Well, I doubt I'm the only one who has had a hard time concentrating at work this week. This nice weather has been good for the soul... and bad for productivity!
I have springtime visions of walleye, crappie, smallmouth, wiper, LMB... dancing in my head. So I ask..
What is too early for these species?
When is it worth a trip to Pineview to try to time the Crappie spawn?
Is it still early for the walleye at Willard? (it seems like every year...I'm "too late"... and when it's early... is daytime better than night for the walleye?)
How about Smallmouth at Pineview or Jordanelle?
Is it ALL about water Temps?...and if so, what are the temps that you look to have for the best fishing for these fish?
I'm fishing for experience and opinion to help me plan my spring fishing.
Thanks in advance!
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It is a little early for most warm water species, but you can get into all of them, right after ice out. just don't expect to slay em. The walleye from what I have seen still bite better at night even when the temps are low. But I have had some good catches early in the spring, fishing in the middle of the day. Early Spring is one of the best times to catch a trophy fish of any species, because they are starting to feed after a long winter. They haven't seen a hundred lures a week, and They often move in to the shallow bays soon after ice off, And usually close to deep water. Just remember the fish move slower and are more lethargic, in cold water, so use slow presentations. As the water warms the fishing will heat up.
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Temp of the water has alot to do with the spawn but lenth of the day is the final factor. the spawn should be close to the same every year. temp for walleye is about 45 give or take a few. temp is but only one factor. if the temp is right but still too early in the year they won't spawn until the lenth of the day is there. I'm not sure about crappie I don't chase them anymore. as for bass the temp is around 60, not real sure though, I just know when and where. the walleye at utah lake are going now and willard should be starting also.
at willard try trolling with a side planner up close to the dikes unless you know where there's a good school getting ready to spawn. all these fish can be caught anytime of the year, you just have to know where they hold. one thing I can say is to keep notes and do the same thing at the same place the same time of year. later chuck
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Thanks guys.
I have been trying to keep more detailed records for the past two years , but two years really isn't much time...and records kept are only as good and the angler's fishing abilities to catch these fish. As you put it... this fish could be caught throughout the year, but knowing where they hold is a key. I could be fishing in full spawn, but in suspended deep water (assuming that is the wrong thing to do durring the spawn) and walk away with records that everyone is full of crap and that walleye fishing is terrible in the Spring.
Also, I don't have a thermometer, but I intend to get one. I'm convinced that water temp plays a big part in the activity of these fish...though I had never thought of lenght of day! Chuck, Is that comment primarily regarding walleye or do you think that statement holds true for other fish?
On more thought, I've always assumed that the fish come into shallow bays early in the year because the water warms more quickly. So, are shallow bays (near deep water - as maniac pointed out) the key to spring fishing for these warmwater species? Or is it not that simple?
Dang, my head won't shut off!.. one more comment. Do you find early season fish tend to feed on the bottom (which is the impression I have) or near the surface ...assuming the temps are warmer near the surface.
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All the bites are going on at powell now, what is called the prespawn for all, walleye are done with the spawn but the rest are prespawn. At pineview the bass start around june to spawn the others at about 68 temp on. From ice out till then prespawn.
the temp and time of year and moon an weather all have to be right for the best spawn.
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I think length of the day has alot to do with all animals. temp seems to be one of the first triggers. If the temp was right in Feb. and the fish go ahead and spawn, and then a big cold front comes in and kills off the small fry, I know that fish also know this.
bass do come in shallow bays when the water warms because they are a true warm water fish but walleye are really a cool water fish, not a cold water fish like trout. walleye come from deep water (40 feet deep) and head close to the spawn area. when the water temp is about 42 they will feed pretty good for a while. you just need to find out where that spot is and thats the tough part. the infisherman guys say, the key to walleye is to learn about what they feed on. just one thing to remember, each lake is like another world, you have to adapt to every lake. lure action and color dosen't change that much but location is the biggest thing, and time of the year will tell you the location. the infisherman has a book about walleye, it's name is walleye wisdom, it's the best walleye book I've ever read about walleye and I have about 10 books on walleye and about 10 videos. for walleye I recomend this book. this is just my thought, later chuck
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It takes 9 m to make a baby or about give or take, fish or deer or what every, no short cuts.
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