The largemouth bass fishing is very good on Wilson Lake. In many areas of the lake, you could catch largemouth bass and smallmouth bass while fishing with the same lure in the same spots. However, if you are coming to target largemouth bass, there are plenty of places you can fish on this lake that will allow you to target largemouth bass. Since this lake fishes more like a lake compared to nearby Pickwick Lake, plan on finding plenty of largemouth bass along the shorelines around all types of cover such as rocks, weeds, wood and docks.
Catch Big Bass
Wilson Lake does not get talked about as much as nearby Pickwick lake when it comes to big bass, but this lake has good numbers of big smallies and largemouth bass. It is not uncommon to find largemouth bass and smallmouth bass above the 4 lb. mark caught pretty much year round on Wilson Lake.
Current Plays a Major Factor on Pickwick, Not as Much on Wilson
Current runs through Wilson Lake, but you don’t get as much current throughout the lake as you do on Pickwick Lake. As a result, Wilson Lake does fish a little bit more like a lake than a river, but if you are fishing during high water or in the areas with current, it can definitely be a factor. When the water isn’t high, the current will help position fish still, however, since it fishes more like a lake, many anglers report good success finding largemouth bass how they normally would on other lakes.
Fish the Creeks
There are lots of creek arms to fish on Wilson Lake. Spring and fall are usually the best times to fish these creeks for a variety of fish. Anglers do report good fishing in the summer for largemouth bass though in these creeks, but cover will be very important. Whether it be shady docks, lay downs overhanging trees or rocks, you will need to find some cover if you’re fishing the creeks in the summer.
Fish the Main Lake
On the main lake, you will have current, especially as you get closer to both dams. The current breaks will definitely help position a variety of fish, especially smallmouth bass. When the dams are releasing less water, this lake does fish more like a lake compared to Pickwick lake which has lots of current running through it. So depending on when you visit this lake to fish, you may be able to hit some good main Lake shorelines, ledges and points without having to deal with much current. If current isn’t the main driver then it’s going to be water temperature, baitfish, cover and drop-offs that will drive the better spots just like fishing a normal lake.
Fish the Points
There are a good amount of points to fish on Wilson Lake. From spring through fall, you should be able to find a good amount of fish on or around these points. Current can definitely play a major factor on what points are better to fish. Besides current, look for vegetation, rocks, wood and areas that have deep water close by will help to attract more fish.
Fish the Rocks
The rocky areas are known for holding a lot more smallmouth bass than largemouth bass, but you will definitely find some largemouth bass around the rocky areas too. Find the rocky areas with less current and some other type of cover such as weeds, wood or a dock and you’ll find more largemouth bass on both lakes.
Fish the Shorelines
There are miles of good shorelines to fish on Wilson Lake. This lake has plenty of rocks, wood and vegetation to go along with plenty of boat docks too. Bass anglers will find endless amounts of shoreline to target bass shallow.
Fish the Weeds
Wilson lake has lots of vegetation, which is great for largemouth bass and other species of fish too. You have a lot of options if you want to fish the weeds from shallow banks to drop-offs. Anglers catch tons of bass around several types of vegetation throughout Wilson Lake.
Fish the Wood
You’ll find plenty of wood throughout the lake if that’s something you want to fish. For the anglers that like to flip jigs, you are going to find a lot more vegetation to flip here than wood but you can very easily go from flipping vegetation to flipping wood and then back to vegetation as you move along the shoreline. You’re going to find a lot more largemouth bass around the wood, however, some banks will have a rocky shoreline with some lay downs and this is where you may find some smallmouth bass mixed in, especially if you’re fishing in the spring.
Learn More About Largemouth Bass
Our largemouth bass section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. Visit our largemouth bass page to learn more.