| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn walleye staging near spawning areas, moving from wintering areas to shallow spawning locations
- Actively feeding during low-light periods, particularly on wind-blown shorelines in 5-15 foot depth range
- Fish are responding to slow presentations in cool water, with heightened feeding activity during warmer days
| - Wind-blown shorelines and points in 5-15 foot depth range
- Rock and gravel areas near spawning locations
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning grounds
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with methodical presentations
- Trolling Shallow (0-9') at speeds of 0.5-1.25 mph
| - Small to medium-sized minnows
- Emerging baitfish schools
- Young of year perch
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-58 | - Smallmouth bass transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish beginning to feed more aggressively but still maintaining close proximity to deep water escape routes
- Moving shallower during warm afternoon periods, especially on sun-exposed rock structures
| - Main lake rock piles adjacent to deep water, especially those near spawning flats
- Steep shoreline transition areas with rock structure in 8-15 foot range
- Protected coves with gravel or rock bottom, particularly on the north shore where water warms first
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Blade Baits worked through deeper staging areas
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for inactive fish
- Tubes dragged slowly across rock piles
| - Smaller crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Resident minnow populations concentrated in pre-spawn areas
- Young of year perch in deeper structures
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are in spawn/post-spawn transition, moving from shallow spawning areas to deeper resting areas (20-35 feet)
- Fish are actively feeding but prefer slower presentations in the cool spring water
| - First major break lines transitioning from spawning flats to deeper water (15-25 feet)
- Deep water resting areas adjacent to spawning grounds (25-35 feet)
- Wind-blown shorelines in 5-15 foot depth range during low light periods
| - Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with minnows on mono leader for deep resting fish
- Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along break lines
- Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') at 0.5-1.25 mph for actively feeding fish
| - Natural minnows concentrated near break lines and structure
- Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on rocky or gravel areas in 2-8 feet of water
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning rounds
- Aggressive territorial behavior, especially from males protecting nests
| - Protected rocky bays and coves with gravel or small rock bottom composition
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Offshore rock piles adjacent to spawning flats serving as staging areas
| - Tubes worked slowly around potential nest sites
- Ned Rigs for finesse presentation to spooky fish
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for suspended pre-spawn fish
| - Small minnows in shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Young of year baitfish beginning to appear
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding on windblown shorelines in 5-15 feet of water
- Most active during low-light periods with feeding windows throughout the day due to moderate water clarity
| - Wind-blown shorelines with submerged vegetation in 5-15 foot depth range
- Structural ledges and breaks near spawning areas
- Rocky points with access to deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs with crawlers or leeches trolled at 0.75-1.25 mph
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows around structure
- Trolling Shallow (0-9') with spinners and live bait
| - Small minnows concentrated in shallow vegetation
- Aquatic insects emerging in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning between spawning flats and early summer locations
- Fish are utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones, making frequent movements between feeding areas
| - Rock piles and humps in 8-15 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats
- Windward points and shorelines with complex structure
- Shallow to mid-depth transition areas with boulder or rock structure
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for reluctant fish
| - Small minnows in shallow to mid-depth zones
- Crayfish emerging from winter habitats
- Young of year baitfish beginning to school
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
