Bass Fishing the Shallows in 45 Degree Water!

This fishing trip opened my eyes to just how shallow early spring largemouth bass could be. After not seeing much in water depths of 15+ feet, I headed towards the bank and immediately noticed large numbers of bluegill and crappie in the shallow brush. While I did not catch any bass in this brush, I did stumble into a large school of prespawn largemouth hanging in 5-8 feet of water on the water. Based on what I saw and the location of the school, I think the bass were relating to the very first pieces of vegetation that were just starting to grow.

Once I found the school, it was game on! Check out some of these 45 degree water bass!

Location: Central Iowa
Date: March 21, 2025
Water temperature: 45 degrees
Weather: high 40’s, gusty winds out of the N/NW
Water clarity: decent (1-2 feet)