Early Spring
Please refer to Michigan Law regarding bass fishing seasons, there is a “Catch & Release only” pre-season, and then a regular season.
The “Early Spring” pattern starts with the beginning of legal fishing and goes until surface water temperatures reach about 50 degrees. At this time of year fish are a little lethargic but they will begin to look for warming water and will begin to feed.
Slowly crawling jigs along the bottom anywhere the water is a little warmer than the rest of lake should produce fish. Look for warmer water (even 1 degree warmer) in areas that receive the most sun exposure, are protected from the wind or have incoming current.
A depth finder with a temperature sensor or an aquarium thermometer tied to string is helpful in finding these spots.
Another great way to find the warmest water is to observe how the ice melts which is an indication of where the water warms first. Also keep in mind that rocks absorbs heat from the sun and will warm the surrounding water.
Back to Largemouth Bass On to Pre Spawn
