| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-64 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallow staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving along migration routes from deep winter haunts to spawning flats, stopping at transition points
| - Steep drops from 6ft to 18ft where bass stage before moving shallow
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats with emerging vegetation
- Protected coves with early-growing vegetation in 5-8 foot depth
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled along depth transitions
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near staging points
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow from winter locations
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding in preparation for spawning, typically in shallow areas near potential spawning sites
- Fish are showing aggressive behavior, particularly during warmer parts of the day when water temperatures rise
- Moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper staging areas based on daily temperature fluctuations
| - Shallow weed flats and matted grass areas in 3-6 feet of water, particularly on the west side of the lake
- Break lines and transitions from 6 to 18 feet, especially those adjacent to spawning areas
- Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
| - Blade Baits worked with aggressive retrieves along weed edges and break lines
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked at varying speeds through shallow feeding areas
- Spinnerbaits retrieved steadily through vegetation and along drop-offs
| - Bluegills congregating in shallow areas
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
- Smaller pike and yellow perch in shallow hunting areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, actively searching for suitable nesting sites in protected areas
- Males will be the first to move shallow and will become territorial, while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn
- Feeding activity increases as fish prepare for spawning, with aggressive responses to threats near nesting areas
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom near vegetation
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water in 2-6 foot depth range
- Areas near emergent vegetation and lily pad stems starting to grow
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and emerging vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around staging areas
- Spinnerbaits along edges of spawning flats
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing bedding bass
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small baitfish in staging areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 55-65 | - Pike actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones (6-18ft) along break lines during spring spawn period
- Fish using steep drops as staging areas, moving between shallow spawning areas and deeper water
- Aggressive feeding behavior noted, with fish responding well to moving baits in low visibility conditions
| - Steep drop-offs transitioning from 6ft to 18ft depths
- Shallow weed edges near deep water access
- Western portion of lake where pike concentration has been reported
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along break lines
- Blade Baits for flash and vibration in low visibility
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges
| - Minnows - primary spring forage
- Bluegills - abundant in the system
- Young-of-year panfish in shallow areas
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 72-78 | - Post-spawn bass actively feeding while recovering, utilizing thick vegetation as primary cover
- Fish transitioning between shallow spawning areas and summer patterns, showing increased aggression
| - Thick matted grass with openings, particularly on south side
- Deep weed edges on wind-blown areas
- Secondary points with vegetation in 5-12 foot range
| - Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation
- Bladed Jigs along deep weed edges
- Spinnerbaits on wind-blown weed edges
| - Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Young of the year baitfish emerging in vegetation
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting abundant bluegill populations in shallow to mid-depth areas
- Fish are utilizing weed edges and matted grass as ambush points, especially along the 6-18ft break lines on the west side of the lake
| - Weed edges and grass mats along 6-18ft break lines, particularly on the west side
- Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 3-8ft of water
- Points and structure areas adjacent to deeper water
| - Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges with occasional pauses
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily through transition areas
- Inline Spinners worked in and around shallow vegetation
| - Bluegill concentrating around emerging vegetation
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school in shallow areas
- Perch along weed edges and break lines
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Light Neutral Colors
|
