| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-55 | - Transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving along secondary points and steep breaks adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Most active during mid-day when water temperatures peak
| - Secondary points with mixed rock and boulder substrate
- Deep water transitions to spawning flats (15-25 foot breaks)
- Rocky humps and ledges near spawning bays
| - Drop Shot with subtle presentations in clear water
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Blade Baits for actively feeding fish in deeper water
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small perch in transitional areas
- Juvenile baitfish schools
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, making short feeding movements to shallow flats and points during low light periods
- Fish becoming more active with warming water temperatures, transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallower spawning locations
| - Rocky points and shoreline areas with gravel substrate in 6-12 foot depth range
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning flats
- Wind-swept shorelines with good rock and gravel composition
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations
- Blade Baits worked with subtle lifts near bottom structure
| - Perch (primary forage based on lake reports)
- Small baitfish congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Juvenile yellow perch in shallow warming bays
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-62 | - Smallmouth bass moving into spawning areas, frequently transitioning between deeper pre-spawn staging areas and shallow nesting sites
- Fish are becoming more active with warming trends but remain selective in clear water conditions
| - Boulder fields in 5-15 foot depth range near spawning flats
- Steep shoreline drops adjacent to spawning areas
- Protected rocky bays with warmer water
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Tubes dragged through rocky areas
| - Perch
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye moving from deep wintering areas to shallow spawning areas, staging on transitional structures
- Fish become more active during low-light periods, with peak activity during dawn and dusk
- Post-spawn females will quickly return to deeper structure while males linger in spawning areas
| - Rocky points and shallow reef areas in 3-8 feet for spawning
- Adjacent deep breaks in 15-25 feet for staging areas
- Protected bays with gravel or rock substrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transition areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water
| - Perch
- Small minnows gathering in spawning areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-68 | - Recovering from spawn, transitioning to deeper structure while maintaining aggressive feeding patterns to replenish energy
- Moving between shallow rocky areas and adjacent deep-water sanctuaries, especially during temperature swings
- Most active during morning and evening periods, utilizing rock-to-sand transitions as primary feeding zones
| - Rocky points adjacent to spawning bays with quick access to deep water
- Secondary rock shelves in 15-25 foot range
- Offshore boulder fields and humps near deep-water access
| - Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly along rock transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged and hopped on rocky points
- Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses over deeper structure
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small perch schools in transition areas
- Juvenile baitfish beginning to school
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Post-spawn walleyes recovering in transitional areas between spawning grounds and summer haunts, actively feeding to regain energy
- Fish becoming more active during daylight hours as water warms, with peak feeding during morning and evening periods
| - Secondary points and shoreline transitions in 12-20ft adjacent to spawning areas
- Wind-blown shorelines with emerging weed growth in 8-15ft
- Offshore humps and shelves rising to 15-25ft that connect to spawning bays
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transition areas with minnows
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieves parallel to structure
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods in clearer water
| - Young-of-year perch beginning to emerge in shallow areas
- Minnow species moving shallow with warming water
- Small baitfish congregating around emerging weed growth
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
