Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, following the warming trend and becoming increasingly active
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly targeting crawfish and baitfish near rocky structures
| - Rocky points and transitions adjacent to spawning flats in 8-14 foot depth
- Wind-blown shorelines with boulder fields in 6-12 foot depth
- Protected bays with rock or gravel bottom in 4-8 foot depth
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along rocky transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged through boulder fields
- Drop Shot presented vertically around deeper rock structures
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small perch schools
- Baitfish schools moving shallow
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Moving from winter deep water haunts to transitional staging areas, following warming trends
- Actively feeding to build energy reserves for upcoming spawn, particularly during warming trends
- Congregating near spawning flats but not yet on beds, relating heavily to adjacent deeper water
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with submerged vegetation
- Shallow creek channels leading to spawning flats
- Brush piles and laydowns in 8-12 feet near spawning areas
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional areas with vegetation
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in cooler periods
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Small baitfish schools in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-48 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, making feeding movements into shallower water during low light periods
- Fish transitioning between wintering areas and spawning grounds, following primary migration routes along structural elements
| - Rock piles and boulder areas in 8-15 foot depth range near spawning areas
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning grounds
- Wind-swept points and reefs with good rock or gravel substrate
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rock structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during prime feeding periods
| - Small perch concentrating near rocky areas
- Minnow species gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Juvenile baitfish schools in staging areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Crappies are transitioning from deeper winter areas to warmer, shallower spawning zones, staging in 8-15 foot depths near spawning areas
- Fish become increasingly active as water temperatures rise, forming loose schools around structure and showing more aggressive feeding behavior
| - Protected bays with submerged vegetation in 8-15 foot depth range
- Transitions between deep winter holes and shallow spawning areas
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
| - Small minnows gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Young-of-year perch
- Small bluegills
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-70 | - Fish are actively spawning and guarding beds in shallow water (3-6 feet), particularly around boulder and rock areas
- Males are aggressive in defending nests, while pre and post-spawn fish are feeding actively on crawfish near rocky structures
| - Boulder fields and rock piles in 4-6 foot depth range for spawning activity
- Rock flats adjacent to deeper water for staging fish
- Protected areas with laydowns near rocky structure for transitional fish
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around beds and rocky structure
- Finesse Hair Jigs dragged slowly across rock flats
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and locating active fish
| - Crawfish - primary forage based on multiple reports and rocky habitat
- Perch - secondary forage mentioned in recent catches
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Largemouth bass transitioning into spawning phase with water temperatures at 62°F, actively moving into shallow protected areas
- Males preparing and guarding nesting sites near cover, females staging nearby in slightly deeper water
| - Shallow protected areas near stumps and laydowns
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Areas with submerged vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing bedding bass
| - Bluegill in shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are concentrated in shallow rocky areas and gravel flats for spawning, particularly active during dawn and dusk periods
- Post-spawn fish stage near spawning areas before transitioning to early summer patterns, often relating to newly emerging weed growth
| - Rock piles and boulder areas in 4-12 feet of water, especially near shoreline points
- Gravel flats adjacent to deeper water
- Shallow bays with emerging vegetation for post-spawn recovery
| - Live Bait Rigs with light weights to maintain bottom contact while covering spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, subtle presentations
- Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom structure
| - Perch gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Small minnows relating to emerging vegetation
- Juvenile baitfish schools in warming bays
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie are moving into shallow bays and protected areas (2-8 feet) for spawning, with males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper
- Fish are becoming increasingly active during daylight hours, especially during warming trends, and are feeding more aggressively prior to spawning
| - Protected shallow bays with scattered vegetation in 2-8 foot depth
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper staging areas in 8-12 feet
- Areas adjacent to emerging weed growth, especially near points and inside turns
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
| - Small minnows concentrated in spawning areas
- Young of year bluegill beginning to emerge
- Small perch in slightly deeper adjacent areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, cruising sand flats and points adjacent to spawning areas
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in the 6-14 foot depth range, particularly around rock and boulder fields
| - Sand flats adjacent to spawning areas in 4-8 foot depth range
- Rocky points with boulder fields in 6-14 foot depth
- Wind-blown points where current concentrates baitfish
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Drop Shot rigs with small profile baits
- Tubes dragged through rocky areas
| - Minnows
- Crawfish emerging from winter habitat
- Young of year perch
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively feeding in shallow zones near spawning flats
- Fish are utilizing lily pads and other shallow cover as ambush points, particularly aggressive when bait falls through cover
| - Lily pad fields in 2-6 feet of water
- Secondary points with emerging vegetation
- Shallow flats with mixed vegetation and cover
| - Wacky Rigs worked with slow falls around vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting pockets in vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along pad edges
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows
- Crawfish active in shallow cover
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-62 | - Walleye are transitioning from spawning areas to early-season feeding locations, becoming more active as water temperatures stabilize
- Fish are utilizing rocky points and weed edges during dawn/dusk periods, with increased daytime activity in areas with moderate turbidity
| - Rocky points and reefs in 8-15 foot depth range
- Emerging weed edges adjacent to deeper water
- Wind-swept shorelines with rock or gravel substrate
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieve
- Lipless Crankbaits around emerging vegetation
| - Perch congregating near developing weed growth
- Smaller baitfish schools in warming shallow bays
- Juvenile crawfish becoming active on rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are suspending near weed edges and points in 8-15 foot depth range, making periodic moves to shallower water to feed
| - Weed edges and points in 8-15 foot depth range with access to deeper water
- Scattered vegetation patches near primary points and bays
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation in 6-14 foot range
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges and points
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) for suspended fish near structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding tight to structure
| - Small bluegills and juvenile perch
- Various minnow species suspending near weed edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|