When will the white bass appear at Bagnell dam?

[Righteous]

Went to Bagnell dam for the first time last week to look around and scout it out.  A few fisherman from the shore, everyone was very nice and friendly.  The water was really clear.

I was wondering when will the white bass really start to show up at the dam?  One fellow I met said mid March and all the way through April.

I've only lived here for one full year now and haven't really established the fishing patterns yet in my mind.

Thank you to everyone in advance.

[fishinwrench]

The Whites & hybrids will respond to continued releases of water during any time of the year.   The longer and more generous releases will result in more fish.   Timing is the most critical thing, typically the best action occurs an hour or so before dark IF they are running water during that period.. 

If the water level is receeding you might as well go grab a sandwich somewhere. 

[Seth]

It's really hit or miss. I know down river the white bite has been pretty good around the first part of the year the past couple of years. I'm not sure what the difference is this year, but it has been dead so far.

[fishinwrench]

58 minutes ago, Seth said:

It's really hit or miss. I know down river the white bite has been pretty good around the first part of the year the past couple of years. I'm not sure what the difference is this year, but it has been dead so far.

 

I'm convinced that 90% of it is related to TIMING.   

I know that up here where I do most of my White/Hybrid fishing the fish can be there and just not chase or bite.....until all of a sudden they decide to turn on.   There's no doubt that they are present, BECAUSE I CAN SEE THEM, but I can't even get a sniff, or might catch one or two sporadically.   Then all of a sudden something inside them changes....and I can literally load the boat in 30 minutes.   

I used to think that the angle of the sun was the factor.....but it is the same during cloudy days.   Even in the creeks during the spawn, fish can visibly be everywhere but the bite will be very slow....until suddenly for a couple hours (usually an hour or two before dark) it's practically one every cast.    I call it the "Witching Hour" 😉

There may be a Witching Hour in the morning too.....but everyone that knows me realizes that I don't get up early enough to find out. 😅

[Flysmallie]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

 

I'm convinced that 90% of it is related to TIMING.   

I know that up here where I do most of my White/Hybrid fishing the fish can be there and just not chase or bite.....until all of a sudden they decide to turn on.   There's no doubt that they are present, BECAUSE I CAN SEE THEM, but I can't even get a sniff, or might catch one or two sporadically.   Then all of a sudden something inside them changes....and I can literally load the boat in 30 minutes.   

I used to think that the angle of the sun was the factor.....but it is the same during cloudy days.   Even in the creeks during the spawn, fish can visibly be everywhere but the bite will be very slow....until suddenly for a couple hours (usually an hour or two before dark) it's practically one every cast.    I call it the "Witching Hour" 😉

There may be a Witching Hour in the morning too.....but everyone that knows me realizes that I don't get up early enough to find out. 😅

100% agree. 
 

In Oklahoma we would fish a little mountain stream for whites. Yes I’m aware I said Oklahoma and mountain stream in the same sentence. The water was gin clear. You could see the whites stacked in there. And you might pick up one here and there, but you really just had to be patient. Then all of a sudden, all of them were hungry and it was on. Then it would end and they would go back to just sitting there. Then you waited on the next round. 

[BilletHead]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

 

I'm convinced that 90% of it is related to TIMING.   

I know that up here where I do most of my White/Hybrid fishing the fish can be there and just not chase or bite.....until all of a sudden they decide to turn on.   There's no doubt that they are present, BECAUSE I CAN SEE THEM, but I can't even get a sniff, or might catch one or two sporadically.   Then all of a sudden something inside them changes....and I can literally load the boat in 30 minutes.   

I used to think that the angle of the sun was the factor.....but it is the same during cloudy days.   Even in the creeks during the spawn, fish can visibly be everywhere but the bite will be very slow....until suddenly for a couple hours (usually an hour or two before dark) it's practically one every cast.    I call it the "Witching Hour" 😉

There may be a Witching Hour in the morning too.....but everyone that knows me realizes that I don't get up early enough to find out. 😅

Temperate bass have a special witching hour in the first couple hours of daylight also. You just have to be a morning person. 

[fishinwrench]

Mornings, for me, are all about sipping coffee, smoking cigarettes, and grunting cinnamon rolls.   I have very little desire to start chasing fish, or any other animal, around until I've pooped and become fully cognitive & functional. 😉 

People that pop out of bed like a Jack-in-the-box and immediately get busy.....drive me crazy!  

[Terrierman]

I've had that same experience at the Beaver Creek access near Forsyth.  It'll drive you nuts.

[fishinwrench]

10 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

I've had that same experience at the Beaver Creek access near Forsyth.  It'll drive you nuts.

Yessir, far too late in my fishing "career" I'm finally beginning to realize how much TIMING matters.    

Recent experience with FFS has anchored my belief  that the age old saying of "they just ain't bitin'" is a REAL THING.    

The only exception appears to be possibly Crappie and Trout.   Those two species seem to play fairly consistently around the clock.  

[Seth]

On 2/11/2026 at 5:04 PM, fishinwrench said:

People that pop out of bed like a Jack-in-the-box and immediately get busy.....drive me crazy!  

I can do this when I’m going hunting or fishing. Waking up early for work is a different story though…..