| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are moving from winter depths to transitional areas, staging near spawning flats
- Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as they prepare for spawning, feeding heavily to build energy reserves
- Bass are following a warming trend, moving shallower on sunny days and deeper during cold fronts
| - Secondary points and rock piles adjacent to spawning flats
- Shallow weed edges in 5-8 feet of water near hard-bottom areas
- Protected coves with gradual slopes and emerging vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits around emerging vegetation and transitional areas
- Bladed Jigs worked slowly along weed edges and rock transitions
- Soft Jerkbaits fished with long pauses in cooler periods
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover as fish move shallow
| - Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn walleye are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning locations, particularly active during dawn and dusk
- Fish are staging near spawning areas but making feeding movements to nearby structure during warming trends
| - Rock piles and hard bottom transitions in 8-15 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow gravel areas near deeper water access
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near staging areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow lifts and drops
| - Small minnows and shiners gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Bluegills in slightly deeper adjacent areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Actively seeking out shallow spawning areas in protected coves and bays, with males creating and guarding nests
- Pre-spawn females staging on adjacent deeper structure, moving shallow during warm fronts
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nests, with increased activity during warmer parts of the day
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom composition
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Weed-to-hard bottom transitions in 4-8 foot depth range
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs for finesse presentation to spooky fish
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Small baitfish in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye migrating to shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, most active during dawn and dusk periods
- Males arrive first and stay longer on spawning grounds, with females moving in briefly to deposit eggs
- Post-spawn fish gradually transition to slightly deeper adjacent areas to recover
| - Rock piles and hard bottom transitions in 3-8 feet of water
- Points and shoreline areas with good rock or gravel substrate
- Deeper adjacent drops 12-15 feet for staging pre/post spawn
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily near bottom
| - Small baitfish gathering in spawning areas
- Bluegills in nearby vegetation edges
- Minnows and small prey fish in shallow rock areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, moving from spawning flats to nearby summer locations
- Fish are utilizing weed-to-hard bottom transitions as primary feeding zones, especially during morning and evening periods
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 feet of water
- Rock piles and points near deeper water access
- Shallow weed flats with mixed vegetation in 4-8 feet
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along weed edges
- Swim Jigs through scattered vegetation
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges during cloudy conditions
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
- Young of the year baitfish emerging in weed beds
- Crawfish active on hard bottom areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Post-spawn walleye transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are most active during dawn, dusk, and overcast conditions due to moderate water clarity, moving shallower during these periods
| - Rock piles and hard bottom transitions adjacent to spawning areas
- Points and inside turns with emerging weed growth
- Wind-blown shorelines with good structure in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions and rock piles
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods near emerging vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) on the edges of developing weed growth
| - Young-of-year perch gathering near emerging weed growth
- Smaller bluegills in shallow bays and around structure
- Minnow species relating to rock-to-sand transitions
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Purple Colors
|
