| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Smallmouth bass are actively feeding in pre-spawn phase, making short movements from wintering areas to staging areas near spawning flats
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in relatively shallow water, as evidenced by the quick success near boat ramps
| - Rocky transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning flats
- Main lake rock piles and boulder fields in 10-14 foot range
- Current-swept areas with hard bottom in 3-6 foot range
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Drop Shot with small profile baits near structure
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along current seams
| - Minnows, as confirmed by recent fishing reports
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
- Blueback herring in open water areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near river channels and dock areas, actively seeking warmer water pockets
- Moving from winter deep water haunts to transitional depths of 8-15 feet, making frequent shallow water feeding movements
| - River channel bends and intersections with depth transitions
- Docks adjacent to deeper water
- Protected pockets near potential spawning flats
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional depths
- Bladed Jigs worked slowly near structure
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve
| - Bluegill congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Yellow Perch in slightly deeper transitions
- Smaller baitfish relating to warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Drum | 52-65 | - Drum are transitioning from winter depths to shallower feeding areas, following warming water trends and becoming more active
- Fish are beginning to stage near rocky areas and current zones, actively seeking out crayfish and other bottom-dwelling prey
| - Rock piles and riprap in 3-6 foot depth range with proximity to deeper water
- Areas with current flow near hard bottom structure
- Dam areas where deeper water meets shallow rocky structure
| - Football Jigs worked slowly along rocky bottom
- Blade Baits with slow, bottom-bouncing retrieves
- Live Bait Rigs with crawlers or crayfish
| - Crayfish emerging from winter habitat
- Small bottom-dwelling fish
- Aquatic insects
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Smallmouth bass are in spawning mode, actively defending nests in shallow water areas with hard bottom and moving between spawning areas and nearby feeding zones
- Fish are utilizing current-swept rocky areas in 3-6ft depths, showing aggressive feeding behavior when off spawning beds
| - Current-swept boulder and rock piles in 3-6ft of water
- Hard bottom areas near dam structure
- Main lake rock structure with proximity to deeper water
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom near rocky structure
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around current areas
- Drop Shot with light weights in clear water areas
| - Minnows gathering in spawning areas
- Blueback Herring in dam area
- Crawfish emerging from rocky structure
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near river channels and protected dock areas, moving between 2-8 feet of water as they prepare for and engage in spawning activities
- Males actively guarding nests in protected areas while females move between shallow spawning areas and slightly deeper transition zones
| - Protected dock areas near river channel intersections, especially those with gradual slopes
- Shallow protected pockets adjacent to river channel edges
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets with available cover
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and shallow cover
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to spawning areas
- Shakey Heads worked slowly through staging areas
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Yellow Perch in slightly deeper transition zones
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Drum | 58-68 | - Drum move into warmer, shallow rocky areas (3-6 feet) for spawning as water temperatures begin rising
- Males produce drumming sounds to attract females, with peak activity occurring near hard bottom areas
- Feeding increases pre-spawn, with fish actively searching current areas for prey
| - Rocky shorelines and riprap areas in 3-6 foot depth range
- Areas with current near rock piles and boulders
- Hard bottom flats adjacent to slightly deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs
- Structure Jigs
- Blade Baits
| - Crayfish
- Small bottom-dwelling baitfish
- Aquatic insects
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 68-74 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass actively feeding near bottom structure, with particular focus on crawfish forage
- Fish showing aggressive feeding behavior in moderate depths, responding well to both bottom presentations and moving baits
| - Rip rap banks with direct access to deeper water
- Rock piles in 7-12 foot depth range
- Main lake hard bottom areas with current flow
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') slow rolled near rock structure
- Drop Shot with small profile baits near rock structure
| - Crawfish - primary forage based on multiple reports
- Alewife - showing up in recent catches
- Small baitfish - typical for this season
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-75 | - Fish are actively feeding in the post-spawn period, moving between shallow and mid-depth ranges (0-19 feet) along depth transitions
- Bass are utilizing man-made structure and river channel edges as primary holding areas, making feeding forays into adjacent shallow water
| - Docks adjacent to deeper water, particularly those near river channel edges
- River channel drop-offs transitioning from 0-19 feet
- Shallow vegetation areas near structural elements
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along depth transitions
- Frogs/Toads around shallow cover near docks
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and vegetation
| - Perch in slightly deeper water along channel edges
- Bluegill around dock areas and shallow cover
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Drum | 58-68 | - Actively moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow rock and riprap zones (3-6 feet) as water warms
- Following current patterns and utilizing moving water to detect prey with sensory organs
- Beginning to feed more aggressively as water temperatures rise, with peak activity during warmer parts of the day
| - Rocky shorelines and riprap areas in 3-6 foot depth range
- Current-swept rock piles near deeper water access
- Dam areas with good water movement and boulder structure
| - Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
- Football Jigs
| - Crayfish emerging from winter refuges
- Small bottom-dwelling baitfish
- Aquatic insects
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
