| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging locations, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are feeding opportunistically to build energy reserves for spawning, with a focus on larger, protein-rich prey
| - Rock piles and boulder fields in 8-16 foot depth range adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel near spawning bays
- Dock areas with deep water access providing stable structure and shade
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions near staging areas
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rock fields
- Ned Rigs worked methodically around dock posts and rock structure
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish relating to rock structure
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Largemouth bass are actively feeding in pre-spawn phase, aggressively chasing baitfish over submerged vegetation
- Fish are positioning on wind-blown areas, utilizing current to ambush prey in 4-7 foot depth range
| - Submerged vegetation beds in 4-7 feet of water, especially those near wind-blown banks
- Transition areas between shallow spawning flats and deeper water with vegetation
- Protected bays with emerging vegetation, particularly on the northern side of the lake
| - Lipless Crankbaits burned over submerged vegetation
- Bladed Jigs worked through grass edges
- Spinnerbaits on wind-blown areas
| - Bluegill concentrating around emerging vegetation
- Young of year baitfish in vegetation edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye moving from wintering areas to spawning locations, staging on transitional structure
- Pre-spawn feeding activity increases as water warms, with fish particularly active during dawn and dusk periods
| - Rock piles and gravel areas near spawning locations in 6-12 feet
- Main lake points with gradual drop-offs
- Clean bottom areas adjacent to emerging weed growth
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom contours
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows
- Lipless Crankbaits retrieved with sporadic pauses
| - Small Minnows
- Young Bluegill
- Juvenile Yellow Perch
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Smallmouth bass are in full spawn mode, actively defending beds and showing aggressive behavior towards bait presentations
- Fish are primarily holding in shallow areas, especially near hard bottom areas suitable for spawning
| - Shallow rocky areas and gravel flats suitable for spawning
- Areas near stumps in spawning depth range
- Protected coves and bays with hard bottom composition
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around beds and spawning areas
- Tubes dragged or hopped near spawning areas
- Drop Shot with smaller profile baits for finicky fish
| - Crawfish - primary forage during spawn period
- Small baitfish residing near spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish moving shallow (2-6 feet) to spawn, particularly around vegetation edges and protected areas with firm bottom
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning waves
| - Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation in 4-7 foot range
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays
- Wind-protected pockets with firm bottom near deeper water access
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and vegetation edges
- Lipless Crankbaits worked over pre-spawn vegetation in 4-7 feet
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas
| - Bluegill concentrating in spawning areas
- Young of year baitfish emerging in shallow vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - During spawn, walleye move to shallow rocky areas and gravel flats at night, retreating to adjacent deeper water during daylight
- Fish are less focused on feeding but will strike reactively at properly presented baits, especially during low light periods
| - Rocky points and gravel flats in 2-6 feet of water adjacent to deeper water
- Transition areas between shallow spawning flats and main lake drop-offs
- Protected bays with firm bottom composition
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieves
| - Small baitfish gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Juvenile bluegills in weed edge transitions
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 68-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding and regaining energy, transitioning between spawning areas and early summer locations
- Fish are utilizing both shallow and deep structure, with most active feeding occurring on rock piles and along vegetation edges
| - Rock piles and boulder fields in 8-16 foot depth range
- Inside and outside edges of submerged vegetation
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper summer haunts
| - Slip bobber rigs targeting rock piles, especially for larger smallmouth
- Lipless Crankbaits worked over and through vegetation edges
- Tubes worked along rock piles and boulder fields
| - Crawfish active in and around rock structures
- Small baitfish relating to vegetation edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from spawning beds to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are showing mixed behavior - some still relating to shallow areas while others are beginning to group up near vegetation edges
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 4-7 foot depth range
- Protected bays with remaining spawning areas
- Dock areas adjacent to deeper water
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around vegetation and remaining bed areas
- Spinnerbaits worked through and over vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and heavy cover
| - Bluegill near vegetation and spawning areas
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 52-65 | - Post-spawn walleye transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, becoming more active as they recover
- Fish moving between shallow feeding zones and adjacent deeper water, following daily light and temperature changes
| - Gradual drop-offs near spawning bays in 9-15 feet
- Weed edges emerging in transition areas
- Clean bottom areas near deep grass and rock piles
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish
| - Young of year bluegills in emerging weed growth
- Minnows concentrated near spawning areas
- Small perch in transitional areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
