February 18, 2026

As winter loosens its grip and water temperatures slowly rise, fish enter a critical transitional period before spawning. During this time, they are neither in their deep winter holding spots nor fully on the shallow spawning flats. Instead, fish stage in intermediate locations that allow them to conserve energy, feed efficiently, and prepare for reproduction….

As winter loosens its grip and water temperatures gradually rise, fish begin making subtle but critical movements in preparation for spring feeding and spawning. One of the most overlooked yet highly productive areas during this seasonal transition is the network of creek channels that feed into lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Understanding how these natural underwater…