| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly targeting bluegill in and around emerging vegetation
| - Rock piles adjacent to spawning flats in 5-10 foot depth range
- Areas where emerging vegetation meets harder bottom in 3-8 feet
- Secondary points leading into potential spawning bays
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves near structure
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses around staging areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow near emerging vegetation
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
- Crawfish becoming more active on rocky structure
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding to build energy reserves, particularly during morning and evening hours, with increased activity in shallow water areas
- Fish are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning locations, following temperature gradients and congregating near potential spawning areas
| - Shallow weed edges in 5-10 foot range adjacent to potential spawning bays
- Isolated weed clumps near hard bottom areas in 8-15 foot depths
- Rock piles and hard bottom areas near transitional depths
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly along weed edges and over scattered vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to structure
- Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses in areas of better visibility
| - Bluegills concentrated in warming shallow areas
- Various minnow species moving shallow with warming trends
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around submerged vegetation, with males staging and guarding nests while females move between shallow and slightly deeper water
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and territorial as water warms, with increased feeding activity to prepare for and sustain through spawning
| - Shallow vegetation areas in 2-6 feet of water, particularly where hard bottom meets weeds
- Secondary points and flats adjacent to deeper water, providing quick escape routes
- Rock piles in 5-10 feet of water that offer both spawning habitat and ambush points
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around shallow cover
- Spinnerbaits along edges of vegetation and between rock piles
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended pre-spawn fish
| - Bluegill concentrating in similar shallow spawning areas
- Small baitfish moving into warming shallows
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 45-58 | - Northern Pike are in shallow, vegetated areas for spawning, actively feeding during post-spawn period. Most active during early morning and evening hours due to low water clarity.
- Fish are showing aggressive territorial behavior and will strike reaction baits, particularly in areas near spawning habitat.
| - Shallow bays and back areas with emerging vegetation in 2-6 foot depth
- Edges of weed beds adjacent to slightly deeper water (8-12 feet)
- Hard bottom areas near vegetation for post-spawn staging
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved steadily along weed edges
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas
| - Spawning Bluegills in shallow areas
- Small Yellow Perch near weed edges
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 66-77 | - Bass are actively feeding on bluegill pods along weed edges, particularly during cloudy conditions and following the recent cold front
- Fish are in post-spawn transition, moving between shallow spawning areas and deeper summer haunts, utilizing 10-15 foot depth ranges
| - Weed edges in 10-15 foot depth range, especially those adjacent to rock structure
- Points and inside turns with submerged vegetation near deep drop offs
- Long stretches of vegetation near deep drop offs
| - Bladed Jigs worked over the top of submerged vegetation
- Structure Jigs worked along weed edges and rock transitions
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly in deeper sections of weeds
| - Bluegill - primary forage stacked on weed edges
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-68 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during dawn and dusk due to the turbid conditions (3.6ft visibility)
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer locations, utilizing weed edges and scattered vegetation as primary ambush points
| - Isolated weed clumps in 8-12 foot range near hard bottom areas
- Weed edges adjacent to rock piles in 10-15 foot depth
- Shallow bays with emerging vegetation near deeper water access
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges with occasional pauses
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled through scattered vegetation
- Inline Spinners retrieved steadily in shallow areas during low light
| - Bluegill concentrating near developing weed growth
- Young-of-year perch moving into vegetated areas
- Smaller pike and various minnow species
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
