| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Bass are staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning. They are making transitional movements from winter areas to spawning grounds, following creek channels and staging on adjacent structure.
- Feeding activity increases during warming trends, especially during mid-morning to afternoon hours when water temperatures rise
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging curly leaf pondweed in 2-4 foot depths
- Dock areas adjacent to spawning flats in 4-6 foot depths
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation leading into spawning bays
| - Bladed Jigs worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Lipless Crankbaits retrieved over weed tops
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and vegetation edges
| - Bluegills staging in emerging vegetation
- Smaller bass congregating in pre-spawn areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleyes are staging near spawning areas and actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are suspending in the water column, likely relating to bait schools in 8-15 foot depth range
- More active during low light periods but still feeding in stained water conditions during day
| - Ledges and distinct depth changes adjacent to potential spawning areas
- Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot range
- Points and bays with moderate structure
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Hard Jerkbaits
- Blade Baits
| | - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass actively spawning in shallow protected areas, with some fish still cruising and staging
- Showing aggressive territorial behavior around dock areas and shallow vegetation, particularly during warmer parts of the day
| - Docks with adjacent shallow water spawning flats
- Submerged vegetation in 2-8 foot range, especially areas with curly leaf pondweed
- Protected shallow bays with firm bottom composition
| - Structure Jigs skipped under docks
- Grass Jigs worked through submerged vegetation
- Bladed Jigs (particularly when wind increases)
| - Bluegill (primary forage based on multiple reports)
- Small panfish gathering in shallow spawning areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye transitioning to shallow spawning areas (4-8 feet) during early spring, particularly around harder bottom areas and shoreline points
- Post-spawn fish moving to slightly deeper adjacent areas (8-15 feet) and becoming more active feeders as water warms
- Fish showing increased activity during low-light periods, taking advantage of the turbid water conditions for daytime feeding
| - Hard-bottom shoreline areas and points in 4-8 feet for spawning
- Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to spawning areas
- Ledges and depth changes near spawning grounds serving as transition areas
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along hard bottom areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with subtle presentations
- Blade Baits worked slowly through transition areas
| - Perch concentrating in similar spawning areas
- Smaller baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 67-71 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding in shallow water (2-8 feet), particularly around vegetation edges and dock areas
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, willing to chase moving baits like chatterbaits, especially during morning hours and overcast conditions
| - Inside and outside edges of curly leaf pondweed beds in 2-8 feet of water
- Areas between docks with nearby vegetation
- Shallow spawning flats transitioning to slightly deeper water
| - Bladed Jigs worked through vegetation edges and between docks
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly along inside weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with craw-style baits in thicker vegetation
| - Bluegill concentrated around docks and vegetation
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in vegetation
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Walleye are actively feeding on suspended bait schools in post-spawn phase, showing increased daytime activity due to turbid conditions
- Fish are utilizing mid-depth zones and relating to structure near baitfish schools, transitioning between spawning and summer patterns
| - Suspended areas near depth changes where baitfish schools are present
- Weed edges and vegetation in 8-15 foot range where light penetration is limited
- Points and ledges that provide access to both shallow and deeper water
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with pause-and-go retrieve targeting suspended fish
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are marked on electronics
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) mimicking perch near structure
| - Perch - confirmed as primary forage in recent catches
- Baitfish schools - evidenced by suspended fish behavior
- Crawfish - becoming active in warming spring conditions
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
