New Hogan Lake Fishing Report 2024 [Tips, Spots, Pictures, and Everything You Need to Know]

New Hogan Lake in California is the perfect spot to cast your line and have a bass-tastic time, however it can be a challenge to breakdown this lake.  Lucky for you we created this New Hogan Lake fishing report! Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect when you’re fishing in this bass haven:

Water Clarity

If you’re a fan of clear water, you’re in for a treat! New Hogan Lake’s water clarity ranges from stained to slightly murky, making it a perfect environment for bass to thrive. Remember, folks, the less they see, the more they bite!

Structures and Fishing Cover

New Hogan Lake offers a wide variety of structures and cover that’ll keep you and the fish hooked. Here are some prime bass-holding spots:

1. Rip-rap: These rocky banks are a bass magnet! Look for steep banks, and don’t forget to cast parallel to the shoreline.
2. Points: When bassin’ around points, you’ll be casting into gold! Focus on irregularities and don’t be afraid to go deep.
3. Docks: Bass just love to hang out around the pilings. Drop your jig or Texas rig, and you’ll be dock-tor Bass in no time!
4. Submerged Timber: These woody structures are perfect for ambush feeding. Pitch a jig or swimbait, and you’ll have a bass blast!

Springtime Fishing Forecast

Spring at New Hogan Lake is an angler’s delight, as bass become increasingly active during this time of year. However, to truly make the most of your fishing adventure, it’s essential to understand the local weather patterns and water temperatures. So, buckle up and let’s dive into the springtime forecast at New Hogan Lake!

Spring Weather Patterns

Springtime at New Hogan Lake brings varying weather conditions, with temperatures steadily rising as the season progresses. Here’s a snapshot of the average conditions during spring months:

• Air Temperature: Spring air temperatures at New Hogan Lake can fluctuate quite a bit. In February, the average high is around 60°F, while in March, it increases to around 65°F. By April, you can expect even warmer conditions, with average highs around 73°F.

• Wind Speed & Direction: Wind patterns at New Hogan Lake during spring can be a bit unpredictable, but they generally fall in the range of 5-15 mph. Prevailing winds tend to come from the west and northwest, which can create ideal conditions for bass fishing, as they push baitfish towards the shorelines.

Average Water Temperature

Understanding water temperature is crucial for successful bass fishing, as it influences their behavior and feeding patterns. During spring, water temperatures at New Hogan Lake can vary quite a bit:

• February: Water temperatures in February are usually on the cooler side, averaging around 50°F. This means bass may still be in their winter patterns, with a slower metabolism and less aggressive feeding habits. However, as the month progresses, expect them to become more active and move towards shallow water in search of warmer temperatures.

• March: As spring continues to warm up the lake, water temperatures in March typically range from 55°F to 60°F. This is when you’ll start to see bass becoming more aggressive, as they move towards shallow water in preparation for the spawn. Keep an eye out for bass cruising the shallows, as they’re likely on the hunt for a suitable nesting site.

• April: April sees water temperatures rising even further, generally reaching 60°F to 65°F or even higher. This marks the peak of the spawn, and bass are likely to be guarding their nests or seeking out post-spawn recovery spots. Target areas with a mix of shallow and deeper water, as bass may be transitioning between the two as they recover from the rigors of spawning.

Bass Spawn Season and Locations

At New Hogan Lake, bass typically begin spawning in late March to early April, when water temperatures reach 60-65°F. The spawn can last through May, depending on weather conditions and water temperatures. Bass prefer shallow areas with a mix of hard and soft bottoms for nesting. Some key locations to target during the spawn include:

• Fiddleneck Cove: This cove features shallow flats with ample cover, making it a prime spot for bass to spawn and guard their nests.

• Deer Flat: Similar to Fiddleneck Cove, Deer Flat offers shallow areas and cover, providing an attractive spawning location for bass.

• Backside of Whiskey Creek: The backside of Whiskey Creek is known for its shallow waters, making it an excellent spot to find spawning bass.

Crappie Spawn Season and Locations

Crappie at New Hogan Lake usually start spawning a bit later than bass, typically beginning in April and lasting through May. The ideal water temperature for crappie spawning is around 60°F. Crappie prefer to spawn in shallow water with ample cover, such as submerged brush, rocks, and vegetation. Some popular spots for targeting spawning crappie include:

• Coyote Creek: This creek offers an abundance of submerged cover that crappie find ideal for spawning.

• Bear Creek Inlet: The shallow waters and cover provided by the inlet create an attractive location for crappie to spawn.

• Whiskey Creek Arm: The numerous submerged trees and brush piles in this area offer prime spawning habitat for crappie.

Post-Spawn Bass Behavior and Locations

After the spawn, bass tend to move from their shallow nesting areas to deeper water in search of cooler temperatures and recovering from the rigors of spawning. Key locations to target post-spawn bass at New Hogan Lake include:

• Main Lake Points: Bass often move to main lake points, where they can find deeper water and a variety of baitfish. Target points near Deer Flat and Fiddleneck Cove for the best results.

• Drop-offs and Ledges: Bass will often seek out drop-offs and ledges that provide access to both shallow and deep water. The area surrounding Whiskey Creek Arm offers several promising spots with this type of structure.

• Submerged Timber and Brush Piles: Post-spawn bass often congregate around submerged timber and brush piles, where they can find cover and ambush prey. Explore the areas around Coyote Creek and Bear Creek Inlet for these types of structures.

Summertime Fishing Forecast

During the summer months of May through August, New Hogan Lake experiences warm to hot weather, with air temperatures ranging from 70°F to 95°F. 

Winds are generally light to moderate, blowing from the northwest at 5 to 15 mph. It’s not uncommon for afternoons to be breezy, with winds picking up during the day and diminishing in the evening.

Here’s what the fish are chew’in on during hot summer…

In the summer, the primary forage for bass and crappie in New Hogan Lake consists of various baitfish species, including threadfin shad and juvenile bluegill. 

Threadfin shad, in particular, become abundant and form large schools, making them an important food source for both bass and crappie. 

Additionally, crawfish become a valuable forage option for bass during these warmer months, as they are active and abundant along rocky shorelines and structure.

In the summer, New Hogan Lake bass tend to be more active during the cooler periods of the day, so focusing on early morning, late afternoon, and night fishing is key. Top techniques to catch bass include:

1. Topwater fishing with poppers, buzzbaits, or walking baits, such as the Heddon Super Spook or Booyah Buzz.
2. Crankbaits, like the Strike King KVD Square Bill or Rapala DT Series, for targeting bass near rock piles, points, and other structures.
3. Pitching jigs such as the Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Jig, around cover like docks and submerged brush have been working really good.
4. Texas-rigged soft plastics, like the Yamamoto Senko or Zoom Brush Hog, for flipping and pitching around weeds, brush, and other vegetation.
5. Drop-shot rigs with finesse soft plastics, like the Roboworm Straight Tail Worm, for targeting suspended bass in deeper waters.

Three specific locations on New Hogan Lake to catch bass, (but don’t worry we’ll get into more fishing spots later in this report):

1. Whiskey Creek: This area has a mix of rocky and wooded cover, making it a prime location for bass.
2. Deer Flat: Known for its submerged vegetation and rocky points, Deer Flat offers diverse habitat for bass.
3. Covey Creek: This cove provides ample structure and cover for bass, with a mix of rocks, boulders, and trees

New Hogan Lake is not only known for its bass and crappie but also hosts other game fish that anglers can target. Some of these species include:

1. Catfish: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are common in New Hogan Lake. To catch them, use cut bait, chicken liver, or prepared catfish baits on bottom rigs. Fish around deep holes, rocky ledges, or areas with submerged logs and vegetation, especially during nighttime hours.
2. Striped bass: These aggressive fish can be found in open water or near the surface chasing schools of baitfish. Use swimbaits, topwater lures, or live bait (like shad) to mimic their natural prey. Focus on early morning or late afternoon for the best action.
3. Bluegill and sunfish: These panfish are abundant in the lake and can be caught using small jigs, live worms, or crickets under a bobber. Target areas with vegetation or submerged structures in shallow water.
4. Trout: Though less common, you may find rainbow trout in New Hogan Lake. Use small spinners, spoons, or PowerBait fished on a slip-sinker rig. Target cooler water temperatures, often found in deeper areas or near the dam.