NOEoutdoors Fishing Report Lake Russell Second Week of October 2025

 

Fall patterns are locked in across Lake Russell, with surface temperatures now sitting around the mid 60s. The lake is mostly clear on the main body, with light stain in the creeks. The first strong cold fronts of the season have pushed bait into the pockets, and the bite is picking up when the weather stabilizes. Shad and herring are moving shallow, and both bass and stripers are following.

 

 

 

Bass

 

 

Bass fishing is steady and improving each week as water temperatures drop. Spotted and largemouth bass are roaming points, rocky transitions, and the backs of creeks chasing bait. Early mornings are ideal for topwater action try a walking bait, buzzbait, or fluke around shallow points and blow-throughs with visible baitfish activity.

 

During the day, switch to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or underspins in shad or chrome patterns. Fish deeper brush or rock piles with shaky heads or drop shots once the sun gets high. After a front, slow down your presentation long pauses and small plastics on light line will draw more bites when they’re finicky.

 

 

 

Crappie

 

 

Crappie fishing is strong as fish are stacking on brush piles, timber, and bridge pilings in 10–20 feet of water. The bite may dip briefly after a front, but it rebounds quickly with stable conditions.

 

Vertical jigging with small 1/32–1/16 oz jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics is producing. Chartreuse, white, and natural shad colors are the most consistent. Focus on mid-lake creeks like Beaverdam and Coldwater where water clarity is best. Slow trolling or spider rigging around brush in 15 feet can help you find the active schools.

 

 

 

Striper & Hybrid

 

 

Stripers and hybrids are active, following schools of herring and threadfin into the main creeks and coves. You’ll find them suspended 20–40 feet deep near the mouths of creeks or around long tapering points.

 

Early morning surface activity has picked up keep a topwater plug or fluke ready for busting fish. As the day goes on, switch to downlines with live herring or shad. Umbrella rigs and heavy swimbaits are also effective when trolling deeper water near the dam or the lower end of the lake.

 

 

 

Cold Front Tips

 

 

1. Stay Flexible: Cold fronts can scatter fish. Move often and cover water until you find bait and active fish.

2. Match the Mood: Downsize lures and slow your retrieve after a front. Smaller baits trigger more bites when fish are sluggish.

3. Fish the Warm-Up: The afternoon bite usually improves as the surface temperature rises and fish move back up to feed.

 

 

 

 

 

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