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Crappies on the pre-spawn feed with bluegills right behind them.  It will be a quick pre-spawn right into spawn this year.  The water temps warmed up at least 10 degrees in less then a week and warming up fast.  The big bull gills should be coming up shallow to play during the next couple of weeks.  Chasing panfish with 3wts and 4wts is a blast.  A great way to introduce young and old to the fly fishing addiction.

Largies are kicking into high gear as the water gets warmer.  The spawners are close to their spawning areas just outside in deeper water.  Lots of smaller bass (the kind that hang with gills) and slightly larger are still roaming around the shallows.  The next two weeks we'll have largies on their beds which makes them difficult to catch, but I leave the ones I see on beds alone.

Smallies are on fire! in area lakes and the river.  Just have to find those small pockets that they like to spawn in and they will be close by.  The smallies went through a quick pre-spawn right into the spawn quickly this year.  On your bigger lakes, you'll have pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn all at the same time within the next 3 weeks.  Smallies are very easy to catch when they are there nest, so try not to catch a lot in one area if you go out and fish for them.

Pike is starting to slow down in the shallow for your bigger pike.  But lots of 4lbs and under are catchable up shallow.  As the water warms, the bigger pike will start seeking out cooler water.

Few pics of some spring time crappies!