| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 55-65 | - Bluegills are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to warmer, shallower waters, staging near spawning areas
- Actively feeding during warming trends, especially during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
- Beginning to establish territories near potential spawning areas, but still primarily focused on feeding
| - Protected coves and bays with harder bottom, especially near future spawning flats
- Edges of mid-depth flats (8-12 feet) adjacent to spawning areas
- Areas where deeper wintering holes transition to spawning flats
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 4-8 feet deep near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with micro presentations
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through staging areas
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae beginning spring hatches
- Tiny crustaceans active in warming shallows
- Small minnows in transitional areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Pre-spawn walleyes are transitioning from winter deep water areas to shallow spawning locations, following primary transition routes like points and shoreline breaks
- Feeding activity increases as water warms, with fish actively pursuing baitfish in preparation for spawning
| - Rocky points and shoreline breaks adjacent to deeper water
- Transition areas between deep winter holes and shallow spawning flats
- Mid-depth ledges and boulder areas in 10-19 feet
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Minnows concentrated near transition areas
- Small baitfish schools moving shallow
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-75 | - Actively seeking shallow, warmer waters near shoreline structure for spawning, typically staging in nearby deeper water during cold fronts
- Males aggressively guarding nests in colonies, making them more territorial and likely to strike at small presentations
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom, especially near points where spawning colonies typically form
- Secondary points and flats in 2-6 foot depth range with nearby access to deeper water
- Areas near hard-bottom reef structures that transition to spawning flats
| - Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Finesse Hair Jigs cast to visible beds or likely spawning areas
- Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to shoreline structure to locate active fish
| - Small invertebrates and insects around spawning areas
- Newly hatched fry and small minnows
- Aquatic insects and larvae near hard-bottom areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, particularly active during low light periods
- Post-spawn fish transitioning to deeper structure, showing increased feeding activity to recover energy
| - Rocky points and shorelines with gravel or rubble substrate in 2-8 feet of water
- Transition areas near deep water access, particularly areas with boulders and ledges
- Protected coves with firm bottom composition
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations
- Lipless Crankbaits worked parallel to spawning areas
| - Minnows gathering in spawning areas
- Small perch in transitional areas
- Juvenile baitfish schools
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding and recovering energy, establishing patterns near shallow to mid-depth feeding areas
- Fish are transitioning between spawning areas and summer habitat, with frequent movement between depths based on daily temperature changes
| - Clean bottom areas near shoreline points in 8-12 foot depth
- Mid-depth flats at 10-15 feet with scattered structure
- Reef structures with access to both shallow and deeper water
| - Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly around structure
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked vertically near bottom structure
- Drop Shot with small soft plastics for suspended fish
| - Small insects and larvae near structure
- Small crustaceans on hard bottom areas
- Newly hatched baitfish fry
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 52-62 | - Post-spawn walleye transitioning to deeper structure, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish relating strongly to vertical structure, particularly mid-depth humps as evidenced by recent catches
| - Mid-depth humps in 10-19 foot range with access to deeper water
- Complex points with mixed rock and boulder structure
- Transition areas between shallow spawning bays and main lake structure
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Minnows, particularly those relating to mid-depth structure
- Young of the year perch beginning to school
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
