| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn bass actively moving from winter locations to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming increasingly aggressive as water warms
- Fish transitioning between depths throughout the day, utilizing shallow areas during warm afternoons
| - Protected shallow flats with submerged vegetation near spawning areas
- Docks providing shade and structure adjacent to spawning areas
- Gradual drops in 3-7 foot range connecting winter areas to spawning flats
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along transition areas
- Bladed Jigs worked around dock posts and vegetation edges
- Shakey Heads worked methodically through staging areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow and become more active
- Smaller baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Bluegill are transitioning from deeper winter areas to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively, focusing on aquatic insects and small invertebrates near vegetation and dock areas
| - Protected areas between docks in 3-8 foot depth range
- Emerging vegetation edges in 3-4 foot depth range
- Small coves and points with gradual slopes
| - Live Bait Rigs with light line and small hooks
- Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly near cover
- Bobbers with suspended baits near vegetation
| - Aquatic insects and larvae
- Small invertebrates
- Zooplankton
| - Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn walleye staging near dam area in deeper water, making daily movements to shallower areas to feed
- Fish becoming more active with warming water, transitioning from winter patterns to spawning preparation
| - Deep water areas near dam serving as primary staging location
- Rock piles and shallow structure in 5-7 foot range for feeding
- Transition areas between deep staging and shallow feeding zones
| - Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) near dam area during cold periods
- Blade Baits worked along transition areas between deep and shallow water
- Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly over shallow rock structure during feeding periods
| - Shad congregating in deeper water near dam
- Bluegill in and around shallow structure and vegetation edges
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Staging near spawning areas with pre-spawn feeding activity focused around shallow vegetation and docks
- Moving between shallow staging areas and bedding sites, with increased activity during warmer parts of the day
| - Submerged vegetation in 3-4 foot depth range, particularly near spawning flats
- Residential docks providing shade and structure
- Rock piles adjacent to spawning flats
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through vegetation
- Ned Rigs around rock piles and dock posts
- Finesse Jigs flipped near docks and vegetation edges
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegill are actively spawning in shallow waters, with males creating and guarding nests in 3-8 feet of water near vegetation and docks
- Fish are highly aggressive and territorial during spawning, particularly the larger males defending nests
- Most active during daylight hours, especially on warm, sunny days when water temperatures are optimal
| - Protected areas between docks in 3-4 feet of water with nearby vegetation
- Shallow spawning beds near submerged vegetation in 8 feet or less
- Shallow coves with mix of vegetation and hard bottom
| - Bobbers suspended at 3-4 feet near vegetation and docks
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with small jigs under bobbers
- Live Bait Rigs with red offset hooks
| - Natural invertebrates like worms and insects
- Small aquatic larvae and nymphs
- Zooplankton near vegetation
| - Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are staging near the dam in deeper water during pre-spawn, making vertical movements to feed
- Fish are beginning their spawning ritual, transitioning between deep staging areas and shallow spawning locations
| - Deep water areas near the dam serving as pre-spawn staging locations
- Rocky points and shallow rock structure for spawning activity
- Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to spawning areas
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Shad and similar baitfish
- Bluegill
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Bass are actively feeding in post-spawn recovery phase, targeting bluegill and other forage around shallow structure
- Fish are establishing predictable daily feeding patterns, utilizing dock areas as primary ambush points
| - Docks with adjacent deeper water access, particularly those with evidence of bluegill activity
- Shallow flats with submerged vegetation in 3-7 foot depth range
- Secondary points with gradual drops near spawning areas
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to dock edges
- Swim Jigs targeting gaps between docks and vegetation
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly around dock posts and nearby vegetation
| - Bluegill (averaging 7 inches)
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills are transitioning to summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy while remaining relatively shallow
- Fish are gathering in small schools near vegetation edges and dock areas, making short feeding movements throughout the day
| - Weed edges in 3-4 feet of water, especially near deeper water access
- Dock areas providing shade and structure
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 2-3 feet deep near structure
- Ice Fishing Jigs worked horizontally through shallow cover
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved slowly parallel to weed edges
| - Aquatic insects and larvae
- Small invertebrates
- Zooplankton
| - Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Post-spawn walleye transitioning to active feeding patterns, particularly around shallow rock structures in 5-7 feet of water
- Fish showing aggressive chase behavior, following baits back to boat indicating increased feeding activity
| - Rock piles in 5-7 feet of water
- Weed edges near points and transition areas
- Dam area drop-offs for transitioning fish
| - Hard Jerkbaits with slow retrieve and pauses
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along rock edges
- Live Bait Rigs near structure transitions
| - Shad and similar baitfish
- Bluegill in weed-adjacent areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
