Few decent largemouth

[Broad Bill]

Godrew same in a few lakes I'm fishing. Crappy have held up fairly well but perch populations have declined significantly. What perch there are are jumbos but quantity has taken a big hit. Fish have either relocated within the system or something happened to the younger age class fish or spawn, not sure which. When I fish Hopatcong, and other bodies of water with yellow perch, I almost always see perch ribbons on fallen trees in coves in late March or early April and gravel beds with some amount of weed growth or brush in tight to the shoreline. In the lakes I've seen a drop off in, I see no ribbons which means either the perch are spawning deeper or for some reason not spawning at all which would be a concern. The big girls we've caught are loaded with eggs, what's happening to them we have no idea.

With today's temps and next week, hopefully increased water temps will get the crappie spawn in full gear and put bass in a pre spawn mode. Best of luck to you. Heading out now, hopefully report to follow.