| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 38-45 | - Fish are lethargic and holding near bottom structure due to cold water temperatures (39°F)
- Pre-spawn staging behavior with fish relating heavily to docks as primary structure
- Feeding primarily on minnows but with reduced activity levels requiring slow presentations
| - Docks, particularly those closest to deeper water
- Deep water transitions near spawning flats
- Channel edges and breaks adjacent to shallow staging areas
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Drop Shot
- Ned Rigs
| | - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-45 | - Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding while staging near spawning areas, making aggressive movements to shallow vegetation
- Fish are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning locations, following baitfish movements in the upper water column
| - Shallow vegetation areas in 0-6 feet of water, especially near slightly deeper water access
- Dock areas with adjacent vegetation providing ambush points
- Shallow flats where emerging vegetation is beginning to develop
| - Inline Spinners worked slowly through vegetation edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near structure
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near vegetation edges
| - Shallow water minnows gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Young of year panfish beginning to emerge in vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Bass are transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, with males beginning to create and guard nests in protected areas
- Feeding activity is increasing but sporadic, with fish most active during warmer portions of the day
- Fish are moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones based on daily temperature fluctuations
| - Protected shallow areas near docks with stable bottom composition
- Emerging vegetation beds in 2-4 feet of water
- Transition areas between deeper water and spawning flats
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around shallow cover
- Shakey Heads for deeper staging areas
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and slow presentations
| - Minnows along transition areas
- Bluegills beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 39-44 | - Northern Pike are actively spawning in shallow vegetation when water temperatures reach 39-44°F, with females laying eggs and males fertilizing them
- Post-spawn fish remain shallow and become increasingly aggressive feeders to recover energy, particularly during overcast conditions
| - Shallow vegetation beds in 2-6 feet of water, particularly those with new growth
- Protected shallow bays with emergent vegetation
- Areas near docks with adjacent vegetation
| - Inline Spinners worked slowly through vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs with large minnows near spawning areas
| - Spawning minnows in shallow areas
- Small panfish in vegetation
- Young-of-year baitfish schools
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, becoming more active and establishing feeding territories around available cover
- Fish are moving between shallow and mid-depth zones throughout the day, with most active feeding during morning and evening periods
| - Docks adjacent to spawning flats, particularly those with 4-8 feet of water
- Emerging weed edges in 6-10 feet of water
- Any isolated cover (stumps, brush) near spawning areas
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly around dock posts and edges
- Shakey Heads fished with subtle movements near cover
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to emerging weed edges
| - Bluegills beginning to spawn in shallows
- Minnows congregating around dock areas
- Young of year baitfish becoming more numerous
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 45-58 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily hunting in vegetation edges and shallow structure during early morning and evening hours
- Fish are utilizing the upper half of the water column due to low water clarity (3.6ft visibility) and relatively shallow lake depth
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water, particularly where it interfaces with open water
- Shallow dock areas with nearby weed growth, providing ambush points
- Any available natural or artificial structure in the upper half of the water column
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges with occasional pauses
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves near structure
- Inline Spinners retrieved at varying speeds to trigger reaction strikes
| - Minnows moving in shallow water post winter
- Young-of-year panfish beginning to emerge
- Small pike and other juvenile fish
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Light Neutral Colors
|
