Did a lot of SM fishing on LG in upstate NY this spring and noticed differences as the water warmed up. Can anyone explain, maybe offer some advice what to do differently?

 

Mid-Spring (late April, early May) - Moderate depth (15-20 FOW), BIG fish (many >18"), very aggressive to bite, in groups, but lethargic fighters. Crankbaits productive, not topwater.

 

Late Spring (late May, early June) - Shallow (<5 FOW), but smaller fish (almost all 12"), aggressive to bite and very energetic fighting, jumping, running. Lots of topwater hits.

I am not sure of the time table in upstate, is the mid-spring period a prespawn situation? Then the late spring you are encountering males in shallow water guarding beds?

I am not sure of the time table in upstate, is the mid-spring period a prespawn situation? Then the late spring you are encountering males in shallow water guarding beds?

Spawn is mid May here I believe. I must have been catching prespawn males. First time going that time of year for me, it was surreal.

The bigger bass, the 18"+ were probably prespawn females, they get done with spawning and head off to post spawn spots (which maybe harder to locate than the aggressive males up shallow guarding nests).

 

That is beautiful country up there! It's been too long since I have been on Lake George or Champlain.