| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 51-62 | - Pre-spawn bass staging near shallow flats and transition areas, moving from winter depths to spawning areas as water warms
- Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish particularly active during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
| - Inside turns and points adjacent to spawning flats in 4-8 foot depth range
- River mouth area on NW side where warmer water first enters the system
- Emerging reed edges and early vegetation growth areas in 3-6 foot range
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation and across transitional areas
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near structure and vegetation edges
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in cooler water periods
| - Bluegill congregating near warming shallow areas
- Minnows schooling around points and channel edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Bluegills are beginning to move from deeper wintering areas to warming shallows, staging near spawning areas
- Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with fish particularly active during sunny afternoons
- Fish are congregating near emerging vegetation and warming bays, especially near future spawning areas
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially near the river mouth on NW side
- Transition areas between deeper wintering holes and shallow flats (8-12 feet)
- Areas with early-growing vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range
| - Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly near emerging vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved slowly in warming shallows
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging with warming water
- Tiny minnows and fry in shallow areas
- Bloodworms and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-66 | - Largemouth bass are in spawn/pre-spawn mode, moving into shallow areas 1-4 feet deep near shoreline vegetation and staging on nearby drop-offs
- Fish are most active during low-light periods, with aggressive feeding windows near dusk as evidenced by recent catch reports
| - Shoreline cattails and remaining reed beds in 1-4 feet of water
- River mouth area on NW side of lake, particularly productive during morning and evening periods
- Submerged vegetation edges in 4-6 foot depth range serving as staging areas
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) with soft plastics worked slowly through vegetation
- Hard Topwater (Popping) during low light periods, especially near river mouth
- Bladed Jigs worked along vegetation edges and through sparse cover
| - Minnows concentrated around vegetation edges and river mouth area
- Bluegill beginning to move shallow for their own spawning preparation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-75 | - Actively seeking shallow, warmer bays and protected areas for spawning, typically in 2-6 foot depths
- Males aggressively guarding nests and will strike at small baits that come near their bedding areas
- Pre-spawn females staging in slightly deeper water (8-12 feet) near spawning areas
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and vegetation
- Areas near the river mouth with slower current and vegetation
- Shallow coves with emerging vegetation and lily pad stems
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep
- Live Bait Rigs with small hooks and light line
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through spawning areas
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Zooplankton
- Small minnows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are establishing patterns around emerging weed growth and moving water areas, with peak activity during lower light conditions
| - Edges of reed beds and rice patches in 3-6 foot depth range
- Inside turns and points adjacent to spawning flats
- River mouth area on NW side where current concentrates baitfish
| - Swim Jigs worked through emerging vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieves around weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through sparse vegetation
| - Bluegill gathering in emerging weed beds
- Minnows concentrating around current areas and points
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-72 | - Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding to recover energy, moving between shallow spawning areas and slightly deeper feeding zones
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, transitioning from spawning areas to weed edges and structured areas for feeding
| - Weed edges and emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depths
- Secondary points near spawning bays with scattered vegetation
- River mouth area where flowing water brings in food sources
| - Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms suspended just above weed tops
- Bobbers with lightweight jigs worked slowly through vegetation transitions
- Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to weed edges
| - Small aquatic insects emerging in warming waters
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to appear
- Bloodworms and larvae in vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
