How to Fish Lake Tawakoni: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Lake Tawakoni

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Tawakoni

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-68	Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to prepare for spawning Fish are showing increased aggression and responsiveness to reaction baits in warming water conditions	Back half of pockets and creek arms with stained water Points leading into spawning areas Laydowns and brush along the bank	Spinnerbaits worked along laydowns and brush Bladed Jigs (Chatterbaits) in stained water areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with slow steady retrieve and occasional twitches	Shad schools beginning pre-spawn movements Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	58-68	Pre-spawn catfish are beginning to move from winter deep-water haunts to shallower staging areas, becoming more active with warming water temperatures Feeding activity increases as catfish prepare for spawning, with most active periods during dawn and dusk in the moderately turbid conditions	Transition areas between deep winter holes (25-45 feet) and shallow flats with flooded timber Creek channels and ditches leading to spawning flats Areas with submerged brush and timber in 15-25 foot depth range	Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or live bait positioned near structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges and near timber Carolina Rigs with fresh cut bait dragged slowly along transition areas	Shad schools beginning to move shallow Bottom-dwelling prey such as crawfish becoming more active	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	51-62	White bass are staging near deep structure adjacent to spawning areas, actively feeding on shad schools in preparation for the spawn Fish are suspending over humps and following baitfish schools, showing aggressive feeding behavior in low-light conditions	Main lake humps in 20+ feet of water that are near spawning tributaries Deep points adjacent to creek channels Steep shoreline breaks near major tributaries	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Umbrella Rigs Spoons	Shad schools suspended over deep structure Small baitfish congregating near creek channels	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on protected pockets with flooded brush and laydowns where they'll establish nests in 1-3 feet of water Fish are becoming increasingly territorial and aggressive, defending nest sites and responding to sight-based presentations	Protected shallow pockets with firm bottom near flooded brush and laydowns in 1-3 feet of water Secondary points and shallow flats adjacent to spawning pockets Dock areas providing overhead cover near spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover in spawning pockets Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through spawning areas Wacky Rigs worked methodically around visible cover and beds	Crawfish becoming more active in shallow water Bluegill moving shallow with warming trends Shad schools in tributary areas and spawning pockets	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	62-75	Moving into shallower water (5-15 feet) near shoreline structure to prepare for spawning Males actively seeking and preparing nesting sites in protected areas with firm bottom composition Increased feeding activity as fish bulk up before spawning, particularly active during dawn and dusk	Flooded brush and timber in 5-15 feet of water, especially in protected coves Areas with firm bottom composition near shoreline structure Secondary points and channel swings with adjacent shallow flats	Live Bait Rigs with fresh cut shad or live bait positioned near structure Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) when targeting fish around visible cover Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') for precise presentation in timber	Shad (primary forage base confirmed in reports) Crawfish (active in spring in shallow areas) Bluegill (spawning in similar areas)	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	58-68	Actively migrating upstream towards spawning areas, congregating in large schools near creek mouths and tributaries Aggressive feeding behavior during pre-spawn, targeting shad in shallow to mid-depth ranges Males staging in spawning areas while females move in and out with weather patterns	Creek mouths and tributary intersections with the main lake Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water near points Current-swept humps and underwater ridges in 15-25 foot range	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked through schools Inline Spinners cast parallel to shoreline structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around bait schools	Shad schools congregating near spawning areas Small baitfish in tributary zones Young-of-year sunfish in shallow areas	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	51-83	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding near shallow cover, making aggressive pushes into 1-3 feet of water as temperatures warm into the 60s Fish are relating heavily to shad spawns early in the day around hard surfaces, then transitioning to brush and dock areas as the day progresses	Flooded brush and timber in 1-3 feet of water in creek arms Docks with adjacent brush in 3-6 feet of water Rip rap and seawall banks during early morning shad spawns	Structure Jigs flipped to flooded brush and dock posts Bladed Jigs worked around brush and timber Hard Topwater (Popping) during morning shad spawns Spinnerbaits around standing timber and brush	Shad spawning on hard surfaces during early morning hours Bluegill in and around flooded brush and dock areas	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	65-75	Post-spawn catfish are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing the abundant shad population and moving between different depth zones Fish are utilizing flooded brush and timber as ambush points, particularly during low-light periods	Secondary points with flooded timber in 15-25 foot depths Channel edges near shallow flats where shad are congregating Brush piles and woody structure along the complex shoreline	Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or live bait positioned near structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around timber and brush Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through brush piles	Shad (primary forage base) Bottom-dwelling invertebrates and crawfish	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	62-72	Post-spawn white bass are actively schooling and feeding in open water, transitioning from spawning areas back to main lake structure Fish are following large shad schools and exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior, especially during low-light periods due to moderate turbidity	Main lake humps and underwater elevation changes in 15-25 foot range where current breaks concentrate baitfish Secondary points near creek channels where shad schools congregate Open water areas adjacent to spawning tributaries where fish stage during their return to main lake patterns	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with aggressive lift-drop action to trigger reaction strikes Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked at varying depths through suspended schools Umbrella Rigs to mimic schooling baitfish and trigger competitive feeding response	Shad schools (primary forage based on lake reports) Small baitfish concentrating around structure	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-85	Bass are actively feeding during early morning and late evening, utilizing shallow cover as ambush points During midday heat, fish move tight to shaded areas under docks and thick brush for comfort while remaining shallow Aggressive feeding behavior around shad schools in 1-3 feet of water, especially near points and creek arms	Shaded docks and brush in 1-5 feet of water Creek arm intersections with main lake Shallow points with flooded brush	Frogs/Toads worked over shallow brush and around docks Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) into thick cover Bladed Jigs around shallow points and creek arms Buzzbaits during low light periods	Shad schooling in shallow water Bluegill around dock posts and brush Crawfish in shallow brush areas	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Catfish	72-85	Actively feeding in shallower areas during early morning and late evening, moving to deeper structures during midday heat Utilizing flooded brush and timber as ambush points, particularly aggressive during low-light periods Responding strongly to scent trails in the turbid water conditions	Flooded timber and brush in 8-15 feet of water Deep channel edges adjacent to shallow flats Complex points with access to both shallow and deep water	Live Bait Rigs with cut or live shad Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Shad (primary forage base) Bottom-dwelling invertebrates Small sunfish and crawfish	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	White Bass	75-83	White bass are actively schooling in deeper water (15-25 feet) during summer, following large shad schools Most aggressive feeding occurs during early morning and late evening, with fish moving shallower during these periods Fish suspend near humps and points during midday, using these structures as reference points to ambush prey	Main lake humps and points in 15-25 foot depth range Creek channel edges adjacent to flats where shad schools congregate Secondary points with access to deeper water	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Trolling Mid Depth (10-19')	Threadfin and Gizzard Shad schools Small Yellow Bass Juvenile Sunfish	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Tawakoni

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass are actively feeding on crawfish in shallow water zones (1-3 feet), using laydowns as primary ambush points Fish are staying shallow due to abundant cover and forage, with increased feeding activity during fall cooling period	Laydowns in 1-3 feet of water, especially those near shore Shallow brush piles adjacent to creek channels Dock areas with nearby wood cover	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) - primary technique for targeting laydowns Spinnerbaits - effective for covering water between cover Bladed Jigs - excellent for stained water conditions	Crawfish - primary forage based on recent reports Bluegill - secondary forage in shallow cover Shad - opportunistic forage in shallow areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Catfish	58-72	Active feeding during moderate fall temperatures, with catfish utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones for foraging Transitioning between summer and winter patterns, following baitfish movements and responding to cooling water temperatures	Flooded brush and timber areas providing excellent ambush points Deep channel edges near shoreline structure Areas with concentrated baitfish schools, particularly around points and coves	Live Bait Rigs with fresh cut bait or live shrimp Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near structure Bottom fishing with Carolina Rigs using cut bait	Shad schools Small bottom-dwelling fish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	White Bass	65-75	White bass are schooling aggressively, following shad schools in open water and along structure breaks Fish are displaying pelagic feeding behavior, often suspending at mid-depths near structure and making periodic surface feeding runs	Main lake humps and underwater elevation changes in 15-25 foot range Points and creek channel intersections where current creates baitfish congregation Secondary points with access to deeper water	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with heavy spoons or blade baits when fish are holding deep Umbrella Rigs cast through suspended schools when fish are actively feeding Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along depth changes	Shad schools congregating in large numbers Small baitfish suspending near structure	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-55	Fish remain shallow (1-5 feet) and tightly grouped around dense cover like brush and laydowns, moving minimally to conserve energy Feeding windows are shorter and more focused during warmer parts of the day, with fish becoming more active on sunny days	Protected brush piles and laydowns in 1-3 feet of water, especially those receiving afternoon sun Shallow docks with good cover, particularly those in protected pockets Protected creek arms with abundant cover near slightly deeper water	Bladed Jigs worked slowly through cover, allowing for both vibration and slow presentations Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily near cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked methodically around visible cover	Shad schooled in protected areas Bluegill relating to shallow cover	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Catfish	42-52	Catfish are holding in deep winter locations (25-45 feet) but maintaining active feeding patterns on both live and cut bait Fish are congregating near deep structural elements like ledges and channel bends, moving less than in warmer seasons but still actively feeding	Deep ledges in 25-45 foot range with nearby channel access Deep timber and brush piles in main lake areas Deep creek channel bends with structure	Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or live bait positioned near bottom Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with stinkbait or cut bait Structure Jigs worked slowly through deep cover	Shad (primary winter forage based on reports) Bottom-dwelling prey (crawfish, small fish)	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Winter	White Bass	45-55	White bass are schooling in deeper water, suspending near underwater humps and creek channels following shad schools Most active during low-light periods and overcast conditions due to moderate turbidity, moving shallower during these times Feeding behavior is more lethargic but opportunistic, with fish congregating in areas of concentrated baitfish	Deep creek channel bends and intersections in 20-30 feet of water Underwater humps adjacent to deep water Secondary points near major creek channels	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Blade Baits Spoons	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water Small baitfish suspending near structure	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Tawakoni

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Back half of pockets and creek arms with stained water	Points leading into spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	Transition areas between deep winter holes (25-45 feet) and shallow flats with flooded timber	Creek channels and ditches leading to spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	Main lake humps in 20+ feet of water that are near spawning tributaries	Deep points adjacent to creek channels
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow pockets with firm bottom near flooded brush and laydowns in 1-3 feet of water	Secondary points and shallow flats adjacent to spawning pockets
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Flooded brush and timber in 5-15 feet of water, especially in protected coves	Areas with firm bottom composition near shoreline structure
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	Creek mouths and tributary intersections with the main lake	Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water near points
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Flooded brush and timber in 1-3 feet of water in creek arms	Docks with adjacent brush in 3-6 feet of water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	Secondary points with flooded timber in 15-25 foot depths	Channel edges near shallow flats where shad are congregating
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	Main lake humps and underwater elevation changes in 15-25 foot range where current breaks concentrate baitfish	Secondary points near creek channels where shad schools congregate
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shaded docks and brush in 1-5 feet of water	Creek arm intersections with main lake
Summer	Catfish	Flooded timber and brush in 8-15 feet of water	Deep channel edges adjacent to shallow flats
Summer	White Bass	Main lake humps and points in 15-25 foot depth range	Creek channel edges adjacent to flats where shad schools congregate
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns in 1-3 feet of water, especially those near shore	Shallow brush piles adjacent to creek channels
Fall	Catfish	Flooded brush and timber areas providing excellent ambush points	Deep channel edges near shoreline structure
Fall	White Bass	Main lake humps and underwater elevation changes in 15-25 foot range	Points and creek channel intersections where current creates baitfish congregation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Protected brush piles and laydowns in 1-3 feet of water, especially those receiving afternoon sun	Shallow docks with good cover, particularly those in protected pockets
Winter	Catfish	Deep ledges in 25-45 foot range with nearby channel access	Deep timber and brush piles in main lake areas
Winter	White Bass	Deep creek channel bends and intersections in 20-30 feet of water	Underwater humps adjacent to deep water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools beginning pre-spawn movements	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	Shad schools beginning to move shallow	Bottom-dwelling prey such as crawfish becoming more active
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	Shad schools suspended over deep structure	Small baitfish congregating near creek channels
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish becoming more active in shallow water	Bluegill moving shallow with warming trends
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Shad (primary forage base confirmed in reports)	Crawfish (active in spring in shallow areas)
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	Shad schools congregating near spawning areas	Small baitfish in tributary zones
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad spawning on hard surfaces during early morning hours	Bluegill in and around flooded brush and dock areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	Shad (primary forage base)	Bottom-dwelling invertebrates and crawfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	Shad schools (primary forage based on lake reports)	Small baitfish concentrating around structure
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in shallow water	Bluegill around dock posts and brush
Summer	Catfish	Shad (primary forage base)	Bottom-dwelling invertebrates
Summer	White Bass	Threadfin and Gizzard Shad schools	Small Yellow Bass
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish - primary forage based on recent reports	Bluegill - secondary forage in shallow cover
Fall	Catfish	Shad schools	Small bottom-dwelling fish
Fall	White Bass	Shad schools congregating in large numbers	Small baitfish suspending near structure
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooled in protected areas	Bluegill relating to shallow cover
Winter	Catfish	Shad (primary winter forage based on reports)	Bottom-dwelling prey (crawfish, small fish)
Winter	White Bass	Shad schools concentrated in deeper water	Small baitfish suspending near structure

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Tawakoni

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Catfish	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Catfish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	White Bass	Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Assorted Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Catfish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Winter	White Bass	Vibrant Assorted Colors Bold Striped Patterns Chartreuse Colors

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