Spring Fishing Tips

Why spring fishing is so good

After a cold winter, fish respond dramatically to warming water. They move out of their deep winter haunts and into the shallows to feed and, later, to spawn. The result is some of the most active, accessible fishing of the year. Spring is when many anglers catch their biggest fish of the season.

Fish the warming water

In early spring, fish seek the warmest water they can find. Shallow, dark-bottomed areas warm faster, and windward shores concentrate warm surface water. North-facing banks, shallow coves, and sun-warmed flats are prime. Fish where the water is a degree or two warmer, and you'll find the fish.

Fish shallow first

As water warms, fish move shallow to feed — and many species spawn in shallow water. Look for them in two to six feet of water, near cover like weeds, wood, and gravel beds. Casting into the shallows in spring is often the fastest route to a bite.

Slow your presentation

Cold water makes fish sluggish, so slow everything down. Fish baits and lures with a slower retrieve, pause more often, and give fish time to strike. As the water warms through the season, you can speed up. In early spring, slow is the way.

Target pre-spawn fish

Before fish spawn, they feed aggressively to build energy — the "pre-spawn" period is prime time for big fish. Fish staging areas near spawning grounds, like points, channels, and drop-offs leading to the shallows. These fish are hungry and catchable.

Know the spawn timing

Different species spawn at different times — crappie and perch early, then bass, then bluegill and catfish. Learning the local spawn sequence helps you target each species at its peak. And be aware that some waters have special rules or closures during spawning.

Check the regulations

Spring brings spawning seasons, and many waters have special regulations — closed seasons, catch-and-release-only areas, and reduced limits. Always check the current rules before you fish, and handle spawning fish gently. Protecting spawning fish keeps the fishery healthy.

Match the hatch

As insects hatch and baitfish become active, fish key in on specific foods. Pay attention to what's in the water — mayflies, minnows, crawfish — and match your bait or lure to it. Matching the hatch is especially important in spring, when fish are feeding hard.

Be flexible

Spring conditions change fast — a warm day can turn cold, and rising water from rain can muddy a lake overnight. Be ready to adapt: change your spot, your depth, or your bait as conditions shift. Flexibility is what keeps you catching fish through a changeable season.

Be ready for the pre-spawn frenzy

The weeks before spawning are often the best fishing of the year, because fish feed heavily to build energy for the spawn. They're aggressive, shallow, and catchable. Time your trips around these pre-spawn windows, and you'll experience some of the fastest action of the season.

Watch for fish staging near spawning areas — points, channels, and shallow flats — and fish them with confidence. Pre-spawn fish are hungry, and hungry fish bite.

Fish the afternoon warmth

In early spring, the warmest part of the day — the afternoon — often produces the best fishing, because the sun has had time to warm the shallows. Fish the areas that catch afternoon sun, and you'll find the most active fish.

Be patient with the weather

Spring fishing has its slow days, when a cold front shuts the fish down. Don't get discouraged — the season's best days more than make up for the tough ones. Patience, and a willingness to adapt, carries you through.