It appears that the spring of 2024 may come early. This time of year, some anglers are still seeing ice on their favorite lakes, but that ice will soon be gone. Elsewhere, fishermen are already fishing in the open water. Spring is a great time to fish, and we can make it even better if we keep a few ideas in mind for spring fishing success. The following are some of those ideas.
Many freshwater fish spawn in the spring. In a good number of places, some species of spawning fish are protected: We cannot target them. However, in other areas we can target them. Make sure you know the rules where you are fishing.
In spring, fish seek warmer water. Fish in warmer water will generally be more active and more willing to bite. There may be more fish in cooler water, but those in warm water are easier to catch. Look for warmer water in bays, canals, and on the northern side of the lake. The water in those areas usually warms up faster, and that’s where the bites are.
A slow presentation is usually the best in cold spring water. This often means that a bottom crawling jig will be attractive to certain fish species, especially walleyes. Panfish like a small jig suspended under a slip-bobber set-up. Tie on a small feather jig like a Mr. Crappie Shoo Shiner and take it slow. The feathers vibrate if you wiggle the jig a little. You want to move the bait. If the bite is slow, add a small minnow and move the jig even less. The minnow will provide all the necessary action.
Different types of fish spawn at different times. In the Midwest, northern pike spawn first followed by walleyes, then panfish and bass. However, you may see panfish spawning in one lake and bass spawning in another lake on the same day. Some lakes warm up sooner than others. The thing to remember is that it is best to target fish species that have spawned or are preparing to spawn. Fish that are in the process of spawning usually think about that and not food. However, a few days after they give birth, they are very hungry.
Also, remember that the weather can change very quickly in the spring, and those changes can really affect what the fish are doing. An air temperature drop of ten degrees in the summer may not sound like much, but in the spring, it can push shallow fish out of the shallows. If you are catching them in the shallows and there is a drop in temperature, try deeper water near the shallows where you are catching them.
As mentioned earlier, spring is a great time to fish, but it’s also a great time to be outdoors. Keep these spring fishing ideas in mind when you go fishing over the next few weeks, and you can make the spring of 2024 more memorable in a good way.
As always, good luck on the water, and remember to bring a child along on your next outdoor adventure.
Mike Frisch is the host of the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. Visit
www.fishingthemidwest.com
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