| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 46-55 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth are moving in 'wolf packs' of 3-6 fish, transitioning from deeper water to shallow spawning flats and staging areas
- Fish are actively feeding but selective, responding best to slow presentations and showing increased activity during wind events
| - Rock to sand transitions in 2-8 feet of water, particularly on spawning flats
- Wind-blown points with boulder fields
- Shallow rock piles adjacent to deeper water
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly near bottom
- Tubes dragged along rock-to-sand transitions
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly over rocky areas
| - Minnows congregating in shallow areas
- Gobies relating to rocky structure
- Alewife moving into shallower water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleyes are actively moving from wintering areas through river channels towards spawning areas, following transitions and staging points
- Fish are feeding opportunistically during pre-spawn, with increased activity during low light periods as indicated by lake reports
| - River channels with adjacent staging flats, particularly where channels intersect with structural elements
- Shallow rock and boulder areas near deep water transitions
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with mixed bottom composition
| - Swim Jigs worked slowly along channel edges and transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows presented along staging areas
- Blade Baits worked vertically through deeper holes in river channels
| - Minnows, particularly concentrated in pre-spawn staging areas
- Alewives schooling in transitional areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Lake Whitefish | 38-48 | - Lake whitefish are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are showing increased activity during early morning periods, making distinct moves between deep winter holdover areas and shallower feeding zones
| - Deep contour breaks between 40-60 feet adjacent to spawning areas
- Rocky reefs and boulder fields in 17-30 feet of water
- Steep ledges with hard bottom structure where insects and small prey concentrate
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Small invertebrates emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish concentrating near structure
- Bottom-dwelling insect larvae
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 47-65 | - Fish are in various spawn phases - pre-spawn, spawning, and some post-spawn, actively moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning flats with rock/sand transitions
- Fish are often found in groups ('wolf packs') around spawning areas, showing aggressive territorial behavior and competing for prime bedding locations
| - Rock-to-sand transitions in 2-10 foot depth range, particularly those near spawning flats
- Boulder fields and rock piles in protected areas
- Windblown points with hard bottom composition
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions, especially effective for bigger fish
- Drop Shot with short leader, particularly effective for bedding fish
- Small swimbaits (2.5-3 inch) on 1/8 to 3/16 oz ball head jigs for covering water
| - Alewives (particularly dying/spiraling baitfish)
- Perch
- Gobies
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleyes are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on rocky points, river channels, and hard-bottom areas in 2-8 feet of water
- Fish are most active during low-light periods (dawn/dusk), with females staging slightly deeper than males after spawning
- Post-spawn fish gradually transition to feeding patterns, following baitfish movements
| - Rocky points and boulder-strewn shorelines with good current flow
- River channel entrances and associated shallow flats
- Transitions from hard bottom to emerging weed growth in 8-15 feet
| - Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations near bottom
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with methodical lifts and drops
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods
| - Alewives moving shallow for spring patterns
- Small perch in emerging weed growth
- Juvenile baitfish near spawning areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Lake Whitefish | 42-52 | - Lake Whitefish are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallow spawning areas, making frequent stops at transition points
- Fish are actively feeding during early morning periods, taking advantage of invertebrate activity and baitfish movements
- Schools are breaking up into smaller groups as they stage near spawning areas
| - Rocky reefs and boulder fields in 15-25 foot depth range
- Transition areas between deep winter holding areas and shallow spawning grounds
- Hard-bottom flats adjacent to deeper water
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Small invertebrates becoming active in warming waters
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
- Bottom-dwelling insects and larvae
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding and recovering, moving in small wolf packs of 3-6 fish while pursuing baitfish schools
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding grounds, primarily following baitfish movements and utilizing rocky structure
| - Rocky flats adjacent to deeper water, especially where alewives are present
- Rock piles and boulder fields in 5-15 foot depth range
- Drop-offs near shallow rocky flats where baitfish schools congregate
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked at varying speeds to match baitfish movement
- Tubes worked slowly around rock piles and drop-offs
- Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) for covering water when searching for active fish
| - Alewife - primary forage based on multiple recent reports
- Gobies - particularly around rocky structure
- Small crawfish - active in rocky areas post-spawn
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Walleye in post-spawn period transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer locations, actively feeding to recover energy
- Most active during dawn and dusk periods given the moderate clarity (3.9m Secchi), with feeding windows extending longer in overcast conditions
| - Rocky points and boulder areas adjacent to spawning bays, particularly those leading to deeper water
- Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot depth range where new growth is emerging
- River channel edges and associated structure in 15-25 foot range
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along breaks and structure
- Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows near bottom in transition areas
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') focusing on structure and breaks
| - Alewives gathering in pre-summer schools
- Small perch around emerging weed growth
- Juvenile baitfish in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Lake Whitefish | 42-52 | - Post-spawn whitefish are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from winter deep water patterns to more moderate depths
- Fish are most active during early morning periods, moving along contour breaks and structure to feed on emerging invertebrates and small baitfish
| - Steep contour breaks between 40-60 feet with nearby structure
- Rocky reefs and boulder fields in 25-40 foot range
- Ledges adjacent to deep basin areas where fish staged during winter
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+)
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Emerging aquatic insects and larvae
- Small baitfish in 20-40 foot depth range
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates near structure
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
