| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 45-65 | - Bass are in pre-spawn transition, moving from winter areas to staging areas near spawning flats, showing selective feeding behavior due to cold water temps (45-65°F)
- Fish are relating heavily to hard cover (docks, rocks) for thermal stability, requiring slow, methodical presentations due to cold-influenced metabolism
| - Docks with adjacent rocky structure, particularly in protected areas
- Main lake points with rock structure
- Rock walls and riprap areas that warm quickly with sun exposure
| - Finesse Jigs worked slowly around dock posts and rock structure
- Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses on main lake points
- Drop Shot with subtle presentations in deeper staging areas
| - Shad concentrating around points and dock areas
- Insects becoming more active in warming water
| - Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Staging in protected shallow areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving between deeper staging areas and shallow feeding zones based on daily temperature fluctuations
| - Protected coves with docks near spawning flats
- Shallow rock areas in 2-6 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Live Bait Rigs
- Bobbers
- Ice Fishing Jigs
| - Small minnows
- Early season aquatic insects
- Emerging larvae
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 45-58 | - Pre-spawn walleye are staging near spawning areas and actively feeding, with increased activity during low light conditions
- Fish are holding tight to bottom structure and showing preference for current breaks in canals and near hard bottom areas
| - Canal areas with current breaks and rock structure
- Hard bottom areas near shoreline access points
- Dock structures with deep water access
| - Finesse Jigs dragged slowly along bottom with football head style jigs
- Live Bait Rigs worked along bottom structure
- Blade Baits worked through deeper staging areas
| - Minnows concentrated in canal areas
- Small bottom-dwelling prey near rocky structure
| - Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Sauger | 45-54 | - Actively staging near spawning areas, with increased feeding activity as water temperatures rise into the mid-40s to low-50s Fahrenheit
- Frequently moving between deeper staging areas and shallower pre-spawn locations, especially during low-light periods
| - Rocky points and riprap areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Transition areas between deeper water and shallow feeding zones
- Protected areas near docks and in canals where baitfish concentrate
| - Blade Baits worked with a slow lift-and-drop retrieve near bottom structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along rocky edges and points
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near structure during cold fronts
| - Shad concentrating in warming shallow areas
- Early season crawfish becoming active near rocky structure
- Small minnows gathering in protected areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 54-62 | - Bass are actively moving into spawning areas, utilizing rocky areas and dock zones as staging points
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise from 54-62°F, showing increased feeding activity around structure
| - Rock and riprap banks, especially those near spawning pockets
- Boat dock areas with adjacent rocky structure
- Protected coves with hard bottom composition
| - Bladed Jigs worked along riprap and rocky banks
- Wacky Rigs worked around dock areas and spawning pockets
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting dock structure
| - Shad - primary forage noted in recent reports
- Bluegill - mentioned in dock area catches
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively seeking shallow, warmer areas for spawning, particularly around docks and rocky areas where they can create and defend nesting sites
- Males become aggressive and territorial during spawn, defending nests and readily striking at small baits that come near their beds
- Females stage slightly deeper, moving in waves to spawning areas as water temperatures stabilize
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom near docks
- Rocky areas in 2-4 feet of water with nearby deeper water access
- Shallow flats adjacent to dock areas with good sun exposure
| - Bobbers with small jigs or live bait suspended 1-3 feet deep
- Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to dock structures
- Inline Spinners worked slowly through spawning areas
| - Small insects and larvae in spawning areas
- Small minnows around dock structures
- Aquatic invertebrates near rocky areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are in spawning mode, concentrating on hard-bottom areas and showing less active feeding but will strike reactively
- Fish are moving from deeper winter areas to spawning locations, particularly active during dawn and dusk periods
| - Rocky points and riprap areas with hard bottom composition
- Canal entrances where current breaks create staging areas
- Shallow rock piles adjacent to deeper water
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom in staging areas
- Live Bait Rigs with minimal movement near spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with deliberate lifts and drops
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Resident shad schools in slightly deeper water
- Small minnows along rocky areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Sauger | 45-54 | - Sauger are concentrated in shallow rocky areas and transition zones during spawn, with peak activity during low-light periods
- Post-spawn fish remain shallow but begin moving to feeding areas near points and channel edges
| - Rocky shorelines and riprap areas in 3-8 feet of water
- Channel edges and points adjacent to spawning areas
- Protected areas near docks and in canals where water warms first
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Shad concentrating in warming shallow waters
- Small minnows gathering near rocky structures
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 66-72 | - Bass are actively feeding post-spawn, showing aggressive behavior toward moving baits. Many fish are guarding fry in shallow water while others are beginning their post-spawn feeding patterns.
- Fish are primarily relating to shallow water (inches deep) and showing strong territorial behavior around shoreline structure.
| - Shallow docks with adjacent spawning flats, particularly those with good sun exposure
- Riprap banks in very shallow water, especially when parallel to deeper water access
- Protected shallow pockets near spawning areas where fry are being guarded
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shallow structure and through dock zones
- Swim Jigs retrieved parallel to riprap banks and shallow cover
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for a more subtle moving bait approach in pressured areas
| - Bluegill, especially around shallow cover and spawning areas
- Recently hatched fry of various species, attracting both predatory and guardian bass
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-72 | - Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting insects and small invertebrates in shallow to mid-depth zones
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper resting locations near structure
| - Docks in 4-8 feet of water, especially those with nearby weed growth
- Rocky points and areas with hard cover in 3-6 feet of water
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near structure
- Crappie Dock Shooting for skittish fish under docks
- Inline Spinners worked slowly around visible cover
| - Aquatic insects and larvae
- Small crustaceans
- Tiny minnows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 52-65 | - Post-spawn walleye are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during low light periods and throughout the day in the turbid conditions (1.9m secchi)
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding locations, utilizing current breaks and structure as recovery zones
| - Rock piles and riprap areas adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 foot depths
- Current breaks in canals where baitfish concentrate
- Secondary points with access to deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations near bottom structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with methodical lifts and drops
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along riprap and points
| - Minnows congregating near spawning areas and structure
- Shad schools in canal areas and along current breaks
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Sauger | 45-54 | - Post-spawn Sauger are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during low-light periods in shallow rocky areas
- Fish are utilizing turbid water conditions (6.2ft visibility) to their advantage, showing increased shallow water activity
| - Shallow boulder fields and rock piles (0-9 feet)
- Areas near docks and canals where baitfish concentrate
- Rocky points with access to deeper water
| - Trolling Shallow (0-9')
- Blade Baits
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
| | - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
