Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 39-52 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, primarily relating to rock structure as evidenced by recent catches
- Fish are starting to become more active but movements are still relatively lethargic with cold 39°F water temperatures
| - Rock piles and rip rap areas, particularly those adjacent to deeper water as confirmed by recent fishing reports
- River channel edges where current creates feeding opportunities
- Points and irregular shoreline features that provide early spring warming opportunities
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock structure
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for inactive fish
- Tubes dragged slowly across rock piles
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy in rocky areas
- Small baitfish holding tight to structure
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
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Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-45 | - Pre-spawn walleye are actively feeding on pelagic baitfish (shad and cisco) in open water basins and near current areas
- Fish are suspending near baitfish schools and utilizing rock structures as staging areas before spawning
| - Deep basin areas with suspended baitfish schools
- Rock structures and points near spawning areas
- Current breaks and river channel edges
| - Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish
- Lipless Crankbaits with moderate retrieves in open water
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near baitfish schools
| - Shad schools in open water basins
- Cisco/Whitefish in deeper water columns
- Small baitfish relating to rock structure
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
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Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Catfish | 52-65 | - Catfish are transitioning from winter deep holes to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends and becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are actively feeding during this period to build energy reserves for spawning, with peak activity during dawn and dusk periods
| - Deep holes adjacent to river channel edges where current concentrates food
- Rock piles and rip rap areas that warm quickly and hold crawfish
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow feeding flats
| - Live Bait Rigs with careful bottom presentation near structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges
- Carolina Rigs worked slowly through rocky areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Shad and minnows concentrated in warming areas
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates becoming more active
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to staging spots near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are following a warming trend, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower water, particularly on sunny days
- Aggressive feeding behavior reported near boulder-strewn shores indicates territorial pre-spawn positioning
| - Rocky points and boulder-strewn shorelines adjacent to spawning flats
- Protected coves with firm bottom composition
- Areas where rock piles intersect with deeper water access
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along transitional areas between deep and shallow water
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to rocky banks
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small bluegill in protected areas
- Minnows schooling in pre-spawn patterns
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
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Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-65 | - Staging near pre-spawn areas, gradually moving to shallow spawning flats with warming temperatures
- Males aggressively defending nests in 2-6 foot depths, particularly around rocky areas
- Feeding actively during pre-spawn, then becoming more territorial during actual spawn
| - Rocky points and rip-rap areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Protected coves with gravel or rocky bottom composition
- Current breaks near river channel influences
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky areas and potential nest sites
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations around spawning areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for pre-spawn staging fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in shallow warming areas
- Young of year shad beginning to appear
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Walleye are actively seeking spawning areas in shallow rocky areas and current-influenced zones, particularly around dusk and dawn
- Fish are moving between pre-spawn staging areas and spawning sites, with feeding becoming more aggressive just before spawning
| - Rocky points and shorelines with current influence, especially near river channel intersections
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper pre-spawn staging areas
- Current breaks near river channel edges where baitfish congregate
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions with occasional pauses
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows, particularly effective during pre-spawn staging
- Lipless Crankbaits retrieved with a steady cadence through suspended fish
| - Cisco/Whitefish schools in deeper staging areas
- Shad concentrations near current breaks
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Catfish | 55-65 | - Catfish are transitioning into spawning behavior, actively feeding in pre-spawn pattern while seeking warmer water in protected areas
- Fish are positioning behind rocks and in deep sections of river channels, using current breaks as staging areas
| - Deep sections of river channels with current breaks
- Rock piles and boulder areas providing current breaks
- Protected coves with warmer water
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with the current, using occasional twitches
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near current breaks
- Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through deeper holes
| | - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass actively moving into spawning areas near boulder-strewn shores and protected pockets, showing increased aggression as water warms
- Fish transitioning between pre-spawn feeding and spawning behavior, with males beginning to stage and prepare beds
| - Boulder-strewn shorelines in protected pockets with firm bottom
- Areas where rock structure intersects with softer bottom or vegetation
- Shallow, protected coves with stable conditions for spawning
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to shoreline structure
- Swim Jigs targeting transitions between hard and soft bottom
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around boulders and cover
| - Bluegill congregating in spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming active around rocky structure
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 65-75 | - Smallmouth bass are actively feeding in current-influenced areas, particularly around breaks and calmer pockets
- Fish are relating heavily to rocky structure and showing aggressive feeding behavior on crawfish
| - Current breaks with adjacent rock structure
- Cuts to backwater areas, especially with rip rap
- Rock piles and boulder fields near river channel influence
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around rocky structure
- Texas Rigs pitched to current breaks and rip rap
- Finesse Jigs worked along current seams over rocks
| - Crawfish
- Small baitfish in current areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 45-58 | - Post-spawn walleye are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively pursuing baitfish in current areas and along structure breaks
- Fish are moving between shallow and mid-depth ranges throughout the day, following baitfish schools and utilizing current breaks for feeding opportunities
| - River channel edges and current breaks where baitfish concentrate
- Rocky points and irregular shoreline features that create ambush points
- Transition areas between spawning grounds and deeper basin areas
| - Blade Baits worked along current breaks and structure edges
- Lipless Crankbaits retrieved with a yo-yo action in 8-15 feet
- Live Bait Rigs slowly presented along rock-to-mud transitions
| - Ciscoes/Whitefish suspended in the water column
- Shad schools congregating near current breaks
- Small perch along rocky structure
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Catfish | 58-72 | - Post-spawn catfish actively feeding and recovering, moving from spawning areas to feeding zones near current breaks and rock structure
- Establishing regular feeding patterns with increased activity during dawn and dusk, especially around flowing water sections
| - Deep holes adjacent to river channel sections with current breaks
- Rock piles and rip rap areas, especially those near depth changes
- Edges of submerged vegetation where it meets deeper water or current
| - Live Bait Rigs with bottom bouncing presentation near current breaks
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along deep hole edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around rock structure and vegetation
| - Crawfish emerging and active in rocky areas
- Shad and minnows congregating in current breaks
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-75 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts
- Fish are utilizing the complex shoreline features, moving between shallow feeding zones and adjacent deeper water
| - Rock piles and boulders intersecting with vegetation near spawning flats
- Protected coves with access to deeper water
- Current breaks near river channel edges where baitfish concentrate
| - Swim Jigs worked parallel to shoreline transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for suspended fish
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover
- Spinnerbaits along rocky banks and points
| - Bluegill in shallow, protected areas
- Minnows suspended near structure
- Crawfish active among rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
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