Lake Sinclair Fishing Report – April 2025

Sinclair: Level: 1.3 feet below 340. Temp: 69 degrees in Little River. Clarity: Heavily stained most places but clearing by the dam.

Bass: Karl Pingry reports, “Ed at Lakeside Chevron says the first wave of spawning bass has occurred.  A Trick Worm in dark colors or merthiolate is your best bet in the backs of the coves for the postspawners. A prop bait in bluegill color is another good choice. Either a shaky-head worm or an Ol’ Monster in dark colors will also work around the docks, both in the coves and on the main lake. Also on the main lake, fish the shallow grass with a frog or chartreuse/white ChatterBait for prespawn bass. A Rat-L-Trap or Bandit 200 will work on shallow rock. The big news is the shad spawn. Ed says the shad are trying to spawn in the backs of the pockets.  That means by the printing of this month’s GON, the shad spawn will be in full throttle. A spinnerbait, ChatterBait or a squarebillcrankbait around the spawning shad is the way to go. Hit the water early—it only lasts until the sun hits the water. After the morning spawn is over, Ed recommends fishing shallow rock with shallow crankbaits or a Trick Worm to trigger a few more bites. The shad don’t move far and neither do the bass. Along with the shad spawn, expect the mayfly hatches to start. Bluegill colored topwaters, swim jigs and shaky-head worms with a chartreuse tail will work well. April is  a month that you can cast everything from a Carolina rigs to topwaters to crankbaits and catch aggressive and hungry bass. Enjoy!

Lake Sinclair Page: Archived Articles & Fishing Reports