| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn largemouth are staging in transition areas between winter and spawning grounds, making periodic moves to shallow water to check temperatures
- Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, with feeding increasing to prepare for spawning
| - Secondary points and channel swings near spawning flats
- Docks with deep water access near shallow spawning areas
- Matted grass edges where it meets deeper water
| - Lipless Crankbaits around emerging grass edges
- Bladed Jigs worked through sparse vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and laydowns
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Minnows schooling in transition areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleye are actively staging near spawning areas, making feeding movements from deeper staging areas to shallow zones during low light periods
- Fish are particularly aggressive due to pre-spawn feeding patterns, with the stained water (1.1m Secchi) extending their active feeding periods
| - Rocky points and shallow gravel areas near deeper water access
- Shallow flats adjacent to channel edges where pre-spawn staging occurs
- Protected bays with firm bottom composition for spawning preparation
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas between shallow and deep water
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near bottom structure
- Lipless Crankbaits retrieved steadily through staging areas
| - Large minnows gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Small bluegills in shallow protected areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, moving into spawning areas as water temperatures stabilize
- Males actively guarding nesting sites in protected areas, particularly around vegetation and wood cover
- Females moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning flats
| - Protected shallow bays with matted grass and lily pad stems
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow areas near docks with good sun exposure
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and potential spawning areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for pre-spawn fish moving up
- Shakey Heads for thoroughly working spawning flats
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small minnows in warming shoreline areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are moving into shallow rocky areas and current areas for spawning, most active during dawn and dusk due to stained water conditions
- Post-spawn fish will stage on adjacent drop-offs and points, remaining relatively shallow due to limited light penetration
| - Rocky points and shorelines in 2-6 feet of water for spawning activity
- Adjacent drop-offs in 8-12 feet for staging areas
- Secondary points with access to deeper water for transitional phases
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky areas
- Blade Baits worked with short hops near staging areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with subtle movements
| - Minnows concentrated in spawning areas
- Small bluegills in shallow cover areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth are actively recovering and feeding, transitioning between spawning flats and early summer patterns, often relating to the first break lines near spawning areas
- Fish are utilizing shallow cover during prime feeding periods, especially around matted grass and lily pads, but will retreat to slightly deeper adjacent areas during bright conditions
| - Grass edges and lily pad fields adjacent to spawning flats
- Docks providing shade and ambush points near shallow areas
- Laydowns and wood cover in 4-8 feet of water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and vegetation
- Swim Jigs along grass edges and through scattered pads
- Bladed Jigs in slightly stained water around cover transitions
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
- Minnows congregating around vegetation edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Walleye are transitioning from spawning areas to early-season feeding locations, actively feeding during extended periods due to stained water conditions
- Fish are utilizing shallow structural elements as ambush points, particularly during low-light periods and overcast days
| - Shallow rock and gravel points adjacent to spawning areas
- Protected bays with emerging weed growth
- Shallow flats near drop-offs with abundant cover (laydowns, docks)
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near structural elements
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline structure
| - Small minnows gathering in warming shallow areas
- Young-of-year bluegill beginning to emerge in protected bays
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
