Randy,

Look for green weeds and fish the edges, if possible, on the deeper side. I
fish many lakes such as you discribe ( 5 ft or less average depth, some
deeper holes) and most of my bass have come near wood ( the stumps might be
a good bet) but always near green weeds. Dead or dying weeds deplete O2, but
green ones produce it. If you have a remote way to check temps at depth,
look for any increase in water temps. Try small (really small) spoons or
hair jigs tipped with a small minnow or wax worms. Try active jigging, or
dead sticking and anything in between. Mix things up and switch colors. If
you need a selection of baits, try http://www.customjigsandspins.com/
Most of my bass come while targeting bluegills or crappie along weed edges.
The tiny baits they hit are amazing. Think as small as you can imagine and
then downsize. If you use braid on your reels, use a flourocarbon or mono
leader. Try to stay at 6# or lighter. Fish get a really good look during the
winter, since the water is so clear ( in most cases).
And since their metabolism is so slow, they don't feed as often or eat as
much as in winter.
BTW, when fishing for panfish and the bite suddenly stops, it's often
because a predator is in the area. (Bass, Pike, Walleye, or Catfish - I've
caught some big channel cats through the ice on size 14 hooks and a waxie or
couple of spikes or Euro -larva).
Stay near the weeds, close to wood cover, in the warmest water you can find
and fish small and slower than you thought possible. Let me know how it
turns out.
Around here, we're still waiting for winter to set in. We got some ice, then
a warm up. Today it's gonna be 55 degrees, by Tuesday it's gonna be 14 for
the high! Chicago winters are a crap shoot for any kind of fishing.

Tight lines,
Mark


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