| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving from winter deep water locations to transitional structures, following warming trends
- Becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with increased feeding activity during stable weather
| - Rock transitions and rip-rap areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Deep water points with quick access to shallow areas
- Secondary points in protected coves with hard bottom composition
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along depth transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged on rocky bottom structures
- Tubes hopped along rock and rip-rap edges
| - Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation
- Small scattered schools of shad in transition areas
- Small baitfish relating to rock structure
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-48 | - Pre-spawn walleye are staging near spawning areas and beginning to move shallow, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are most active during low-light periods, particularly around sunrise and sunset, moving between staging and feeding areas
| - Rocky points and gravel shorelines near spawning areas in 8-15 foot depths
- Steep breaks and ledges in 15-25 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
- Wind-swept shorelines with good current flow and rock/gravel substrate
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rocky structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during peak feeding periods
| - Small shad congregating in pre-spawn staging areas
- Perch near rocky structure
- Smaller baitfish in shallow warming bays
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-65 | - Staging near spawning flats and moving into shallower areas (2-8 feet) as water temperatures rise, particularly focusing on rocky and gravel areas
- Males becoming territorial and aggressive in defense of nesting sites, making them more likely to strike reaction baits
- Transitioning from deeper winter holdover areas to pre-spawn staging points, utilizing drop-offs as migration routes
| - Rocky points and rip-rap areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Gravel banks with quick access to deeper water
- Protected coves with hard bottom composition
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky areas and drop-offs
- Ned Rigs presented with subtle movements near potential spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shoreline structure during warming trends
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
- Small perch and juvenile fish near spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, with pre-spawn staging on adjacent deep breaks
- Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with increased daytime activity in cloudy conditions
| - Rocky points and shorelines with gravel substrate in 3-12 foot depths
- Tributary mouths and current areas with firm bottom
- Deep breaks adjacent to spawning areas in 15-25 foot range for staging fish
| - Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows worked slowly along bottom
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with jigs and minnows
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline structure
| - Spawning shiners and small baitfish in shallow areas
- Shad schools moving into warmer shallow waters
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Smallmouth transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish moving between shallow and mid-depth zones, following baitfish schools and targeting crawfish
| - Rocky points and drop-offs near spawning flats
- Rip rap banks with quick access to deeper water
- Weed edges developing in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations along drop-offs
- Tubes worked along rocky structure
- Ned Rigs dragged slowly on transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended fish following bait schools
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Shad schools in transition areas
- Young of year baitfish beginning to appear
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Post-spawn walleye are beginning to transition from shallow spawning areas to deeper structural elements, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are utilizing points, rock piles, and emerging weed edges as transition zones, particularly during dawn and dusk periods
| - Rocky points and drop-offs in 15-25 foot depth range
- Emerging weed edges adjacent to deeper water
- Wind-swept shorelines with rock or gravel substrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transition areas
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding on structure
| - Young-of-year shad beginning to emerge
- Small perch in shallow rocky areas
- Minnows gathering around emerging vegetation
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
