| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning areas, staging on transition points and near spawning flats
- Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, but still maintaining a finesse-focused bite as indicated by recent reports
| - Brush piles on transition areas between deep water and spawning flats
- Main lake points with access to deeper water
- Protected creek arms with gradual slopes leading to spawning areas
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly through brush piles and along bottom transitions
- Drop Shot with finesse worms for suspended fish near structure
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked methodically through cover
| - Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
- Shad schools in transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye are moving from winter deep-water haunts toward spawning areas, staging on transitional structures like points and ledges
- Feeding activity increases as water warms, with fish particularly active during low-light periods
- Fish are showing preference for slower presentations in muddy conditions and near bottom contact
| - Main lake points adjacent to spawning tributaries
- Rock piles and hard-bottom areas in 8-15 foot depth range
- Steep ledges connecting winter holding areas to spawning flats
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom contours
- Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rocky structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with hair jigs
| - Shad schools transitioning from deep winter areas
- Small bottom-dwelling prey like crawfish becoming more active
- Juvenile baitfish in tributary areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding but remaining close to deep water access
- Fish are beginning to move into creeks and towards spawning flats, as evidenced by recent catches in creek areas with flooded brush
| - Creek channels with adjacent flooded brush in 8-15 feet of water
- Main lake points with rock structure transitioning to deeper water
- Secondary points in major creek arms with mixed rock and brush cover
| - Bladed Jigs worked slowly through brush and along transitions
- Ned Rigs worked methodically around rocky points
- Tubes dragged along rock transitions
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy in rocky areas
- Small baitfish relating to creek channels and brush
- Perch in brushy areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-64 | - Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawn transition, moving from deeper staging areas to spawning flats and protected coves
- Fish are actively feeding near cover, particularly around rock walls and flooded brush as evidenced by recent fishing reports
| - Rock walls and bluff banks where fish are staging pre-spawn
- Flooded brush in 13-15 foot depths as reported in tournament catches
- Protected spawning coves with gradually sloping banks
| - Spinnerbaits worked along rock walls and through flooded cover, proven effective in recent tournament success
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around staging areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting flooded brush and spawning areas
| - Shad - primary forage as mentioned in recent fishing reports
- Crawfish - becoming active in rocky areas as water warms
| - Natural Shad Colors
- White
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 45-62 | - Walleye are concentrated in river areas during spawn with very muddy conditions and high water. Fish are staging near spawning areas and making spawning runs
- Fish are relatively shallow, likely relating to the warmer 59°F water temperature and spawning behavior
| - River areas and tributary zones with current
- Rock piles in shallow water near spawning areas
- Main lake points adjacent to spawning tributaries
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') - effective in current and muddy conditions
- Live Bait Rigs - reliable in dirty water conditions
- Blade Baits - provides flash and vibration in stained water
| - Shad - primary forage mentioned in recent reports
- Crawfish - becoming active in warming spring conditions
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass moving into spawning areas in 3-12 feet of water, particularly around rocky points and protected coves, staging on pre-spawn areas near deep water access
- Males actively guarding nests while females move between spawning flats and deeper transitional areas, with increased aggression towards potential nest threats
| - Protected rocky coves and points with pea gravel or rock bottom in 3-12 feet
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with nearby deep water access
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deep water sanctuaries
| - Tubes worked slowly around rocky areas and potential nest sites
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle presentations near spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses for pre-spawn fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy in rocky areas
- Small baitfish gathering in spawning bays
- Young of year shad beginning to appear in warmer areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-75 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones, moving between areas based on time of day and weather conditions
| - Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water, especially those with standing timber
- Secondary points in creek arms with brush piles in 10-20 foot range
- Shallow brush and timber adjacent to deeper water
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to points and transition areas
- Shakey Heads worked through brush piles and timber
- Swim Jigs around shallow cover during active feeding periods
| - Shad schools beginning to group up in post-spawn patterns
- Crawfish active in rocky areas and around timber
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 45-58 | - Post-spawn walleye are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively pursuing shad in muddy conditions
- Fish are utilizing various depth ranges, moving between shallow and deep water depending on light conditions and forage location
| - Main lake points adjacent to spawning tributaries
- Rock piles and hard-bottom areas in 10-20 foot range
- Ledges and significant depth changes near tributary mouths
| - Trolling Shallow (0-9') with suspended presentations during low light or muddy conditions
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along ledges and rock piles
- Live Bait Rigs near points and structural transitions
| - Shad schools in transition areas
- Crawfish on rocky structures
- Small baitfish in tributary areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior along structure lines, particularly during morning and evening periods
- With the lake's excellent clarity, fish are heavily sight-feeding and will chase moving baits parallel to structure
| - Main lake points with access to deep water, especially those with rocky structure
- Transition areas between spawning flats and summer deep-water locations
- Bluff walls and steep rocky banks with adjacent deep water access
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to structure in 8-15 feet
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily along depth transitions
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish in clear water
| - Shad schools beginning to group up along structure lines
- Crawfish active in rocky areas during warmer periods
- Small baitfish relating to points and transitional areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
