The weather's sudden change toward warmer temperatures tells Clay Messer, Auburn University Bass Sports Club founding member, exactly what he wants to hear.
The fish are biting.
"This is my favorite time of year because they're shallow," Messer said.
The civil engineering graduate student said rising water temperatures bring fish from deeper water to spawn, making it easy for anyone to have a busy day at the lake.
It's the start of the most popular fishing season and many Auburn students grab rods, reels and tackle boxes.
"If the magnolias are blooming, it's a good time for crappie," said Roy Ryan, senior in physical education.
Auburn has a central location to several bodies of water, which gives the area's fishing enthusiasts a diversity of species and a convenience unique to the area.
"Auburn's a great area to be in," said Jan Swain, faculty advisor for the AU Bass Sports Club. "We're within an hour and fifteen minutes of 10 different lakes and probably some of the best fisheries in the Southeast."
Though Swain said the biggest fish are likely to be found in Eufala or in the Coosa River chain, there are plenty of closer opportunities for fishing, starting with local ponds.
Swain recommends using Google Maps to locate potential fishing sites and getting permission from the property owners to fish from the banks.
For the next month, water temperatures will cause many fish to congregate close to shore in the low lighting times of the day, making it easier for a person to fish without owning a boat.
"Most people under-fish their ponds and they would be happy for you to fish some of their fish out," Swain said. "It's like anything else-you've got to harvest to get any quality growth."
Swain said Chewacla State Park is one of the most underutilized sites in the area and contains smallmouth and redeye bass and bluegill. The park also has canoes and glass-bottom boats for rent.
Two other nearby fishing spots include Lee County Lake, located on Moore's Mill Road toward Beulah and Lake Martin, boasting depths of 150 feet and a population of spotted bass with the occasional largemouth.
The cost of an Alabama freshwater fishing license is $12 and a relatively inexpensive but durable rod and reel can be purchased for approximately $20.
Swain said he suggests taking a friend or two to split the cost of a boat rental and looking for spots with aquatic plant growth where fish are likely to congregate because of the oxygen.
Ryan said he enjoys the solitude of fishing and eating the day's catch is an obvious bonus.
For sport anglers like Messer and Swain, fishing can have its stresses. But it's all about the inevitable payoff.
"There's nothing like having a bass come up and explode on a top-water bait," Swain said. "It'll stop your heart, I promise you."
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