Early Spring Walleye Fishing Tactics

The early spring is the best time to go walleye fishing because this is when they are the most active and the most aggressive. During the early spring the walleye are normally getting ready for the spawning season. They are the most plentiful during this time and they are usually very hungry.

Even though this is the best time to go walleye fishing you still need a few good tactics to help you get the best results. The first thing that you need to take into consideration is the weather. This plays a big role in how well your walleye fishing trip will go. For instance, on overcast and rainy days the walleye can be found closer to the surface and in shallow waters. On bright sunny days they will search for deeper water and areas that are shady to avoid the direct sunlight.

Bait and Equipment

The bait that you use is very important and will make a difference in the amount of success you encounter. The walleye are attracted to nightcrawlers and minnows the most during this time of year. They will also feed off of insect larvae which is why some of the angler's best friends are the marabou jigs and other lures that are similar to these. The color of the jigs used will make a difference during early spring walleye fishing as well. When fishing in dark waters the colors should be bright and flashy and chromes and natural colors should be used when fishing in clear water.

The early spring is the best time to fish with rigs combined with slip bobbers and live bait. This set-up will normally get their attention and draw them in your direction faster than anything. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits usually produce some nice results during this time of year as well. The walleye are hungry during the early spring and searching for a fast and easy meal.

When fishing for the walleye it's important that you have the right equipment. The walleye is an aggressive fish that will put up an amazing fight. You need equipment that will be strong enough to handle them without breaking lines or snapping rods.

Where to Find the Walleye in the Spring

The location of the walleye is always a big issue in the early spring. When the waters are still in the process of warming up the best place to search for the walleye is in the shallows. It's still too early for them to move out into the deeper water where you will find them during the hot summer days.

In the early spring search for the walleye near structures and along sunken islands that run between the shallow to moderately deep waters. You can even have a good amount of success when fishing from docks, piers and shorelines in the early spring. It doesn't matter if you go fishing in lakes or rivers during this time of year, you will find the walleye in the same locations and the same bait and tactics can be used for any type of water.