Calderwood Lake Fishing Report – May 31, 2026
Fish the edges of the inflow plume – that’s where the scent-and-sight boundary concentrates predators.
Calderwood Lake Fishing Report – May 31, 2026
THE CALL
Fish the narrow “S-Curve” channel bend in the western/central segment from 2:00–4:00 PM with a finesse jig or wacky rig. This is your best shot for active largemouth and smallmouth in pre-spawn/spawn mode at 65°F, held tight to structure by a cooling trend and ready to feed during the afternoon solunar window.
WHY IT WINS
- 65°F water is prime feeding temperature for both largemouth and smallmouth, and species analysis shows they are actively using shallow cover and structure right now.
- The cooling trend (−8°F over recent readings) pushes fish to stable, defined structure like channel bends rather than roaming open water.
- Afternoon wind builds to 8 mph with a major solunar window starting 2:00 PM – the hourly conditions score 85/100 for that window, meaning wind, light, and moon align for a serious bite.
- Clarity is clear-to-stained with organic-rich productivity edges; fish will ambush prey along the sharp transition zones where high-MCI (nutrient) water meets clearer lanes.
START HERE
The “S-Curve” bend visible in satellite imagery – a tightening of the water ribbon between forested banks in the western/central part of the lake. Focus on the inside of the bend (slower water, sediment buildup) and the outside (deeper water, current). Also hit the first 50 yards where the main basin neck-down funnels fish into this channel.
THROW THIS
Primary: 1/4 oz finesse jig (green pumpkin or natural craw) or a 5” wacky-rigged Senko (green-pumpkin/watermelon). Work it with a slow, natural fall and subtle twitches. Let the bait drift through the water column – fish are seeing well but want a natural profile.
Backup: Suspending jerkbait (natural shad) with long 8–10 second pauses if you get follows or short strikes.
Aggressive alternative: Texas-rigged creature bait (white or green pumpkin, 3/8 oz) pitched to any visible wood or rock along the bank.
BEST WINDOW
Be on your spot by 1:45 PM to settle in. Prime time is 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. That’s when the major solunar overlaps with rising wind (8 mph) and stable pressure – the three best triggers on this lake today. If you can stay into the evening, the minor solunar from 9:00–10:30 PM offers a second, more finesse-oriented window as light fades.
NEXT MOVE
If the S-Curve bend gives you nothing after 45 minutes, abandon the channel and run to the nearest inflow/channel bend where a creek or inlet meets the main body. Clarity analysis marks these as high-productivity feeding lanes. Switch to a chatterbait (1/2 oz, chartreuse/blue) or a shallow-running crankbait (squarebill, craw pattern) to trigger reaction strikes through the organic matter. Fish the edges of the inflow plume – that’s where the scent-and-sight boundary concentrates predators.