What fish bite in fall in the South?

Crappie, Largemouth bass and Catfish. Scattered after the spawn. Try docks and brush at mid depth.

Which lake is best for fall fishing in the South?

Kentucky Lake in Kentucky has a strong fall bite; Lake Okeechobee is a good second choice.

Fall fishing in the South: what bites and where

As the water cools, bait moves into creeks and coves and the fish follow. Fall is the best month of the year on many lakes. Here is how the fish of the South behave in fall, and 10 lakes that suit the season.

What the fish do in fall

Crappie: Scattered after the spawn. Try docks and brush at mid depth.
Largemouth bass: Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
Catfish: Active. Evenings and nights are best.
Striped bass: Warming. Early-morning topwater, then they go deep.
White bass: Schools chasing bait on points. Watch for splashes.

1. Kentucky Lake, Kentucky

At 160,000 acres, Kentucky Lake is a huge piece of water. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 75 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work.

Kentucky Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Okeechobee, Florida

Lake Okeechobee covers 467,000 acres. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. At about 12 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. The lake bed gives you a sheltered cove and an upper arm to work.

Lake Okeechobee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana

Lake Pontchartrain spreads over 403,000 acres. It holds catfish, white bass and largemouth bass. The deepest water is around 65 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has a wind-blown bank and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Pontchartrain today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Toledo Bend Reservoir, Texas

Toledo Bend Reservoir spreads over 186,000 acres. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It goes down to about 110 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.

Toledo Bend Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas

Sam Rayburn Reservoir spreads over some 114,000 acres. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. It goes down to about 80 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and a wind-blown bank to work.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill), Georgia

Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) covers 71,100 acres of water. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 180 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Guntersville, Alabama

At 69,000 acres, Lake Guntersville is a huge piece of water. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill are the draw. The deepest water is around 60 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Guntersville today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky

At some 65,500 acres, Lake Cumberland is a huge piece of water. The fish here are striped bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and crappie. It goes down to about 197 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Cumberland today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Texoma, Oklahoma

Lake Texoma spreads over 89,000 acres of water. It holds striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. Its bed shows two sheltered coves and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Lake Texoma today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Hartwell, South Carolina

At some 56,000 acres, Lake Hartwell is a huge piece of water. Striped bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass and crappie are the draw. The deepest water is around 185 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Hartwell today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Reading the water

Before a fall trip, look at three numbers on the lake page: the water temperature, the wind and the bite windows. Together they say where the fish are and when they feed.