Angling for bass and crappie is best in mid to late spring when the fish move into shallow areas to spawn. For smallmouth, fish in the lake arms or smaller coves using light or medium weight spinning tackle and lures that imitate prey such as small fish and crayfish. For crappie, use light spinning tackle and fish with a bobber and jig as shown in this guide. The jig can be set at different depths until you locate the fish.

Start with a lighter weight jig then try heavier weights if necessary, and have a variety of colors available. Bait can be added to the jig hook for additional attraction. Bank anglers will find good access near the boat ramps and along the biking and hiking trails that surround the lake. Look for areas where grass, aquatic weeds, root wads and other submerged structures offer fish cover.

As temperatures warm, the smallmouth bass move to deeper water so fish along areas of riprap and in the south half of the lake near and along Scoggins Dam. Though not as plentiful as the smallmouth, largemouth bass can still be caught in the shallow areas during this time of year. For smallmouth or largemouth, use spinners or other surface lures in the morning and evening, and during mid-day switch to jigs, plastic baits, or other lures that fish deeper.

Angling remains good in the coves and shallows during the summer for bluegill and crappie, but also yellow perch. This is a great time to take kids fishing as the weather is warm and panfish can still be caught using a bobber and bait fished close to the surface. A small hook baited with a worm or other panfish bait and set 12-18 inches below the bobber works well and will keep the hook above any snags. The long fishing pier located near Boat Ramp C is perfect for younger children.

Summeris also a goodtime to fish for catfish. Although not everyone will catch a state record like the nearly 3 ½ pounder, anglers will find at Henry Hagg Lake some of the nicest brown bullhead of any water in the Willamette Valley. During the summer, brown bullhead can be caught using bait fished on the bottom in deeper areas of the lake coves and arms. Most standard gear works well for catfish, such as a 5-7 foot casting or spinning rod and 4-8 pound test line rigged with a slip-sinker and bait as shown in this guide. Tie a 12-18 inch length of leader below the swivel and attach a hook baited with worms or other panfish or catfish bait. Baits with a strong odor work best for catfish. The sliding sinker allows the catfish to take the bait before feeling the weight of the sinker.

When the weather and water temperatures cool in the fall, smallmouth angling again improves as fish move back into the shallow areas to feed. You can switch back to using small fish and crayfish imitations, but plastic worms will also work well.