Early Spring Bass Fishing in Northern Waters

I once had a trip in April where I went to a small bay along the edge of a private lake. It had reached 70 degrees that day and the woods and water were teaming with activity. I had told someone earlier in the day, as we were driving into the back woods to play airsoft, that the small bay would be a great spot to try fishing on a day like today. When things ended early, I realized I still had my rod and a few lures behind my truck seat so I figured I'd give it a try. I nearly skipped the bay and went to the main lake before reminding myself of the advice I had given my friend.

I poked my way through the cattails and started to fish. I caught a 10" bass first, nothing special but it beats nothing. Then nothing on the next cast, then, on four of the next five casts, I managed to catch four fish that all weighed 4+ pounds!

This bass measured in at nearly 23"

Spring bass fishing has long been one of my favorite fishing activities. When you hit it just right, it can produce some of the best bass fishing there is! Like that incredible trip, being at the right place at the right time can make all the difference.

Bass season may not be open where you are and you want to be careful targeting them off-season. But if you have the opportunity to get out and do some catch and release bass fishing this spring, I highly recommend it.

That bay I fished was special in the spring because it had a dark, muddy bottom. With the sun out, the dark mud warmed up and the various insects were very active. This attracts other fish and frogs that feed on the insects, which attracts the bigger predators, like bass. These areas exist in many bodies of water, bass are a warm water fish so look for areas where the water temperatures would be higher. Shallow flat bays, muddy slack water, shallow back canals with good sun exposure, etc.

My favorite way to fish these areas is to work a creature bait along the bottom. I use a Zoom superhog with a 3/8 oz. tungsten bullet weight, Texas rigged, in a color that matches the area. Green pumpkin is my go-to. On this trip, black neon was the perfect presentation in the black mud with 20 lb. Power Pro braid and a palomar knot (see video below from videofishingknots.com).

The goal was to make the creature bait look like a frog. I'd cast it to an area and let it hit the bottom hard and then barely wiggle it. Just enough to kick up a cloud of mud and make it look like a frog trying to hide. Bass find it very a-luring!

So get on out there this spring and look for a warm spot and match the prey that's out there.

5 Tips For Spring Pike Fishing

Northern pike are a top predator and can offer some of the most exciting fishing available in northern waters. While pike are targeted throughout the year, spring offers some of the best pike fishing excitement of the year. Below you'll find 5 tips to help you lure in a few more pike this spring.

1. Choosing a location:

Pike are predators who seem to really appreciate the cooler water more than other species. During the spring you'll find pike staging for their spawning season in shallow flats, back canals, and in slow-moving creeks and rivers. Slower moving sections of a river where the water gets a little deeper are excellent holding areas. Slack water along the edges of quicker current make great ambush spots as well. Spot number 1 in the photo below isn't likely to produce fish as it's shallow and the water is moving quick. When the water turns the bend, spot number 2 is a good spot to find a pike or two hiding in the slack water near the faster current. A little further downstream the river slows a bit and gets deeper, working the edges spot number 3 can produce several pike, including some larger fish. Spot number 4 is the best bet though. The water here is still deeper but features broader flats on either edge and slightly slower current. Here the pike can easily ambush fish as they exit the faster water directly upstream.

Pike fishing spots on a river

On my last trip, spot number 2 produced two pike, spot three produced 3 pike, and spot 4 produced 6 pike and a few others that got off or broke my line. Which brings us to the next tip. Lure selection. 

2. Choosing a lure

There are a wide variety of pike lures available at local tackle shops or online. My favorite spring and fall pike fishing lure is a large spoon. This spoon from Blue Fox is an excellent option, especially considering the price. Firetiger has always been my best producer. Mimicking the natural forage is important though, in stained water, the gold and silver lures really attracted the pike. Big, flashy, and wobbly usually does the trick.

28" Northern Pike caught on a large gold spoon

3. Presentation

Be aggressive! It's that simple, work the bait erratically or quickly near the surface. Create commotion, that's what the pike find alluring.

An aggressive retrieval provoked an aggressive strike from this small pike.

4. Pick the right line

A swiveling steel leader is a wise investment, unless you don't mind losing a few spoons. Pike teeth are sharp and they cut regular lines easy. I tend to use heavy braid but mono filament in the 17-20 lb. range works well in rivers where submerged rocks and vegetation make extra strength a necessity.

5. Enjoy the trip!

A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work, so enjoy it!

Sharing some time pike fishing with my daughter....priceless.