What time of year does walleye spawn?

In most rivers and lakes, from the end of March to the beginning of April is when the bulk of spawning begins. The farther North you go, the later this occurs. On Lake Erie, my home water, our walleyes spawn in waves due to the large population.

What temperature do walleye spawn?

Optimum river temperature for walleye spawning is 50 degrees.

Where are walleye in the spring?

Walleyes tend to be in the current or places where food will predictably flow right to them. In the springtime, these areas also need to be in close proximity to spawning grounds. Walleyes like current both for spawning and feeding, which makes rivers and sunken channels in reservoirs golden highways in the spring.

What is the best time of day to fish for walleye in the spawn?

The best times of day to fish for large walleye is around dawn and dusk. In particular, 30 minutes before and after sunset and sunrise are peak times. That said, walleye will continue to feed all night long. On cloudy or windy mornings, walleye may feed up to an hour and a half after sunrise.

How do you catch early 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 triggers walleye to spawn?

The pace at which the sun warms the water determines the pace of the spawn. Similarly, shallow water warms faster than deep water, so spawning starts earlier and proceeds faster in streambeds than in lakes and reservoirs. Deep inland lakes can take a while to absorb sufficient sunlight to reach the trigger temperature.

What is the best month for walleye fishing?

Walleye fishing season is the best in spring during and after the spawning season. However, summer nights and fall months are just as good for fishing for walleyes.

How shallow are walleye in spring?

3-6 feet
throughout the early season. During this period, there are a lot of fish that hang out in the shallow rocks, and they will stay there for a long time. You can grab an underwater camera, drop it down, and you’ll be amazed at the numbers of walleye you’ll find swimming around in 3-6 feet during the spring.

How old is a 28 inch walleye?

In just about every walleye lake, males peak out at 12-15 years old and reach 24-26 inches in length….Average Walleye Length vs. Age.

What depth do walleye like in spring?

Walleyes and saugers tend to stay in wintering pools in depths of 15 to 40 feet until the spring spawn begins. Typically, river walleyes won’t begin spawning until water temperatures climb above 40 degrees but some spawn later.

What is the best time of year to catch walleye?

Spring. As water temperatures rise following the winter,walleye start to really become active chasing schools of bait.

What temperature do walleye like?

Biologists report walleyes prefer water temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees and are most active in 73 degree water. Scientific studies also have shown walleye feeding peaks in 64-degree water. Walleyes grow fast in water 68 to 75 degrees, with slow growth in water below 52 degrees.

Do saugeye try to spawn?

Spawning takes place in the upstream regions of rivers in the early spring; where dams are present, Saugeyes (as well as Sauger and Walleye where the three are conspecific) may aggregate right below dams to spawn. Eggs are adhesive, and are typically laid on rocky substrates where they are fertilized by males.

When do walleyes move deep?

Walleye have a high sensitivity to light. Generally, the best time to fish for Walleye is early morning and late evening. When the sun is high at midday , Walleye move deeper and hold tightly to shade providing Cover. During periods of low light however, Walleye will move in shallow to feed on baitfish holding close to shore.