Because of the split conditions, fishing techniques vary. In the northern region, a fast roll works well. In the southern areas, plastic is the secret — plastic grubs, tubes and senkos — on a jig head tossed in close to shore and then bounced along the rocks into deeper water. Suspended crankbaits are also working.

"It's like having two different ponds this year," explained Gustaveson of the split.

All of which, he added, should result in some of the best fishing being in the southern half.

"When you have as many fish in the lake as are there now, and they're a little hungry, the end result is great fishing," he said.

Currently, striped bass are located in two particular areas within the lake waters — in the main channel and in the warmer waters in the back of canyons.

In one particular cove late last month, filled with tumbleweeds and brush, calm waters erupted into what resembled a boiling pot of water when a large school of striped bass targeted a cray-fish colored grub on a quarter-ounce jig. Four fish were pulled from this point, the smallest weighing more than 5 pounds.

Those fish in the main channel are holding along canyon walls and are attracted there by the current. These fish can be caught on bait, mainly anchovies.

The second group of fish are prowling near pockets of brush in the backs of canyons. Brush pockets are protective areas for forage fish. Stripers typically hold in the deeper water, between 10 to 20 feet deep, then swim in and hunt for food.

The smallmouth and largemouth are currently in the spawn, which means they've moved into shallow waters to nest.

This is a popular time to fish since anglers are able to see the fish and watch as they aggressively go after lures. The spawn is expected to continue through the second week of May.

After the spawn, the fishing pattern will change, said Gustaveson, "from fishing in shallows where you can see the fish on nests, to fishing rocky structure where they'll be over the summer.

"As the lake comes up — and predictions are it will come up at least 30 feet — look at fishing islands and rocky points and not the shallow shorelines. Look for vertical structure that slopes down. That's where the fish will be holding."

Of all the fish in the lake, walleye are the most difficult to catch because they generally prefer holding in deeper water. In May, however, the fish come to the surface to spawn, which makes this is the most productive time to fish for walleye.