Largemouth Bass fishing at Budd Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 4 to 12 ft, and by winter most fish are in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Budd Lake

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 8 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Chain Pickerel fishing at Budd Lake

Start shallow in spring: chain pickerel sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 2 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for chain pickerel in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A weedless spoon + trailer or a buzzbait covers the summer program.

Brown Bullhead fishing at Budd Lake

Start shallow in spring: brown bullhead sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 4 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for brown bullhead in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Channel Catfish fishing at Budd Lake

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 10 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Yellow Perch fishing at Budd Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

How deep is Budd Lake?

Budd Lake is about 12 ft (4 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Budd Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel, brown bullhead on Budd Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Budd Lake?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Budd Lake?

For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.