| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming water temperatures
- Fish are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower flats and staging points adjacent to spawning areas
- Feeding activity increases as fish prepare for spawning, with aggressive responses to prey during warming trends
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats
- Emerging weed edges in 4-8 feet of water
- Protected shallow bays with firm bottom composition
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked around visible cover
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in shallow vegetation
- Small baitfish schools near staging areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn crappies are beginning to move from deeper wintering areas toward shallower staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are becoming more aggressive in their feeding patterns, especially during warmer afternoons, but may still be somewhat lethargic during cold fronts
| - Shallow coves and bays with emerging vegetation, particularly those adjacent to deeper water
- The edges of weed beds in 6-12 foot depths where pre-spawn staging occurs
- Areas near the island structure, focusing on the wind-protected sides
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Live Bait Rigs
| - Small perch fry
- Emerging aquatic insects
- Small minnows gathering in warming shallows
| - Pink Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are actively spawning in shallow areas, with males guarding nests and females moving between spawning flats and staging areas
- Fish become more aggressive during late morning as water temperatures rise, with bedded bass showing territorial behavior
| - Protected shallow flats with firm bottom near rip rap for spawning
- Weed edges and floating cattails in 3-5 foot depth range
- Secondary points and staging areas adjacent to spawning flats
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around visible beds and spawning areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting bass around cattails and vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly for pre-spawn fish on staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging in shallow areas
- Bluegill beginning to move shallow
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappies are moving into shallow spawning areas, typically in 2-6 feet of water, particularly around matted vegetation and protected areas
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with peak activity during morning and evening hours
| - Protected shallow bays with matted vegetation and woody cover in 2-6 feet of water
- Transition areas between spawning flats and slightly deeper water, especially near the island structure
- Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning areas
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around spawning areas
- Bobbers with small jigs suspended at spawning depth
- Crappie Dock Shooting when targeting fish under available cover
| - Small perch fry emerging in spawning areas
- Various aquatic insects active in shallow areas
| - Pink Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Bass are actively feeding on bluegill in the post-spawn period, targeting shallow to mid-depth zones around 8 feet deep
- Fish are relating strongly to weed edges and showing aggressive surface feeding behavior, particularly around vegetation transitions
| - Weed edges in 6-10 foot depth range, especially near dock areas
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with emerging vegetation
- Dock structures providing shade and ambush points
| - Hard Topwater (Popping) worked parallel to weed edges
- Soft Jerkbaits worked around dock posts
- Swim Jigs through sparse vegetation
| - Bluegill congregating near dock areas and weed edges
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in shallows
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappies are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts
- Fish are suspended in and around emerging weed growth, particularly during morning and evening feeding periods
- Given the moderate staining (1.9m Secchi), fish are likely to stay in the upper half of the water column, especially during low light
| - Emerging weed edges in 8-12 foot depths, especially near points
- Island structure in the northern part of the lake, focusing on the shaded sides
- Deeper secondary points adjacent to spawning bays
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
| - Young-of-year perch
- Small minnows and fry
- Aquatic insects around emerging vegetation
| - Pink Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
