| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 45-55 | - Pike are actively moving into shallow, warmer areas near reed beds preparing for spawn, with increased feeding activity to build energy reserves
- Most active during early morning and evening hours, utilizing ambush points near emerging vegetation
| - Reed bed edges in 3-6 feet of water, especially where they meet deeper water
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
- Points and shallow flats adjacent to spawning areas
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieve to imitate wounded baitfish
- Spinnerbaits slow-rolled along vegetation edges
- Inline Spinners retrieved steadily through transition areas
| - Bluegill moving into shallower water
- Minnows congregating near emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallow staging areas, becoming more active as they prepare for spawning. They are feeding opportunistically to build energy reserves.
- Fish are showing edge-oriented behavior, particularly along weed edges and reed lines, using these areas as transition routes between deeper winter holes and spawning areas.
| - Secondary points and creek channels leading to spawning flats
- Weed edges and reed lines in 3-6 foot depth range
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked slowly along transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits with subtle twitches and long pauses
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around emerging vegetation
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in the upper water column
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-64 | - Pike are actively spawning and post-spawning, concentrated in shallow areas near reed beds for reproduction and feeding
- Fish showing aggressive ambush behavior, striking aggressively at soft plastics and positioned tight to cover
| - Reed beds in shallow water, particularly where they meet cleaner bottom
- Protected coves with emergent vegetation
- Points with nearby reed beds that provide quick access to deeper water
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves parallel to reed edges
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly through pockets in vegetation
- Spinnerbaits worked along outside edges of reed beds
| - Bluegill concentrating in the shallows during their own spawning activity
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around reed beds and milfoil edges in 2-4 feet of water
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning flats
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites
| - Protected reed bed pockets and milfoil edges in 2-4 feet of water
- Shallow coves with firm bottom composition
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and vegetation
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn females
| - Crawfish emerging in shallow waters
- Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 62-64 | - Pike are actively feeding in early morning hours (0530-0900) with aggressive strikes, showing post-spawn recovery feeding behavior
- Fish are utilizing reed edges as ambush points, particularly during periods when small bluegill and minnows are present
| - Reed bed edges where baitfish concentrate
- Open water areas adjacent to vegetation during early morning hours
- Dam area structure providing ambush points
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with slow, steady retrieves and patient hook sets
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with twitching action to imitate wounded baitfish
- Inline Spinners near reed edges during active feeding periods
| - Minnows congregating near reed beds
- Bluegill beginning to populate shallow areas
- Young-of-year baitfish in open water
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning between spawning areas and early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing weed edges and reed lines as primary feeding zones, with increased activity during insect hatches
- Bass showing strong tendency to suspend and feed in upper water column, especially during dragonfly activity
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats, particularly near milfoil beds
- Reed line transitions in 3-4 foot depth range
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic pauses in upper water column
- Texas Rigs (Worming) along weed edges
- Spinnerbaits parallel to reed lines
| - Bluegill concentrating near vegetation
- Crawfish active in shallow water
- Dragonflies and surface insects
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
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