Target Pre-Spawn Walleye - Where?

[ndfinfan]

So this time of year when the lakes have opened up, but the walleye spawn has not occurred, where do you target fish? I know as the water temps on any given body of water get closer to that magic number for the females, they will begin to stage, but what are you looking for structure and depth wise leading up to the spawn? Thanks gents...

 

[Twitch]

Usually I'm looking for some deeper holes that have easy access to some shallow gravel flats that the fish can slide up on when it's go time for them

 

[remm]

Anyplace you would find any current, whether its a large channel, coulee or river down to just some snow melt/runoff from adjacent land that is draining into the lake is where I'd suggest starting. I'd guess walleye fishing will be pretty slow going for a couple weeks now in most places.

 

[ndfinfan]

Usually I'm looking for some deeper holes that have easy access to some shallow gravel flats that the fish can slide up on when it's go time for them

Agree Twitch...every body of water is different so you gotta study those contour maps and look for spots with potential. Gonna go out Saturday and Sunday this weekend...see if we can find 'em!

 

[NDwalleyes]

Water temperatures in lakes in the Bismarck area were already 49-50 degrees last week....Spawn is likely over in the lakes here. River should just be getting cranked up.

 

[Riverbottoms]

river temps were from 40.5 to 44.6 for me this last weekend, most of our males weren't milking, and only caught one female..

 

[ndfinfan]

Yep...think the lakes from Sak north are much cooler. Sak/Garrison Bay surface temps were 39-43 last Saturday. I'm gonna hit Audubon on Saturday...hopefully they have come up a bit.

 

[JIGN4IZ]

Shallow water bays that offer some sort of spawning habitat for those females. Could be as simple as having a little sand or gravel shoreline. Also that shallow water is generally the warmest water so it is going to attract fish.

 

[ndfinfan]

Temps gonna be in the 70's the next 4 days...saw water temps last weekend anywhere from 49-53 on Audubon. So when are we thinking the spawn will wrap up and the walleye will get back to being interested in eating???