| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, primarily relating to emerging vegetation and warming shallow flats adjacent to spawning areas
- Fish are becoming increasingly active and feeding opportunistically as water temperatures rise, with a focus on larger meals to prepare for spawning
| - Shallow flats with emerging curly leaf pondweed in 4-8 feet of water
- Transition areas where deep water meets emerging vegetation
- Protected pockets and cuts in weed edges that offer wind protection
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves near weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked methodically through sparse vegetation
| - Bluegill moving shallow and becoming more active
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 55-65 | - Bluegills are transitioning from winter deep water areas to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding as water temperatures rise
- Fish are becoming more aggressive in feeding patterns, taking advantage of emerging vegetation and increasing insect activity
| - Shallow flats (4-8 feet) near emerging curly leaf pondweed
- Transition areas between winter deep holes (12-15 feet) and spawning flats
- Areas where early vegetation is beginning to top out
| - Bobbers with small ice fishing jigs suspended 2-4 feet below surface near emerging vegetation
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with finesse hair jigs worked slowly
- Live Bait Rigs with small plastics or live bait near vegetation edges
| - Emerging aquatic insects and larvae
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
- Zooplankton in warming shallows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-70 | - Largemouth bass are in spawning phase, with many fish moving shallow and relating heavily to vegetation. Fish are actively patrolling and defending spawning areas while also feeding opportunistically
- Fish are utilizing the extensive weed growth as both spawning habitat and feeding zones, particularly focusing on the edges and pockets of vegetation
| - Shallow pockets within weed beds (2-4 feet deep), particularly in areas with curly leaf pondweed
- Outside edges of vegetation in 6-15 foot range
- Protected areas with topped-out vegetation where early growing weeds provide overhead cover
| - Swim Jigs worked with straight retrieve and occasional shaking action
- Drop Shot rigged with finesse baits worked along weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting pockets in vegetation
| - Bluegill, which are the primary forage based on multiple fishing reports
- Small baitfish relating to weed edges
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegills are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, creating nests in shallow areas with firm bottom and moving in waves to spawn when water temperatures stabilize
- Males are aggressively guarding nests and will strike at small baits that come near their beds
- Fish are feeding actively between spawning activities, taking advantage of emerging insects and small crustaceans in the vegetation
| - Shallow flats with firm bottom near emerging vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Protected areas with early-growing vegetation, especially near curly leaf pondweed
- Transition areas between sparse and dense vegetation where spawning colonies often set up
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-3 feet deep
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through spawning areas
| - Emerging aquatic insects including mayflies and midges
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
- Newly hatched fry and small minnows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing weed edges and drop-offs as primary feeding zones
- Fish are transitioning between shallow and deeper water, with increased activity during early morning and evening periods
| - Weed edges and drop-offs in 8-12 foot range
- Milfoil mats and lily pad edges in shallow water
- Secondary points with access to deeper water
| - Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges
- Frogs/Toads in vegetation during evening hours
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in pockets of vegetation
| - Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily relating to emerging vegetation and shallow feeding areas
- Fish are moving between shallow vegetation for feeding and slightly deeper edges for resting periods
| - Edges of curly leaf pondweed in 8-12 foot depths
- Shallow flats with emerging vegetation in 4-7 foot depths
- Transitions between vegetation types, especially where milfoil meets other vegetation
| - Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly through vegetation edges
- Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') in pockets between vegetation
| - Small insects and larvae emerging from vegetation
- Tiny crustaceans in weed beds
- Small worms and bloodworms in bottom substrate
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Pink Colors
|
