| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth are staging on drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats, primarily suspended in the 12-foot range
- Fish are transitioning between winter and spawning patterns, showing increased but selective feeding activity in clear, cool conditions
| - Drop-offs adjacent to potential spawning flats in 12-15 foot range
- Rocky points with access to deeper water
- Protected shallow bays with hard bottom composition
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations in clear water
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along drop-offs
- Tubes dragged on bottom transitions
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in deeper water
- Bluegill moving toward shallow areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Walleye are staging in pre-spawn locations, making gradual movements toward spawning areas while actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are light-sensitive in the clear water, with peak activity during dawn, dusk, and overcast conditions
- Movement patterns follow depth transitions from wintering areas to spawning grounds
| - Rock and gravel points adjacent to spawning areas
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning flats
- Wind-swept shorelines with rocky substrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions
- Blade Baits worked vertically in deeper staging areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water
| - Small Minnows
- Juvenile Perch
- Shiners
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Fish transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, actively establishing and guarding nests in protected areas
- Males become increasingly aggressive and territorial during nest defense, making them susceptible to sight fishing in clear water conditions
- Feeding activity fluctuates with spawning priorities, but fish will strike reactively to protect nests
| - Protected shallow bays with gravel or rocky substrate in 2-6 foot depth
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays serving as staging areas
- Areas where rock transitions to sand, especially near deeper water access
| - Tubes worked slowly through spawning areas
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for sight fishing
- Ned Rigs dragged slowly near staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with subtle twitches
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small bluegills near spawning areas
- Juvenile baitfish in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, most active during low light periods due to clear water
- Post-spawn fish staging on adjacent drop-offs and points, gradually transitioning to deeper water
- Feeding activity increases during overcast days and around dawn/dusk due to high water clarity
| - Rocky shorelines and points in 2-6 feet of water for active spawning
- Adjacent drop-offs in 8-15 feet for staging fish
- Protected bays with gravel or rock bottom for early spawning activity
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky shorelines
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnows during prime periods
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and finding active fish
| - Spawning minnows in shallow areas
- Small perch near weedlines
- Juvenile baitfish schools in warming bays
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-65 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are transitioning from spawning areas, actively cruising in the 8-12 foot zone while some fish remain shallow
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, willing to strike moving baits and surface presentations during stable weather
| - Rocky points and drop-offs in 8-12 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
- Shallow weedlines and shoreline structure in 4-8 feet
- Offshore humps and rock piles in 12-20 foot range
| - Hard Topwater (Walking)
- Hard Topwater (Popping)
- Bladed Jigs
- Drop Shot
| | - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 45-58 | - Post-spawn walleye are recovering and beginning to actively feed, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper structure while remaining relatively shallow compared to summer patterns
- Fish are most active during lower light conditions due to the lake's clarity (4.3m secchi), especially during dawn, dusk, and windy conditions
| - Secondary points and shoreline breaks in 8-15 foot depth range adjacent to spawning areas
- Wind-blown rocky points and emerging weed edges in 12-18 foot range
- Offshore humps rising to 15-20 foot depths that provide transitional staging areas
| - Live Bait Rigs with leeches or minnows worked slowly along structure transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to shoreline breaks
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during low light periods near points
| - Spawning spot-tail shiners in shallow rocky areas
- Young-of-year perch beginning to emerge
- Recovering post-spawn cisco moving to deeper water
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
