Spring Walleye Fishing

Post-Spawn Spring Walleye Fishing

Although it is possible to catch a stringer of walleye at any time of the year, during the spring, following the spawn, is arguably the best time to go after walleye.  However, it is necessary to understand the walleye’s spawning process to determine the best time to hit the water.

Unlike many fish species, walleye do not build a nest for their eggs, which means that it is not possible to simply cast lures in front of walleye that are aggressively guarding their eggs from potential predators, as with many other fish species.  Instead, walleye go into the shallows, where a female, accompanied by two or more males, go into the shallows where the eggs are laid and fertilized.  The eggs settle and stick to crevices in the shallows so that they will not be eaten by smaller predatory fish.  It is fairly common for lake walleye to swim up feeder streams and rivers to spawn, but whether they stay in the main lake or go upstream, spawning takes a lot of energy.  Immediately following the spawn, walleye usually head for deep water for 4 to 10 days of rest before heading into the shallows. 

After this time of rest, walleye will eat ravenously in the shallows to revitalize themselves, and this is when spring walleye fishing is at its best.  Walleye are feeding aggressively, but anglers must be conscious of the fact that the water is still very cold, preventing walleye from chasing after anything moving very fast.

Lure preference will always vary by region, conditions, and individual angler, but jigs and jigging spoons, especially those tipped with minnows, as well as worm rigs, or baits resembling minnows, tend to be very effective. 

One likely spot to find post-spawn walleye feeding is near weedbeds, as well as shorelines with sunken timber or a bottom of uneven rock.  If you get a bite or catch a walleye, there are likely more nearby, as they are a schooling fish. As during other times of the year, walleye tend to be most aggressive early in the morning and just before dark. 

Part of the trick to finding post-spawn walleye is figuring out when they will begin to spawn, which determines when they will return to the shallows in search of food.  For northern anglers, the melting of the ice usually signals an imminent walleye spawn, although walleye are more sensitive to water temperature than anything.  The first females will begin to spawn when the water reaches 40 degrees, and stop when it is 50 or 52 degrees or all the females have spawned.