Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving along migration routes between wintering areas and spawning flats, using current breaks and rock structure as travel corridors
- Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise
| - Rocky points and boulder fields adjacent to deeper winter areas
- Current breaks and eddies near river channel bends
- Transition areas where rock structure meets submerged timber
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom contours
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
- Ned Rigs worked methodically around structure
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish concentrated near current breaks
- Perch schools relating to rock-wood transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-54 | - Pre-spawn walleyes are staging near spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves. Fish are most active during low-light periods (dawn/dusk) and moving between deeper holding areas and shallow feeding zones.
- Fish are showing increased aggression and feeding activity as water temperatures rise, with males arriving first at spawning areas followed by larger females.
| - Rock piles and reefs in 8-15 foot depth range, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- River channel edges and current breaks where spawning may occur
- Standing timber areas near depth transitions, particularly in 6-12 foot range
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along rock transitions, letting the bait contact structure
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows, worked slowly along bottom structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with hair jigs tipped with minnows
| - Small Minnows
- Juvenile Perch
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves, making frequent moves between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning grounds
- Fish become increasingly aggressive as water temperatures rise, with peak activity during warming trends
| - Shallow bays and backwater areas near dam with emerging vegetation
- Rocky points and boulder fields adjacent to spawning areas
- Current areas near river influence zones providing oxygenated water
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)
- Spinnerbaits
- Hard Jerkbaits
- Inline Spinners
| - Large Shad and Minnows
- Small Pike and Panfish
- Early Season Suckers
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Staging near transitional areas between wintering holes and eventual spawning flats, gradually moving shallower as water warms
- Becoming more active and aggressive in feeding as they prepare for spawn, particularly during warming trends
| - Rock piles and boulders adjacent to deeper water, especially those leading to spawning flats
- Brush piles in 8-15 foot depth range near channel swings
- Secondary points with mixed rock and wood cover
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along transitional areas between deep and shallow water
- Bladed Jigs worked around brush piles and wood cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly near rock structure
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn patterns
- Perch in similar pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 54-65 | - Actively moving into spawning areas near rocky structure and current breaks, with fish staging in pre-spawn locations
- Showing strong response to bottom-contact presentations, particularly in areas with submerged rock structure
- Transitioning between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning zones, utilizing current breaks as rest areas
| - Rocky areas and boulder fields in 2-6 foot depth range
- Current breaks and eddies near submerged structure
- Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning flats
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom with pauses
- Wacky Rigs worked in current breaks and around structure
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in current breaks
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow rocky areas and river channel edges for spawning. Most active during dawn/dusk periods.
- Fish become more aggressive as water temperatures rise, staging near spawning areas and actively feeding to build energy reserves for reproduction.
| - Rocky shorelines and reefs in 2-6 feet of water, especially near river channel edges
- Standing timber areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning grounds
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Blade Baits worked with controlled lifts near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows or soft plastics
| - Minnows congregating near spawning areas
- Small perch in shallow rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-52 | - Pike are actively moving into shallow, warmer bays and backwater areas for spawning, typically seeking out areas with emerging vegetation or flooded cover
- Feeding activity increases pre and post-spawn, with aggressive strikes common in these periods
- Fish become more territorial and concentrated in spawning areas
| - Shallow bays and backwater areas near dam with emerging vegetation
- Protected areas with boulder fields in 2-6 foot depth range
- Shallow flats adjacent to river channel influence areas
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow spawning areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near structure
- Inline Spinners around boulder fields and emerging vegetation
| - Shallow-water baitfish schools
- Young of the year panfish
- Minnows congregating in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Moving into shallow spawning areas near hard structure and brush piles, focusing on protected bays and coves
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior around spawning sites
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom near brush piles
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
- Shallow wood cover and laydowns in 2-6 feet of water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
- Wacky Rigs
- Shakey Heads
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small bluegill and perch
- Minnows in shallow spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-72 | - Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding in current breaks and around wood cover
- Showing aggressive feeding behavior with willingness to hit topwater and moving baits, particularly during optimal temperatures
| - Current-swept wood laydowns and brush piles along banks
- Rocky areas and boulder fields near deeper water
- Current breaks and eddies with structure
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and brush
- Hard Topwater (Prop) near current breaks
- Ned Rigs worked around rocky structure
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to structure
| - Crawfish - primary forage evidenced by multiple reports
- Small baitfish - indicated by success with baitfish imitators
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 54-62 | - Post-spawn walleyes are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during dawn and dusk periods, with some daytime feeding in overcast conditions
- Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer locations, following baitfish schools and utilizing rock structure as ambush points
| - Rock piles and reefs in 8-15 foot depth range adjacent to spawning areas
- Standing timber edges near river channel breaks
- Shallow flats with scattered rock in 2-6 foot range during low light periods
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during prime feeding periods
| - Minnows concentrating around rock structure
- Small perch gathering in newly emerging weed growth
- Young of year baitfish schools in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting baitfish in shallow to mid-depth areas
- Fish are establishing predictable feeding patterns around structural elements, particularly near boulder fields and dam areas
- Pike are utilizing current areas as ambush points, especially during baitfish movements
| - Boulder fields and rock piles in 5-10 foot depth range
- Current areas near the dam structure
- Shallow bays with emerging vegetation
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)
- Spinnerbaits
- Inline Spinners
- Hard Jerkbaits
| - Shad schools recovering from winter patterns
- Various minnow species in shallow areas
- Young-of-year panfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing brush piles and rock structures as recovery zones, making feeding forays to nearby areas
| - Brush piles and laydowns adjacent to spawning flats
- Rock piles and boulder areas in 8-15 foot depth range
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around brush piles and laydowns
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along rock transitions
- Spinnerbaits near cover in low light conditions
| - Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
- Small bluegill and perch
- Minnows in transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|