Depending on how harsh our winter puts a toll on the lake will depend on what type of water temperatures will be found in March. Naturally, the colder the water, the slower your presentation should be. As water warms, you can pick up the speed of your retrieve. During Braidwood's first year of opening, a mid-March date on the water showed anglers water temperatures of 74 degrees by the big island. Some favorite baits for Braidwood Lake in early spring include white Colorado blade spinnerbaits and shallow and medium depth crankbaits in shad patterns.
Good colors are blue or black back with white bodies as well as the fire tiger patterns.
Only one soft bait should hit the waters of Braidwood. That's a plastic lizard. First choice of color should be blue, then crayfish pattern to a dark green. Rig them Texas style and peg the bullet weight. Hooks with the lead molded just below the eye of the hook make this rig a done deal with less effort.