| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawn
- Fish become increasingly active as water temperatures rise, with periods of aggressive feeding during stable weather
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats
- Areas where emerging reed beds meet deeper water
- Protected bays with early-growing vegetation near deep water access
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves near cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small bluegill in early vegetation
- Yellow perch in slightly deeper transitions
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, making gradual movements from winter depths to shallower transitional areas
- Feeding activity increases as water warms, with peak activity during dawn and dusk periods
- Fish become more aggressive as they prepare for spawning, often feeding opportunistically on available forage
| - Rock and gravel shorelines in 6-12 foot depth range where spawning will occur
- Transition areas between deep winter holes and spawning grounds
- Points and inside turns adjacent to spawning bays
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with deliberate lifts and drops
- Blade Baits worked with short hops near bottom structure
| - Perch concentrating near transitional areas
- Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn staging areas
- Minnows moving shallow with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around reed beds and submerged vegetation
- Fish are exhibiting pre-spawn to spawning behavior, with slower feeding patterns but territorial responses
| - Reed beds in 2-4 feet of water, especially in protected bays
- Edges of submerged vegetation adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Shallow protected coves with firm bottom composition
| - Swim Jigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along weed edges
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Perch relating to weed edges
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye moving into shallow rocky areas and tributary mouths for spawning, most active during dawn and dusk periods
- Post-spawn fish staging near spawning areas before transitioning to early summer patterns
| - Rocky points and shorelines in 2-6 feet of water
- Tributary mouths and current areas
- Adjacent deeper breaks in 8-12 feet for staging fish
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky shorelines
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during active periods
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') for precise presentation
| - Spawning minnows in shallow areas
- Small perch along transitional areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding and holding tight to shallow cover, particularly thick vegetation
- Fish are exhibiting aggressive behavior, especially around matted vegetation and pads, with willingness to strike topwater baits
| - Thick vegetation in shallow water (2-4 feet) including lily pads, matted grass, and reed beds
- Protected areas between patches of reeds, especially in 4-foot depth zones
- Shallow laydowns and dock areas adjacent to vegetation
| - Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation and lily pads
- Wacky Rigs worked between reed patches with slow fall technique
- Swim Jigs through and around vegetation edges
| - Bluegill in shallow vegetation
- Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Post-spawn walleyes are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during dawn/dusk periods near transitional structures
- Fish are gradually moving from shallow spawning areas to early summer locations, following baitfish movements
| - Secondary points and ledges adjacent to spawning bays
- Emerging weed lines in 8-12 foot depth range
- Rock-to-sand transition areas near deeper water access
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish
| - Perch concentrating near emerging vegetation
- Small baitfish schooling in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
