Fishing Report For Randleman Lake, NC

Current Report: Good To Very Good

FALL. Now that late Fall taking over, bass are moving out of shallow coves and shallow bays, following schools of baitfish back into 10 to 20 feet of water. Quality fish are coming from points around Little Squam and Bear Cove, as well as islands and rocky shores in the central narrows. and points in the upper section of Muddy Creek. Currently jerkbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, artificial worms, spoons and jigs are catching most of the bass. Later in Fall, as deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps where flutter spoons, jigs and drop shots are often good choices in 12 to 20 feet of water.

WINTER. Randleman Lake is closed to anglers during the months of December through February.

SPRING. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water nearby spawning areas. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Vibrating jigs, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 2 to 18 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 2 to 8 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water, around 10 to 18 feet deep. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms, jigs, worms, and swimbaits catch bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they will be caught in 2 to 10 feet of water, on topwater lures, square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a variety of other lures. Wacky-rigged stick worms always catch finicky bass when the bite is slow. During Summer, keep an eye on the thermocline to determine the maximum depth to fish, as there is very little oxygen below the thermocline. Largemouth bass here feed on shad, herring, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 8 to 30 feet deep. Some of the best reports seem to be from anglers fishing around submerged stumps, laydowns, fish habitat near the marina and Southwest Park, and along creek channel edges in the Muddy Creek and Deep River arms.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Crappie fishing has been great at Randleman Lake for the last 5 years. The crappie are nice and fat, feeding on threadfin and gizzard shad.

FALL. Now that Late Fall is upon us, baitfish, are moving back into deeper water, are crappie are joining them. They are feeding heavily in preparation for the cold Winter, in 6 to 18 feet of water. Minnows, hair jigs, and crappie jigs, are good options during this feeding marathon. Late fall starts the migration deeper, toward winter holding areas, for both crappie and baitfish. Small flutter spoons, fished in 15 to 20 feet of water, are a good option during this transition. Good results are coming around points, creek channels, and brush piles.

WINTER. Randleman Lake is closed to anglers during the months of December through February.

SPRING. In early Spring, crappie begin staging in 2 to 8 feet of water, just outside spawning bays and shallow flats. Spring is prime time to be on the water, as both black crappie and white crappie have moved shallow to spawn. Vegetation, brush and wood are where most anglers catch crappie using small crappie jigs or live minnows. After the spawn, crappie typically move outside the spawning area and hold on cover close by, in 8 to 20 feet of water. Early and late in the day they are being caught in 5 to 10 feet of water. Once they move deep, anglers report success using fish finders and forward facing sonar to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Light tackle, with 4 lb to 8 lb line, is a popular choice.

SUMMER. Water temperatures get quite warm, and crappie fishing is usually pretty good. They feed in 8 to 15 feet of water early and late in the day, until the hot Summer sun causes them to retreat to depths of 10 to 25 feet. Also, a few have embedded in the shade of slightly shallower vegetation. Good areas to explore include submerged stumps, laydowns, brush piles, fish habitat, humps and creek channel ledges in the Muddy Creek and Deep River arms. Anglers are also locating schools of crappie hanging over deep structure and around creek channel edges, using fish-finder electronics.