| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 42-52 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, suspending at mid-depths (around 8ft) and showing increased feeding activity
- Fish are becoming more active but still relatively lethargic, requiring slower presentations with extended pauses
| - Ledges and drop-offs near spawning flats in 8-12 foot depth range
- Reed edges and vegetation transitions in 4-5 foot zones
- Points with access to deeper water, especially those adjacent to spawning bays
| - Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses (6+ seconds) at 8ft depth
- Bladed Jigs worked slowly through vegetation edges
- Shakey Heads worked along ledges and drop-offs
| - Minnows suspended in the water column
- Bluegill relating to shallow vegetation
- Perch along bottom transitions
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Walleye staging near spawning areas, moving from deeper winter locations to shallower pre-spawn staging areas
- Feeding activity increasing as water warms, with most active periods during dawn and dusk
- Fish relating strongly to bottom structure and transitional areas between deeper wintering holes and spawning zones
| - Shallow rocky points and gravel areas near spawning locations
- Edges of submerged vegetation in 8-15 foot depths
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning grounds
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| | - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish are transitioning from pre-spawn staging to spawning, with males preparing and guarding nests while females move in waves between staging and spawning areas
- Activity levels increase during warmer parts of the day, with fish becoming more aggressive in defending territory around nesting sites
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with vegetation in 2-4 feet of water for spawning
- Grass edges and transitions in 4-5 foot zones adjacent to spawning flats
- Points and deeper structure in 8 foot range serving as staging areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits along grass edges for staging fish
| - Bluegill concentrating in spawning areas
- Perch active in vegetation edges
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are in spawning mode, moving into shallow rocky areas and shorelines for spawning activity. Active during low-light periods, with decreased feeding during peak spawning.
- Post-spawn fish gradually transition to feeding patterns, particularly targeting perch in and around submerged vegetation edges.
| - Rocky shorelines and points in 2-6 feet of water for spawning activity
- Transitions near submerged vegetation in 6-9 feet of water for post-spawn recovery
- Protected bays with firm bottom composition for staging areas
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations
- Live Bait Rigs with minimal movement to target less active spawning fish
- Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas for post-spawn fish
| - Perch - primary forage base indicated in lake reports
- Small baitfish utilizing shallow spawning areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy after spawn
- Fish are utilizing vegetation edges and 4-5 foot transitions as primary strike zones, becoming more aggressive in their feeding behavior
- With water clarity 1-4 feet, bass are comfortable feeding throughout the water column, especially relating to submerged vegetation
| - Grass edges and weed lines in 4-5 foot transitions
- Points with submerged vegetation, especially those adjacent to spawning flats
- Matted grass areas in 2-4 feet of water
| - Swim Jigs worked along grass edges and through scattered vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around matted grass
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges in stained water conditions
| - Bluegill gathering in spawning areas and vegetation
- Young perch schools around vegetation edges
- Minnows in scattered schools near points and transitions
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Recently post-spawn walleye transitioning to feeding patterns, actively searching for prey along weed edges and shallow structure in 0-9 feet
- Most active during low-light periods due to turbid water conditions (1-4 feet visibility), with feeding increasing near dawn and dusk
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 6-9 feet of water where walleye can ambush prey
- Shallow points and irregular shoreline features where current and structure create feeding opportunities
- Transition areas between weeds and open water, especially near shoreline irregularities
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
| - Perch
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
