Weather conditions, water temperatures, and the type of lake are all important factors to consider when deciding where to use a topwater presentation. As the water warms Muskies will eventually become more oriented toward deeper water, but this is not necessarily so in the spring. Shallow spring Muskies are actually activated by warming air temperatures and solar heat. Careful choice of lakes and a watchful eye of water temperatures will provide you with active Muskies in the shallows throughout the spring and into the summer transition period. Daily weather conditions will determine just how active shallow Muskies will be. It can also move deep water Muskies into the shallows. Deep cold natural lakes tend to warm much slower than shallow dark water flowages. Consequently, these deep natural lakes will often hold more Muskies in the shallows much later in the season than most flowages. In many deep lakes Muskies may stay near shallow spawning areas for quite some time after spawning. Usually the north and northeast sides of bays receive more warm sunlight exposure. This faster warming water produces good weed growth and abundant forage. Muskies will gravitate to such spots. These bays will be prime topwater spots for early season Muskies. As water temperature readings move upwards into the high 60's to low 70's look for Muskies to move out of these bays, and head towards deeper waters. Once this movement towards deeper water occurs, active Muskies may be shallow less often. Conditions, such as morning and evening low light periods and stormy overcast days will be best.
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