| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding as water warms
- Fish becoming more aggressive with warming trends, concentrating in areas near future spawning locations
| - Shallow flats where rushes will emerge (2-4 feet)
- Secondary points leading to spawning bays
- Submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting specific cover
| - Minnows gathering in warming shallows
- Small bluegills in emerging vegetation
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish moving from wintering areas to shallow spawning zones, following migration routes along points and shoreline breaks
| - Rock and gravel areas in 6-10 foot depths near potential spawning sites
- Points and inside turns leading to shallow bays
- Transition areas where hard bottom meets emerging weed growth
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom in staging areas
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near transition areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with deliberate lifts and holds
| - Yellow Perch gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Minnow species concentrated near warming shallows
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are actively spawning, moving into shallow protected areas to establish and guard spawning beds
- Males aggressively defend nests from threats, making them more likely to strike reaction baits like bladed jigs
| - Shallow protected areas near submerged vegetation where spawning beds are located
- Secondary points and flats adjacent to spawning areas
- Weed edges in 4-6 foot depth range serving as staging areas
| - Bladed Jigs worked over and around spawning beds
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to visible beds
- Swim Jigs for covering water between beds
| - Bluegill congregating near spawning areas
- Small perch in and around vegetation
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleyes are in spawning mode, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow rocky areas and tributaries with gravel or rock substrate
- Post-spawn fish remain shallow but transition to active feeding, particularly during low light periods, taking advantage of the moderate staining (1.9m secchi) for daytime feeding opportunities
| - Rocky points and gravel areas in 2-6 foot depths for spawning activity
- Transition areas between spawning grounds and emerging weed edges in 8-10 foot depths
- Protected bays with warming water, especially near tributary inflows
| - Live Bait Rigs with minnows worked slowly along bottom structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs tipped with minnows
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked slowly parallel to shoreline structure
| - Spawning spot-tail shiners and other minnows
- Young-of-year perch
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are utilizing weed edges and shallow cover, making frequent movements between deeper staging areas and shallow feeding zones
| - Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning flats (4-8 feet)
- Secondary points with access to deeper water (8-12 feet)
- Docks near spawning bays providing shade and ambush points
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically along weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through sparse vegetation
- Spinnerbaits parallel to dock lines and weed edges
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows
- Young of year perch in emerging weed growth
- Minnows schooling around secondary points
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 52-65 | - Post-spawn walleyes recovering from spawning activity, transitioning to active feeding patterns and following baitfish schools
- Fish showing preference for low-light periods, but moderately stained water (1.9m Secchi) allows for extended feeding windows
| - Weed edges emerging in 8-12 foot depth ranges, particularly near points
- Secondary points and adjacent flats where baitfish congregate
- Transition areas between spawning sites and summer feeding areas
| - Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows worked slowly along transitions
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to emerging weed edges
- Jig and minnow combinations fished vertically in 10-12 foot ranges
| - Yellow Perch concentrating near emerging weed growth
- Minnow species gathering in warming shallow flats
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
