March

March marks a significant period for bass fishing in Lake Biwa as the water temperatures begin to rise and bass gradually start moving towards the shallows, signaling the onset of spring. The south lake, being shallower, warms up more quickly than the deeper, more stable north lake, making it the first to experience spring. Bass tend to gather around potential contact points between the deep and the shallows, such as dredged areas, humps, and grass patches, as they prepare for the spawning season. During this pre-spawn phase, the condition of female bass is exceptional.

Anglers target these transitioning bass with techniques such as swimming jigs, drop shots, neko-rig, mid strolling and no-sinker rigs, focusing on areas where bass are likely to congregate in preparation for spawning. In the south lake, spawning can begin as early as the beginning of April, making the period leading up to it a prime opportunity to target pre-spawn bass. This time offers a unique chance to catch some of the lake's largest and most active bass before they head to their spawning grounds, providing anglers with thrilling fishing experiences in the beautiful, transitioning waters of Lake Biwa.