Clear Water Eyes -- Need some help

[Bri-guy]

For the past 10 years my family has stayed at the same cabin on Lake Mary near Alexandria over Memorial Day weekend. After a few years there I had that lake absolutely dialed in for walleyes and we always had great success. Two years ago the lake was infested with zebra mussels and the water is now ridiculously clear. Last year I didn't catch a single walleye. The 8-12' areas I would usually jig or drift with a shiner were so clear I could see my jig bouncing off the bottom -- even in 12'.

My first inclination would be to fish at night, but I'm out there with my family (young kids) and that just wouldn't work. Any of you have experience catching eyes, during daylight hours, in gin clear water? The main forage is golden shiners. The lake is mostly mud with some rocky points. Bull rushes on the shorelines. Typical MN lake. I have zero experience fishing lakes like this. I'm used to the Ashtabula/Devils/Stump water clarity!

 

[KDM]

Deep water, light line, floro leaders. If that doesn't produce. Long casts with slip bobbers from an anchored position. If that doesn't produce. Trolling cranks with few rods using sharp "S" curves so your lure goes over ground your boat didn't. If that doesn't produce. Red and white bobber in the shallows for panfish, a cold beer, and good times with the kiddies. Good Luck!!!

 

[RustyTackleBox]

clear water walleyes

biggest thing I have heard is to spread your lines out and get away from the boat it spooks fish more in clear water than the typical north dakota murk... use spot lock and cast weed edges... jig deeper... use your electronics to find them, if you don't see fish don't waste time fishing that spot (on that note, I love guys who get pissed and yell at me for driving by with no lines out when I am doing scouting passes)

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P.S. master planer boards

 

[LBrandt]

Rusty So that's you, I have a torpedo with your name on it next time.:;:

 

[RustyTackleBox]

I don't fish their spot... but ill cruise 10 miles of shore line to fish 20-30 feet of it and if they happen to be sitting in that 10 miles I've had 4 or 5 guys get pissed because I went around them... I always comment back "good thing you own the lake, oh looks like there is no fish under your boat you should defiantly stay here"

 

[Rowdie]

I don't fish their spot... but ill cruise 10 miles of shore line to fish 20-30 feet of it and if they happen to be sitting in that 10 miles I've had 4 or 5 guys get pissed because I went around them... I always comment back "good thing you own the lake, oh looks like there is no fish under your boat you should defiantly stay here"

So that's you that gives everyone a 3 foot wave, and thinks it's funny when you piss em off. Typical Sconnie move there.

 

[Enslow]

Fishing walleyes in gin clear water sucks because the fish can see you. The only way they wont see the boat if it is very choppy, night time, or if they go very deep. You could try clear lines like fluorcarbon also but that wont necessarily help you as those fish in that gin clear water may not feed during the daylight hours.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Also get away from SUPER BRIGHT colors, go more for natural and darker colors. Black, brown or natural green jigheads.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Bull rushes

 

[Sum1]

Maybe a little snap jigging a jiggen rap to get a reaction bite in deep water. Is it a lake with heavy recreation? If so they are probably strictly night feeders. Early early mornings can be dynamite on lakes like these. As soon as you see a hint of brightness on the horizon start fishing.

 

[ranger150]

They get mad because you are spooking, moving the fish they are fishing . Boat and boat motors will spook Walleye. Your not being a courteous fisherman doing what You stated. Back to topic. Never, Never put the boat on top of Walleye on water that clear.

biggest thing I have heard is to spread your lines out and get away from the boat it spooks fish more in clear water than the typical north dakota murk... use spot lock and cast weed edges... jig deeper... use your electronics to find them, if you don't see fish don't waste time fishing that spot (on that note, I love guys who get pissed and yell at me for driving by with no lines out when I am doing scouting passes)RustyTackleBox Quote

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P.S. master planer boards[/QUOTE]

 

[svnmag]

Long casts/drop shot rig

 

[svnmag]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RATaVZrUitc

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=702_ClIclpI

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En4FBfDnQkQ

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Lots of "Zen" required here IMHO. Figure out the location then turn of the electronics. The lateral line is extremely sensitive.

 

[Fishmission]

What does Uncle Steve say?

 

[svnmag]

Also get away from SUPER BRIGHT colors, go more for natural and darker colors. Black, brown or natural green jigheads.

To an extent...what color is the forage at the depth you're fishing?...You're right and I'm just nit-picking. Everything turns "black" except "white" which may be used as a shock.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Typical sota lake. Use a simple rig and work some weed edges

 

[svnmag]

Typical sota lake. Use a simple rig and work some weed edges

Ok that's fine. How do you know the weed edges aren't dominated by rockbass, sculpin and eels?

 

[Davy Crockett]

What does Uncle Steve say?

"Hello boys and girls..... Of all ages."

 

[Bri-guy]

The main forage is golden shiner. I'll find baby crappie in their bellies from time to time as well. There usually isn't much of a weed edge that time of year and the bull rushes only extend out to about 4-5 fow. The bull rush edged used to be a great morning/evening spot, maybe I just need to get out there a little earlier or later. Last year I could see everything in those spots and never saw an eye -- just the occasional small perch, bass, or pike.

I like the idea of more natural color jig heads. Instead of vertical jigging the rocky points, I think I'll try to scoot back and cast into them. There is some deeper structure and I'm thinking of trying a 3-way rig with rapalas too.

 

[Mocha]

I would find/look for old weed beds from last year and fish just over the top with a spinner or crank bait or Jig the weed bed edges or in the weeds if they are not too thick.