| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding while staging near spawning areas, typically relating to steep breaks adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior at 59°F, targeting bluegill while holding tight to structure transitions
| - Steep breaks adjacent to sand/hard bottom areas with nearby vegetation
- Submerged vegetation edges in pre-spawn staging areas
- Secondary points with access to spawning flats
| - Grass Jigs worked along vegetation edges and breaks
- Ned Rigs worked slowly on breaks and transitions
- Wacky Rigs for suspended fish near vegetation
| - Bluegill concentrating near vegetation edges
- Small baitfish relating to structure transitions
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-48 | - Northern Pike actively moving into shallow bays and backwaters preparing for spawn, showing increased feeding activity as water warms
- Fish transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallow pre-spawn locations, often staged near access to deeper water
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, particularly those adjacent to deeper water
- Weed edges and flats in 5-12 foot depth range
- Protected areas near potential spawning locations
| - Lipless Crankbaits with slow, steady retrieves near emerging vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked through staging areas
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges and across flats
| - Bluegill congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Shad and baitfish schools in transition areas
- Small pike and yellow perch in shallow bays
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 42-55 | - Panfish are staging in deep water following ice-out, congregating in schools near the first and second break lines
- Fish are actively feeding but remaining relatively stationary in deeper water, preparing for their eventual move to spawning areas
| - Deep basin areas adjacent to shallow bays, focusing on first and second break lines
- Ledges and steep breaks in 20+ feet of water
- Deep holes outside of spawning bays where schools are staging
| - Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+)
- Ice Fishing Jigs
- Hover/Mid-Strolling
| - Insects
- Small zooplankton
- Tiny minnows
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Bass transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, actively searching for and creating nests in protected areas with firm bottom
- Males becoming territorial and aggressive in protecting nesting sites, while females move between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays where pre-spawn fish stage
- Weed edges in 8-10 foot range serving as staging areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs for finesse presentation to pressured fish
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow and prepare for their own spawn
- Small baitfish utilizing warming shallow waters
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-52 | - Actively moving into shallow bays and backwaters for spawning immediately after ice-out
- Males staging in pre-spawn areas while females move between spawning grounds and slightly deeper recovery zones
- Aggressive feeding behavior before and after spawning to restore energy reserves
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
- Transition areas between spawning bays and deeper water (8-12 feet)
- Weed edges adjacent to spawning areas for post-spawn recovery
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow spawning areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves along transition zones
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas
| - Bluegill concentrating in emerging weed growth
- Shad schools in slightly deeper transition areas
- Small pike and other spring spawning baitfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegills moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around submerged vegetation and protected coves
- Males actively guarding nests in colonies, becoming more aggressive and territorial
- Feeding patterns increase during pre-spawn, with fish actively searching for insects and small invertebrates
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and vegetation
- Weed edges in 2-6 feet of water
- Shallow coves with scattered reed beds
| - Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly around spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked horizontally through spawning colonies
| - Aquatic insects and larvae
- Small crustaceans
- Tiny minnows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and feeding, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns along weed edges
- Fish are showing increased aggression as they replenish energy, with feeding activity concentrated during morning and evening periods
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depth range
- Secondary points with emerging weed growth
- Humps and peninsulas with developing vegetation in 10-15 foot range
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along weed edges
- Spinnerbaits parallel to emerging weed growth
- Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieves over vegetation
| - Bluegill concentrating around emerging weed growth
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, making frequent moves between shallow feeding zones and adjacent deeper water rest areas
- Aggressive feeding behavior during cooler parts of day, particularly targeting baitfish schools along weed edges and flats
| - Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, particularly in 8-15 foot transitions
- Shallow flats near spawning bays where pike stage to feed
- Points and humps with emerging weed growth in 6-12 foot range
| - Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled through transition areas
- Inline Spinners retrieved at moderate speeds in shallow feeding zones
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to weed edges
| - Bluegill congregating near emerging weed growth
- Shad schools moving along deeper weed edges
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to appear in shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding and beginning to establish summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper refuge areas
- Fish are typically most active during morning and evening hours, utilizing weed edges and transition areas for feeding
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 feet of water
- Submerged vegetation in 6-10 feet where it meets deeper water transitions
- Secondary points and inside turns with vegetation near deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs with light wire hooks and small split shots for natural presentation
- Bobbers suspended at specific depths around weed edges
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through vegetation transitions
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging in warming waters
- Small crustaceans in and around vegetation
- Tiny baitfish fry beginning to appear in shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
