| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 42-50 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth are actively transitioning from winter areas to staging locations near spawning flats, moving in loose schools during feeding periods
- Fish are becoming more active but still responding best to slower presentations, especially during colder periods of the day
- Fish are showing clear morning bite windows (7-10am) and relating strongly to transition areas between deeper water and shallow flats
| - Rock/sand transitions near spawning flats in 5-12 foot depth range
- Boulder fields with sharp drops, especially those adjacent to shallow flats
- Protected gravel/sand flats with nearby deep water access
| - Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses, especially during colder periods
- Blade Baits worked with a pop-and-pause retrieve along breaks
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve in shallow water
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
| | - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish moving from wintering areas to shallower staging areas, following perch schools
- Most active during low-light periods due to moderate to high water clarity
| - Western bays with dark/muck bottom in 8-12 foot depths
- Transitions between deep winter areas and shallow spawning zones
- Weed edges in 12-16 foot depths adjacent to spawning areas
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnow-tipped jigs
- Blade Baits worked through suspended fish
| - Yellow Perch concentrating in pre-spawn areas
- Small baitfish schools transitioning to shallower water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower staging points, particularly near spawning bays and coves
- Feeding activity increases as bass prepare for spawning, with aggressive responses to prey movements
| - Rocky points and transitions adjacent to spawning bays
- Hard structure (rock piles, boulders) in 8-15 foot depth range
- Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along transitional areas between deep and shallow water
- Jerkbaits worked slowly over rock piles and points
- Football Jigs dragged along bottom structure
| - Yellow Perch gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming more active as water warms
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 65-70 | - Smallmouth bass are actively spawning and defending beds in shallow water, particularly around rock and sand transitions
- Fish are highly territorial and aggressive toward intruding baits, with males guarding nests throughout the day
| - Rock and sand transitions in 2-5 feet of water where spawning beds are located
- Boulder fields adjacent to shallow flats providing staging areas
- Protected bays with mixed rock and sand bottom composition
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around visible beds
- Finesse Jigs pitched directly to bedding fish
- Tubes dragged slowly through spawning areas
| - Crawfish active in rocky areas
- Small perch around spawning flats
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleyes are transitioning into spawning areas, primarily focused on shallow rock and gravel areas in 2-10 feet of water
- Post-spawn fish showing aggressive feeding behavior, actively pursuing perch schools in western bays
- Fish activity peaks during low-light periods due to moderate to high water clarity
| - Western bays with dark/muck bottom in 10-foot depths
- Rocky points and shorelines in 2-8 feet for spawning
- Transition areas between spawning grounds and deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnow-tipped jigs
- Blade Baits worked aggressively during active feeding periods
| - Perch - primary forage base confirmed by multiple reports
- Small Minnows - typical spring forage in northern lakes
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Bass moving into shallow, protected areas (2-6 feet) in coves and bays for spawning
- Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure
- Increased activity during warmer parts of day, particularly in protected areas receiving sun
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with hard bottom
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Rock piles and boulders in 4-8 feet adjacent to spawning areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover in spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly through spawning flats
- Soft Jerkbaits for staging fish near deeper structure
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small perch in shallow areas
- Bluegill moving shallow
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-68 | - Fish are actively feeding in packs around structure edges and transition areas, particularly on sand bar drops near rock reefs
- Moving between shallow and mid-depth zones (8-12 ft), showing aggressive feeding behavior during prime periods
| - Sand bar drops adjacent to rock reefs, especially on the edges where transitions occur
- Rock piles in 8-12 foot depth range
- Break lines near shallow rock structure in 10-foot depth zone
| - Drop Shot with slow swimming retrieval
- Tubes worked along bottom on 1/4oz jig heads
- Finesse Hair Jigs hopped on rock piles
| - Minnows actively present around rock structure
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Actively schooling and aggressively feeding on perch in western bays, particularly over dark/muck bottom areas in relatively shallow water
- Fish are highly visible on forward-facing sonar and actively chasing bait schools, indicating peak post-spawn feeding activity
| - Western bays with muck/dark bottom in 10-foot depths
- Weed edges in 12-16 feet adjacent to deeper water
- Points and structure that concentrate baitfish based on wind direction
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked around active fish schools
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') targeting active fish in western bays
- Live Bait Rigs for more subtle presentation during slower periods
| - Perch - primary forage base with large schools present
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are becoming more structure-oriented, moving between shallow and moderate depths as they follow forage
- Morning and evening periods show increased shallow water feeding activity, with fish moving to deeper structure during bright conditions
| - Secondary points and rock piles adjacent to spawning bays
- Weed edges in 12-16ft near deep water access
- Hard structure (boulders, rock piles) in 8-15ft transitional areas
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along rock-to-weed transitions
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges and over rock piles
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around points and structure
| - Perch moving along weed edges and rock structure
- Crawfish becoming active on hard bottom areas and rock piles
- Small baitfish relating to emerging weed growth
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
