Best Water Temperature for Bass Angling + Chart

The best water temperature for bass fishing is between 66°F to 75°F. Bass are more active and feed aggressively in this range, providing optimal conditions for anglers.

35-45 °F

I can tell you from personal experience that bass become incredibly sluggish and less active in water temperatures between 35°F and 45°F. Their metabolism slows down, making them less likely to chase after lures or bait.

Patience and slow-moving presentations are crucial to enticing these lethargic bass during this colder period.

Here is a list of baits, lures, and techniques that work well during cold conditions:

• Suspending jerkbaits work well, mimicking dying baitfish’s slow and erratic movements.
• Use hair or silicone skirted jigs to imitate crawfish or baitfish, with slow, subtle hops or drags.
• Drop shot rigs with finesse worms or small soft plastics for a subtle presentation near the bottom.
• Blade baits – Vibration and flash help attract bass in colder water; use a slow retrieve with occasional pauses.
• Opt for smaller, slow-sinking swimbaits and retrieve at a slow, steady pace.
• Soft plastic worms, rigged Texas or Carolina style – fish with a slow dragging motion along the bottom.
• A jigging spoon imitates a dying baitfish – use a slow, vertical jigging technique.

46-55 °F

Bass start to become more active in water temperatures between 46°F and 55°F. Their metabolism increases, and they move from deeper waters towards shallower areas to feed. They’ll respond better to moving baits and lures during this transition period.

Adjust your presentations, focusing on areas where baitfish congregate or near structure, as bass will actively search for food in these warmer waters.

• Lipless crankbaits effectively cover water quickly – retrieve steadily or use a stop-and-go technique to mimic fleeing baitfish.
• Use slow-rolling spinnerbaits to cover water and target bass near structure or cover.
• Suspending jerkbaits imitate wounded baitfish with erratic twitches and pauses.
• Chatterbaits create vibration and flash with a steady retrieve, targeting bass in shallow waters and around cover.
• Squarebill crankbaits are ideal for deflecting off cover and triggering reaction strikes from bass in shallow water.
• Using a slow, steady retrieve to mimic baitfish, soft plastic swimbaits on a jig head or weighted hook.
• Use silicone skirted or hair jigs with subtle hops or crawls to imitate crawfish or baitfish near the bottom.
• Finesse worms on a shaky head, drop shot, or Ned rig for a slow and subtle presentation near the bottom or around structure.

56-65 °F

Bass are most active in water temperatures between 56°F and 65°F. During this time, they feed aggressively to prepare for spawning and can be found in shallow areas, making them more accessible. Take advantage of this period by using various presentations and targeting structures like weed lines, docks, and timber.

Be ready to experiment with different lures and techniques, as bass will be more likely to strike various baits.

• Spinnerbaits – Use a steady or stop-and-go retrieve to cover water and target bass around cover and structure.
• Retrieve chatterbaits steadily, focusing on shallow waters and cover areas to trigger strikes with vibration and flash.
• Soft plastic swimbaits rigged on a jig head or weighted hook and retrieve at a moderate pace to mimic baitfish.
• Use frogs, poppers, or walking baits to trigger explosive strikes near the surface, especially during low light conditions.
• Pitch or flip silicone skirted or hair jigs around docks, timber, or vegetation to imitate crawfish or baitfish.
• Texas-rigged soft plastics creature baits, worms, or tubes and target bass around cover or structure with a slow to moderate retrieve.
• Senko or stick baits rigged wacky-style or weightless Texas-rigged for a slow, tantalizing fall that bass can’t resist.

66-75 °F

Bass exhibit peak activity in water temperatures between 66°F and 75°F. They tend to spawn and actively guard their nests during this period, which makes them highly territorial. Targeting shallow areas, flats, and cover is crucial, as bass will be protective and more likely to strike at anything that comes close.

Don’t hesitate to try various lures and techniques, as bass can be aggressive and opportunistic feeders in these optimal conditions.

• Use poppers, walking baits, or frogs to provoke aggressive surface strikes, especially during low light conditions.
• Spinnerbaits – Cover water and target bass near structure and vegetation with steady or stop-and-go retrieves.
• Bounce squarebill crankbaits off cover in shallow waters to trigger reaction strikes from active bass.
• Chatterbaits employ steady retrieves, focusing on shallow water and cover to generate vibration and flash that entice bass.
• Soft plastic swimbaits rigged on a jig head or weighted hook and mimic baitfish with a moderate pace retrieve.
• Texas-rigged soft plastic creature baits, worms, or tubes to target bass around structure or cover with a slow to moderate retrieve.
• Pitch or flip silicone skirted jigs around structure to imitate crawfish or baitfish.
• Senko or stick baits rigged wacky-style or weightless Texas-rigged for a slow, enticing fall that bass find irresistible.
• Use soft plastic lizards or creature baits to target bedding bass during the spawn, provoking protective instincts.

76-85 °F

In water temperatures between 76°F and 85°F, bass tend to seek cooler, deeper waters or shaded areas to escape the heat. They’ll still feed, but their activity levels may vary throughout the day. Early morning and late afternoon become prime feeding times, so adjusting your approach is essential.

Target shaded areas, deeper water, and structure to increase your chances of hooking up with bass during this warm period.

• Use deep-diving crankbaits to target bass in deeper waters or on offshore structure, such as ledges and humps.
• Carolina-rigged soft plastics to probe deeper structure and cover with a slow, dragging motion.
• Fish football or heavy silicone skirted jigs around offshore structure, rocks, or drop-offs, using slow hops or crawls.
• Use finesse worms or small soft plastics to present a subtle bait near the bottom in deeper water.
• Target shaded areas and structure during low light periods with frogs, poppers, or walking baits.
• Spinnerbaits – Slow-roll in deeper water or near cover to target bass seeking cooler temperatures.
• Flutter spoons use a vertical jigging technique in deeper water to mimic a dying baitfish and trigger reaction strikes.

86-95 °F

In water temperatures between 86°F and 95°F, bass tend to be more stressed and less active due to the heat. They’ll seek refuge in deeper, cooler waters, or find shaded spots near structure or cover. During this period, early morning and late afternoon become crucial feeding times.

Patience, persistence, and adapting your tactics to target bass in their hiding spots will increase your chances of success in these challenging conditions.

• Deep-diving crankbaits to target bass in deeper waters or offshore structure, such as ledges and humps, with steady retrieves.
• Rig creature baits, worms, or tubes to probe deeper structure and cover with a slow, dragging motion.
• Drop shot rigs to present finesse worms or small soft plastics subtly near the bottom in deeper water.
• Topwater lures to focus on shaded areas and structure during low light periods with frogs, poppers, or walking baits.
• Slow-roll spinnerbaits in deeper water or near cover to target bass seeking cooler temperatures.
• Soft plastic swimbaits – Rig on a jig head or weighted hook and retrieve at a moderate pace to mimic baitfish in deeper waters.
• Texas-rigged soft plastics to target shaded areas or deeper structure with slow to moderate retrieves using creature baits, worms, or tubes.