The largemouth bass fishery has been steady over the last year, and bass anglers currently enjoy catches of 1 to 2 pound bass around the majority of the lake shoreline. Reports of trophy-sized fish in the 8 to 10 pound range have also become quite common on Orange Lake. As the cooler months pass, largemouth bass anglers should target the perimeter of the spoil islands south of the Marjorie Rawlings boat ramp and the islands east of Sportsman’s Cove during the spawn. Spinnerbaits work well where the vegetation permits, while jerkbaits and plastic worms will be the top baits in heavily vegetated areas.

Catches of bream have also been outstanding over the last several months amongst the emergent vegetation, and more notable has been the black crappie fishery, which has shared its success with nearby Lochloosa Lake.

As the water temperature begins to drop in the months of January and February, black crappie will move to the shoreline edges. Crappie anglers should drift or troll minnows and/or jigs along vegetation edges near Red Bird Island and along Sampson’s Point. Liver and worms are your best baits for catfish, while grass shrimp, crickets and minnows are your best baits for warmouth, shellcrackers and bluegill sunfish.