Walleyes Inc. Action packed adventures in walleye fishing on the internet.

Spring walleye fishing can offer some of the years best fishing, and some 
of the worst. Warming weather is usually the indicator in this department. 
If the temperature rises just a degree or two, and stays relatively 
constant, the bite can really turn on. If the mercury goes south so often 
does the bite.

During the pre-spawn period walleye's are usually found in deeper water, 
fifteen to twenty feet down just off their spawning beds. As the spawn gets 
underway the opposite is true and most fish will be caught in the two to 
six foot ranges.

Catching walleye, particularly big females, during this time can also be 
tricky. Often the smaller, more aggressive males are the first so strike a 
passing jig or live bait rig. Once the spawn is in full swing the females 
stop feeding and any fish caught during this period are all males. Once the 
females have finished spawning they begin their journey to their summer 
holding spots. Big females can be caught at this time as they gorge 
themselves trying to replenish energy used during the spawn.

Catching walleyes in the spring can require a wide range of tactics. 
Jigging and rigging are probably the most popular, but don't count out slip 
bobbers or crankbaits. The only way to know what works is to experiment. 
I've always done what I do best and work my way through the different 
techniques until I start catching fish.

JIGGING

When jigging in Western Canada I start by using a ¼ ounce jig head or 
bigger usually tipped with a minnow, leech, or night crawler. I work my 
down in size until I consistently catch fish. I usually start by lifting 
and dropping the jig keeping my line tight at all times to feel even the 
slightest hit. If that does not produce I use a dragging method which 
almost always triggers a strike. Experiment with size and different bait 
until the fish tells you what it wants, and then fine-tune your color 
contrast to hook in to that big one.

LIVE BAIT RIGS

Live bait rigging can be done so many different ways that it's tough to get 
in to detail on all aspects of rigging. I generally prefer a straight J 
hook with a leech on a ¼ ounce walking sinker and a black barrel swivel 
stopper. When the water is stained or fish are holding just off the bottom, 
I'll use a floating jig head or a northland gumdrop floater. Either 
technique will generally produce fish in a more aggressive mood. Catching 
fish on these rigs depends on two things. Bait choice and most importantly, 
boat speed. This will generally be the indicator for the day on how fast to 
travel to catch fish. Live bait rigging is a great way to cover more water 
quicker and find fish faster.

CRANKBAITS

On the other end of the spectrum from jig fishing is crankin'. Cranks will 
generally find aggressive fish fast and eliminate unproductive waters 
equally as fast. They can be fished in variety of ways from planer boards 
to bottom bouncers. I typically use Reef Runner crankbaits because of the 
exceptional wobble they produce. I generally long line these cranks, but 
use boards in shallow and when fish are spooky, like in clearer water. The 
key to catching walleye's on cranks is experimentation and duplication. 
Once you catch a fish duplicate the exact boat speed, amount of line out, 
and the size and shape of bait and you could have a good day runnin' 
cranks'.

SLIP BOBBERS

Once you have found a concentration of fish, slip bobbing can be the 
deadliest way to catch walleyes yet. Many tournament anglers do not like 
this style of fishing but it has been proven to produce time and again. A 
simple J hook with an active leech on is sufficient. The more natural you 
can present the bait the better your odds at a good fish. Fish will often 
pass on moving baits but take a bait dangling right in front of their 
noses. Never count out this simple yet deadly walleye pattern.

The springtime can offer some of the best fishing of the year. Get out on 
the water and try these techniques and I guarantee that you'll catch more 
fish and have more fun doing so. Remember to always take a kid fishing and 
introduce them to the outdoors at an early age, they'll thank you for it.