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Walleyes in Transition
By Colin Crawford
Warming water temperatures in spring send monster walleyes on a devouring
fever. Whether the lure is a minnow, an imitation crankbait, leech
or red tail chub on a jig, live bait rules in the spring. This is
a time that sportsmen should not overlook because walleyes turn on right
before they spawn and in some situations it can become a feeding frenzy.
Spring walleyes are the first focus of fisherman as winter turns to
spring. In order to be successful it is necessary to understand some
basic patterns of walleyes at that time of the year. In the northern
states, the walleyes can spawn any time from the middle of April to the
middle of May. This timetable is affected by how early we have warm
weather in the spring. My experience has shown that walleyes do not
spawn at the same time, but some start early with the majority spawning
during the ideal conditions and some will spawn extremely late in the spring,
especially the younger females. The males arrive on the spawning
beds first with the females following when the water conditions are ideal.
What are ideal conditions? Conditions that ignite the spawning
activity are water temperature, rock or rubble shore lines, and in some
cases, the length of day light. While this last item is an arguable
point, I know for a fact that fall feeding patterns are trigged by the
day light hours. The reason I believe this is a factor is the fact
that on late ice-out years, the walleyes will spawn under the ice.
Water temperatures are a known factor for starting the spawning activity
and the water temperature is also very important for maximum reproduction.
A spawning temperature of forty degrees Fahrenheit will start the spawning
action and fifty-two degrees is the top end of spawning temperature.
Rock and rubble are important structures for a successful hatch.
The eggs must have something uneven to fall into to be protected from small
predator fish, which will feed on the eggs. To provide ideal spawning
conditions the water temperature should warm slowly and constantly with
no severe temperature swings or wave action during the gestation and hatching
period. The north and east shorelines are usually the areas where
a majority of the walleyes spawn. While the fish do not know east
from west or north from south, what makes these shore lines most desirable
is the fact that the sun penetrates the north and east shore lines with
the hottest sun of the day. Therefore, the water is the warmest close
to shore and in some cases, the ice can be ten feet from shore and the
lake is covered with ice yet the walleyes will spawn.
When the spawning ritual is complete, these battered and exhausted
fish move to the deepest structure of the lake to rest for four to ten
days. After the rest period, the walleyes are ravishingly hungry
and that's when they move back to their spawning areas and the early spring
action is at its best.
Time of day can play an important part in solving where the fish are.
Some spots turn on at different times of the day. You can fish over a huge
school of inactive walleyes and never get a hit, then come back two hours
later and find that they're going nuts. Always double check a good-looking
area. If you keep checking these locations eventually you will find active
walleyes on one of them.
Many anglers think of rocks, sand, drop-offs, and deep water when walleye
fishing. But walleye chasers are missing some good fishing if they
aren’t poking around in emerging weeds when they’re after walleyes, especially
the spring months. Walleyes will make extensive use of weed clumps
if they’re available, and often the fish that are in the weeds are looking
for a meal, making them susceptible to any type of offering.
One of the first methods that I try in the spring is to use bulky baits
or large profile baits. When I think of size, I will always remember, "big
baits catch big fish". With these words of wisdom I have selected
my favorite crankbaits in my tackle box according to size, color, and running
depth. Usually I like to start fishing with a
#7 Shad Rap to see what the fish are hitting on. If they continue
to bite on that size I move up to a #9 Shad Rap. The bigger fish
do respond to the larger baits and so do the smaller fish. I have
caught fish smaller than my baits on many occasions but most of the time
the fish increase in size. If the fish don't respond to the larger
size I then move back down the scale of size to a #5 Shad Rap and work
between that size and a #7. In pre spawn conditions and in post spawning
conditions I like to use a larger bait because in nature a larger minnow
contains more protein than smaller ones. This is what the walleyes
are looking for right before the spawn and right after, they need more
protein in either sustain themselves or to rejuvenate.
The best methods to catch spring walleyes also depend on the stage
of the spawn period you are fishing. Walleyes are the one fish species
that the right rod makes the difference. Being able to feel that
subtle bite can only happen with quality rod. I prefer a 6'6" or
7' graphite
rod, medium action with a fast tip. If the fish are between the spawn and
resting period, I use four pound test Vanish line with 1/16 oz. jig tipped
with a fathead minnow. If the rest period is over and the fish are
back in their spawning areas feeding, I go up to six pound Berkley XL line
and 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jigs depending on the wind and water depth. I
use
Fuzzy Grub jigs and the stand-up Fuzzy Grub jigs in 1/16 oz. for depths
to 15' and 1/8 oz. for 15' and deeper, or on windy days in shallow water,
In either case, my line choice Berkley. I know from experience that
the line has Berkley, low visibility, and low memory in cold weather.
New emerging weeds are usually the best area to find these fish but
also rock and wood shorelines are outstanding locations. Keep in
mind that wood cluttered bottoms are on of the best spring walleye producers,
but you might have to carry a large supply of jigs.
If you are interested in a guided trip, a personal media interview,
or photo shoot, please call 715-545-8347. I am located in Phelps,
Wisconsin area, close to several fishing lakes. See you on the water
this season. Remember NPAA #94 and get out and enjoy the great outdoors
this spring and fish for some walleyes in transition. Hope to hear from
you soon
Walleyes Inc. website is maintained
by Randy
Tyler Fishing the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Circuit, Masters
Walleye Circuit and the Team Walleye Circuit. All rights reserved.Copyright
1999/2001
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