Photo by Judy Nugent

Between the time the ice-fishing season closes and the regular season begins, you’ll find die-hard anglers exploring the big rivers for walleyes -- but not just any walleyes.

These guys are big -- averaging 8 to 10 pounds with an occasional fish tipping the scales at 13 pounds -- and hungry, and they may be your best chance at landing a trophy. But finding them is the trick.

You know the old adage -- location, location, location. And during this time of year, the best locations are below dams on large rivers like the Wisconsin, the Wolf and the Mississippi.

In early spring, instinct steps in forcing the walleyes to succumb to the overpowering urge to reproduce. They travel upstream in the big rivers searching for suitable spawning structure. The dams, however, slow the migration, forcing large schools to stack up in the tailwaters.

Don’t feel too sorry for them. They can still swim upstream, the dams just slow them down. But there is another reason why the walleyes like the dams -- food. (Continued)

“The dam acts as a big aerator bringing more oxygen into the water and attracting baitfish,” said Jim Lodemier of the Great Alma Float. “Perfect conditions for walleyes.”

STRUCTURE
You know the fish are below the dam, but where exactly do you start fishing? The exact location may vary depending on structure and time of day. Walleyes seek different places depending on the type of bottom, the current, the time of day, water clarity and depth. At midday when the sun is brightest, walleyes like deep, rocky holes from 12 to 18 feet deep where they can duck out of the current to rest. At dawn and dusk, lower light levels make it more comfortable for them to move out of deep holes into shallow, sandy areas in search of food.

A good place to make the first cast is in a seam where fast water meets slower water. Walleyes will sit in that seam watching for crippled baitfish coming over the dam. With water temperatures hovering between 35 and 38 degrees, the walleyes are searching for an easy meal. Use precise casting to hit that seam and bounce your bait downstream.

Another spot to try takes a page out of the boat fisherman’s manual. Cast into slower water behind an obstruction. Walleyes are accustomed to spending plenty of time in the current, but they still need a rest now and then. A current break allows them to get a quick rest out of the swift water before they head upstream again. This could be a fallen tree or a cement fixture of the dam. These structures are unique to each dam and will likely change through the course of the season.

You know fish are below the dam but where exactly do you start fishing? Walleyes seek different places depending on the type of bottom, the current, the time of day, water clarity and depth.

The good news is that these locations are found on all the major rivers. The DePere has received plenty of attention in recent years for big, hungry spring walleyes. But these same obstructions, deep holes and hungry fish are found on the Wisconsin, the Wolf and the Mississippi. Find a good map of the river you want to fish and look for structures that migrating walleyes will use.

Pay attention to when you are fishing. Is it pre-spawn, the height of the spawning run or post-spawn?

Walleyes will be in different places depending on where they are in that cycle. As with all fish, some spawn early and some spawn late, but if you are having difficulty finding fish, it could be because they have moved on to another location.