| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Bass are actively transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, following inside weedlines adjacent to spawning flats
- Aggressive feeding behavior triggered by warming water and pre-spawn instincts, with fish relating strongly to first available structure from spawning areas
| - Inside weedlines adjacent to potential spawning areas
- Submerged vegetation in 6-15 foot depth ranges
- Protected coves and points with emerging vegetation
| - Bladed Jigs worked through and around vegetation
- Spinnerbaits along weedlines
- Lipless Crankbaits over emerging vegetation
| - Bluegill starting to become more active in the shallows
- Small baitfish relating to warming vegetation
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn pike actively staging near spawning areas in shallow bays and coves, becoming increasingly aggressive as water temperatures rise
- Fish moving between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning locations, using weed edges as travel corridors
| - Shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
- Weed edges adjacent to deeper water in 6-8 feet
- Protected areas near docks with emerging weed growth
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly along emerging weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs under slip bobbers in shallow bays
| - Bluegills congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Small pike and other baitfish in shallow water
- Perch moving shallow with warming water
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 60-65 | - Bass are in various spawning stages with some actively spawning and others post-spawn, making them territorial and aggressive in shallow areas
- Fish are actively patrolling shallow flats and bays, especially areas with sparse vegetation and hard bottom for spawning
| - Shallow bays with sparse vegetation and hard bottom in 2-6ft depth
- Shallow weed flats with mixed vegetation
- Protected spawning pockets near deeper water access
| - Bladed Jigs worked steadily through sparse vegetation
- Swim Jigs for working through denser vegetation
- Spinnerbaits as an alternative power-fishing technique
| - Bluegill in shallow spawning areas
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Pre and post-spawn pike staging in shallow bays and backwaters near emerging vegetation
- Aggressive feeding before and after spawning, with short recovery period during actual spawn
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Protected coves with soft bottom and vegetation
- Transitions between spawning bays and deeper water
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved with steady pace
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas
| - Bluegills concentrated in shallow warming bays
- Small pike and other rough fish in spawning areas
- Early season perch moving shallow
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer holding areas, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are showing two distinct patterns: schooling along deep weed edges (8-14ft) and holding tight to shallow docks
| - Healthy weed edges in 8-14 foot range, particularly milfoil and coontail beds
- Shaded areas under docks, especially in very shallow water
- Clean water areas near reed islands
| - Drop Shot with finesse baits worked slowly along weed edges
- Ned Rigs worked through vegetation transitions
- Wacky Rigs skipped under docks
- Bladed Jigs in cleaner water near reed islands
| - Bluegill in shallow areas and around docks
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in weed edges
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing weed edges and points as primary ambush locations
- Fish transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, making frequent movements between depth ranges
- Aggressive feeding behavior during early morning and evening hours, with more selective patterns during bright midday periods
| - Weed edges in 6-8 feet of water, especially where milfoil and coontail create distinct edges
- Secondary points with access to deeper water, particularly those with submerged vegetation
- Dock areas with adjacent weed growth providing shade and ambush cover
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges with varied retrieve speeds
- Inline Spinners retrieved steadily through transition areas between vegetation types
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked just above weed tops
- Trolling Shallow (0-9') along weed edges during midday periods
| - Bluegills concentrating around dock areas and weed edges
- Young of the year panfish becoming more active in warming waters
- Baitfish schools moving into emerging weed growth
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
