Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn bass are actively moving from winter areas to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming more aggressive in feeding behavior
- Fish are responding well to reaction baits in stained water, particularly around wood cover and in wind-blown areas
- Bass are showing mixed depth patterns, with some fish already pushing shallow while others remain in transition areas
| - Shallow areas with wood cover and laydowns in dirty water
- Protected dock areas in pockets and creeks
- Points and transitions leading to spawning flats
- Creek arms with warming water
| - Spinnerbaits slow-rolled around wood cover and wind-blown areas
- Texas Rigs pitched to visible cover in shallow water
- Neko Rigs worked around docks and in pockets
- Shallow diving crankbaits worked along points
| - Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Shad schools in transition areas
- Blueback herring starting to move shallower
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 55-65 | - Spotted bass are actively feeding and transitioning from winter to pre-spawn patterns, with fish staging near spawning areas but still relating to deeper structure
- Fish are schooling aggressively on points and around bait concentrations, particularly during afternoon hours when water temperatures rise
| - Main lake points, especially those adjacent to spawning pockets
- Brush piles in 15-30 foot depth range
- Rock piles and rocky structure transitioning to spawning areas
| - Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended fish schools
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for deeper, less active fish
- Hard Jerkbaits worked over brush piles
- Ned Rigs worked slowly on points
| - Blueback Herring schooling in open water and around points
- Shad concentrating near structure and points
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-62 | - Transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Following schools of blueback herring and shad while relating to structure
- Most active during warming trends, becoming aggressive as water temperatures rise
| - Main lake points in 15-25 foot range with access to deeper water
- Rock piles and brush piles on transitional areas between winter and spawning grounds
- Secondary points in major creek arms with gravel or rock bottom composition
| - Drop Shot with slow, subtle presentations on deeper structure
- Shakey Heads worked methodically along rock and gravel transitions
- Blade Baits for actively feeding fish around bait schools
| - Blueback Herring schooling in pre-spawn patterns
- Shad concentrating near points and structure
- Crawfish becoming more active on rocky bottom areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Assorted Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-68 | - Bluegill are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn locations, actively feeding while holding tight to cover in preparation for spawning
- Fish are becoming more active with warming temperatures, congregating around brush piles and other structures in 10-19 foot depth range
| - Brush piles in 10-19 foot depth range
- Protected coves with abundant cover
- Points with gradual slopes leading to spawning areas
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Bobbers
| - Small insects and larvae
- Small crappie fry
- Zooplankton
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Trout | 52-65 | - Trout actively moving into shallower water (10-20 feet) as water temperatures warm, following baitfish schools of herring and shad
- Most active during early morning and late evening due to the stained water conditions (1.9m Secchi) providing favorable light conditions for feeding
| - Points and creek channels in 15-25 foot range with nearby brush piles
- Dock areas providing shade and structure in 10-20 foot depths
- Standing timber areas where baitfish schools concentrate
| - Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with consistent speed to target active fish
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked around structure
- Inline Spinners near baitfish schools in low light conditions
| - Blueback Herring schooling in the mid-water column
- Shad concentrating around structure and points
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | White Bass | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn white bass are beginning their migration toward spawning areas, moving from deeper winter haunts to staging areas near tributary mouths and major creek arms
- Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, forming loose schools that will tighten up as spawning approaches
- Feeding activity increases during this transition period as fish need energy for spawning
| - Main lake points near major creek arms and tributary mouths where fish stage before moving up to spawn
- Secondary points inside creek arms with gradual slopes
- Channel swings and deeper flats adjacent to spawning areas
| - Blade Baits worked vertically along channel edges and points for actively feeding fish
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily through staging areas
- Lipless Crankbaits burned through schools when fish are actively feeding
| - Blueback Herring schooling in pre-spawn patterns
- Small shad species gathering in creek arms
- Various minnow species in tributary areas
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 60-68 | - Actively staging on main lake points and near spawning tributaries, following pre-spawn blueback herring movements
- Exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior during early morning and evening periods, with surface activity around points and bridge pillars
- Moving between different depth ranges throughout the day, utilizing brush piles in 20-30ft as staging areas
| - Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those with brush piles
- Bridge pillars and associated current breaks
- Creek channel mouths and tributary entrances
| - Umbrella Rigs worked along point contours and near brush piles
- Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly around bait schools and surface activity
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) presented parallel to channel edges
| - Blueback Herring gathering for spring spawn
- Schooling Shad in creek mouths and around points
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, following the warming trend. They're becoming more active as water temperatures rise, moving into intermediate depths of 8-15 feet
- Fish are beginning to aggregate near spawning areas but not yet on beds, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
| - Brush piles in creek arms at 15-20 foot depths adjacent to eventual spawning areas
- Dock structures with good depth transitions, especially those near creek channels
- Standing timber edges in creek arms where pre-spawn staging occurs
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Crappie Dock Shooting
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
| - Shad schooling in creek arms and around dock structures
- Blueback herring moving into pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Fish are actively spawning and guarding beds in shallow water, with some transitioning between pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn phases
- Cold fronts are temporarily pushing fish off beds to nearby deeper structure like docks and points
- Post-spawn fish beginning to chase shad and blueback herring in pocket areas
| - Docks with black floats in 1-4 feet of water, especially walkways
- Protected spawning pockets near creek channels
- Points with natural rock and shoals
- Submerged vegetation in creek channels
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around beds and dock areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting spawning areas and vegetation
- Hard Jerkbaits on points during post-frontal conditions
- Shakey Heads for blind casting around dock areas
| - Blueback Herring gathering in spawning areas
- Crawfish active in shallow areas
- Bluegill beginning to move shallow
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 58-68 | - Spotted bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) near hard bottom and protecting nests
- Pre/post spawn fish staging on adjacent points and transitional areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves
| - Rocky points and riprap areas with pea gravel or small rock for spawning
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning pockets
- Shallow brush piles near spawning flats
- Docks with deep water access near spawning areas
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly around spawning areas and transition points
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for sight fishing spawning fish
- Spinnerbaits for covering water between spawning pockets
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended pre/post spawn fish
| - Blueback Herring staging for spawn
- Crawfish emerging in warming shallows
- Small baitfish in spawning pockets
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass moving shallow (5-15 feet) to spawn on gravel and rock areas, with males actively guarding nests
- Pre-spawn feeding activity intense around transitional areas between winter and spawning grounds
- Fish becoming more aggressive and territorial as water temperatures rise
| - Main lake points with gravel or rock substrate in 5-15 foot range
- Protected rocky coves and bays with stable temperatures
- Transition areas near deeper winter haunts with rock or gravel bottom
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky bottom areas
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations around spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for aggressive pre-spawn fish
| - Blueback Herring schooling in spawning areas
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegill actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around brush piles and docks in 2-6 feet of water
- Males aggressively defending nest sites while females stage slightly deeper, making periodic moves to spawning areas
| - Protected shallow coves with brush piles and laydowns in 2-6 feet
- Dock areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Bobbers with small jigs or live bait suspended 2-4 feet deep around visible cover
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') tight to brush piles and dock posts
- Crappie Dock Shooting for skittish fish under docks
| - Small insects and larvae
- Small crustaceans
- Tiny shad fry
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Trout | 52-62 | - Trout are transitioning from winter depths to shallower spawning areas, becoming more active with warming water temperatures
- Fish are staging near tributary mouths and moving into cooler, oxygen-rich areas for spawning
- Feeding activity increases as metabolism rises with warming temperatures, particularly during dawn and dusk periods
| - Tributary mouths and creek channels in 10-20 foot depth range
- Brush piles and standing timber in 15-30 foot range providing staging areas
- Points and coves with good water flow near spawning areas
| - Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with consistent speed to cover water
- Inline Spinners worked through schools of baitfish
- Live Bait Rigs near structure and staging areas
| - Blueback Herring gathering in pre-spawn schools
- Shad concentrating in warming shallow waters
- Small baitfish in tributary areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | White Bass | 58-68 | - White bass are making spawning runs into tributary areas and gathering in large schools near spawning grounds
- Fish are aggressive and actively feeding during pre-spawn staging, especially during warmer periods of the day
- Schools are transitioning between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning zones, using points and creek channels as migration routes
| - Tributary mouths and incoming creek channels where spawning runs occur
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays and creek arms
- Shallow gravel flats and rocky areas near deeper water access
| - Inline Spinners worked at medium speeds through spawning areas and migration routes
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) swam near bottom in pre-spawn staging areas
- Blade Baits worked vertically along migration routes and channel edges
| - Blueback Herring schooling in tributary areas
- Small shad and minnows in spawning bays
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Striped Bass | 60-72 | - Actively pursuing spawning blueback herring in shallow water areas, particularly during early morning and evening hours
- Staging near points and creek channels that provide access to spawning areas, moving between shallow and moderate depths throughout the day
| - Main lake points adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with quick access to deeper water
- Bridge pillars and man-made structures where herring congregate
- Creek channel intersections with the main lake where herring stage
| - Umbrella Rigs worked along points and channel edges to mimic herring schools
- Hard Topwater (Walking) during low light periods when herring are surface feeding
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked at varying depths to match herring movement
| - Blueback Herring (primary forage during spawn)
- Threadfin Shad (secondary forage)
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Metallic Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie moving shallow (2-8 feet) to spawn, staging on pre-spawn areas near spawning flats and coves
- Males guarding nests while females suspend nearby, actively feeding during dawn and dusk periods
| - Protected shallow coves with brush and standing timber in 2-8 foot depths
- Dock areas adjacent to spawning flats, especially in 6-12 foot depths
- Creek arms with flooded brush and timber
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
| - Shad (primary forage during spawn)
- Blueback Herring
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 59-75 | - Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding on blueback herring and shad in the upper water column, especially during early morning and cloudy conditions
- Fish are showing a distinct daily movement pattern - starting shallow early, then moving to deeper structure as the sun rises
- Many fish are suspending near structure rather than holding tight to bottom, actively chasing bait schools
| - Main lake points, especially those with red clay composition
- Brush piles and flooded timber in 20-30 foot depth range
- Shallow coves and creek arms with cover
- Docks and laydowns in transitional areas
| - Hard Topwater (Walking) during low light conditions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) when fish are actively chasing bait
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and structure
- Wacky Rigs around docks and laydowns
| - Blueback Herring schooling near surface and around points
- Shad in creek arms and around brush
- Recently spawned fry in shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 60-65 | - Fish are actively feeding in the post-spawn period, focusing on points and shallow structure where bait is present
- Spotted bass are showing both shallow and suspended feeding patterns, with reports of surface activity when herring are present
| - Points with active bait presence, especially where blueback herring are schooling
- Docks in 10-15 foot depth range, particularly on windy banks
- Shallow brush piles near spawning areas
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked around points and suspended fish
- Hard Topwater (Walking) when fish are actively feeding on surface bait
- Finesse Jigs worked around docks and laydowns
| - Blueback Herring schooling near points and surface
- Shad in wind-blown areas
- Crawfish around rocky points and hard bottom areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior around points and humps, targeting schooling baitfish
- Starting to establish deeper water patterns but still making frequent moves between depth zones
| - Main lake points in 15-25 foot range with access to deeper water
- Offshore rock piles and humps in 20-30 foot range
- Transition areas between spawning flats and summer deep-water spots
| - Drop Shot with finesse baits worked slowly along bottom structure
- Shakey Heads worked methodically around rock piles and points
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along depth transitions
| - Blueback Herring schooling in open water near structure
- Shad congregating around points and humps
- Crawfish active on rocky bottom areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Assorted Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 68-78 | - Post-spawn bluegill are actively feeding and recovering, dispersing from shallow spawning areas to slightly deeper water near abundant cover
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, actively feeding throughout the day with peak activity during morning and evening hours
| - Brush piles in 8-12 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats
- Dock areas with good depth transitions
- Points with submerged vegetation or woody cover in 6-15 feet
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended at specific depths around cover
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') working brush piles and dock edges
- Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or insects
| - Small insects and larvae
- Tiny shad fry
- Small crawfish
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Trout | 58-68 | - Trout are transitioning from deeper winter haunts to more active feeding in the upper water column, especially during low-light periods
- Fish are following baitfish schools and becoming more aggressive in their feeding patterns as water temperatures warm
| - Brush piles and standing timber in 15-30 foot range where baitfish congregate
- Points and creek channels that provide access to both shallow and deep water
- Dock structures providing shade and cover for baitfish
| - Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with consistent speed to target actively feeding fish
- Inline Spinners worked through the upper water column during low light periods
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) around brush piles and timber
| - Blueback Herring schooling in the mid-water column
- Shad congregating around structure and in creek channels
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | White Bass | 65-75 | - Post-spawn white bass are actively feeding and schooling, recovering energy while transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are forming 'wolf packs' to chase blueback herring in the upper water column, especially during early morning hours
| - Main lake points adjacent to spawning tributaries where white bass intercept baitfish schools
- Secondary points in major creek arms where blueback herring congregate
- Shallow flats near deep water access where post-spawn fish stage
| - Spinnerbaits worked in the upper water column with varied retrieve speeds to trigger reaction strikes
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) mimicking blueback herring schools
- Lipless Crankbaits burned through surfacing schools during feeding frenzies
| - Blueback Herring (primary forage based on lake reports)
- Shad species gathering in post-spawn areas
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 60-72 | - Actively feeding on blueback herring in shallow to mid-depth ranges, particularly during spawn-related activities
- Exhibiting surface feeding behavior around points and bridge pillars, especially during early morning and evening hours
- Transitioning between shallow spawning areas and summer holding areas, using points and channel edges as migration routes
| - Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those with evidence of bait schools
- Bridge pillars and man-made structures where current concentrates bait
- Brush piles in 20-30 ft range near primary points
| - Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended bait schools
- Hard Topwater (Walking) during low light surface feeding periods
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along channel edges and points
| - Blueback Herring (primary forage during spawn)
- Shad concentrating around structure
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappie transitioning to summer patterns, suspending near docks and brush piles while recovering from spawn
- Actively feeding on shad and minnows in the upper water column during morning and evening periods
| - Docks in 8-15 foot depth range, especially those with brush or structure nearby
- Brush piles positioned along creek channel edges in 15-25 foot range
- Standing timber in creek arms transitioning to main lake
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around docks and visible cover
- Crappie Dock Shooting for skittish fish under structures
- Crappie Spider Rigging for suspended fish around deeper brush piles
| - Minnows schooling in the upper water column
- Shad suspended around dock structures
- Blueback herring relating to deeper brush piles
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|