| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 38-48 | - Walleye transitioning from deep wintering areas to shallow spawning areas, staging near transition points
- Feeding activity increasing with warming water, particularly during low-light periods
- Fish becoming more active but still relatively lethargic, preferring slower presentations
| - Rock-to-sand transitions in 8-15 foot depth range
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Offshore rock piles adjacent to spawning areas
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Live Bait Rigs
- Blade Baits
| - Small yellow perch
- Shiners and juvenile baitfish
- Crayfish emerging from winter habitat
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, most active during low-light periods
- Post-spawn fish transitioning to nearby deeper structure, establishing feeding patterns along depth changes
| - Rocky shorelines and points in 2-6 feet of water
- Tributary mouths and current areas
- Adjacent drop-offs to spawning areas in 8-15 feet
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rocky areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow presentations
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily
| - Small Minnows
- Young of Year Perch
- Emerging Insects
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Post-spawn walleye recovering and actively feeding, moving from spawning areas to early-season feeding locations
- Fish transitioning between shallow and mid-depth areas, following baitfish and utilizing structure for ambush points
- More active during daylight hours due to moderate staining (2.3m Secchi), less light sensitivity
| - Rock piles and points in 8-15 foot depth range
- Transition areas between spawning bays and main lake points
- Complex shoreline areas with emerging weed growth in 6-12 feet
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along rock structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnow presentations
- Lipless Crankbaits over emerging vegetation
| - Small perch and shiners concentrated near structure
- Emerging insect larvae near vegetated areas
- Young-of-year baitfish schools
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|