| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallow staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are relating heavily to wood cover in 2-3 feet of water, using laydowns as primary staging areas
- More active during warmer parts of the day, particularly in protected backwater areas where water warms faster
| - Laydowns and woody cover in 2-3 feet of water, especially in protected coves
- Dead-end sloughs and backwater areas with warmer water
- Ledges and dropoffs near shallow flats that provide quick access to deeper water
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly around laydowns and wood cover
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting specific pieces of cover
- Lipless Crankbaits worked through slightly deeper staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in and around shallow cover
- Small baitfish relating to warming shallow areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-62 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning locations, actively feeding on sunfish and other available forage in preparation for spawn
- Fish are utilizing boulder fields and rocky areas as staging locations, making frequent movements between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning zones
| - Boulder fields in 5-15 feet of water, especially those near spawning flats
- Rocky points with access to deeper water
- Protected coves with hard bottom composition
| - Tubes dragged slowly across rocky areas
- Ned Rigs worked methodically around boulders
- Blade Baits for covering water between rocky areas
| - Sunfish
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning areas, following warming trends in shallower waters
- Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during low-light periods
- In turbid conditions (1.1m Secchi), walleye remain active longer into daylight hours
| - Current-swept rocky points and shoreline areas with gravel substrate
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning flats
- Areas near dam where current provides staging locations
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near staging areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during active feeding periods
| - Small Shad congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Young of Year Yellow Perch in shallow flats
- Smaller baitfish gathering in current areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawning phases, actively moving into protected shallow areas with stable temperatures
- Fish are targeting crawfish in shallow water, particularly around wood cover in protected sloughs
| - Dead-end sloughs with laydowns in 3-4 feet of water
- Isolated shoreline weeds in protected areas
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible wood cover
- Swim Jigs worked around sparse vegetation
- Spinnerbaits along shoreline transitions
| - Crawfish - primary forage during spring
- Bluegill - secondary forage in shoreline areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass transitioning to spawning areas, making frequent moves between staging points and bedding areas
- Males aggressively defending territories near hard bottom areas, especially around boulders and matted grass edges
- Feeding actively but sporadically, with focus on protecting spawning areas rather than pursuing forage
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom and boulder/gravel mix
- Points adjacent to spawning flats in 2-3 feet of water
- Edges of matted grass near hard bottom transition areas
| - Tubes worked slowly around boulder fields and gravel areas
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations near potential bed sites
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water between spawning areas
| - Sunfish in shallow spawning areas
- Small minnows around grass edges
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-54 | - Walleye are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around rocky or gravel shorelines. With the turbid water conditions (1.1m Secchi), they may remain active during daylight hours
- Post-spawn fish will stage near spawning areas before transitioning to feeding locations, utilizing current breaks and vegetation edges
| - Rocky points and gravel shorelines in 2-6 feet of water for spawning activity
- Current seams near dam and flowing vegetation areas for staging fish
- Shallow weed edges adjacent to spawning areas for transitioning fish
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, controlled presentations
- Live Bait Rigs with minimal movement for neutral fish
- Blade Baits worked slowly through current areas
| - Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
- Shad schooling in current areas
- Juvenile panfish emerging in vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass actively feeding around shallow structure, particularly focusing on ambush points near depth changes
- Fish showing preference for staging on drop-offs and transitions, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper sanctuary areas
| - Laydowns on point ends in 2-3 feet of water
- Ledges and drop-offs in backwater areas
- Protected sloughs with warmer, clearer water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting shallow wood cover
- Finesse Jigs worked along drop-offs
- Shakey Heads worked near depth transitions
| - Crawfish actively moving in shallow areas
- Bluegill beginning to nest in protected areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-72 | - Active feeding patterns as fish recover from spawn, moving between shallow and mid-depth areas following forage
- Establishing post-spawn feeding stations near current seams and points, especially during prime feeding periods
| - Points with boulders in 2-3 feet of water, especially those with current influence
- Matted grass edges adjacent to deeper water
- Current seams near structural elements providing ambush points
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to grass edges and through current seams
- Tubes worked around boulder fields and points
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') targeting active fish on points
| - Sunfish in shallow areas during pre-spawn transition
- Minnows gathering around current seams and grass edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 52-65 | - Post-spawn walleye are recovering and beginning to actively feed, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to feeding locations with abundant baitfish
- Fish are utilizing current breaks and weed edges as ambush points, particularly active during low-light periods despite turbid conditions
| - Emerging weed edges and grass beds in 8-15 feet of water
- Points and ledges with current breaks near deeper water
- Dam area transitions where current meets structure
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along weed edges
- Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows near structure
- Blade Baits worked through current breaks
| - Young-of-year shad beginning to emerge
- Small panfish in emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
