Post-Spawn)CrappieMain lake points adjacent to spawning bays where fish stage during transitionBrush piles and standing timber in 12-20 foot depths
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillBrush piles and stumps in 8-12 foot range adjacent to spawning flatsCreek mouth transitions where vegetation meets deeper water
SummerLargemouth BassRiver channel areas with stumps and laydownsBrush piles in deeper water
SummerSmallmouth BassLaydowns on bluff walls - primary feeding zonesRocky points with boulder structure
SummerCrappieDeep dock structures adjacent to creek channels, especially those in 15-20 feet of waterMain lake points with submerged brush in 12-15 feet
SummerPanfish / BluegillSubmerged brush piles and laydowns in 8-12 foot rangeCreek mouth areas with vegetation
FallLargemouth BassMain lake points and creek mouths where shad are congregatingChannel swing banks with chunk rock transitions
FallSmallmouth BassBluff walls adjacent to river channels where baitfish are congregatingBoulder fields and rocky structure in main lake areas
FallCrappieCreek channel bends with adjacent timber in 15-25 foot depthsMain lake points near deep water access
FallPanfish / BluegillBrush piles and stumps in 8-12 foot range near creek channelsDeep dock edges with nearby deeper water access
WinterLargemouth BassDeep points with access to brush piles in 25-45 foot rangeDeep flats with isolated cover or structure
WinterSmallmouth BassDeep river channel edges adjacent to bluff walls (15-30 feet)Boulder fields and rock piles in 20-35 foot depth range
WinterCrappieDeep creek channel bends and intersections in 25-30ft rangeMain lake points adjacent to deep water basins
WinterPanfish / BluegillCreek mouths and river channels in 8-12 foot range with brush pilesSubmerged brush piles near depth transitions

Primary Forage by Season

SeasonSpeciesPrimary ForageSecondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassShad - primary forage based on multiple reportsBlueback Herring - noted in spring reports
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth BassShadCrawfish emerging from winter habitat
Spring (Pre-Spawn)CrappieShad (primary forage based on multiple fishing reports)Small baitfish schools suspending at similar depths
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillSmall insects and larvae beginning to emerge with warming waterYoung-of-year shad in creek mouths and protected areas
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassShad, confirmed as primary forage in reportsCrawfish, indicated by successful crawdad-colored presentations
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth BassCrawfish emerging from winter dormancySmall shad schools in creek arms and coves
Spring (Spawn)CrappieShad concentrating in spawning areasSmall bluegill and juvenile sunfish
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / BluegillSmall insects and larvaeJuvenile shad
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassSpawning ShadBream/Bluegill
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth BassCrawfish emerging from winter dormancySmall shad schools
Spring (Post-Spawn)CrappieShad schools suspending near structureSmall bluegill and sunfish near shallow cover
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / BluegillSmall insects and larvae near vegetationYoung-of-year shad in creek mouths
SummerLargemouth BassShad (primary forage based on multiple reports)Insects (evidenced by topwater popper success)
SummerSmallmouth BassShad - primary forage base noted in lake profileCrawfish - likely present around rocky structure and bluffs
SummerCrappieShad - primary forage base suspending in open waterSmall Bluegill - secondary forage around dock structures
SummerPanfish / BluegillSmall insects and larvae around vegetationYoung-of-year shad in creek mouths
FallLargemouth BassThreadfin Shad - primary forage moving in large schoolsGizzard Shad - larger baitfish present in main lake areas
FallSmallmouth BassShad schools migrating along bluff wallsBlueback Herring in open water near structure
FallCrappieShad schools migrating into creeksSmall sunfish near structure
FallPanfish / BluegillSmall shad and shad fry congregating in schoolsAquatic insects still active in moderating temperatures
WinterLargemouth BassShad concentrations in deeper waterAlewife schools around points
WinterSmallmouth BassSluggish winter crawfishDeep-holding shad schools
WinterCrappieShad schools concentrated in deep waterSmall sunfish in protected areas
WinterPanfish / BluegillSmall insects and larvaeJuvenile shad

Bait Colors by Season for Douglas Lake

SeasonSpeciesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Crappie
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)Smallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)Crappie
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)Smallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)Crappie
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Panfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
SummerLargemouth Bass
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
SummerSmallmouth Bass
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
SummerCrappie
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
SummerPanfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
FallLargemouth Bass
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
FallSmallmouth Bass
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
FallCrappie
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Dark Neutrals
FallPanfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Pink Colors
WinterLargemouth Bass
  • Bold Striped Patterns
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
WinterSmallmouth Bass
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Bold Striped Patterns
WinterCrappie
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Pink Colors
WinterPanfish / Bluegill
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Pink Colors
  • Bold Striped Patterns