Angler X Outdoors

Hello friends,

Everything is turning green, your favorite body of water is warming up, and the fishing is getting hot!

It's that time of year when fish of all species become active, heading to shallow water areas to spawn or feed.

In May, bluegills will start to congregate in very shallow weed beds to perform their spawning rituals. Look to shorelines with a mix of sand, wood, and weeds to find some of the biggest and most beautiful bluegills you will catch all year.  On calm days, you will be able to see them racing around in shallow waters.  Watch the water's surface for disturbances caused by their aggression.

Largemouth Bass also seek spawning habitat in ultra-shallow waters containing sand, wood, and weeds.  If there is enough water to cover their backs and the cover is right, you may find some absolute football-sized bass looking to attack anything that swims near.  Topwater baits like hollow frogs and buzzbaits are good choices, as well as spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and swimbaits.

Walleye are now in their post-spawn pattern and are feeding aggressively to regain some lost energy reserves from the spawn.  Look for walleyes to be shallow on ledges and current breaks with mixed covertypes including weedlines.  Throw crankbaits, jigs, and spinners for these aggressive feeders.

Catfish are now up and roaming out of their winter holes and looking for an easy meal.  Try current seams below the lock and dam for flatheads.  Fresh cutbait is the best choice for flathead as the water continues to warm into summer.   Channel catfish will migrate to shallow flats with scattered stumps and wood to feed and prepare to spawn.  Cutbait, nightcrawlers, or dip bait can be effective for these shallow water catfish.

It's a wonderful time to be on the water; all species are active.  My number one tip for this time of year is to look shallow and keep moving until you find the fish you're after.  We'll be out there, and I hope you will too! Good luck and be safe!