I have had a lot of questions lately about coming fishing "during" the spawn. I have even seen some other guides recommend coming during the spawn...

Of course we all know the spawn is a drawn out deal with fish spawning at all different times.

When I tell people to come fish prespawn and postspawn fish they get a puzzeled look. I prefer to fish schooled fish on prespawn and postspawn areas. Once fish really move up shallow they are scattered all over. Other than bed fishing spawn fishing is usually spotty.

Of course some people wont get away from the bank long enough to fish prespawn and postspawn fish so this may be why they like fishing during the major spawn times. Many times fish are in all three stages and I still look for pre/post spawn fish.

When looking for times/dates to fish lakes look for prespawn and postspawn times and you will be able to find schooled up fish rather than scattered shallow fish.

I totally agree! +1.

Im with you on that one!

bed fishing sucks

I fish shallow year round, of course I only catch fish late march
to early june ..
the rest of the time " they aint biting"..

JR with the depth and clarity of Ivie. How deep are the fish typically spawning?

Yep... I hear that... This is why I am trying to get the hang of the deep water bite!!

Escpecially this past year when the water wasnt real clear it was hard to bed fish anywhere but up on rock or close to the dam area. I have in years past seen beds in 10-12 ft. Most I saw this past year were in 3-4 ft with some in the 6ft range.

I didnt know if the conditions drove them really deep or not

Well see what this low water does. There are a lot of good spawning areas high and dry. There are also some others that are 10-15 ft deep now.

Good advice JR.

Bedding fish will drive you nuts,I perfer to fish stageing areas to and from,channels, ditches etc.

+1