| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-70 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding but remaining close to deeper water access
- Fish are showing increased activity levels with warming trends, particularly during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
| - Rip-rap areas near the dam, especially where rock transitions to sand bottom in 13-18 feet
- Secondary points with access to deeper water
- Submerged vegetation adjacent to spawning flats
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly over rocks and structure
- Carolina Rigs along depth transitions
- Bladed Jigs on points and flats
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to rip-rap
| - Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
- Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Catfish | 58-68 | - Catfish are becoming more active as water temperatures rise, transitioning from winter holding areas to pre-spawn staging locations
- Feeding activity increases during this period, with fish particularly active during dawn and dusk periods
- Fish are following shad movements and starting to gather near spawning areas like riprap and rocky structures
| - Riprap areas along the dam where waters are beginning to warm
- Standing timber areas adjacent to deeper water
- Channel ledges and drop-offs near spawning flats
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or live bait positioned near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along timber lines and ledges
- Carolina Rigs dragged slowly along transition areas
| - Shad schools moving into shallower water
- Small sunfish near structure
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 60-68 | - Bass are in various spawn stages, with some actively spawning in timber and reeds while others are staged in pre-spawn areas near points and stumps
- Fish are showing both shallow spawning behavior and deeper staging patterns, moving between 8-15 feet of water depending on time of day and weather conditions
| - Standing timber in protected coves, particularly in 8-10 foot depth range
- Main lake points with stumps in 8-15 foot depth range
- Dam riprap areas in 7-12 foot depth range
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through timber and around stumps
- Wacky Rigs for spawning fish in shallow areas
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along riprap and points
- Carolina Rigs dragged along main lake points and stump fields
| - Bluegill around shallow cover and spawning areas
- Shad along dam areas and main lake points
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Catfish | 65-75 | - Catfish are transitioning into spawning mode, becoming more territorial and aggressive around nesting sites, particularly in areas with hard structure like rip rap and timber
- Fish are moving from deeper winter holdover areas to shallower spawning locations, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
| - Rip rap areas along the dam where warmer water and ideal spawning cavities are present
- Standing timber in 8-15 feet of water near depth changes
- Rocky points and ledges adjacent to spawning flats
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut bait or live shad positioned near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') working baits slowly through timber and along rip rap
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with large soft plastics around visible structure
| - Shad schools moving into spawning areas
- Bottom-dwelling creatures like crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 68-75 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning to post-spawn behavior, with some fish still on beds while others are moving to early summer patterns. Fish are actively feeding to recover energy after the spawn, particularly around woody cover and vegetation.
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior when presented with the right bait, especially around standing timber and brush. They are utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones, with reports showing success in 8-10 foot ranges.
| - Standing timber areas, particularly in 8-10 foot depth range
- Brush piles and woody cover near spawning flats
- Reed lines and vegetation edges in protected areas
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through timber and brush
- Wacky Rigs around standing timber and structure
- Structure Jigs pitched into brush and reeds
| - Crawfish - multiple reports indicate strong preference
- Bluegill - appearing around timber areas
- Shad - present in open water areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Catfish | 65-75 | - Post-spawn catfish are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during dawn, dusk, and night hours
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to deeper summer holding areas, following baitfish movements
- Increasing activity levels as water temperatures stabilize, with aggressive feeding in areas with current or baitfish concentrations
| - Standing timber edges in 15-25 feet of water where they intersect with ledges
- Riprap areas along the dam, especially during early morning and evening
- Deep water transitions near points and creek channels
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or live bait positioned near structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along timber edges and ledges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly through transition areas
| - Shad schools moving along deeper structure
- Smaller sunfish near shallow structure
- Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
