Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass moving from winter depths to transitional staging areas, following the warming trend in preparation for spawn
- Becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, with feeding increasing to build energy reserves for spawning
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning bays
- Emerging weed edges in 5-8 foot range
- Docks with deep water access
| - Lipless Crankbaits
- Bladed Jigs
- Swim Jigs
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallower
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
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Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Northern Pike are actively moving into shallow bays and vegetated areas preparing for spawn, with increased feeding activity due to pre-spawn metabolism
- Fish are most active during warmer parts of the day, utilizing shallow areas that warm up first
| - Shallow vegetated bays with emerging weed growth, especially on the north side of the lake where water warms first
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Laydowns and dock areas in 3-8 foot depths adjacent to spawning areas
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to weed edges
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas
| - Bluegills congregating in warming shallow bays
- Small yellow perch moving shallow
- Various minnow species in transitional areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Males scouting and building nests in shallow protected areas with firm bottom, females staging on nearby drop-offs
- Gradually moving shallower as water temperatures rise, with most active periods during stable weather
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom near deep water access
- Shallow areas adjacent to docks with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around shallow cover
- Swim Jigs around emerging vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn fish on drop-offs
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
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Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-52 | - Northern Pike are in pre and post-spawn patterns, moving into shallow bays and tributary areas with vegetation for spawning. Aggressive feeding occurs before and after the spawn.
- Fish are primarily shallow, utilizing emerging vegetation and warming areas for both spawning and post-spawn recovery.
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation and warmer water
- Tributary areas and channels leading to spawning grounds
- Protected areas near shore with matted grass and laydowns
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas
| - Bluegill in shallow vegetated areas
- Small pike and yellow perch
- Minnow species gathering in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Warm Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, becoming more active and establishing feeding territories near green vegetation
- Fish are primarily feeding during morning and evening hours, with increased activity around bluegill beds
| - Weed edges in 8-12 feet adjacent to spawning flats
- Secondary points with emerging vegetation
- Docks with deep water access near spawning bays
| - Swim Jigs worked parallel to weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and vegetation
- Spinnerbaits in wind-blown areas near points
| - Bluegill preparing to spawn
- Young of year baitfish emerging in vegetation
- Crawfish active in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, targeting shallow to mid-depth areas with vegetation and structure
- Fish are moving between shallow feeding zones and slightly deeper recovery areas, particularly active during early morning and evening periods
| - Weed edges in 8-12 foot depth range adjacent to spawning bays
- Submerged vegetation near points and irregular shoreline features
- Dock areas with nearby vegetation providing shade and ambush points
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near structure
- Inline Spinners in shallow feeding zones
| - Bluegill gathering in warming shallow areas
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school
- Post-spawn perch moving to vegetation edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|