| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Bass moving from winter deep water locations to pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends and seeking optimal spawning locations
- Actively feeding during warming periods to build energy reserves for spawning, with feeding activity increasing as water temperatures rise
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays, focusing on 8-15 foot depths
- Hard bottom areas where emerging vegetation meets depth changes
- Protected coves with morning sun exposure, particularly near deep water access
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled along transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in staging areas
| - Bluegills beginning to move shallow from winter locations
- Small baitfish congregating near emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming more active with warming temperatures
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 55-65 | - Bluegills are moving into shallow warming areas, particularly around emergent vegetation like bull rushes, actively feeding on insects and small invertebrates
- Fish are becoming more active as water temperatures rise, with feeding periods extending throughout the day in protected, warmer areas
| - Outside edges of bull rushes in shallow water (2-6 feet)
- Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Bobbers with small jigs, particularly weighted bobbers for longer casts
- Live Bait Rigs with light line and small hooks
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through vegetation edges
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Small leeches
- Bloodworms and other invertebrates
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleye staging near spawning areas, making predictable movements from wintering areas to shallow spawning grounds
- Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with increased daytime activity due to moderate staining in water
- Feeding patterns becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with fish targeting high-protein forage to prepare for spawn
| - Hard bottom areas and rocky points in 8-15 foot depth range
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and spawning grounds
- Weed edges adjacent to hard bottom spawning areas
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations
- Blade Baits worked through transitional areas
| - Small minnows gathering near spawning areas
- Juvenile bluegills near weed edges
- Emerging crayfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Purple Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near pencil reeds and matted grass, particularly in protected coves and points
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure (8-12 feet) between spawning phases
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites, with periodic feeding on available bluegill
| - Protected shallow coves with hard bottom and adjacent vegetation
- Secondary points with pencil reeds and submerged vegetation
- Transition areas where hard bottom meets weed edges
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and beds
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn fish on transition areas
| - Crayfish emerging in warming shallows
- Bluegill moving into spawning areas
- Small baitfish in transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-72 | - Bluegills moving into shallow spawning areas around bull rushes and other emergent vegetation, actively defending nesting sites
- Pre and post-spawn fish staging in nearby deeper water (8-12 feet) around weed edges, making frequent trips to shallow water
| - Bull rush beds and emergent vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Secondary weed edges in 8-12 feet of water adjacent to spawning areas
- Hard bottom areas near shoreline structure in 3-6 feet
| - Bobbers with light presentation suspended 1-2 feet below surface
- Ice Fishing Jigs worked vertically around cover
- Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges for pre-spawn fish
| - Small insects and larvae around vegetation
- Small leeches in shallow areas
- Aquatic worms near hard bottom areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Adult walleye moving to hard-bottom areas and rocky points for spawning, with males arriving first and staying longer
- Night feeding activity increases, with fish moving shallow during low-light periods
- Post-spawn females quickly transition to recovery feeding patterns in adjacent deeper water
| - Rocky points and hard bottom areas in 2-8 foot depth range for active spawning
- Adjacent drop-offs to spawning areas in 15-25 foot range for staging females
- Weed edges near spawning areas for post-spawn recovery feeding
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations
- Finesse Jigs with minimal movement for neutral fish
| - Small minnows in spawning areas
- Bluegills near weed edges
- Perch along transition areas
| - Purple Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding and transitioning to summer patterns, moving between weed lines and points as they recover from spawning
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior when located, but are spread out requiring active searching to find productive areas
| - Deep weed edges along points and steep drops in 12-15 foot range
- Hard bottom transitions where they meet vegetation
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and points
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked through scattered vegetation
- Shakey Heads on hard bottom transitions
| - Bluegill concentrated around weed edges
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish moving between shallow feeding zones and slightly deeper sanctuary areas, following daily temperature patterns
| - Weed edges in 8-12 feet of water adjacent to spawning areas
- Outer edges of bullrush beds in 4-6 feet
- Hard bottom areas near deeper water access
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-2 feet off bottom
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
- Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges
| - Small insects and larvae
- Aquatic invertebrates
- Small crustaceans
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Post-spawn walleye are actively recovering and beginning to feed, transitioning from spawning areas to early-season feeding locations
- Fish are most active during low-light periods due to the moderate staining (2.7m Secchi), particularly dawn and dusk
- Moving between deeper basin areas and shallow feeding zones, following baitfish schools
| - Hard bottom areas and rocky points in 8-15 foot depth range
- Emerging weed edges adjacent to deeper water
- Transition areas between spawning sites and main lake points
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions and structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during prime feeding periods
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light conditions
| - Small minnows gathering in warming shallows
- Juvenile bluegills near emerging weed growth
- Perch schools along hard bottom areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
