| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-54 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, moving from wintering locations to shallower staging zones
- Feeding activity increasing with warming water, particularly during low-light periods and overcast days due to stained water conditions
- Fish transitioning between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning locations, making stops at structural elements along the way
| - Shallow rock and gravel areas near spawning sites (2-6 feet)
- Transition areas between deep winter holes and spawning flats (8-12 feet)
- Protected bays with early warming water
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with heavy jigs in wind-blown areas
| - Rainbow Smelt preparing for spawning runs
- Small Yellow Perch in shallow warming bays
- Juvenile Bluegills near emerging weed growth
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn mode, actively feeding and moving into shallow staging areas near spawning flats
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in 3-foot depths, particularly around shallow cover and docks
| - Shallow flats and protected areas near docks in 2-4 feet of water
- Secondary points and channels leading to spawning bays
- Shallow weed edges where early vegetation is beginning to emerge
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with moderate pauses in shallow water
- Neko Rigs worked around docks and other cover
- Lipless Crankbaits burned through shallow areas
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow areas
- Perch in slightly deeper adjacent areas
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-54 | - Pre-spawn walleye moving into shallow, rocky areas and tributaries, with peak activity during low light periods
- Aggressive feeding patterns in 3-8 foot depths, especially given the stained water conditions (1.1m Secchi) extending feeding windows
| - Rocky points and shallow gravel areas near spawning locations
- Tributary mouths and current areas
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations in spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with methodical lifts and drops
- Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas
| - Small Baitfish (Shiners and Young-of-Year)
- Juvenile Bluegill
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 54-65 | - Bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-4 feet) near shoreline points and protected bays, with males preparing and guarding nests
- Pre-spawn feeding actively occurring in slightly deeper water (4-8 feet) adjacent to spawning flats
- Fish showing increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites and staging areas
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom near deeper water access
- Dock areas in 2-4 feet of water, especially those near spawning flats
- Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas
- Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly in staging areas
- Spinnerbaits along shallow weed edges and between docks
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Perch moving along weed edges
- Smaller bass and panfish in spawning areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Post-spawn walleye recovering from spawn, transitioning to active feeding patterns in shallow to mid-depth zones due to stained water conditions (1.1m Secchi)
- Fish are likely to be most active during early morning, late evening, and even daylight hours due to the turbid water extending feeding periods
| - Shallow flats adjacent to spawning areas in 3-8 foot depth range
- Emerging weed edges where vegetation is beginning to grow
- Wind-swept points and shorelines where baitfish concentrate
| - Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows worked slowly along transitions
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to emerging weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily through shallow feeding areas
| - Young-of-year panfish (bluegill and crappie)
- Minnow species congregating in warming shallows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are recovering and beginning to establish summer patterns, transitioning from spawning areas to deeper structure while actively feeding to regain energy
- With the turbid water conditions (1.1m Secchi), fish are staying relatively shallow and relating strongly to visible structure like docks and weed edges
| - Weed edges in 4-8 feet of water, especially near spawning flats
- Dock areas with access to deeper water
- Secondary points with emerging vegetation
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and weed edges
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along points and transitions
| - Bluegill concentrating around docks and shallow cover
- Perch relating to weed edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
