Comprehensive Fishing Lure Color Guide
This chart is based on our research as well as other scientific studies on light penetration in water. This is what we use and have been using to maximize our catches in both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Obviously, conditions can change and nothing is guaranteed in fishing, but feel free to use this if it's helpful to you.
What Color of Light Penetrates Deeper in Water?
Water Condition
Light & Weather
Lure Finish & Materials
Click on color columns to highlight them.Taller columns show deeper penetration.
Note on White and Black Visibility
White and black behave differently from colored wavelengths. Their visibility underwater depends on reflection and contrast, not light absorption.
White reflects all available light. As color wavelengths fade with depth, white continues to reflect whatever ambient light remains — often appearing as a faint bluish or silvery tone. This makes white lures effective across a wide range of depths, especially in clear or sunlit water.
Black absorbs nearly all light, creating maximum contrast. Against the lighter background of surface-filtered light, a black lure forms a strong silhouette that remains visible even in low light or deep water.
In practical terms: ⚪ White works by reflection; ⚫ Black works by silhouette. Both remain effective long after colored lures lose their visibility.