We are in a transition period.  In fact, much of the fishing year is in transition periods.  We go from cold to hot and back to cold from hot.  In between, the weather is sliding toward its maximum or minimum temperature destinations.

Transition - transition - transition.  No wonder we have to have so much equipment just to catch fish.

May is springtime, but it also features some nice summer type weather.  Fish are in transitions in May.  Some come in to feed on hatches, so anglers should "match the hatch."  Other fish come in to spawn.  It's a constant state of change. Crappies swim in and bluegills move out.  Bass come in after the bluegills.  The bluegills remain to feed on bass eggs as male bass try their best to defend the eggs and then the newly hatched baby bass.  The female bass are off feeding and resting in the depths. Walleyes have previously done the same thing.  The males remain in the shallows and then move deeper about two weeks later.

Perch have already spawned.  They spawn near ice out, and sometimes earlier.  Pike too have spawned.  They are cold water fish, so they don't mind spawning after living in water colder than a cold shower.  Muskies spawn after pike.  Baby pike feed on baby muskies.  It's a vicious life in our freshwater world.

Opening Day of fishing is often not the best time to fish for gamefish.  They are not as active as they will be later in the month.  You can still catch these fish at the beginning of the month, but feeding periods are shorter.  The water temperatures vary over a wider range as May begins.  

Warm afternoons see bass becoming active.  The traditional northeast shores having black or dark bottoms warm best, as the sun hits this water with its most direct angles and warmest air temperatures.   Jigs and pigs take numerous bass. For the novices, jigs and pigs are jigs tipped with pork rinds.  Plastic is not as flexible in cold water, so the more flexible pork rind is used.  Color choices are wide with those by Wisconsin's Uncle Josh being the most popular.

Spinner baits retrieved slowly take some fish.  Surprisingly, trolling is effective now.  Pay special attention to structure.  
Study your old Spoonplug information to reacquaint yourselves with this scientific method of fishing.  If you are unfamiliar with Spoonplugging, I suggest you dive into this technique.  There are several study courses available.  We should all thank Buck Perry for creating this fishing method.  It teaches anglers how to fish from shallow to deep water while searching for active fish.  You don't have to use Spoonplugs to fish this method.  Other diving baits are effective too. Shad Raps, Rebel Double Deep crankbaits, C.C. Shads, Wally Divers, Bagley DB-3's, Rebel Fast Traks and others are effective.  Mepps inline spinners take fish.  Musky angler Paul Redel uses modified balloon cutouts, and he attaches them to the treble hooks of Mepps #5 inline spinners.  These baits take pike, muskies, bass, and sometimes walleyes when conditions are right.

Panfish are active in May.  Crappies like the warmer afternoon water, and bluegills are feeding in preparation for spawning.  

Small baits are best for panfish in May.  For bluegills, use red worms, small pieces of nightcrawlers, wax worms, etc.  #8 or #10 wire hooks take these fish.  The long shank hook is easier to get out, as it offers something to grab onto when pulling out the hooks.  Perch, rock bass, orange spotted sunfish, pumpkinseeds and bullheads will take these baits.

Crappies want minnows.  Use 1-1/2" fatheads.  If crappies aren't in the shallows, check out the first drop-offs.  Cast and retrieve slow.  Slip-bobbers work on the first drop-offs.  You can use plain hooks or jigs when using minnows.  Mini Mites will catch crappies when the fish are active.  Dick Smiths Panfish Jigs available at the Amish Barn on Hwy. 83 and I-94 will sometimes catch these fish in May, but these jigs turn on once water warms.  Add a waxworm or a few spikes to catch fish on these jigs in May.  The color I came up with is clear plastic with silver metalflakes, but white and yellow are good too. The root beer color grub is terrific for 'gills.  It looks more like a worm piece,  Similar plastic body jigs, such as Inch Worms, also work.  Use a hook that offers good hooking ability.

Walleyes want slow baits.  The males are shallower, and the female walleyes are deeper in water that is called "sanctuary."  This is the deep water that fish move into in between feeding periods.

As the month ages, retrieve speeds increase.  Use slow retrieve reels in early May.  You don't want to outrun the fish. For crappies, retrieve extremely, almost painfully, slow.   Once the fish hit on your slow retrieves, you'll feel more comfortable going slo-mo.

Have a great time on the water.  Use proper fishing ethics, and remember the Boy Scout motto.  "Be  prepared."