Winter Bass Fishing on Falls Lake, NC When Water Levels Drop

Bass Hippy
Nov 30
3 min read

If you’ve lived around the Triangle long enough, you know Falls Lake isn’t the same lake in December and January that it is in the spring. Winter drawdowns, clearer water, and chilly air temps can make bass feel “locked down”—but for anyone willing to slow down and adapt, this time of year can produce some of the biggest fish of the season. Low water levels don’t just change the lake’s appearance; they change where the fish live, how they feed, and how you need to approach them.

Why Low Water Changes Everything

Falls Lake typically drops several feet heading into winter as part of routine water management. That means a lot of the shallow cover—buckbrush, laydowns, shoreline grass—is suddenly high and dry. Bass that spent much of the year ambushing shallow baitfish are forced to reposition, usually sliding toward deeper structure or into creek channels where they can find stable temperatures and steady forage.

Clearer water also makes bass spook easier, and colder water slows their metabolism. They won’t chase baits as they do in May. Everything becomes a game of patience and precision.

Where to Find Bass on a Low Winter Lake

Low water exposes the true “bones” of Falls Lake, and that’s a good thing for anglers who know what to look for. Some of the most productive winter locations include:

1. Main-lake points and secondary points. act as natural highways for wintering bass. Look for points with quick access to deeper water—10 to 20 feet is often the sweet spot.

2. Creek channel swings. Bass love the vertical structure created where a channel edge swings tight to a bank. These areas act like underwater walls, holding warmth and bait.

3. Rock and hard bottom. With brush and wood less accessible, rock becomes prime real estate. Riprap around bridges, causeways, and old roadbeds is a winter favorite.

4. Offshore humps and ridges. If you have electronics, winter is prime time to use them. Bass often suspend off deeper humps, waiting for passing schools of bait.

Best Winter Baits and Techniques

Winter fishing on Falls Lake is all about slowing down and giving fish something easy to eat.

• Jerkbaits: Perfect for clear water. A long pause—sometimes 10 seconds or more—often triggers strikes.

Berkley Stunna Jerkbait https://amzn.to/4aiG4TJ

• Crawfish Jig: Crawfish stay active year-round, and a slowly crawled jig around rocks is a proven big-fish tactic. My favorite are these H2OX I found at Academy Sports...

https://www.academy.com/p/h2ox-3-piece-craw-jig-kit

• Alabama Rig (A-rig): Legal in NC and deadly in cold water. It mimics a small bait ball and covers deeper zones efficiently.• Blade baits and spoons: When bass group up vertically, few lures work better.• Finesse swimbaits: A subtle 3–4 inch swimbait on a light jighead is perfect for suspended fish.

Adjust Your Mindset—and Your Gear

Patience is everything. You might only get a handful of bites in winter, but they’re often high-quality fish. Downsizing line, using fluorocarbon for added sensitivity, and slowing your retrieve dramatically can make a huge difference.

Dress warm, bring gloves you can actually fish in, and expect to fish slower and deeper than you think you should. Winter rewards persistence.

The Payoff

Even though Falls Lake looks barren when the water drops and the cold sets in, it actually becomes more predictable. Bass congregate, bait concentrates, and fishing pressure dies down. For anglers who embrace the season instead of waiting for spring, winter can be one of the best times to catch a trophy Falls Lake largemouth.

Bundle up, slow down, and take advantage of the quiet season—your personal best might be waiting on a deep point right now.

Thanks for checking out my blog!