| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to warming shallow flats, staging near spawning areas
- Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, focusing on feeding to prepare for spawning
| - Protected shallow flats near deep water access, especially those with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points and channel swings leading into spawning bays
- Laydowns and dock structures in 4-8 foot depths adjacent to spawning areas
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation on flats
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly around laydowns and dock posts
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transition areas
| - Yellow Perch schooling in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to warmer, shallow flats and staging areas near spawning locations, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving along migration routes between deep wintering areas and shallow spawning grounds, using points and channel edges as navigational routes
| - Rock and gravel flats in 4-8 feet of water adjacent to deeper water access
- Points and inside turns with mixed rock and gravel substrate
- Protected bays with firm bottom composition near deep water access
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky flats and points
- Ned Rigs worked methodically through staging areas
| - Perch concentrating on shallow flats
- Smaller baitfish moving shallow with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleyes are actively feeding and staging near spawning areas, most active during dawn and dusk periods given the moderate clarity
- Fish are transitioning from winter depths to shallower spawning locations, following warming trends and congregating in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Gradual sloping areas transitioning from deeper winter holes (15-18 FOW) to shallow spawning flats
- Rocky points and hard-bottom areas near spawning locations
- Wind-swept shorelines where water warms faster and baitfish concentrate
| - Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations along transition areas
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') working edges of deeper holes
- Blade Baits worked slowly through staging areas
| - Perch (confirmed strong forage base in lake)
- Sucker minnows (documented success with larger profile baits)
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Pre-spawn bass moving from winter locations to shallow spawning flats, staging on adjacent drop-offs
- Males actively preparing and guarding nests in protected areas, while females move between staging and spawning areas
- Feeding activity increases with warming water, particularly during stable weather patterns
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with gradual slopes
- Areas near laydowns and natural woody cover in 2-6 foot depth
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around visible cover and spawning areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and emerging vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits for covering water and targeting pre-spawn fish
| - Crayfish becoming more active in warming waters
- Yellow perch in slightly deeper staging areas
- Bluegill starting to move shallow
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Male smallmouth bass actively guarding nests in shallow areas, typically 2-6 feet deep on gravel and rocky substrates
- Females moving between staging areas and spawning flats, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures approach optimal spawning range
| - Protected shallow bays with gravel or rock bottom, especially near points
- Rocky areas adjacent to reed beds in 2-6 foot depth range
- Shallow flats near deeper water access points
| - Tubes worked slowly around visible beds and likely spawning areas
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near staging areas
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish
| - Small perch in shallow rocky areas
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming waters
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, actively feeding during low-light periods
- Post-spawn females dispersing to recover while males remain near spawning areas
- Fish most active during dawn and dusk, with increased shallow water presence
| - Rocky points and gradual slopes near spawning areas
- Shallow reed beds in 2-6 feet of water
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) during active feeding periods
| - Perch (primary forage based on lake reports)
- Small Suckers (indicated by fishing reports)
- Resident Minnows in spawning areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively recovering and feeding, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing laydowns and other shallow cover as ambush points, particularly during feeding periods
| - Laydowns and fallen trees in 3-8 feet of water, especially those near spawning flats
- Emergent reed beds in protected coves and bays
- Secondary points with gradual slopes leading to deeper water
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around laydowns and wood cover
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting thick cover
- Soft Jerkbaits for covering water between structure
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
- Yellow perch in slightly deeper water
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily relating to shallow to mid-depth structure with quick access to deeper water
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, often following shoreline contours and utilizing points as migration routes
| - Rocky points and gravel areas adjacent to spawning flats in 4-8 feet of water
- Reed edges with access to deeper water, especially near points or transitions
- Dock areas with rock or gravel bottom composition in 6-12 feet
| - Drop Shot with 6-8 inch leader, worked slowly along bottom structure
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rock and gravel transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to reed edges
| - Perch, especially smaller ones gathering around shallow structure
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming waters around rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Post-spawn walleyes transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer locations, primarily active during dawn/dusk periods
- Fish staging along transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water, becoming more active with warming water temperatures
- Showing aggressive feeding patterns as they recover from spawn, particularly targeting perch and smaller baitfish in 8-15 foot depth ranges
| - Gradual slopes adjacent to spawning flats where 8-15 FOW meets emerging weed growth
- Reed edges and emerging weed lines in 6-12 FOW
- Points and inside turns with mixed rock and sand in 10-15 FOW
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions with leeches or minnows
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods along weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to emerging weed lines
| - Perch concentrating along emerging weed edges
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
- Juvenile suckers moving along sandy transitions
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
