How to Fish North Long Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques

North Long Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 11, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on North Long Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, actively feeding around emergent vegetation in 3-5 feet of water Fish are becoming more aggressive with warming trends, showing preference for moving baits in shallow zones	Last year's dead reed beds in 3-5 feet of water Shallow flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas Protected coves with emerging vegetation	Bladed Jigs worked through and around dead reed beds Lipless Crankbaits parallel to emerging vegetation Spinnerbaits along transition areas between shallow and deep water	Minnows gathering in warming shallows Bluegills starting to move shallow with vegetation growth	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	38-48	Walleye are transitioning from winter deep water areas to shallow spawning locations, staging at key transition points Fish become increasingly active as water temperatures rise, with peak feeding during dawn and dusk periods	Rocky points and gravel areas adjacent to deeper water Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning flats Wind-swept shorelines with rock or gravel substrate	Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rock-to-sand transitions Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow methodical lifts	Spawning Minnows Small Perch Juvenile White Suckers	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	48-58	Moving from winter deep water locations to transitional staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding during warming trends Gathering in schools around brush piles and vegetation edges, becoming more active as water temperatures rise	Brush piles in 8-12 foot depth adjacent to spawning flats Deep vegetation edges near points and drop-offs Protected coves with emerging vegetation	Crappie Spider Rigging Hover/Mid-Strolling Finesse Hair Jigs	Juvenile Bluegills Small Minnows Aquatic Insects	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	52-65	Bluegills are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn locations, actively feeding as water temperatures rise and moving into shallower staging areas near spawning bays Fish are becoming more aggressive in their feeding patterns, primarily targeting aquatic insects and small crustaceans around emerging vegetation	Protected bays with emerging cabbage and coontail in 6-10 foot depths Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depths Deep weed edges where remaining winter vegetation meets harder bottom in 12-15 foot range	Live Bait Rigs with small jigs suspended 1-2 feet off bottom Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light tackle around emerging vegetation Bobbers with suspended baits near brush piles and vegetation edges	Aquatic insects and larvae beginning spring hatches Small crustaceans in and around vegetation Smaller baitfish congregating near warming shallows	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near vegetation and protected bays, particularly around cabbage and coontail beds Pre-spawn staging occurring on adjacent deeper vegetation edges (8-14 feet), with fish making periodic moves to spawning flats	Protected shallow bays with cabbage/coontail vegetation in 2-6 foot depth Secondary points leading into spawning bays Vegetation edges in 8-14 foot depth adjacent to spawning areas	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow vegetation and spawning areas Spinnerbaits worked along vegetation edges and through sparse cover Soft Jerkbaits for sight fishing and suspended pre-spawn fish	Bluegills congregating in spawning areas and vegetation Juvenile perch around vegetation edges	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye are focused on spawning activities, moving into shallow rocky areas and river mouths during early evening and night hours Males arrive first and stay longer on spawning grounds, while females move in briefly to deposit eggs before returning to recovery areas	Rocky points and gravel shorelines in 2-6 feet of water Adjacent deeper breaks in 8-12 feet serving as staging areas Wind-blown shorelines with rock and gravel substrate	Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations using minnows Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with lighter jigs during low light periods Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked slowly along spawning areas	Small Minnows gathering in spawning areas Juvenile Perch in slightly deeper adjacent areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	55-65	Crappies are transitioning to shallow spawning areas, staging near brush piles and vegetation edges in 8-14 foot depths before moving shallow Males moving shallower first to establish nesting sites, while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn Actively feeding during pre-spawn period, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise	Brush piles and woody cover in 6-12 foot transition areas Cabbage bed edges near spawning flats Protected coves and points with vegetation	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Bobbers Finesse Hair Jigs	Small bluegills in vegetation Young of the year baitfish Aquatic insects emerging in warming water	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Actively constructing and guarding nests in shallow protected areas, typically 2-6 feet deep Males become highly territorial and aggressive during spawning, making them more likely to strike at intrusive baits Congregating in pre-spawn staging areas near spawning flats when water temperatures approach optimal range	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom composition, especially near cabbage beds Areas with brush piles adjacent to spawning flats Shallow flats with scattered vegetation in 2-6 foot depth	Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms worked slowly through spawning areas Bobbers with lightweight jigs suspended just above nest locations Finesse Hair Jigs cast to visible beds or staging areas	Small aquatic insects and larvae Tiny crustaceans Small minnows near vegetation edges	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-72	Post-spawn largemouth are actively feeding in and around vegetation, particularly cabbage beds, as they recover energy from spawning Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior on bluegills in moderate depths (8-12 feet), taking advantage of abundant forage in vegetation	Cabbage beds in 8-12 foot depth range, especially where vegetation is thick and healthy Weed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water, creating ambush points Protected coves and bays with established vegetation, particularly where bluegill populations are present	Grass Jigs worked through and around cabbage beds, matching the recent successful pattern Swim Jigs around weed edges to cover water and trigger reaction strikes Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in thicker vegetation sections where big bass might be holding	Bluegill concentrating in cabbage beds Various juvenile baitfish beginning to school in and around vegetation	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-62	Post-spawn walleye recovering in transitional areas between spawning grounds and summer habitat, actively feeding to regain energy Fish are becoming more active with warming water temperatures, moving along shoreline points and weed edges to ambush prey	Wind-swept points and adjacent flats in 8-14 foot range Emerging cabbage weed edges, particularly where they intersect with harder bottom Transition areas between spawning grounds and deeper summer locations	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions and emerging weed edges Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve parallel to structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows or soft plastics	Young-of-year perch gathering near emerging weed growth Minnow schools concentrated on wind-blown structure Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are relating to vegetation edges and brush piles in 8-14 foot range, making frequent moves between deep and shallow water	Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depths Cabbage bed edges near points and drop-offs Protected coves with emerging vegetation in 6-10 foot range	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along vegetation edges Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around brush piles Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') for suspended fish near structure	Small bluegills in and around vegetation Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	62-72	Post-spawn bluegills are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper feeding zones, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are relating strongly to brush piles and beginning to establish summer patterns around vegetation	Brush piles in 8-12 foot depth range Deep weed edges where cabbage and coontail meet deeper water Secondary points with emerging vegetation	Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms worked slowly through brush piles Bobbers suspended at precise depths over brush and weed edges Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with tiny plastics around cover	Small insects and larvae around brush piles Emerging aquatic invertebrates in vegetation Small minnows gathering around weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-74	Actively feeding on weed edges with aggressive strikes, showing preference for fast-moving baits in 5-7 foot depth range Most active during evening hours (6-8pm), primarily relating to deep weed edges and matted grass areas	Deep weed edges adjacent to matted grass in 8-14 foot range Submerged vegetation beds, particularly cabbage and coontail Drop-off areas near weed beds, especially on north and south ends of lake	Spinnerbaits worked quickly along weed edges Bladed Jigs (Chatterbaits) with fast retrieves Hard Topwater (Walking) worked over matted grass	Bluegill in cabbage beds Young of year baitfish around weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Walleye	72-79	Walleye are holding on weed edges in 8-14 feet of water, moving deeper during peak sunlight hours and shallower during low light periods Active feeding patterns along cabbage flats, particularly during lower light conditions due to moderate water clarity (10.2 ft visibility)	Cabbage weed edges in 8-14 feet of water Wind-blown structures and points with vegetation Deep weed edges adjacent to feeding shelves	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along weed edges Finesse Jigs with leeches on slip bobbers near cabbage flats Live Bait Rigs worked along deeper weed transitions	Yellow Perch in weed beds Minnows relating to cabbage edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Crappie	72-74	Crappies are holding in and around deep weed edges (8-14 feet) during summer, actively feeding during dawn and dusk periods Fish are suspending near cabbage beds, using vegetation as cover and ambush points for feeding on small bluegills and other forage	Deep weed edges of cabbage beds in 8-14 foot range Points with consistent vegetation where drop-offs meet deeper water Transitional areas between shallow and deep water with submerged vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges to cover water and find active fish Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding tight to structure Crappie Spider Rigging to maintain precise depth control and work through vegetation zones	Small bluegills in vegetation Young-of-year baitfish relating to weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	72-79	Actively feeding in and around cabbage and coontail beds in 8-14 foot depth range, with peak activity during morning and evening hours Establishing summer patterns around deep weed edges, occasionally moving shallower during low-light periods	Deep weed edges of cabbage and coontail in 10-14 foot range Scattered brush piles adjacent to weed beds Transitions between vegetation types in 8-10 foot range	Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms worked slowly through vegetation edges Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs around weed edges Bobbers with suspended baits over vegetation tops	Small aquatic insects and larvae in vegetation Small crustaceans and zooplankton Juvenile baitfish in weed beds	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for North Long Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Largemouth bass are actively feeding on the remaining green vegetation patches, particularly cabbage and coontail, as they prepare for winter. Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior when baits are presented near these vegetation edges. Fish are beginning to transition towards their winter locations, congregating around deep weed edges in 8-10 foot depth ranges where healthy green vegetation persists.	Healthy green cabbage and coontail beds in 8-10 foot depths, especially those near deeper water Points with remaining vegetation in 8-14 foot range Areas that historically hold winter bass populations, particularly if they maintain green vegetation	Ned Rigs worked with a pop-and-pause retrieve through vegetation Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges Wacky Rigs as a follow-up presentation for missed strikes	Bluegill concentrated in remaining vegetation Minnows relating to weed edges	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Walleye	48-62	Walleye are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools as they migrate to deeper water Fish are increasingly active during daylight hours as water temperatures cool, with peak feeding during overcast conditions and wind-blown areas	Deep weed edges transitioning to rock or gravel in 12-18 foot range Wind-swept points with access to deeper water Steep breaks near cabbage flats where baitfish schools concentrate	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with consistent speed along weed edges and breaks Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are concentrated on specific structure Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions	Yellow Perch schooling near deep weed edges Minnow species congregating in deeper water Young-of-year panfish in remaining vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappies are transitioning from summer patterns to deeper staging areas, actively feeding to build up reserves for winter Fish are schooling more tightly and relating strongly to deep vegetation edges and drop-offs	Deep weed edges in 12-14 foot range where cabbage beds meet drop-offs Points with submerged vegetation transitioning to deeper water Brush piles positioned near deep vegetation edges	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging Hover/Mid-Strolling	Young-of-year bluegills in and around vegetation Small minnows schooling near vegetation edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	52-68	Bluegills are transitioning to deeper water, staging near deep weed edges and brush piles in 10-14 foot range Feeding activity becomes more concentrated during midday hours when water temperatures are optimal Fish are schooling more tightly and focusing on remaining green vegetation for both cover and forage	Deep weed edges of cabbage and coontail in 10-14 foot range Brush piles adjacent to deep weed edges Deeper pockets within remaining green vegetation	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs Finesse Hair Jigs	Small aquatic insects in remaining vegetation Zooplankton concentrations in deeper water Small crustaceans near weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Walleye	42-52	Walleye become more aggressive during late fall/early winter as they prepare for winter, feeding heavily on baitfish schools in deeper water Fish tend to school more tightly and relate strongly to sharp breaks and deep structure where baitfish concentrate	Deep weed edges where cabbage beds transition to breaks (12-15 feet) Main lake points with access to deep water Sharp breaks near remaining green vegetation	Blade Baits worked vertically along breaks and structure Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with aggressive lift-drop motions Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along weed edges and breaks	Yellow Perch schooling near remaining vegetation Tullibees moving to deeper water Small pods of shiners near structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Suspending over deep vegetation edges and transitioning to deeper basin areas, typically schooling in tight groups Feeding activity becomes most pronounced during low-light periods, with brief windows during stable weather	Deep vegetation edges in 12-14 foot range where cabbage beds transition to basin Deeper points with remaining vegetation adjacent to deeper water Brush piles positioned near deep water access	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling Damiki Rig	Small bluegills concentrated in remaining vegetation Juvenile perch in deeper water columns	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	42-52	Bluegills are holding in deeper vegetation edges and brush piles, typically in 10-14 foot range, maintaining a more stationary position to conserve energy Feeding periods are shorter but more intense, with fish tending to be most active during warmer parts of the day	Deep weed edges of cabbage and coontail in 10-14 foot range Brush piles adjacent to deep vegetation Protected bays with remaining vegetation in 8-12 foot depths	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Drop Shot	Small aquatic insects Zooplankton Tiny minnows	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Walleye	34-39	Walleye will be concentrated on structural elements like deep cabbage flats and mid-lake humps, typically suspending or holding near bottom in 15-25 foot ranges Most active feeding periods occur during dawn and dusk, with a strong midday bite common during cloudy conditions	Deep edges of cabbage flats in 15-20 foot ranges where summer vegetation has died off Mid-lake structures and points transitioning from 12 to 20 feet Wind-swept shoreline points with access to deeper water	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements just off bottom Ice Fishing Spoons aggressively jigged to attract fish from a distance Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set with live bait at varying depths	Perch relating to remnant weed edges Small minnows schooling near structure Juvenile tullibees in deeper water	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappies are suspending near deep vegetation edges, typically holding tight to the vegetation during daylight hours and moving slightly away from cover during prime feeding periods Fish are showing selective feeding patterns, responding well to subtle presentations with ice fishing spoons around submerged vegetation	Deep weed edges in 8-14 foot range, particularly where cabbage beds meet clean bottom Transitions near points where submerged vegetation intersects with deeper water Protected coves with remaining green vegetation	Ice Fishing Spoons worked with subtle jigging motions just above the weed tops Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with live bait, worked slowly through suspended fish Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') using small presentations around identified fish-holding vegetation	Bluegills sharing similar habitat in and around vegetation Small minnows relating to weed edges	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	34-39	Bluegills are concentrating near deep weed edges and submerged vegetation in 8-14 foot depths, with reduced activity levels typical of winter conditions Fish are forming tight schools in areas with remaining green vegetation, particularly around cabbage beds that provide both cover and feeding opportunities	Deep weed edges where cabbage and coontail vegetation persist through winter, particularly in 10-14 foot depths Brush piles adjacent to deep vegetation edges that provide additional cover Transitions between vegetation and deeper basins where suspended bluegills may gather	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements and frequent pauses to trigger lethargic winter bluegills Ice Fishing Spoons with small profile and flutter action to attract fish from greater distances Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with tiny presentations for finicky winter bluegills	Small aquatic invertebrates residing in remaining green vegetation Tiny crustaceans and zooplankton suspended in the water column Small minnows and juvenile fish sharing similar winter habitat	Purple Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in North Long Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Last year's dead reed beds in 3-5 feet of water	Shallow flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and gravel areas adjacent to deeper water	Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles in 8-12 foot depth adjacent to spawning flats	Deep vegetation edges near points and drop-offs
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected bays with emerging cabbage and coontail in 6-10 foot depths	Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depths
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with cabbage/coontail vegetation in 2-6 foot depth	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and gravel shorelines in 2-6 feet of water	Adjacent deeper breaks in 8-12 feet serving as staging areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles and woody cover in 6-12 foot transition areas	Cabbage bed edges near spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom composition, especially near cabbage beds	Areas with brush piles adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Cabbage beds in 8-12 foot depth range, especially where vegetation is thick and healthy	Weed edges adjacent to slightly deeper water, creating ambush points
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Wind-swept points and adjacent flats in 8-14 foot range	Emerging cabbage weed edges, particularly where they intersect with harder bottom
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depths	Cabbage bed edges near points and drop-offs
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Brush piles in 8-12 foot depth range	Deep weed edges where cabbage and coontail meet deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges adjacent to matted grass in 8-14 foot range	Submerged vegetation beds, particularly cabbage and coontail
Summer	Walleye	Cabbage weed edges in 8-14 feet of water	Wind-blown structures and points with vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Deep weed edges of cabbage beds in 8-14 foot range	Points with consistent vegetation where drop-offs meet deeper water
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges of cabbage and coontail in 10-14 foot range	Scattered brush piles adjacent to weed beds
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Healthy green cabbage and coontail beds in 8-10 foot depths, especially those near deeper water	Points with remaining vegetation in 8-14 foot range
Fall	Walleye	Deep weed edges transitioning to rock or gravel in 12-18 foot range	Wind-swept points with access to deeper water
Fall	Crappie	Deep weed edges in 12-14 foot range where cabbage beds meet drop-offs	Points with submerged vegetation transitioning to deeper water
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges of cabbage and coontail in 10-14 foot range	Brush piles adjacent to deep weed edges
Winter	Walleye	Deep weed edges where cabbage beds transition to breaks (12-15 feet)	Main lake points with access to deep water
Winter	Crappie	Deep vegetation edges in 12-14 foot range where cabbage beds transition to basin	Deeper points with remaining vegetation adjacent to deeper water
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges of cabbage and coontail in 10-14 foot range	Brush piles adjacent to deep vegetation
Ice	Walleye	Deep edges of cabbage flats in 15-20 foot ranges where summer vegetation has died off	Mid-lake structures and points transitioning from 12 to 20 feet
Ice	Crappie	Deep weed edges in 8-14 foot range, particularly where cabbage beds meet clean bottom	Transitions near points where submerged vegetation intersects with deeper water
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges where cabbage and coontail vegetation persist through winter, particularly in 10-14 foot depths	Brush piles adjacent to deep vegetation edges that provide additional cover

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows gathering in warming shallows	Bluegills starting to move shallow with vegetation growth
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Spawning Minnows	Small Perch
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Juvenile Bluegills	Small Minnows
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Aquatic insects and larvae beginning spring hatches	Small crustaceans in and around vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegills congregating in spawning areas and vegetation	Juvenile perch around vegetation edges
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Small Minnows gathering in spawning areas	Juvenile Perch in slightly deeper adjacent areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small bluegills in vegetation	Young of the year baitfish
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects and larvae	Tiny crustaceans
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in cabbage beds	Various juvenile baitfish beginning to school in and around vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Young-of-year perch gathering near emerging weed growth	Minnow schools concentrated on wind-blown structure
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small bluegills in and around vegetation	Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae around brush piles	Emerging aquatic invertebrates in vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in cabbage beds	Young of year baitfish around weed edges
Summer	Walleye	Yellow Perch in weed beds	Minnows relating to cabbage edges
Summer	Crappie	Small bluegills in vegetation	Young-of-year baitfish relating to weed edges
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects and larvae in vegetation	Small crustaceans and zooplankton
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated in remaining vegetation	Minnows relating to weed edges
Fall	Walleye	Yellow Perch schooling near deep weed edges	Minnow species congregating in deeper water
Fall	Crappie	Young-of-year bluegills in and around vegetation	Small minnows schooling near vegetation edges
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects in remaining vegetation	Zooplankton concentrations in deeper water
Winter	Walleye	Yellow Perch schooling near remaining vegetation	Tullibees moving to deeper water
Winter	Crappie	Small bluegills concentrated in remaining vegetation	Juvenile perch in deeper water columns
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects	Zooplankton
Ice	Walleye	Perch relating to remnant weed edges	Small minnows schooling near structure
Ice	Crappie	Bluegills sharing similar habitat in and around vegetation	Small minnows relating to weed edges
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic invertebrates residing in remaining green vegetation	Tiny crustaceans and zooplankton suspended in the water column

Bait Colors by Season for North Long Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Metallic Colors
Summer	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Purple Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Fall	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Walleye	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Crappie	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Purple Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals