Look for big color changes that reflect deeper water along the banks or in the center of the river. Take special note of the deeper water along gravel or sand bars and around back eddies. These are places that hungry fall walleye will concentrate to feed. Once you’ve found a few likely spots, plan your approach.
Where do river walleye hide?
The water flowing in scours out the bottom of the river and produces prime fish-holding habitat. The other obvious place is on outside riverbends, where the current digs away at the bank and bottom as it’s forced to turn.
Do walleye swim upstream or downstream?
The river’s flow guides them upstream, but walleyes are not strong swimmers, and they take the path of least resistance and rest often. They stay near the bottom where they are more protected and the current is the slowest.
Do walleye live in rivers?
They prefer the cool, deep, quiet waters of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Walleye are mostly nocturnal and during the day are often found under the cover of tree roots, logs, and aquatic plants.
When should I start fishing for walleye?
In early Spring, Walleye are spawning when water temps reach 40 degrees. Unlike Bass and Crappie, Walleye do not guard their eggs so targeting them in Spawn is less effective. Post Spawn however, is the most effective time to target Walleye.
What colors do walleye see best?
Walleyes also possess color vision, based on analysis of the structure of the light-sensitive cones. Scientists tell us walleyes should see red, orange, and yellow the best, followed by green. Theory also suggests walleyes see blue and violet less well, and these colors may even appear black.
What’s the best way to catch walleye?
There is no one way to catch walleye. In fact, there are many different ways. Popular techniques include casting a jig-and-minnow, trolling live bait, casting or trolling hard plastic lures and even fishing with a bobber. All work.
How do you catch a spring walleye?
Treat early season walleyes much the same as if you were still ice fishing. Fish vertically by either using the trolling motor or anchoring up and present ice style spoons or jigs at a snail’s pace. If it helps, bring your ice fishing electronics in the boat and approach your day as though you’re actually ice fishing.
What temperature do walleye spawn in rivers?
between 48°F and 50°F
Southern walleyes prefer spawning temperatures between 48°F and 50°F, while their Yankee cousins and Canadian counterparts favor temperatures between 44°F and 48°F. In the extreme Far North, if those ideal conditions don’t arrive early enough, walleyes absorb their eggs and forego spawning.
Where do you find fish in a river?
Where to Fish: Rivers and Streams
- Outside Bend. When the river or stream curves, the faster water (which carries the food) moves to the outside of the bend.
- Rocks (Pocket Water)
- Eddies.
- Merging Currents.
- Drop-offs.
- Dams and Waterfalls.
- Undercut Banks.
- Overhanging Trees and Brushes.
Can you fish without a fish finder?
Fish finders are not needed for fishing. As I mentioned earlier, fishermen have been catching fish since fishermen started fishing many thousands of years ago. They did not need fish finders to help them.Electronic fish finders really help you become a better, more informed angler.
What do walleye eat in rivers?
DIET: Juvenile walleye feed on invertebrates and small fish. Adult walleye feed mostly on fish such as yellow perch and minnows, but dozens of fish species have been found in walleye stomachs. Adults will also feed on crayfish, snails, frogs, mudpuppies and small mammals when fish and insects are scarce.
Why are walleyes so hard to catch?
You’re cranking weed edges too slowly.
Walleyes relating to weedbeds often school tightly. To find them, quickly work a crankbait along the edges until you get a strike. You can pick that area apart slowly after you find the fish with a fast-moving lure.
What time of day are walleye most active?
Walleye feed most actively at night, with a peak in activity around dusk. The best walleye ice fishing is during the 30 minutes before and after sunset in winter.
What depth do walleye like in winter?
Generally speaking walleye will hold to the same structure as they would during fall months during early ice. Slight drop-offs, sandy or rocky flats, green weed beds, and hard structure anywhere from 8 to 15 feet deep are great places to start.
How do you catch walleye in early season?
Early in the spring when water temps are cold and the sun shines I have often seen walleyes hanging out in shallow water where they appear to be sunning themselves. Clear, calm water can mean a difficult bite, but slow rolling a jig and minnow or dangling a leech under a bobber can often entice these wary walleyes.
Does lure size matter?
Decreasing lure size usually has a minor effect on catch rates. In contrast, even minor increases above the size optimum can yield major decreases in catch rates. If your catch rate falls off after upsizing, you are beyond the preferred size.
Is walleye fishing good in the rain?
One of the best times to catch walleye is right before rain. The bite will continue into the rain event itself. I have found walleye to continue biting during rain as long as you fish a little slower. The rain and stormy conditions will stir up the water adding additional nutrients into the water.
Contents