Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Some heavy social drinkers call New Year’s Eve “amateur’s night,” so they wisely stay off the highways and away from favorite watering holes. Many serious walleye anglers view opening day of the general fishing season in the same light. They opt to launch their boats on waters not subject to seasonal regulation in an attempt to avoid weekend warriors who will surely clog the boat ramps with untested outboards. Unfortunately, the self-anointed walleye purists will likely encounter other anglers with just enough knowledge to be dangerous -- or at least occupying water where you really want to fish.

The popularity of walleye fishing is seeing geometric growth as we ease into the 21st century, with no end in sight to this trend. So, we may as well join the fleet on lakes where the marble-eyes haven’t seen an intentional hook in a while. Since walleye fishing rates near the top of what is really important in life, we may as well spend opening weekend on waters with Wisconsin’s best ‘eye-catching potential.

The following is a look at some of our top waters for dancing with walleyes on opening weekend. Whether you want to catch a wallhanger or some filets, consider these options for the opener. And remember, any time spent chasing walleyes is realizing the good life. You just need to leave your demons on the dock.

MADISON CHAIN
My buddy Ron Barefield said vast tracts of wetlands around Stoughton on the south end of this natural chain of lakes and Cherokee Marsh at the other end are actually watercraft breeding grounds where the boats “hatch” the first week of May and clog every boat ramp with discarded truck and trailer “skins” until Labor Day. There certainly seem to be more folks enjoying the Madison Chain every year, especially irritating personal watercraft and skiers. Fortunately, only walleye anglers are out there when the sun goes down.

The steep breaklines out from Rockford Heights and the Bible Camp on Lake Waubesa are great places to fill a quick limit with “eater” walleyes between 12:01 a.m. and dawn on the first Saturday in May. Key on submergent weeds on top of these breaks by using a suspending stick bait like the Lucky Craft Pointer or Rapala Husky Jerk in the Clown or Nashiki pattern. The secret to hooking up is occasionally ticking the weed tops while making a pretty much steady retrieve while using the trolling motor to ease around in deeper water and casting along the weed edge.

Another good tactic is anchoring up on top of the first breakline out from shore and fishing a jumbo leech under a lighted slip-bobber just off the bottom close to the edge. This tactic also works well around “the big hump” on Lake Kegonsa and off the ends of both Picnic Point and Second Point on Lake Mendota.

If you would rather cast stick baits, pitch the flat out from the Tenney Park Locks on Mendota, or work the big sandbar in Lake Monona where walleyes tend to stage until early June.