| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-60 | - During pre-spawn, smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallow spawning areas, staging on transition areas and gradually moving shallower as water temperatures rise
- Fish are becoming more active and beginning to feed more aggressively to prepare for spawning, particularly during warmer periods of the day
| - Secondary points and rock transitions leading into spawning bays
- Boulder fields in 8-15 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats
- First major break lines dropping into deeper water near spawning areas
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas
- Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses over rocky structure
- Tubes dragged slowly across boulder fields
| - Perch gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Ciscoes suspended over deeper transitions
- Crayfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Walleye moving from deep wintering areas to shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on wind-blown shorelines and rocky points
- Most active during dawn and dusk periods due to moderate water clarity, with increased shallow water activity as water warms
| - Rocky points and shorelines with gravel or rubble substrate
- Shallow bays with emerging vegetation
- Wind-blown shorelines where currents concentrate prey
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rocky structure
- Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
| - Yellow Perch congregating in shallow emerging weed areas
- Small Minnows moving shallow with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass transitioning from pre-spawn staging to spawning, with males establishing and guarding nests in protected areas
- Most active during warmer parts of day, especially afternoons when water temperatures peak
- Aggressive defensive behavior around nesting sites, with fish more likely to strike out of territory protection than feeding
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom and scattered boulders, especially on north side of lake
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays, particularly those with mixed rock and vegetation
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially areas with scattered boulder fields
| - Tubes worked slowly around potential spawning areas
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near nesting sites
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses to trigger defensive strikes
| - Small perch and juvenile fish around spawning areas
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye staging near rocky points and shallow gravel areas for spawning, most active during dawn and dusk due to moderate water clarity
- Post-spawn fish gradually transitioning to weed edges, particularly in wind-blown areas where current concentrates prey
| - Rocky points and gravel shorelines in 3-8 feet of water for spawning activity
- Wind-blown shorelines with emerging vegetation in 8-12 feet
- Transition areas between spawning grounds and deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom near spawning areas
- Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations on transition areas
- Lipless Crankbaits along emerging weed edges for post-spawn fish
| - Perch concentrating near emerging weed growth
- Small minnows in shallow spawning areas
- Juvenile yellow perch along transitional edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Actively feeding but moving between shallow and mid-depth ranges as they recover from spawn, particularly active during morning and evening periods
- Establishing summer patterns with movement toward main lake structure, especially around boulder fields and transitions
| - Boulder fields and rocky points in 8-15 foot depth range
- Transition areas between spawning bays and main lake structure
- Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to deeper water
| - Drop Shot worked slowly around boulder fields and transition areas
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
- Ned Rigs worked methodically along vegetation edges
| - Young of year perch gathering around vegetation edges
- Crayfish becoming more active in rocky areas
- Small cisco schools in deeper adjacent areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Walleye are actively feeding and recovering from spawn, gradually transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early-summer locations
- Most active during dawn and dusk periods due to moderate water clarity (2.7m secchi), with increased activity during wind events
| - Wind-swept points and shoreline transitions adjacent to spawning areas
- Emerging weed edges in 8-12 foot depth range
- Rocky points and irregular shoreline features where baitfish concentrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during peak feeding periods
| - Perch concentrating near emerging vegetation
- Small baitfish in warming shallow bays
- Juvenile yellow perch along transitional areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
