| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish showing increased sight sensitivity and skittish behavior in shallow water due to good water clarity
- Most active during dawn/dusk periods, utilizing deeper water as sanctuary during bright conditions
| - Secondary points and ledges adjacent to spawning flats
- Deep weed edges near drop-offs (15-20 foot range)
- Firm bottom areas with emerging vegetation
| - Neko Rigs worked slowly along drop-offs and weed edges
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses to trigger reaction strikes
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to transition areas
| - Bluegill concentrating near emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active on firm bottom areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 55-65 | - Bluegill are transitioning from deeper winter locations to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish become increasingly active during warming trends, especially during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
- Males beginning to show territorial behavior near potential spawning areas with good vegetation coverage
| - Weed line edges in 8-15 foot depths where vegetation meets deeper water
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with emerging vegetation
- Protected areas near developing vegetation mats with good sun exposure
| - Live Bait Rigs with light line and small hooks for a natural presentation
- Bobbers suspended just above emerging vegetation
- Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly through the water column
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging with warming water
- Zooplankton concentrating in areas of developing vegetation
- Small crustaceans becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-62 | - Crappie transitioning from deeper winter haunts (20ft) to shallower pre-spawn staging areas near emerging vegetation and ledges
- Active feeding during early morning and evening hours, with increased daytime activity as water warms
- Suspended feeding behavior becoming more structure-oriented as fish stage for spawn
| - Drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats with emerging vegetation
- Deeper ledges in 15-20 foot range serving as staging areas
- Transition areas between deep basin and shallow flats
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
| - Small bluegills and juvenile panfish
- Emerging aquatic insects
- Small minnows gathering near vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-68 | - Bass transitioning between pre-spawn staging and active spawning, with some fish on beds while others remain in deeper water near spawning areas
- Fish showing increased sensitivity to shore presence and preferring slower presentations, especially during daylight hours
- Activity levels vary with temperature fluctuations, becoming more aggressive during warmer periods around 65-68°F
| - Drop-offs and ledges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly those with weed growth
- Protected shoreline areas in western and southern portions where wind creates favorable conditions
- Shallow spawning pockets near firm bottom structure
| - Neko Rigs worked slowly with periodic taps, especially effective along drop-offs
- Texas Rigs worked methodically around bedding areas and vegetation
- Hard Jerkbaits with pauses between twitches, particularly effective in open water areas
| - Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Shad in open water areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively engaging in spawning behavior, with males creating and guarding nests in shallow areas near vegetation and structure
- Increased feeding activity during pre and post-spawn periods, particularly during morning and evening hours
- Males become highly territorial and aggressive around nest sites
| - Shallow bays and flats with matted grass and submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Protected areas near weed lines where spawning colonies establish
- Transition areas between vegetation and ledges providing quick access to deeper water
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended just above vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved parallel to weed edges
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Zooplankton concentrations near vegetation
- Small crustaceans in vegetated areas
| - Pink Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie moving into shallow areas (2-8 feet) near vegetation and structure for spawning, most active during dawn and dusk periods
- Males establishing and guarding nesting areas while females stage slightly deeper, moving up periodically to spawn
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially near drop-offs
- Protected shallow bays and pockets with matted grass
- Transition areas between shallow spawning flats and deeper water
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around vegetation
- Bobbers with small jigs suspended at spawning depth
- Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to cover
| - Small bluegills and juvenile panfish
- Insect larvae and small aquatic invertebrates
- Small minnows gathering in spawning areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but remaining cautious due to high water clarity as noted in lake inferences
- Fish are showing crepuscular feeding patterns with increased activity during dawn/dusk periods, suggesting light-sensitive behavior in clearer water conditions
| - Drop-off points adjacent to vegetation, particularly where firm bottom transitions meet weed edges
- Established weed lines in 8-15 foot depth range
- Secondary points with access to deeper water
| - Swim Jigs worked slowly with pauses near vegetation edges
- Neko Rigs on firm bottom areas near drop-offs
- Soft Jerkbaits with longer pauses to accommodate post-spawn recovery period
| - Minnows, as confirmed by recent fishing reports
- Bluegill, indicated as primary forage in lake profile analysis
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper feeding zones, actively pursuing insects and small crustaceans around vegetation
- Fish are becoming more active during daylight hours, establishing regular feeding patterns around submerged vegetation and ledges
| - Weed line edges in 8-12 feet of water, especially near drop-offs
- Submerged vegetation patches adjacent to deeper water
- Secondary points with matted grass
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended at varying depths near weed edges
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
| - Aquatic insects emerging from vegetation
- Small crustaceans in weed beds
- Tiny minnows and fry in shallow areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappie transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish suspending near submerged vegetation edges and actively feeding during daylight hours
- Showing preference for areas with quick access to both shallow cover and deeper water
| - Edges of submerged vegetation in 8-15 feet of water
- Ledges and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats
- Deep basin areas where suspended schools gather
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges and depth transitions
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') for suspended fish
- Crappie Spider Rigging near structure transitions
| - Small bluegills and juvenile sunfish
- Insect larvae and small invertebrates
- Young-of-year baitfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
