Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 40-55 | - Bass are transitioning to pre-spawn patterns, moving from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats. Recent reports show they're actively feeding in shallow water despite cold temperatures
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in shallow rocky areas (6ft or less), particularly during warming trends, with multiple 4+ pound fish caught on moving baits
| - Shallow rocky areas (2-6ft) with scattered timber, especially those near spawning flats
- Secondary points and transition areas leading to spawning bays
- Protected shallow coves with hard bottom composition
| - Swim Jigs worked steadily through shallow cover, proven effective in recent catches
- Bladed Jigs (Chatterbaits) for covering water and triggering reaction strikes
- Lipless Crankbaits (Rippin Rap style) worked around rocky areas
| - Large schools of baitfish present throughout the system
- Bluegill and perch in shallow areas near cover
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow feeding zones, especially during low-light periods
| - Rocky points and shallow reefs connected to spawning areas
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning flats
- Wind-blown shorelines with gravel or rock substrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations
- Blade Baits worked through suspended fish
| - Perch concentrating in pre-spawn areas
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Yellow Perch | 38-45 | - Pre-spawn perch actively feeding in shallow weed beds, showing aggressive behavior towards flashy presentations
- Fish are schooling in larger groups near vegetation, targeting small bluegills and other forage
| - Shallow weed beds in less than 10 feet of water
- Weedy points with access to deeper water
- Protected bays with emerging vegetation
| - Spoons worked aggressively through weed edges
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Live Bait Rigs near weed beds
| - Small Bluegills
- Young Yellow Perch
- Aquatic Invertebrates
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 39-52 | - Fish are transitioning from winter depths to shallow spawning areas, staging on transition areas and becoming more active with warming trends
- Feeding activity increases as fish prepare for spawning, with aggressive responses to moving baits in warming water
- Fish typically move in waves or groups, following similar depth contours and relating strongly to rocky structure
| - Rocky points and shorelines with direct access to deeper water
- Wind-blown structure where current positions create feeding opportunities
- Secondary points in bays and coves that offer pre-spawn staging areas
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky structure
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches
| - Perch schooling near rocky areas
- Small baitfish relating to points and current breaks
- Crayfish becoming more active with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6ft) with females staging on adjacent drop-offs
- Males actively guarding nests near shoreline cover, particularly in protected coves and bays
- Pre-spawn feeding heavily on available forage before spawning activities begin
| - Protected shallow bays with mix of rock and vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow areas adjacent to docks with gravel or sandy bottom
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover
- Shakey Heads for spawning beds and staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn feeding fish
| - Bluegill gathering in spawning areas
- Schools of young perch
- Abundant baitfish in shallow water
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye transitioning from winter locations to shallow spawning areas, moving along shoreline contours and staging near spawning sites
- Post-spawn fish gradually moving to nearby recovery areas, remaining relatively shallow but seeking shelter near structure
| - Rocky points and shallow gravel areas near shoreline for spawning
- Adjacent drop-offs to spawning areas for staging locations
- Protected bays with firm bottom composition
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along staging areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with deliberate movements
- Blade Baits worked through staging areas
| - Perch moving in shallow areas
- Small baitfish in transitional areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Yellow Perch | 42-52 | - Yellow perch are congregating in shallow, weedy areas for spawning, typically moving in large schools
- Fish are actively feeding pre and post-spawn, particularly during early morning and evening hours
| - Shallow weed beds in 4-10 feet of water, especially near points
- Protected bays and coves with emerging vegetation
- Transition areas between weeds and sandy/gravel bottom
| - Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms suspended just off bottom
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs
- Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through weed edges
| - Small bluegills and juvenile panfish
- Aquatic insects emerging in warming waters
- Small minnows gathering in spawning areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 39-55 | - Pre-spawn staging and spawning activity with fish moving from winter holes to shallow rocky areas. Males establishing and guarding nests while females move in and out of spawning areas
- Increased feeding activity during warming trends, particularly focused on available forage near spawning areas
| - Shallow rocky areas and gravel beds in 2-6 feet of water, particularly in protected bays and coves
- Adjacent drop-offs and points leading to spawning flats
- Wind-blown rocky points with current breaks
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky bottom transitions
- Ned Rigs for pressured fish and clear conditions
- Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses for staging fish
| - Perch in shallow rocky areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, focusing on mid-depth areas near their spawning grounds
- Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to summer patterns, showing preference for 10-foot depth zones as indicated in recent reports
- Current algae bloom is influencing fish behavior, causing them to concentrate in specific areas where they can effectively ambush prey
| - Ledges in 10-foot depth range where recent success has been reported
- Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats
- Points and structure transitions near deeper water
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Texas Rigs (Worming)
- Spinnerbaits
| - Bluegill in the shallower sections of transition areas
- Perch relating to bottom structure in 10-foot zones
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Post-spawn walleyes are actively recovering and beginning to feed, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer locations
- Fish are following baitfish schools and relating to emerging weed growth, particularly during dawn and dusk feeding periods
| - Transition areas between spawning bays and main lake points, particularly those with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points and humps adjacent to spawning areas, especially those with access to deeper water
- Wind-blown shorelines with developing weed growth in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows worked slowly along transition areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to emerging weed edges
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs during low-light periods
| - Small perch in emerging weed beds
- Minnows gathering around newly developing vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Yellow Perch | 52-65 | - Post-spawn perch are actively feeding to recover energy, forming loose schools in and around shallow to mid-depth weed edges
- Fish are making daily movements between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper staging areas, particularly active during morning and evening periods
| - Weed edges adjacent to points in 8-15 feet of water
- Shallow weed flats in 5-10 feet, especially near creek mouths or bay entrances
- Secondary points with emerging vegetation
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with small jigs tipped with live bait
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along weed edges
- Inline Spinners retrieved steadily through feeding areas
| - Small bluegills and juvenile panfish
- Emerging aquatic insects and larvae
- Small crayfish becoming active in warming waters
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to nearby deeper structure
- Fish are targeting perch and baitfish schools around points and rock-weed transitions, especially during wind-generated current periods
| - Secondary points and rocky areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Wind-blown main lake points with mixed rock and vegetation
- Rock piles and submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along structure edges
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for neutral fish
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
| - Perch
- Small baitfish schools
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|