Spring Walleye Fishing
Springtime fishing can be a fruitful endeavor as long as you are in the right spots and using the appropriate walleye fishing lures for the situation. Fishing for walleye in the spring generally consists of three parts: pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn. By having a good understanding of the fish’s behavior during this time, you can make your angling experience as positive as possible.
While the time period differs based on geographical location, the pre-spawn period for walleyes is usually in very early spring, as the water temperatures are approaching 40 degrees. During this time, the fish will move to the areas where they plan to spawn. Females weigh more during the pre-spawn period than any other time, so there is great potential to catch a trophy during this time. Out of the three spring time periods, pre-spawn is probably the best walleye fishing opportunity you will have during the spring months. Try fishing shallow areas in lakes, particularly at night. Walleyes will look for baitfish in these shallow spots because food is not plentiful in other locations. It is not recommended to troll the shallows because the risk of scaring the fish is too high.
The spawn time period is not a good time to try fishing for walleye, so it is best to avoid it. Just as with the pre-spawn, the dates in which spawning occurs depend on geography and water temperatures. Not all fish will engage in spawning at exactly the same time; walleyes in warmer waters will spawn first. After you believe spawning has commenced in your area, it is best to wait anywhere from 10 to 30 days after spawning before trying your hand at catching anything.
Post-spawn can also be a less than abundant time for walleye fishing. Females, who are in the process of recovering from the spawn, do not eat very much during this time. While males will eat more than the females, their feeding habits are not substantial, and they will only eat an easy meal. They will not seek out food like they might in other times of the year, so it is the angler’s responsibility to fish in a way that will lure in a walleye without much effort on its part. Now that the sun will be overhead much more than in early spring, walleyes will find hiding places away from the sun to protect their light-sensitive eyes. During this time, seek these fish out in weed beds, rocky areas, and deeper waters; however, they will not be too deep in the water because water temperatures will still be quite cold far below the water’s surface.
The best fishing technique during post-spawn is using live bait such as a shiner or chub and then fish with patience. If you hook your bait through the lips and let it rest in the water, it will make movements that will pique a hungry walleye’s interest. Attaching live bait to a jig will work well in shallow areas. The most important thing to remember is to be patient. Your potential catches are not as active during this time as they will be in the summer, so you must fish slowly in order to allow the fish enough time to become interested in your bait.