| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-55 | - Moving from winter depths to shallow staging areas near spawning locations, particularly around points with vegetation
- Transitioning between deep wintering areas and pre-spawn staging points, following the warming trend
- Beginning to feed more actively as water temperatures rise, with a focus on larger, slower-moving prey
| - Points with mixed rock and vegetation in 8-12 foot depth
- Boulder fields adjacent to deeper water
- Protected bays with firm bottom and emerging vegetation
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses
- Blade Baits worked methodically through staging areas
- Tubes dragged slowly along bottom structure
| - Perch hovering near emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming more active in boulder fields
- Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-48 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, making gradual movements from winter depths to shallow spawning locations
- Feeding actively but in shorter windows, primarily during dawn and dusk periods due to the 4.3m clarity
- Congregating near transition areas between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning zones
| - Rocky points and boulder areas adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Transition areas between deep basins and shallow bays
- Hard-bottom areas near submerged vegetation in 8-14 foot range
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with controlled lifts
- Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations
| - Perch moving shallow with warming trends
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
- Bottom-dwelling prey like small crayfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-52 | - Pre-spawn pike actively feeding to build energy reserves, making frequent moves between shallow warming bays and adjacent deeper water
- Aggressive feeding behavior during daylight hours, especially during stable weather patterns
- Fish staging near spawning areas in shallow bays and around emerging vegetation
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 3-8 foot depth
- Reed edges transitioning to deeper water in 8-14 foot range
- Boulder areas with early vegetation growth
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) retrieved slowly near vegetation edges
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to emerging weed edges
| - Perch congregating in shallow warming bays
- Small pike and suckers preparing for spawning runs
- Winter-stressed baitfish in shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass transitioning to spawning behavior, moving from deeper winter areas to shallow spawning flats and points
- Males actively constructing and guarding nests on firm-bottom areas near points with vegetation
- Females staging in slightly deeper water adjacent to spawning areas, making periodic moves shallow
| - Points with firm bottom and nearby vegetation, especially in 3-8 foot depth range
- Protected bays with scattered boulders adjacent to deeper water
- Shallow flats with mixed rock and vegetation near deep water access
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along points and spawning flats
- Tubes dragged and hopped around boulder areas
- Ned Rigs worked methodically through spawning areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small perch in vegetated areas
- Juvenile baitfish beginning to school in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 38-52 | - Walleye moving into shallow, rocky areas and tributary mouths for spawning, most active during dawn and dusk periods
- Post-spawn fish staging near spawning areas before transitioning to deeper water
- Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with fish particularly active in 42-48°F range
| - Rocky points and boulder areas in 2-8 foot depths
- Shallow reef edges near deeper water
- Areas with emerging vegetation near hard bottom
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom in rocky areas
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle movements
| - Small Minnows
- Perch
- Juvenile Baitfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Moving into shallow bays and creek arms with warming water for spawning
- Post-spawn females actively feeding to recover energy, targeting abundant perch in vegetation zones
- Males staying shallow to guard nesting areas near emergent vegetation
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-6 foot depth
- Reed edges in 8-14 foot depth range for post-spawn recovery
- Boulder areas with vegetation for staging locations
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits parallel to reed edges
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses near staging areas
| - Perch gathering in shallow vegetation
- Small pike (cannibalism during spawn)
- Spawning minnows in shallow bays
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are relating strongly to the deep edges of vegetation and boulder fields, making frequent movements between recovery areas and feeding zones
| - Points with mixed vegetation and boulders in 8-14 foot range
- Reed bed edges adjacent to deeper water
- Boulder fields near post-spawn transition routes
| - Tubes worked slowly along boulder fields
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations
- Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieves
| - Perch moving along weed edges
- Crawfish becoming more active in boulder fields
- Small baitfish relating to vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 52-62 | - Post-spawn walleye transitioning to feeding patterns, actively seeking food but still recovering from spawn
- Fish moving between shallow feeding areas and adjacent deeper water, most active during low light periods due to 14ft water clarity
| - Submerged vegetation off points, particularly in 8-14 foot depth range
- Rocky points and hard bottom areas adjacent to spawning grounds
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
| - Bobbers with live bait for a natural, suspended presentation
- Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along vegetation edges
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs during prime feeding periods
| - Leeches - primary forage based on recent fishing success
- Perch - indicated as present in the system
- Small baitfish relating to vegetated areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, primarily in shallow to mid-depth areas with vegetation
- Aggressive feeding behavior during cooler parts of day, utilizing weed edges and points as ambush locations
| - Weed-covered points with adjacent deeper water
- Reed edges in 8-14 foot depth range
- Boulder areas with emerging vegetation
| - Hard Jerkbaits with aggressive stop-and-go retrieve
- Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow rolled near vegetation
| - Perch concentrating near weed edges
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Green Colors
|
