FISHINGCRITICWhat should the lure do?
Choose depth and movement first. MDC’s bait table links species to lure types; it does not promise that one colour works everywhere.
| Type | Job | Starting target | Rigging choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-plastic worm | Slow cover presentation | Bass cover | Texas or Carolina |
| Jig | Controlled depth | Crappie, trout or walleye | Weight depends on depth and current |
| Spinner | Moving search bait | Trout or crappie | Retrieve through chosen depth |
| Crankbait | Dives during retrieve | Bass and walleye | Choose a running depth |
| Spinnerbait | Moving search bait around cover | Bass | Keep lure within rod rating |
| Natural bait | Hold bait at fish depth | Species-dependent | Float or bottom rig |
When should you change?
Work through a depth and retrieve before adding more tackle. The species guides explain habitat and bait choices for their named regions.
Choose a species ↗Where do these facts come from?
The links identify source URLs and check dates. The source data records access limits.