Largemouth bass are available in Lake Pepin, however, they are under fished by most anglers because this fishery is so good for walleye, sauger and northern pike. Most anglers will catch an occasional largemouth bass on accident here, but you can target them here and catch some good numbers of them if you know how to find them. Lake Pepin has good numbers of 2 to 2.5 pounders, but don’t expect to find too many big largemouth bass here.
Fish the Bays
There aren’t a ton of bays here on Lake Pepin, but there are enough of them to consider it a pattern for targeting largemouth bass. Any smaller bays are worth pursuing in the spring as water temperatures warm. Throughout the summer and fall, you’re going to want to seek out some vegetation in these bays and you may find some largemouth bass.
Fish the Current Breaks
When the river is high, you will have some current on Lake Pepin. This current will help position bait fish and the game fish will follow the bait fish. Target the slack water near the current breaks and you may find some largemouth bass.
Fish the Points
There are several points throughout the lake and they are worth fishing for largemouth bass. You can find some largemouth bass in the shallower water near the drop-offs from spring through fall.
Fish the Rocks
There is a lot of rock on Lake Pepin and many of these areas will be better for smallmouth bass than largemouth bass, but you can usually find some largemouth bass mixed in as well.
Fish the Shorelines
You can just work the shorelines and cast to obvious cover to target largemouth bass. There is a fishable population in the lake and many largemouth bass will stay shallow for most of the fishing season.
Fish the Weeds
There isn’t a ton of vegetation on Lake Pepin, but there is enough of it to use it as a pattern to target largemouth bass. Don’t be shocked if you find some pike mixed in these areas as well.
Fish the Wood
You can find wood throughout Lake Pepin and largemouth bass do relate to the wood. Most anglers will fish bass jigs around the wood for the best success.
Best Baits for Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass will eat so many different baits and there are so many different lures that are made for catching these fish. Anglers have more options than they really need, but since we have all these options, it’s nice to know about the different baits that are available.
Minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches are definitely the best live baits for largemouth bass. When it comes to artificial lures, you have so many options. Soft plastic worms, lizards, crayfish baits and minnows work great. Hard baits such as crankbaits, topwater lures, spinnerbaits, jigs and jerkbaits are also all awesome choices for largemouth bass.
To learn more, take a look at our pages below.
Best Live Baits for Largemouth Bass
Best Lures for Largemouth Bass
Best Rigs for Largemouth Bass
There are so many different rigs for largemouth bass. While you definitely don’t need to use all of them to consistently catch bass, it is important to learn how some of the rigs will help you fish certain areas or certain baits in a way to catch more fish. Most good bass anglers will use several different rigs in a variety of situations to consistently catch quality largemouth bass.
The standup jighead, Texas rig, drop shot rig, wacky rig and Carolina rig are definitely some of the best rigs for largemouth bass page.
Best Techniques for Largemouth Bass
There are many different techniques that are used for largemouth bass fishing. Casting a variety of baits to cover water is most popular, however, flipping & pitching is one of the best ways to catch bass around shallow water cover.
To learn more, take a look at our best techniques for largemouth bass page.
Learn More About Largemouth Bass
Our largemouth bass fishing section has tons of tips on the best lures, live baits, where to catch them and how to catch them.
Visit our largemouth bass fishing website to learn more.
