| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter deep-water areas to shallow spawning zones, staging on the first break near spawning flats
- Fish are beginning to feed more actively as water temperatures rise, with increased activity during afternoon warm-up periods
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays, especially those with emerging vegetation
- Shallow protected coves with dark bottom composition
- Deep weed edges transitioning to spawning flats
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly through transitional areas
- Bladed Jigs around secondary points and emerging vegetation
| - Bluegills starting to move shallow with warming trends
- Young of year perch in deeper vegetation edges
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-48 | - Northern Pike are transitioning from winter deep-water patterns to shallow spawning areas, actively feeding to prepare for spawning
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, making them susceptible to larger, flashier presentations
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, particularly areas near deeper water access
- Transition areas between deep winter holding areas and spawning bays
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly along transition areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve
- Inline Spinners near emerging vegetation
| - Winter-stressed baitfish moving shallow
- Panfish (particularly crappies) in transition areas
- Small yellow perch in emerging weed growth
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Bass transitioning to spawning areas, making multiple trips between staging areas and shallow bedding locations
- Males actively guarding nests while females move between deep and shallow water during spawning phase
- Increased feeding activity during pre-spawn, followed by territorial behavior during actual spawn
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow areas adjacent to deeper water access
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentation around spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for covering water and triggering reaction strikes
- Wacky Rigs for slow, subtle presentation to bedding fish
| - Bluegills starting to move shallow
- Small baitfish in warming shallows
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-52 | - Pike are moving into shallow bays and areas with emergent vegetation for spawning, becoming more aggressive and territorial during pre-spawn and spawn phases
- Fish are particularly active during daylight hours as water temperatures warm, with peak activity during stable weather conditions
| - Shallow bays with lily pad stems and emergent vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
- Protected shoreline areas with emerging weed growth in 4-8 feet
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs with large minnows near spawning areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve along weed edges
| - Spawning Yellow Perch
- Shallow-running Suckers
- Young-of-year panfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed more aggressively, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing emerging weed growth as primary cover, moving between shallow and intermediate depths throughout the day
| - Emerging weed edges in 6-10 foot depth range, especially near points and irregular shoreline features
- Secondary points with access to both shallow and deeper water
- Protected coves with developing vegetation, particularly during morning and evening periods
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges and points
- Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieves in clearer water
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
- Young of year baitfish emerging in warming shallows
- Juvenile perch along weed edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, moving from shallow spawning areas to transitional depths along weed edges
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water warms, utilizing ambush points near deeper water access
| - Weed edges at 10-13 feet depth where submerged vegetation meets deeper water
- Points and irregular shoreline features near spawning bays
- Emergent vegetation edges where lily pads are beginning to develop
| - Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and points
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near vegetation
- Inline Spinners in areas between shallow and deep water
| - Young-of-year panfish emerging in warming shallows
- Perch along weed edges
- Shiners and minnows returning to shoreline areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
