| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning to pre-spawn locations, actively feeding on crawfish in shallow rocky areas
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, showing particular interest in reaction baits near shoreline structure
| - Rocky shorelines with mixed gravel and sand flats in 2-6 feet of water
- Rock piles adjacent to spawning flats
- Protected shallow bays with boulder structure
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline with varied retrieve
- Ned Rigs worked slowly around rock piles
- Tubes dragged across rocky flats
| - Crawfish emerging from winter locations
- Small baitfish relating to shallow structure
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, making gradual movements from winter depths to shallower spawning locations
- Feeding activity increases as water warms, with fish particularly active during dawn and dusk periods
- Groups of fish relating strongly to wind-blown shorelines and structural elements that funnel warming water
| - Rocky points and gravel shorelines in 8-15 foot depth range
- Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning areas
- Wind-swept shorelines with emerging vegetation in 5-10 foot range
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations
- Blade Baits worked through suspended fish
| - Minnows concentrated near warming shallows
- Small perch moving into emerging weed growth
- Smaller baitfish schools transitioning from winter depths
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Crappies are transitioning from deep winter locations to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends
- Fish are becoming more active and forming loose schools, targeting both zooplankton and small baitfish
- Movement patterns are heavily influenced by daily temperature fluctuations, with fish being most active during warmer afternoon periods
| - Protected bays and coves with depths of 8-15 feet adjacent to potential spawning areas
- Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow flats
- Deeper brush piles and woody cover in 12-20 foot range
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)
| - Small minnows and shiners
- Zooplankton
- Emerging aquatic insects
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Actively spawning and protecting beds in shallow rocky areas, particularly visible due to the moderate water clarity (4.3m Secchi)
- Males aggressively defending nests against threats, making them highly reactive to intrusive baits
- Moving between slightly deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones along gradual breaks
| - Shorelines with gradual breaks featuring mixed rock and sand substrate
- Areas around large boulder clusters in 2-6 foot depth range
- Protected rocky bays and coves with adequate spawning substrate
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked with varied retrieve speeds along shoreline breaks
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
- Ned Rigs worked slowly around bedding areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleyes are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around rocky or gravel shorelines and wind-swept points
- Fish are staging in pre-spawn locations near spawning grounds, actively feeding during low-light periods
- Males arrive first and stay longer, while females move in briefly to spawn then retreat to recovery areas
| - Rocky points and gravel shorelines in 2-8 feet of water
- Adjacent deeper breaks in 12-15 feet for staging areas
- Wind-blown shorelines with good rock or gravel substrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations
- Blade Baits worked through staging areas
| - Minnows concentrated in spawning areas
- Small perch in adjacent weed edges
- Juvenile baitfish schools in staging areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-65 | - Moving into shallow bays and coves (2-8 feet) as water temperatures rise, seeking warmer water and spawning habitat
- Males establishing and guarding nests near cover, while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn
- Actively feeding during pre-spawn to build energy reserves, becoming more territorial during actual spawn
| - Protected shallow bays with stable bottom composition (particularly darker bottom areas that warm faster)
- Shallow coves with woody cover or emerging vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays, especially those with gradual slopes
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
- Live Bait Rigs
- Crappie Dock Shooting
| - Small minnows concentrating in warming shallows
- Early season insects and larvae
- Emerging aquatic invertebrates
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Active feeding in post-spawn recovery phase, targeting both crawfish and ciscos around rocky areas and points
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, showing aggressive chase-feeding behavior
| - Shallow rocky shorelines and points adjacent to spawning areas
- Rock piles near spawning flats
- Protected areas with complex structure offering ambush points
| - Bladed Jigs worked along shorelines with varied retrieve speeds
- Hard Jerkbaits worked around points and rock structures
- Tubes dragged through rocky areas
| - Crawfish active in rocky areas
- Ciscos/Whitefish around points
- Small baitfish beginning to school
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 45-58 | - Post-spawn walleyes are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper primary lake structures, actively feeding but can be sluggish in cold conditions
- Fish are following baitfish schools, particularly targeting minnows, and showing increased activity during low-light periods due to the moderate water clarity
| - First major depth breaks transitioning from shallow to deep water (15-20 feet)
- Deep structure in 25-35 foot range, particularly on days with colder temperatures
- Wind-blown points and structural elements with access to deeper water
| - Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with light jigs and live minnows, worked slowly with frequent pauses
- Live Bait Rigs with lighter weights and longer leaders for reluctant fish
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along transition areas during warmer periods
| - Minnows - primary forage base during post-spawn period
- Small perch - secondary forage becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Firetiger
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are suspending in loose schools near cover, making feeding forays into shallower water during prime feeding periods
| - Secondary points and creek channels adjacent to spawning bays
- Submerged brush and timber in 8-15 foot depth range
- Deeper dock areas with good cover near spawning flats
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
| - Small minnows and fry moving into shallow and mid-depth areas
- Emerging aquatic insects in transitional areas
- Zooplankton in suspended schools
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
