Spring Walleye Fishing Tips
Summary: As the ice cover melts from the lakes and rivers and the water warms in spring, walleye begin to move out of deep water winter habitats. Reproduction is the main motivation, and the fish migrate toward traditional spawning grounds. Movement can be over a short distance in small lakes and reservoirs, or it can be a lengthy ordeal in rivers like the Mississippi. Very good walleye fishing can be found in most waters during the pre-spawn period as fish congregate near spawning sites or below barrier structures that halt their movement.
Very light weight monofilament line — some walleye fishermen use 2-pound test line — a slow retrieve, and natural baits are key factors in catching walleye at this time. Sensitive rods made of modern material like graphite are helpful in detecting light strikes. In large rivers, back-trolling using a Wolf River or three-way rig is most effective. On some days walleye seem to prefer a plain, standard shank hook and minnow, while on others the addition of two or three red or chartreuse beads forward of the hook works better. When the fish are active and suspended off the bottom, a floating jig or soft, plastic yarn floater is more effective. Regardless of what bait is used, the three-way rig should be fished in a “yo-yo” action, alternately lifting the rod tip, hesitating, then lowering the bait — always letting it touch the bottom. Always set the hook as quickly as a strike is felt, and do not allow slack in the line.
Sometimes walleye have a habit of striking short, and the minnow or lure will show slash marks on the body. Rigging of a “stinger” hook will often mean the difference in fishing success. This rigging is accomplished by attaching a No. 10 or 12 treble hook to a main, single shank hook with a short length of 10 pound-test monofilament.
Another method for fishing large-river walleye in the spring is to slowly drift in a boat with the current through deep fish holding reaches. Light-colored leadheads in fluorescent shades, dressed with a small minnow or night crawler, or a jigging type sonar or sonic lure are very effective on light tackle. Drop the lure right to the bottom and then raise it one or two feet allowing it to return to the bottom. Vary the height of the jig and the intervals of upward motion.
Spring fishing in lakes, both natural and man-made, call for essentially the same methods to locate and catch walleye. Fish are usually concentrated near structures, invariably over shallow shoals such as rock reefs, prominent land points, and the armored face along a dam. The most effective fishing method is slowly back trolling using a slip-sinker and minnow combination. This rig will allow a walleye to take the bait and move off without feeling the extra weight of the sinker. Several different ways are used to construct a slip-sinker rig. The slip-sinker is very versatile and can be used in other calender periods as well with only minor modifications and different bait.
Slip-sinker rigs are properly fished in the following manner. Strip out enough line so the sinker touches the bottom. With a very slow back and forth movement, lift the sinker from the bottom, then let it settle back down. With spinning gear, have the bail in an open position and hold the line with the fingertip. The strike is usually light — only a short twitch in the line. When the strike occurs, allow the line to feed off the reel until it stops, count to 5 or 10, close the bail, and when the line tightens — set the hook. The count may have to be varied to adjust to lighter or more aggressive strikes, but the success should be the same.
At times during the spring period, walleye move into very shallow depths, especially after darkness. In clear water a simple way to locate fish is to shine a bright light into water. Light reflecting in their eyes will give away their position, but it also spooks the fish, so don’t overdo it. The best way to catch these fish is by long-line trolling a crank-bait or minnow plug type lure 150 feet or more behind the boat. Quietly wading in the shallows and casting a leadhead, minnow plug or crank-bait is also productive.
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