Buy 4, Get 1 FREE Great Lakes Finesse. Save Now

20% Off ALL Terminal Tackle, With Code: TERMINAL20. Save Now

Fish With Seth Feider 2025 Giveaway. Enter To Win

Buy One, Get One FREE P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon. Learn More

PRO members get free shipping, rewards & local lake data! Join Today

Markdowns on popular products - See all bargain offers

Omnia Fishing
  • Search Site
Omnia Fishing
Terrain View
Fishing Reports
Hotbaits
Map Pins
Water Layers
Weather Layers
My Waypoints
My Lakes

Occoquan Reservoir

Published: Updated:

Spring Fishing Patterns on Occoquan Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass55-65
  • Bass are transitioning to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves before spawning. They're relating to transition areas between winter and spawning grounds.
  • Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior during morning hours, particularly around hard structure and wood cover as evidenced by recent catch reports.
  • Points adjacent to bluff walls with wood cover - primary staging areas as confirmed by recent 21lb bag
  • Dock pilings with hard bottom - producing quality fish as shown by 9.5lb morning catch
  • Shallow heavy wood in creeks - secondary pattern mentioned in reports
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) - producing quality bites including recent 5lb fish
  • Structure Jigs - effective around dock pilings and hard bottom areas
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with underspin - confirmed by recent 7lb catch
  • Alewife - specifically mentioned in recent fishing reports
  • Crawfish - indicated by success of bottom-oriented presentations
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Green Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Northern Snakehead57-68
  • Pre-spawn snakeheads begin moving from deeper winter areas to warmer, shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on emerging vegetation and protected coves
  • Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with fish becoming more aggressive in preparation for spawning
  • Shallow, protected coves with emerging vegetation where water warms first
  • Transition areas between winter depths and spawning flats, particularly near river channels
  • Areas with laydowns and other woody cover adjacent to spawning flats
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through emerging vegetation
  • Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through vegetation and near laydowns
  • Lipless Crankbaits worked just above submerged vegetation
  • Bluegill beginning to move shallow
  • Small baitfish schools in transition areas
  • Juvenile panfish in emerging vegetation
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass62-75
  • Bass are actively spawning in shallow protected areas, particularly in coves and near shore structure. Males are guarding nests while females move between spawning areas and nearby deeper water
  • Fish are highly territorial and aggressive in defending nesting sites, but may be less focused on feeding. Pre/post spawn fish utilize staging areas near spawning flats
  • Protected shallow coves with hard bottom near deeper water access
  • Secondary points and flats adjacent to spawning areas
  • Areas with laydowns and dock structures providing cover near spawning flats
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover
  • Wacky Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for cruising females
  • Shakey Heads for working transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water
  • Bluegill concentrating in spawning areas
  • Shad moving into warmer shallow waters
  • Juvenile crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
  • Natural Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)Northern Snakehead65-75
  • Snakeheads actively moving into shallow, vegetated areas for spawning, with males guarding nests fiercely
  • Increased aggression and territorial behavior, especially around spawning sites in matted grass and submerged vegetation
  • Most active during early morning and late evening, moving between spawning areas and nearby ambush points
  • Shallow vegetated bays and coves with matted grass, especially near shore
  • Edges of submerged vegetation adjacent to slightly deeper water
  • Protected areas near laydowns and woody structure with nearby vegetation
  • Frogs/Toads worked slowly across matted vegetation
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily along vegetation edges
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked through gaps in vegetation
  • Bluegill concentrating in spawning areas
  • Small baitfish gathering in vegetated areas
  • Juvenile panfish in shallow cover
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass65-75
  • Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, showing aggressive behavior towards shad and bluegill in shallow to mid-depth zones
  • Fish are utilizing ambush points near deep water access, particularly around points and bluff walls
  • Points adjacent to bluff walls, especially those with quick access to deeper water
  • Laydowns and woody cover in shallow to mid-depth zones
  • Secondary points with nearby spawning flats
  • Hard Body Swimbaits worked quickly with pauses near structure
  • Bladed Jigs around laydowns and wood cover
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits parallel to bluff walls
  • Shad - primary forage based on recent success
  • Bluegill - secondary forage noted in shallow cover areas
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Northern Snakehead65-75
  • Post-spawn snakeheads are actively feeding to recover energy, moving from spawning areas to established hunting territories in vegetation
  • Fish are becoming more aggressive and territorial, patrolling shallow vegetation edges and ambush points
  • Shallow grass mats and submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
  • Points and pockets with matted vegetation adjacent to deeper water
  • Laydowns and woody structure near vegetated areas
  • Frogs/Toads worked slowly across grass mats with frequent pauses
  • Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with soft plastics worked through vegetation gaps
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily along vegetation edges
  • Bluegill concentrating in shallow vegetation
  • Small baitfish gathering in warming shallows
  • Natural Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Chartreuse Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
SummerLargemouth Bass78-89
  • Fish are actively ambushing prey around key structure, particularly during low light periods
  • Bass are relating to shade and cover during hot summer conditions, using docks and laydowns as primary ambush points
  • Laydowns near deeper water access
  • Dock pilings and shade lines
  • River channel edges with cover
  • Bladed Jigs worked around cover
  • Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through cover
  • Swim Jigs parallel to structure
  • Bluegill
  • Alewife
  • Green Colors
  • Natural Craw Colors
SummerNorthern Snakehead75-89
  • Snakeheads are highly active and aggressive in summer, frequently patrolling shallow vegetated areas and hunting bluegill
  • Fish are most active during early morning and evening hours, moving to slightly deeper adjacent areas during peak heat
  • Thick matted grass and vegetation in 1-4 feet of water
  • Points and laydowns adjacent to vegetated areas
  • Shallow coves with submerged vegetation
  • Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) on weighted hooks through vegetation
  • Buzzbaits along vegetation edges during low light periods
  • Bluegill and other sunfish
  • Small bass and other juvenile fish
  • Frogs and amphibians
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Occoquan Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
FallLargemouth Bass57-72
  • Bass are actively feeding on shad along grass edges, showing aggressive chase behavior as they prepare for winter
  • Fish are following baitfish movements to shallow areas, particularly during lower light conditions
  • Grass edges adjacent to deeper water, especially in areas with matted vegetation
  • Secondary points with vegetation
  • Shallow coves where baitfish are schooling
  • Spinnerbaits worked parallel to grass edges
  • Bladed Jigs burned through sparse grass
  • Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked around points
  • Shad schooling in shallow areas
  • Bluegill relating to grass edges
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Natural Shad Colors
FallNorthern Snakehead65-85
  • Northern Snakeheads are actively feeding on bluegill in matted vegetation and shallow cover areas, preparing for reduced winter activity
  • Fish are becoming more aggressive in their feeding patterns as water temperatures begin to cool, making them susceptible to reaction strikes
  • Thick submerged vegetation mats in shallow water areas
  • Points and irregularities in shoreline with vegetation coverage
  • Protected coves with abundant vegetation and bluegill populations
  • Texas Rigs (Worming) with soft plastics worked through vegetation
  • Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation
  • Bladed Jigs along vegetation edges
  • Bluegill
  • Other small panfish
  • Small baitfish
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

SeasonSpeciesWater TempBehavioral PatternsKey LocationsBest TechniquesForage TypesBait Colors
WinterLargemouth Bass42-52
  • Largemouth bass become more lethargic and group up in deeper water near key structural elements, typically feeding during warmer parts of the day
  • Fish tend to suspend near vertical structure and bluff walls, moving up in the water column during sunny periods to warm up
  • Deep bluff walls adjacent to points, especially those with wood cover
  • River channel bends with access to both deep water and shallow flats
  • Protected coves with deep water access, particularly those with laydowns
  • Blade Baits worked vertically along bluff walls and channel edges
  • Football Jigs dragged slowly along deeper structure
  • Shakey Heads worked methodically around wood cover in 15-25 foot range
  • Shad schools concentrated in deeper water
  • Bluegill holding tight to available cover in protected areas
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Green Colors
WinterNorthern Snakehead45-57
  • Snakeheads become more lethargic but still need to feed, concentrating in deeper channels and near warm water sources
  • Fish tend to group up more in winter, often found in pods around high-percentage areas with reduced movement
  • River channels and deeper holes adjacent to vegetation
  • Points and laydowns near deeper water access
  • Areas where channels intersect with shallow flats that warm quickly on sunny days
  • Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly near bottom
  • Blade Baits worked with controlled lifts and drops
  • Live Bait Rigs near structure with extended soak times
  • Bluegill seeking winter refuge in deeper water
  • Small baitfish schooling in channels
  • Crawfish emerging from winter holes on warmer days
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Purple Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Occoquan Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesPrimary StructureSecondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassPoints adjacent to bluff walls with wood cover - primary staging areas as confirmed by recent 21lb bagDock pilings with hard bottom - producing quality fish as shown by 9.5lb morning catch
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Northern SnakeheadShallow, protected coves with emerging vegetation where water warms firstTransition areas between winter depths and spawning flats, particularly near river channels
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassProtected shallow coves with hard bottom near deeper water accessSecondary points and flats adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)Northern SnakeheadShallow vegetated bays and coves with matted grass, especially near shoreEdges of submerged vegetation adjacent to slightly deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassPoints adjacent to bluff walls, especially those with quick access to deeper waterLaydowns and woody cover in shallow to mid-depth zones
Spring (Post-Spawn)Northern SnakeheadShallow grass mats and submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of waterPoints and pockets with matted vegetation adjacent to deeper water
SummerLargemouth BassLaydowns near deeper water accessDock pilings and shade lines
SummerNorthern SnakeheadThick matted grass and vegetation in 1-4 feet of waterPoints and laydowns adjacent to vegetated areas
FallLargemouth BassGrass edges adjacent to deeper water, especially in areas with matted vegetationSecondary points with vegetation
FallNorthern SnakeheadThick submerged vegetation mats in shallow water areasPoints and irregularities in shoreline with vegetation coverage
WinterLargemouth BassDeep bluff walls adjacent to points, especially those with wood coverRiver channel bends with access to both deep water and shallow flats
WinterNorthern SnakeheadRiver channels and deeper holes adjacent to vegetationPoints and laydowns near deeper water access

Primary Forage by Season

SeasonSpeciesPrimary ForageSecondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth BassAlewife - specifically mentioned in recent fishing reportsCrawfish - indicated by success of bottom-oriented presentations
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Northern SnakeheadBluegill beginning to move shallowSmall baitfish schools in transition areas
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth BassBluegill concentrating in spawning areasShad moving into warmer shallow waters
Spring (Spawn)Northern SnakeheadBluegill concentrating in spawning areasSmall baitfish gathering in vegetated areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth BassShad - primary forage based on recent successBluegill - secondary forage noted in shallow cover areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)Northern SnakeheadBluegill concentrating in shallow vegetationSmall baitfish gathering in warming shallows
SummerLargemouth BassBluegillAlewife
SummerNorthern SnakeheadBluegill and other sunfishSmall bass and other juvenile fish
FallLargemouth BassShad schooling in shallow areasBluegill relating to grass edges
FallNorthern SnakeheadBluegillOther small panfish
WinterLargemouth BassShad schools concentrated in deeper waterBluegill holding tight to available cover in protected areas
WinterNorthern SnakeheadBluegill seeking winter refuge in deeper waterSmall baitfish schooling in channels

Bait Colors by Season for Occoquan Reservoir

SeasonSpeciesBait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Green Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)Northern Snakehead
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Natural Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)Northern Snakehead
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Largemouth Bass
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)Northern Snakehead
  • Natural Craw Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Chartreuse Colors
SummerLargemouth Bass
  • Green Colors
  • Natural Craw Colors
SummerNorthern Snakehead
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Chartreuse Colors
FallLargemouth Bass
  • Chartreuse Colors
  • Natural Shad Colors
FallNorthern Snakehead
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Vibrant Craw Colors
WinterLargemouth Bass
  • Natural Shad Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Green Colors
WinterNorthern Snakehead
  • Natural Baitfish Colors
  • Dark Neutrals
  • Purple Colors