They seldom suspend over open water in spring, as they do in summer when lakes stratify. Hot spots Covering mile after mile of shallow water in a futile search can be frustrating. Concentrating on key trout-holding structures leads to success. The following three have been most rewarding to me. Even if they are not spawning, the warmer flowing into the lake attracts all forms of aquatic life - a buffet of insects, crustaceans, and baitfish.
Activity seems to subside with the onset of daylight.
An exception is the mouths of large rivers, where lakers might feed into the day. Look for a boulder-strewn point that has a series of dropoffs to deeper water, rather than a gently sloping point without bottom cover. Rocky points provide food and cover for baitfish, which in turn attract lakers. During low-light periods, fish right up on the point. Concentrate on deeper sections or edges during the day.