Walleye in Shallow Water in Early Spring
When fishing for walleyes in shallow water, it’s important to have a lot of different baits on hand. Here are some baits that work well for catching early spring walleye.
Soft baits, such as the Big Bite Swimming Jerk Minnow rigged on a VMC Moon Eye Jig, are a great option. Try using different jig weights, starting with 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 ounces. Lighter jig heads tend to work better in cooler water. Throw these baits away from the boat and slowly reel them in, stopping every once in a while to make them look like hurt baitfish.
Crankbaits: The Shad Rap and other crankbaits work well for walleyes in shallow water. To get strikes, use a slow rolling retrieve with short stops. These baits work well for covering big areas and finding fish that are biting.
Rattlebaits, like the Rippin’ Rap, are becoming more and more popular for fishing for walleye in the early spring. These baits are great for quickly combing large flats and getting aggressive biters to bite. To make it look like baitfish are running away, use a faster ripping and retrieve with short stops.
Getting the Retrieve to Fit the Fish’s Mood
When fishing for walleyes in shallow water, the speed at which you retrieve and how you present the bait can make a big difference in how well you do. Here are some ideas to help you match your retrieve to how the fish are feeling:
Slow Rolling Retrieve: A slow rolling retrieve with short stops works well for walleyes that are hard to catch. This retrieve looks like a hurt baitfish and can make fish that are wary bite.
Faster Ripping Retrieve: If the walleyes are more aggressive, a ripping retrieve that is faster and has short breaks can work. This retrieve looks like baitfish trying to get away, which can make fish bite.
Change Your Retrieve: You should try different speeds and ways of presenting your bait to see what the fish like. Watch how the fish act and change your retrieve based on that.
Why Depth and Location Matter
In the early spring, walleyes are often found in shallow water, especially on big flats. These flats heat up faster than deeper water basins, which draws in baitfish and walleyes. Here are some ways to find walleyes in shallow water:
Use High-End Mapping Programs: High-end mapping programs can help you find places on large flats where fish are likely to be. Look for small drop-offs and edges where the fish are. Mark these waypoints so that you can be sure they are correct on future passes.
Try Different Depths: Walleyes can be found at different depths depending on the weather. If you’re not having any luck, start by fishing in the shallow parts of the flats and then move deeper.
Pay Attention to the Small Things: Small changes in depth, structure, and cover can draw walleyes. Find places with weeds, rocks, or other things that might hide fish.
Stay on the move: If you don’t find fish in one place, don’t be afraid to try a different one. Walleyes can move around a lot, so it’s important to cover as much water as you can.
In the Early Spring It’s a good time to catch walleye when the water is shallow. You can improve your chances of success by using different baits and changing the way you retrieve them to match the mood of the fish. Don’t be afraid to try different places and depths; just pay attention to where you are.
