Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Prior Lake
Prior Lake · Minnesota · Midwest
Prior Lake sits in Scott County, roughly 25 miles southwest of Minneapolis, and is one of the Twin Cities metro's most fishable glacial lakes at approximately 1,440 acres. The lake features a mix of hard sand-to-rock shoreline, submerged points, weed flats extending to 10–14 feet, and a maximum depth pushing 58 feet, giving both largemouth and smallmouth bass distinct seasonal holding zones. Water clarity trends clearer than many metro lakes, often stretching to 8–12 feet of visibility in summer, which shapes bait selection and presentation angles significantly.
A lead or tungsten head with a weed guard, skirt, and soft plastic trailer. Fished on the bottom by pitching, casting, or slow-rolling. The jig imitates crawfish and bottom-dwelling forage. More big bass have been caught on jigs than any other lure category — it's the lure that separates serious anglers.
Jig (Casting & Pitching) Setup for Prior Lake
| Rod | 7'–7'3" medium-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 15–20 lb fluorocarbon (cover) or 50 lb braid (heavy grass) |
| Weight | 3/8 oz standard; 1/2–3/4 oz in wind or deep; 1/4 oz finesse |
| Hook | Built-in, typically 4/0–5/0 |
Seasonal Tactics on Prior Lake
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push into shallow bays and sand-flat coves as water temperatures climb through the low 50s into 60°F; the north and northwest shorelines warm first and hold fish earliest, making a 3/8 oz swim jig or a Ned rig on transition rock-to-sand edges productive before the main spawn push. Smallmouth stage on deeper points and mid-lake humps in 12–20 feet before sliding shallow to rocky banks when temps hit 58–62°F.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Post-spawn bass settle into two distinct summer zones: largemouth hold in coontail and cabbage weed edges in 8–14 feet while smallmouth gravitate to mid-lake rock humps and main-basin points in 15–25 feet, where clearer water demands a drop shot or finesse football jig over faster moving presentations. Topwater activity on calm low-light mornings over submerged weed flats can be exceptional through July, but the bite window narrows fast once the sun climbs.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: As surface temps fall through the 50s, both species pull off structure and chase shad-style forage on main-lake points and drop-offs in 15–22 feet; a swimbait or a 3/4 oz football jig dragged along rock-gravel transitions produces well into October. Largemouth scatter into dying weed edges and can be caught on a jig-and-craw or a slow-rolled Keitech Swing Impact Fat 4.3" on a 3/8 oz head through mid-fall.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Ice fishing is the dominant winter approach on Prior Lake, with panfish and walleye drawing most pressure; bass are catchable through the ice on small finesse jigs near remaining green weeds in 8–12 feet but are largely a secondary target. Open-water bass fishing effectively ends by late November as water temps drop below 45°F and fish become lethargic near deeper basin structure.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Slowest presentation — drag a 3/8 oz football jig on deep hard bottom. Barely move it.
Best Conditions
All seasons, all depths, all cover types; most effective in 50–70°F water; excellent in pre-spawn and when fish are on hard bottom
Match trailer to conditions: craw trailer in cold water (slower fall, bigger profile), swimbait trailer when swimming, chunk trailer for flipping.
More Techniques for Prior Lake
Ready to fish Prior Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →