Pro walleye angler Keith Kavajcez hoists a big northern Wisconsin walleye. Photo by Greg Keefer.

Choosing a spring walleye destination for the opener can be a challenge. Wisconsin is loaded with waters from top to bottom where limiting out on big walleyes is a real possibility. However, not all lakes are created equal and a little “inside information” can mean the difference between a great day on the water or a bust.

Here’s a look at lakes in your area that promise good fishing for ‘eyes this spring.

RICE RESERVOIR
“The walleye fishing is pretty good on Rice Reservoir,” fisheries biologist Dave Seibel said. “There’s both good numbers and sizes of walleyes from year to year, but it’s always dependent on the current conditions.”

Walleyes have usually finished spawning by now in Rice, but that’s not always the case. According to Seibel, the fish may be spawning, post-spawn or very post-spawn and the key is to look for the fish based on the stage they’re in. Another factor to consider is that reservoirs usually have walleyes that spawn in two different locations, one being in the lake on gravel or cobble shorelines or upstream in rivers on gravel bottom and riffles.

Bait selection isn’t a problem, Seibel said. Anglers don’t really have to match the hatch like they do with trout, though at times ‘eyes can be finicky.

“We don’t have a lot of leeches and night crawlers in our lakes, but the walleyes love them,” Seibel said. “Why not give them what they want?”

There is often some confusion on Rice Reservoir. Many anglers think walleyes are in season year ‘round, but that’s not the case. The season opens the first Saturday in May.

The 4,000-acre lake resulted from impounding the Tomahawk and Rice rivers and flooding existing natural lakes and an extensive flat.

For additional information, contact the DNR’s Northern Region office in Antigo at (715) 623-4190.

CASTLE ROCK AND PETENWELL FLOWAGES
Once you see the Castle Rock and Petenwell flowages you can’t help but wonder how much of Adams and Juneau counties are above water.

“When it comes to walleyes in central Wisconsin, the Castle Rock and Petenwell flowages are the best choice,” fisheries biologist Scot Ironside said. “The majority of walleyes are in the 14-inch range, but anglers can expect to catch some 18- to 20-inch fish as well. Every spring, several 28- to 30-inch fish are registered in the Nekoosa Walleye Days annual tournament. I’d say the flowages would be a good numbers fishery, but there is always the potential for a trophy-class fish as well.”

Ironside recommends concentrating on the river channel at the upper end of the flowages in the spring and move to the breaks in the main lake in the summer.

Assistant fisheries biologist Anthony Knipfer also gives Castle Rock and Petenwell a thumbs up.

“Aside from the spring and fall action upriver, May and June are probably the best months for anglers on the flowage,” he said. “Trolling crankbaits in Castle Rock seems to work well along the old river channel of either the Yellow River on the west side of the lake or the Wisconsin River on the east side.”

Knipfer said anglers drift live bait on a Lindy or bottom-bouncing rig, then switch from minnows to leeches and night crawlers later in the summer. Most anglers head toward Buckhorn Bridge, the sunken islands off the tip of Buckhorn or the trestle bridge on the east side.

The Buckhorn State Park and Wildlife Area has five ramps that are readily available along with the power company and county park ramps.