FISHING AND CLEANING TIPS, ALONG WITH A DELICIOUS WALLEYE RECIPE

It is that time of the year again when everyone anxiously awaits to wet a line again on the open water. Melting snow and rising water levels means one thing for most anglers, the walleye run is on. Walleyes take to the rivers each spring to lay their eggs, and anglers gather from all over to try and land themselves in the 30-inch club. 

The males typically move in right after ice out, and the females follow as the water temp nears 40 degrees. The spawn can happen fast, depending on the weather, and most fish have spawned by the time the water reaches 50 degrees. One thing to remember during this time is to be bold and fish shallow. Walleyes typically will move into shallow areas with gravel or rock to spawn. Don’t be surprised if you find one sitting in a foot of water. During this time of year, tactics can range from pitching plastics, hair jigs, or trolling Dubuque rigs at slow speeds. For a more active bite, rippin raps and blade baits are common, along with trolling crankbaits. Don’t be afraid to switch up if one thing isn’t working. I have found that more natural colors work better before the water gets dirty, but brighter colors produce better once the clarity diminishes.  READ MORE

by Kristine Ostertag