Fall fishing in the West: what bites and where

What the fish do in fall

• Largemouth bass: Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
• Trout: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Smallmouth bass: Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.
• Crappie: Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
• Catfish: Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.

1. Fort Peck Lake, Montana

At 245,000 acres of water, Fort Peck Lake is a huge piece of water. Walleye, northern pike, lake trout and smallmouth bass are the draw. At about 220 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank to work.

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

2. Lake Powell, Utah

Lake Powell spreads over 161,000 acres. The fish here are striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye. It goes down to about 583 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

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

3. Lake Mead, Nevada

At 158,000 acres of water, Lake Mead is a huge piece of water. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. The deepest water is around 532 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

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

4. Flathead Lake, Montana

At some 126,000 acres, Flathead Lake is a huge piece of water. Expect lake trout, yellow perch, northern pike and trout. It goes down to about 371 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

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

5. Lake Tahoe, California

At 122,000 acres of water, Lake Tahoe is a huge piece of water. Expect lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 1645 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.

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

6. Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

At 93,900 acres of water, Lake Pend Oreille is a huge piece of water. Trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike are the draw. The deepest water is around 1152 ft.

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

7. Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming

Flaming Gorge Reservoir covers some 42,000 acres. The fish here are lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 436 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho

Coeur d'Alene Lake covers 31,900 acres. Expect largemouth bass, northern pike, kokanee salmon and trout. It goes down to about 194 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Coeur d'Alene Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Shasta Lake, California

Shasta Lake spreads over some 30,000 acres. Expect trout, spotted bass, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. At about 517 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

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

10. Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico

At about 27,300 acres, Elephant Butte Lake is a big lake. It holds largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. It goes down to about 197 ft.

Elephant Butte Lake 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.