Spring Pond Bass Fishing: Largemouth on Foot

If you’re itching to shake off winter and get a line wet, there’s no better time than right now to start chasing largemouth bass in ponds, especially in Indiana—especially if you're fishing on foot. March might still throw us a few cold mornings, but the bass are starting to wake up, and small waters like ponds are some of the first places they get active.

Whether you’ve got a favorite farm pond, park lake, or a hidden little honey hole on the edge of town, this time of year can offer surprisingly good fishing without ever needing a boat.

Why Pond Bass Fishing Is Hot Right Now

Ponds warm up quicker than big lakes. That shallow water absorbs sunlight faster, and as temperatures start creeping into the upper 40s and low 50s, largemouth bass start shaking off their winter sluggishness. They're not quite in pre-spawn mode yet, but they’re definitely starting to move from deeper pockets toward the shallows, especially on sunny days.

Where to Start Casting

If you’re walking the bank, your best bet early in the season is to focus on the north and east-facing banks. These areas tend to warm up faster since they get more direct sun during the day. Look for:

Dark bottoms (mud or rock): These hold heat better.
Submerged structure like logs, stumps, or overhanging brush.
Drainage areas or slight inlets where water trickles in—often carrying food and oxygen.

Bass will hold close to cover this time of year, so precision casting is key.

What to Throw Right Now

Early spring bass aren’t looking to sprint after a fast-moving target. Keep your retrieve slow and methodical. A few of the best go-to bank baits right now include:

Jigs: A 1/4 oz finesse jig with a small craw trailer can be deadly. Work it slow along bottom structure.
Soft plastics: Texas-rigged creature baits or stick worms (like a wacky-rigged Senko) can be magic, especially when worked around submerged cover or edges of weed beds starting to regrow.
Lipless crankbaits: If you're covering water, a slow-rolled lipless crankbait can help you locate more active fish.
Suspending jerkbaits: Perfect for that cold-but-warming water. A long pause between jerks often triggers sluggish bass to bite.

Foot-Fishing Tips

Pond bass fishing is its own game, and a few extra tweaks can help:

Stay low and quiet: Ponds are intimate, and fish can spook easy. Approach the water stealthily.
Travel light: A small sling pack with a couple boxes and tools is all you need. Less gear, more mobility.
Work the entire bank: Don’t just camp on the first open spot. Work your way around the pond. Those overlooked corners often hold the best fish.

Watch the Weather Swings

Indiana spring weather can change fast. Bass behavior can shift just as quickly. A warm stretch of two or three days? Fish will push shallow. Cold front rolls in overnight? Slow things way down and go finesse. Cloudy days with a little wind can also be surprisingly productive.

It’s Also a Great Time for Big Fish

This early window often produces some of the biggest bass of the year. They’re feeding up before the spawn, and they’re not yet pressured by summer crowds. So if you’re chasing that pond bass fishing personal best, now’s the time to put in the work.