For the fisherman who love to fish shallow water and cast small lures, probably love to fish in the spring. Post spawn walleyes are typically in those shallow sandy areas with maybe some timber, grass, or gravel. This is an actie type of fishing that keeps me engaged and always thinking, "where are these fish at." Once, you put in your time or stumble upon a pod of fish, its GAME TIME.
KEY LOCATIONS:
Many anglers who struggle during the springtime bite, generally are always fishing either too deep or not the right area. Generally speaking, understanding where walleye tend to spawn on the body of water you are fishing, is a good first step at setting yourself up for success. They spawn typically around mid 40 degree water temperature, but you will always have your groups of fish that either, spawn earlier or later than that. 44-48 degree water temp is what you want to look for when searching for spawning fish. If temps are a bit warmer than this, its better to understand where they might have been when the water temp was 44-48 degrees. Depending on the lake, (or a certain area of the lake) you're fishing, they either spawn on lake shorelines, shallow sand flats that tend to be near feeder rivers or creeks, or shallow areas that have easy access to structure.
I always tend to be looking on the more North end of the lake. This is usually because of the water generally has a feeder creek or river on this side and the water tends to be a bit warmer than that of the south end. When I say shallow, I'm referring to 3 to 8 feet of water. This all depends on the body of water and certain factors such as: water temperature, clarity of the water, composition of the lake, and bottom hardness. These are all things that you want to think about when thinking about your spring location.
Walleyes seem to repeat a lot of their natural tendencies such as their spawning areas and migration tendencies. Once you learn where these fish, it makes it a lot easier come the following spring. Things might change such as weather, water temp, water clarity, but all in all, use that spot as a starting point.
WHERE TO STATRT:
Generally, I'll open up my mapping of the given lake and point out key areas that I might believe fish are spawning. Here are a few areas that you'll be able to replicate on your body of water. These are from Garmin ActiveCaptain.
Picture on the left is more of a flowage type body of water. River or stream coming in where the body of water has some access to deep water while also having the ability to find those break-ins. Walleyes will tend to spawn around the areas in light orange. Shoreline structure in 5 ft or less. These lakes tend to be a bit more darker rather than that of a standard lake. Purple color on the pictures are going to be where you'd find these post spawn walleyes. After they are done in the shallow water, the females will leave the shallow water first and head to the most direct structure or break line. This is usually in between 3-10 ft of water. Not all lakes are going to be the same. For lakes or flowages, you'll want to be looking in that 4-8 foot of water. If you are targeting more on a clear body of water, then you'll want to open your searching lanes to 5 to 12 if not 15 ft of water. It all depends the body of water, but always first look at the closest structure or change in bottom that is closest to the spawning ground. There will more than likely be fish still held up close to that structure.
I have found a few ways that seem to put fish in the boat time and time again.
1. Jig and a plastic.
This is the most used bait in the spring. It has proven it to be a staple lure in everyones boat during this time of the year. White is an all time favorite. Be sure to know what they might be feeding on. If that is spot-tailed spinners, baby perch, blue gills, etc. Knowing this will help what colors and profile to mimmic, making it easier to narrow down your lure choice. I have always loved a 3 to 4 inch paddle tail swim bait this time of year. Walleye assassin paddle tail that is all white or white with a pink tail. These two colors always seem to be on my rods. 1/16th to 1/8th ounce jig head. Most times, when fishing that shallower water, you'll want to have a slower fall rate on your lure.
2. Crank Baits & Stick Baits
Over the last few years, there has been some new lures that have hit the market that I have fallen in love with. Rapala Shadow Rap 11. This lure has become on of my favorite baits for shallow water fishing. These dive anywhere from 2-4 ft. They have a slow sinking patient design which also when you pause them throughout the retrieve, they hang in the water column. The fire tiger color has been my go to color over the last 5 or so years ever since they hit the shelves.
3. Jigging Style Baits:
This is a style that has become more popular in recent time. Vertical jigging jigging style type baits. Things such as nils master jiggers or jigging wraps. These are lures that you can drop down quickly after you have marked them on your electronics or if you are in a high successful area to where you know fish will come around eventually. Short jigging strokes make for erratic movement of the lure. This is an easy technique to learn, but does not always work in all situations. Works great for 10 feet and deeper due to fish feeling pressured when you're right on top of them.
4. Bobber:
Using a bobber can be one of the most relaxing, but fun times you'll ever experience. Typically, fisherman will use leeches this time of year, but other great options are spot tailed spinners, fathead minnows, or even crawlers. Setting a plan hook and some bait about 6 inches to a foot off the bottom is almost irresistible to a walleye.
5. Hair jigs
They have become a thing of the past. Growing up, a hair jig and minnow casting from the dock or casting them into the shallow weed beds, was one of the most used lures. As more and more lures hit the market, the niche for hair jigs has been replaced by, countless crank baits, plastics and the "newest and greatest lure." Tying my own hair jigs has taught me to matching the hatch can play a vital role in catching fish at all times of the year. All white with a little strand of blue, fire tiger colors, and of course an all black color to imitate a leach.
Trial and error is something that a fisherman has to do in order to learn what works for them. I would suggest learning what best works for you. If that is casting till your arm falls off or if that's sitting in your seat and watching your rods trolling cranks or live-bait. Both are great ways to catch fish and there is no right or wrong. #Catch-Release-Repeat
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