| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, with some fish moving shallow (3-5ft) near docks while others remain in slightly deeper water
- Males beginning to scout potential spawning areas, with limited bedding activity observed as water temperatures are still cool
| - Docks in 3-5 feet of water, especially those near potential spawning flats
- Secondary points leading into spawning coves
- North side milfoil patches that provide early spring warming
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around docks and vegetation
- Ned Rigs for finesse presentation in cooler water
- Soft Jerkbaits for covering water between likely holding areas
| - Bluegill remaining primary forage as noted in recent reports
- Small baitfish relating to dock structures
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Crappie transitioning from winter depths to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming water
- Fish actively feeding during warming trends, especially during early morning and late afternoon periods
| - Protected coves and pockets near lily pad fields that will emerge later in spring
- Docks providing overhead cover in 4-8 foot depths
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
| - Crappie Dock Shooting with small jigs for targeting fish holding tight to structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations
- Drop Shot with light tackle for suspended fish near structure
| - Small Bluegills
- Emerging insect larvae
| - Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn pike actively feeding and moving from winter locations to shallow spawning areas, particularly around emerging vegetation
- Fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with feeding activity increasing during daylight hours
- Pike staging near spawning areas in 3-5 foot depths, especially around emerging vegetation and lily pad stems
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, particularly near the milfoil patch on the north side
- Edges of lily pad fields where they meet slightly deeper water
- Areas around the island, especially on the wind-protected side with vegetation
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)
- Spinnerbaits
- Inline Spinners
- Live Bait Rigs
| | - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawn mode, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning areas near vegetation and the island
- Fish are actively feeding on crawfish in and around submerged vegetation, showing aggressive behavior toward moving baits
| - Areas around the island with submerged vegetation
- Protected shallow coves with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Bladed Jigs worked through and around vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover
- Spinnerbaits along spawning flat edges
| - Crawfish emerging in shallow areas
- Bluegill in and around vegetation
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near lily pads and docks as water temperatures rise
- Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn
- Aggressive feeding periods during pre-spawn, becoming more territorial during actual spawn
| - Shallow protected areas near lily pads in 2-6 feet of water
- Dock areas providing shade and structure in spawning depth
- Shallow coves with warmer water temperatures
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Bobbers
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
| - Bluegill fry
- Small minnows
- Aquatic insects
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-52 | - Pike are actively seeking shallow, vegetated areas for spawning, typically moving into areas with emergent vegetation and lily pad stems immediately after ice-out
- Fish become highly aggressive during pre-spawn feeding, followed by a brief lull during actual spawning, then return to active feeding post-spawn
| - Shallow bays and coves with emergent vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Northern milfoil patch edges where spawning habitat transitions to slightly deeper water
- Island shoreline areas with vegetation, especially on the northern side where water warms first
| - Inline Spinners worked slowly through spawning areas and vegetation edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to vegetation edges
- Spinnerbaits worked just above emerging vegetation
| - Perch congregating in similar shallow areas
- Bluegill moving into warming shallows
- Crappie transitioning to spawning areas
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting bluegills around dock structures
- Fish are establishing predictable daily patterns, holding tight to cover during bright conditions and moving to feed during lower light periods
| - Docks on the windblown side of the lake, especially those with deeper water access
- Secondary points with emerging vegetation near dock areas
- Shallow flats adjacent to dock structures where bluegill are spawning
| - Drop Shot with 12-inch leader, worked slowly around dock posts and edges
- Shakey Heads worked along dock edges and through gaps between docks
- Soft Jerkbaits fished parallel to dock lines during active feeding periods
| - Bluegill gathering in pre-spawn areas near docks
- Small baitfish utilizing dock shade for cover
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy but still relatively shallow
- Forming loose schools near vegetation edges and structure, becoming more active during morning and evening periods
| - Edges of lily pad fields in 4-8 feet of water
- Dock areas providing shade and ambush points
- Shallow weed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) along vegetation edges
- Crappie Dock Shooting under docks and shaded areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near structure
| - Small Bluegill fry
- Aquatic insects near vegetation
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting shallow areas with abundant forage fish
- Fish are relating heavily to emerging vegetation edges and lily pad fields, using these areas as ambush points
| - Emerging lily pad fields in 3-5 feet of water
- Weed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water
- The island area, especially any vegetation or structure on its edges
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near vegetation
- Inline Spinners in open pockets between vegetation
| | - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
