| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving from deeper channel areas to warming shallow flats and coves, particularly during warmer afternoons
| - Secondary points and channel swings leading into spawning coves
- Brush piles and woody cover along migration routes from winter areas
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially those with emerging vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional areas between deep and shallow water
- Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation and near woody cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with a slow, erratic retrieve along channel edges
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Schooling baitfish in transition areas
- Small bluegill in shallow warming areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
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| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Trout | 45-58 | - Trout are actively feeding in the upper water column, targeting emerging insects and baitfish as water temperatures warm
- Fish are showing increased activity near the dam structure and in coves, utilizing these areas as transition zones
| - Dam area providing deeper, cooler water and current breaks
- Protected coves with emerging insect activity
- Points and shoreline transitions where baitfish gather
| - Bobbers with suspended live bait or artificial presentations
- Inline Spinners worked at varying depths
- Soft Jerkbaits with subtle twitching action
| - Emerging aquatic insects, particularly mayflies and caddis
- Small baitfish and minnows
- Freshwater scuds and smaller crustaceans
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
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| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are actively engaged in spawning activities, with fish moving between pre-spawn staging areas and shallow spawning flats. Recent reports show they're responding well to pause-and-go retrieves, indicating they're in an aggressive but methodical feeding pattern
- Fish are showing selective feeding behavior, with success coming after technique adjustments, suggesting they're focused on specific presentations that match their spawning-phase mindset
| - Protected areas in coves and along irregular shoreline features, particularly where river channels meet spawning flats
- River channel edges where pre-spawn fish are staging
- Open water areas near structure where fish are actively feeding on baitfish schools
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with underspin, worked with a slow retrieve and strategic pauses
- Bladed Jigs (chatterbaits) in open water areas, especially around baitfish schools
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting specific spawning areas and structure
| - Crawfish, which are primary targets during the spawn period as evidenced by successful fire craw colored baits
- Baitfish schools, particularly in open water areas where chatterbaits have been effective
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Trout | 45-58 | - Trout are actively feeding on spring insect hatches in the upper water column, especially near the dam structure
- Fish are likely splitting time between spawning activities in cooler tributary areas and feeding opportunities near structure
| - Dam area providing deeper, cooler water and concentrated feeding zones
- Upper water column areas with insect activity
- Protected coves where water warms first in spring
| - Bobbers with suspended bait to target feeding fish in upper water column
- Inline Spinners cast near structure and retrieved at varying speeds
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly to imitate injured baitfish
| - Emerging spring insects and larvae
- Small baitfish in the upper water column
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting alewife in and around flooded brush areas
- Fish are establishing predictable feeding patterns along structured areas, with activity concentrated in the morning and evening hours
| - Flooded brush areas, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- Channel edges near woody cover
- Protected coves with complex shoreline features
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with pause-and-go retrieve
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) around brush
- Bladed Jigs near cover edges
| - Alewife schooling around brush
- Crawfish active in woody cover
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Trout | 48-58 | - Trout are actively feeding in the upper water column, taking advantage of spring insect hatches and increased surface activity
- Fish are dispersing throughout the lake post-spawn, with frequent movements between deeper refuge areas and shallow feeding zones
| - Dam area offering deeper, cooler water as a staging area between feeding periods
- Coves and points where wind concentrates insects and provides good oxygenation
- Upper water column areas near structure where insects are most active
| - Bobbers with suspended live bait or artificial presentations to target active fish in the upper water column
- Inline Spinners worked at varying depths to cover water and trigger reaction strikes
- Soft Jerkbaits retrieved with a stop-and-go action to imitate injured baitfish
| - Spring hatching insects including mayflies and caddis
- Small minnows and baitfish
- Emerging aquatic nymphs
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
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