| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth are transitioning from winter areas to staging areas, becoming more active with warming temperatures. Recent reports show afternoon activity in 62°F water, indicating increasing metabolism and feeding windows.
- Fish are relating to both shallow cover (floating vegetation) during sunny periods and deeper structure (rock piles, ledges) as transition areas, showing typical pre-spawn pattern of moving between depths based on conditions.
| - Rock piles and ledges - confirmed productive in recent reports and typical pre-spawn staging areas
- Shallow areas with floating vegetation during sunny periods - recently productive
- Transition areas between deep winter haunts and spawning flats - supported by lake profile
| - Drop Shot - recent success reported and effective for suspended pre-spawn fish
- Finesse Jigs - proven effective in recent reports, especially around rock structure
- Ned Rigs - matches the finesse presentation pattern showing success
| - Crawfish - primary forage confirmed in recent reports and supported by rocky habitat
- Yellow Perch - indicated by lake profile as key forage base
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-65 | - Crappie are transitioning from deep winter areas (20ft) to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding during this warming trend
- Fish are suspended and moving in schools, following baitfish while gradually shifting toward spawning areas
| - Deep water adjacent to shallow spawning bays (15-20ft depth)
- Rock piles and structure in 12-15ft transition zones
- Suspended over deeper water near emerging vegetation
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Crappie Spider Rigging
| | - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-65 | - Smallmouth bass transitioning to spawning behavior, with increased activity during dusk periods as noted in recent reports
- Fish utilizing rocky areas and ledges for spawning sites and staging areas, showing aggressive territorial behavior
| - Ledges adjacent to spawning flats, as confirmed by recent fishing success
- Rock piles and boulder fields in 4-8 foot depth range
- Shallow protected coves with firm bottom composition
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') - proven effective in recent reports during dusk periods
- Tubes worked around rocky structures
- Ned Rigs for pressured fish and clear water conditions
| - Crawfish emerging as primary forage, evidenced by recent success with crawdad-colored baits
- Yellow Perch in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 62-65 | - Transitioning from deep pre-spawn staging areas (20ft) to shallow spawning areas, with some fish already moving to shorelines
- Fish are scattered rather than schooled, suggesting a mixed pattern of pre-spawn and early spawning behavior
| - Deep water humps and structure in 18-22 foot range for pre-spawn staging fish
- Shallow protected bays and coves with 5-8 foot depths for early spawning activity
- Transition areas between deep staging and shallow spawning zones, particularly along points and breaks
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) at 1.0-1.2 mph to cover water and find scattered fish
- Crappie Spider Rigging to effectively present baits at precise depths around structure
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) for shallow fish moving up to spawning areas
| - Yellow Perch (confirmed by successful bait colors and fishing reports)
- Small Baitfish (indicated by success of Shad Raps)
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 68-75 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding, particularly during low light periods, with reports showing increased activity near sunset
- Fish are utilizing shallow flats and boulder areas, showing aggressive surface feeding behavior in warmer water (74°F reported)
| - Shallow flats with access to deeper water, especially during evening hours
- Boulder fields and rock piles in 5-15 foot depth range
- Points and irregular shoreline features with mixed rock/vegetation
| - Hard Topwater (Prop) - especially effective during evening hours as confirmed by recent reports
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') - proven effective for actively feeding fish per recent reports
- Tubes - effective around boulder fields and rock structure
| - Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
- Young of year baitfish in shallow flats
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 65-72 | - Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, typically suspending near structure in 8-15 foot depths
- Fish are actively feeding to recover energy after spawning, with most aggressive feeding during early morning and evening periods
| - Suspended fish near deep-water access points adjacent to spawning bays
- Rock piles and floating vegetation in 8-15 foot depth range
- Deeper brush piles and structure near primary points
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)
- Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
| - Yellow Perch
- Small Shad
- Small Bluegill
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
