| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-48 | - Pre-spawn walleyes are staging near spawning areas and becoming more active with warming water temperatures, particularly during dawn and dusk periods
- Fish are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning locations, following distinct migration routes along breaks and channels
| - Rock and gravel areas in 6-12 feet of water near spawning tributaries or inlets
- Main lake points and adjacent breaks leading to spawning areas
- Channel edges and deeper holes that serve as staging areas
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transition areas between shallow and deep water
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily along breaks
| - Small baitfish congregating near spawning areas
- Emerging crayfish becoming more active with warming water
- Juvenile perch in shallow feeding areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-50 | - Walleye moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on hard-bottom areas with gravel or rock in 2-6 feet of water
- Most active during low-light periods, but stained water (1.5m Secchi) allows for extended feeding periods
- Males arrive first and stay longer on spawning grounds, while females move in and out quickly
| - Rocky points and gravel shorelines in 2-6 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Channel edges adjacent to spawning flats
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle movements
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily near bottom
| - Small perch gathering near spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Minnows moving shallow with warming water
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Post-spawn walleyes recovering in transitional areas between spawning grounds and summer habitat, actively feeding to regain energy
- Fish become more active during low-light periods in stained water (1.5m secchi), but maintain feeding activity throughout day due to reduced light penetration
- Weather fronts trigger increased feeding activity, particularly around structure and depth changes
| - Secondary points and inside turns adjacent to spawning areas in 8-15 foot depths
- Submerged wood and dock pilings, especially in areas with depth changes
- Emerging weed edges in 6-12 foot depths where baitfish concentrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along depth transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with minnow-tipped jigs near structure
- Trolling Shallow (0-9') with shallow-running crankbaits parallel to emerging weed edges
| - Young-of-year perch gathering near emerging vegetation
- Minnows concentrated around warming shallows
- Insects, particularly emerging mayflies in shallow bays
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
