Clear Lake Seasonal Guide - When Should You Go?
March-June
Aside from the bass spawn, there are several other reasons springtime is a fantastic time to be out on Clear Lake. First, the water level is usually going to be higher following winter rainfall. Second, water quality and clarity is going to be pretty good because algae blooms have not taken over just yet. Third, the scenery in springtime is beautiful! It’s always great to fish with a nice backdrop…
Of course, with Spring being prime-time for bass anglers, it’s no surprise that a lot of tournaments come to Clear Lake during this time. This means increased fishing pressure and boat traffic, especially on weekends.
Weather here is normally mild and quite comfortable April through early June. There is always a chance of an occasional rain shower in the Spring, so plan on bringing rain gear or waterproof clothing.
When is the fishing best at Clear Lake? It’s a common question with no common answer. Anytime from March to October will have an opportunity for great fishing. November to February is what many would probably consider ‘off-season’, but there are still opportunities to catch bass during those months, as well as catfish and crappie.
Here are a few general tips:
Whether you fish with me or not, I recommend planning your fishing trip during week (Mon-Fri) if possible. Weekends have increased fishing pressure with more weekend warriors and tournament traffic on the water. This is especially true on holiday weekends.
Check out the CA DFW Tournament Schedule to see when bass tournaments are taking place here - you may want to plan your trip around that. More tournament traffic generally means more pressure on the fish.
Weather here is highly variable and changes quickly. A nice warm couple of weeks in June can be interrupted by rain showers; a few cool days in October can suddenly turn unseasonably warm. Bring shorts, sweaters and everything in-between regardless of when you’re coming.
July-August
By July, the 100+ degree days are more common, with water temps climbing into the 80s. Algae blooms are in full effect, along with prolific weed growth. These are both intensified during low water years. It’s also worth noting that we have more daylight this time of year – so it’s time to get out on the water early, or stay out extra late in the evening to beat the heat.
In low light conditions, you can usually find a good shallow topwater bite in the right areas. As the sun rises, that topwater bite will fade in lieu of more targeted, structure-specific applications. Most of the bass this time of year are in a post-spawn phase. Shad and bluegill actively spawn during the summer – both are key forage for bass.
I personally love fishing this time of year. Some of the tournament traffic begins to subside, and a nice early morning topwater bite is hard to beat!
September-November
A true Fall pattern will start to emerge around mid-September when night time temperatures start dipping back into the 40s. This, coupled with shorter days and less direct sunlight, causes weeds to die back and the once-dominant algae to go dormant.
Cooler temperatures drive bass out of their summer pattern as they begin to feed more actively, rather than selectively. You may also see bass grouping together to chase baitfish into the backs of bays and coves. This is a classic Fall pattern indicator. Like Spring, a wide variety of reaction presentations will work from underspins, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, lipless crankbaits, swim jigs, swimbaits, flukes, topwaters and more.
Fall days offer relief from the summer heat, along with a nice change in scenery and abundant wildlife activity - truly a great time to be on the lake!
December-February
Winters here are usually damp and quite cold, with occasional breaks of warm and dry conditions. By late December, water temperatures are usually settled into the 40s to 50s. Higher elevations in the county may see a dusting of snow, but it rarely snows at lake level and the lake itself never freezes.
Fishing this time of year is rewarding for those who are patient and can bear the cold. Bites become fewer and more subtle, as bass are more lethargic and less aggressive in cooler water.
One of the best opportunities to catch a true trophy bass is on a warming trend at the tail end of winter - this is often when the biggest females start moving from deeper to shallower water in search of spawning grounds.
