Consult the Gunlock State Park webpage for boat ramp hours. Spring provides some of the most exciting fishing of the year for largemouth bass at the Washington County reservoirs, though fishing is not always consistent. Spring is a time of change for warmwater fish, and they are highly affected by daily weather patterns. Your best guide for spring fishing conditions is the weather forecast. Fishing is often best after multiple days of calm, warm weather. Fish will be fairly inactive for a few days after a storm or cold front. During the early spring, look for bass to begin moving into shallow water during the afternoon on warm, calm days. This activity continues as the water continues to warm into the upper 50s. Once the water reaches 60 degrees, the bass get even more active and start thinking about spawning. Male bass will start to build nests in the shallows (3–10 feet) and will often attack anything that gets too close to the nest. At this time, large females are often found a little deeper (15–25 feet), waiting for males to chase them over to a nest. After spawning, the females go back out to the deeper water while the males guard the nests. While catching fish during the spawn does not necessarily hurt spawning overall, it is best to release the fish close to where it was caught so that it is less likely to abandon the nest. Bluegill and black crappie will also be getting more active during the spring, and will spawn a little later than the bass do. Because it is a little higher in elevation, spring fishing at Gunlock Reservoir tends to lag a couple weeks or more behind the other reservoirs. Cold-weather bass fishing:Largemouth bass are often found in deep water (20–40 feet) during the early spring. Bass brought up from depths over 20 feet often struggle to swim back down because the air bladder over inflates with lessening water pressure at the surface. Some anglers like to "fizz" the fish by inserting a needle in the fish's side and deflating the air bladder. While the fish may swim away, this is highly discouraged because puncturing the air bladder makes it difficult for the fish to regulate its buoyancy until the puncture heals. Also, there is a high chance you may puncture other organs and infections may occur at the wound or internally. A better alternative is to use a descending device or a weighted milk crate tied upside down to a rope to carry the fish back down to the depth where you caught it.