01-17-2012, 05:12 PM
01-17-2012, 05:14 PM
By luck[:p] It is usually an accident while fishing for something else.
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01-17-2012, 05:38 PM
target break lines from sand to gravel and drop offs. Target deeper water during the day moving in to about 6-8 ft by dark. BE QUIET. have your holes drilled for the evening before it gets dark ( I put hole covers on them) for hole hopping i use a spoon with a minnow head. Usually a macho minnow or a buckshot. I have seen a few posts on this board that say they are merely a bonus fish... whatevs. They arent trout... you have to work to catch them... but it can be done.
Trout fishing keeps crappy walleye fishermen entertained.
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Trout fishing keeps crappy walleye fishermen entertained.
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01-17-2012, 05:43 PM
yes it can have seen a few really good trips from a friend of mine that got some this ice season. pretty cool.
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01-17-2012, 06:02 PM
I agree it can be done but it isnt something consistent. I knew a guy that fished for walleye at Utah Lake for years, he did catch a few fish but as you said he worked at it and came home empty as often as not.
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01-17-2012, 06:50 PM
To catch a walleye thru the ice, you need to do several things:
1) fish early and late, 1/2 hour before sunrise then again start about a 1/2 hour before sunset. You have a window of about 1-2 hours each time.
2) Have a variety of baits, flasher types ( Kastmasters, Little Cleo, etc), swimming types ( Jigging Rapalas, Nils Master Jigging Shads, Salmo Chubby's, etc), bare bones jigs in various colors and weights,
3) BAIT !! Live bait is best, but since we can't use it here, dead minnows. Chubs, Redsides, etc. If you can get fresh, that is better than frozen, as they stay on the hook better. You can buy feeder Goldfish, put them between layers of moist paper towels, then refrigerate to keep fresh.
You need to tip all your baits with a minnow, either whole or just the head, depending on the presentation.
4) Be willing to move around and drill a lot of holes. Find a spot, go out before hand and drill a series of holes, let em sit and quiet down, then come back an fish.
5) Presentation, can be active jigging to dead sticking and everything inbetween. You have to determine what they want.
6) Persistence - be willing to spend a lot of time.
Purchase a subscription to In-Fisherman and read their articles. You'll learn more in one or two issues of their magazine than you will in several years of OJT !!
7) HAVE FUN !!!
1) fish early and late, 1/2 hour before sunrise then again start about a 1/2 hour before sunset. You have a window of about 1-2 hours each time.
2) Have a variety of baits, flasher types ( Kastmasters, Little Cleo, etc), swimming types ( Jigging Rapalas, Nils Master Jigging Shads, Salmo Chubby's, etc), bare bones jigs in various colors and weights,
3) BAIT !! Live bait is best, but since we can't use it here, dead minnows. Chubs, Redsides, etc. If you can get fresh, that is better than frozen, as they stay on the hook better. You can buy feeder Goldfish, put them between layers of moist paper towels, then refrigerate to keep fresh.
You need to tip all your baits with a minnow, either whole or just the head, depending on the presentation.
4) Be willing to move around and drill a lot of holes. Find a spot, go out before hand and drill a series of holes, let em sit and quiet down, then come back an fish.
5) Presentation, can be active jigging to dead sticking and everything inbetween. You have to determine what they want.
6) Persistence - be willing to spend a lot of time.
Purchase a subscription to In-Fisherman and read their articles. You'll learn more in one or two issues of their magazine than you will in several years of OJT !!
7) HAVE FUN !!!
01-17-2012, 08:25 PM
[cool][#0000ff]You will get lots of input and opinions. Most will be nothing more than recycled articles and TV programs...not based upon actual experience. Anybody who claims to be able to catch walleyes through the ice in Utah...whenever they want...will lie about other things too...like understanding women.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are a few things you can do to improve your chances of catching walleyes. But there are no universal secrets that will work well on all waters all the time. Beware any advice that simply suggests fishing at a certain depth or in a very specific way...with very specific lures. For example, when somebody tells you to fish at least 30' deep, where can you find such a spot in Utah Lake...or Willard Bay? A lot of "surefire" walleye advice is based upon somebody once catching a fish on a specific lake...fishing a specific way...and then the catchor is forever an expert.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yes, walleyes typically feed more actively during the night or during low light conditions. But they also feed during the daytime...especially under the ice. Some of the best walleye catches I have experienced...or witnessed...in Utah have been around midday. And I have endured some bitter cold early mornings and late afternoons without any love from the toothy critters.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Rather than simply plugging in "universal" formulas on whatever lake you plan to fish, spend the time to get to know that lake well...and also learn the feeding and migration habits of the walleyes in that lake. They are different in virtually every lake they inhabit. Some similarities but widely different forage bases, structure and activity swings. You just can't make blanket statements that will hold up on all waters...or even on the same water throughout a season...or even from day to day.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have to roll my eyes heavenward whenever somebody claims to know everything there is about walleye fishing...just because they once had a great trip on Yuba Reservoir back in the wild and wacky 80s. Even worse is the "expert" who caught one or two fish last year..."on accident"...but who now knows all about it and just knows that whenever they want more walleye fillets they know where and when to go and how to catch them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have caught my fair share of walleyes...both on purpose and by accident. I got no pride. I readily admit that the accidental catches might even outweigh the purposeful ones...even though I devote a lot of time to specifically targeting walleyes. And I am properly grateful whenever I catch one...no matter how I managed it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But a confrontational ploy that I have come to use against those who would try to suggest that they are God's gift to fishermen...when it comes to walleyes...is to ask these questions:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"How many times have you fished specifically for walleyes in the last 12 months?"[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"How many hours did you fish for them?"[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"How many walleyes did you actually catch...while fishing for them?"[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"Did you catch at least two walleyes on every walleye trip?" (One can be luck)[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It really does pay to gather all of the input you can, from whatever source. It's all good. Just don't get locked into silly formulas that may not be applicable to the waters you plan to fish. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are a few things you can do to improve your chances of catching walleyes. But there are no universal secrets that will work well on all waters all the time. Beware any advice that simply suggests fishing at a certain depth or in a very specific way...with very specific lures. For example, when somebody tells you to fish at least 30' deep, where can you find such a spot in Utah Lake...or Willard Bay? A lot of "surefire" walleye advice is based upon somebody once catching a fish on a specific lake...fishing a specific way...and then the catchor is forever an expert.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yes, walleyes typically feed more actively during the night or during low light conditions. But they also feed during the daytime...especially under the ice. Some of the best walleye catches I have experienced...or witnessed...in Utah have been around midday. And I have endured some bitter cold early mornings and late afternoons without any love from the toothy critters.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Rather than simply plugging in "universal" formulas on whatever lake you plan to fish, spend the time to get to know that lake well...and also learn the feeding and migration habits of the walleyes in that lake. They are different in virtually every lake they inhabit. Some similarities but widely different forage bases, structure and activity swings. You just can't make blanket statements that will hold up on all waters...or even on the same water throughout a season...or even from day to day.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have to roll my eyes heavenward whenever somebody claims to know everything there is about walleye fishing...just because they once had a great trip on Yuba Reservoir back in the wild and wacky 80s. Even worse is the "expert" who caught one or two fish last year..."on accident"...but who now knows all about it and just knows that whenever they want more walleye fillets they know where and when to go and how to catch them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have caught my fair share of walleyes...both on purpose and by accident. I got no pride. I readily admit that the accidental catches might even outweigh the purposeful ones...even though I devote a lot of time to specifically targeting walleyes. And I am properly grateful whenever I catch one...no matter how I managed it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But a confrontational ploy that I have come to use against those who would try to suggest that they are God's gift to fishermen...when it comes to walleyes...is to ask these questions:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"How many times have you fished specifically for walleyes in the last 12 months?"[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"How many hours did you fish for them?"[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"How many walleyes did you actually catch...while fishing for them?"[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]"Did you catch at least two walleyes on every walleye trip?" (One can be luck)[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It really does pay to gather all of the input you can, from whatever source. It's all good. Just don't get locked into silly formulas that may not be applicable to the waters you plan to fish. [/#0000ff]
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01-18-2012, 02:38 AM
I tried Starvy tonight from about 4:30 till dark 30ish and got skunked. I was specifically targeting walleyes. Will most likely be back. I fished in a spot I have always wanted to try on the ice but wasn't able to move around at all due to auger issues. I got one hole, that took me a good 10 min to drill, and ended up being around 18 feet or so.
I know it was not that long for fishing but it got cold quick and I was done drilling holes for the night.
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I know it was not that long for fishing but it got cold quick and I was done drilling holes for the night.
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01-18-2012, 03:20 AM
I am from South Dakota, North East South Dakota ( the glacial lake region....<10mi. from MN border) walleye is the primary target fish back home and winter is the best time to catch a big walleye. utah has restrictions that make it very tough... first off i have always fished walleyes with live shiners... it is the best option... hands down... also i would usually like to fish around 8 tip ups with a live minnow on each plus a jigging rod in my hand...also not legal here. But in Utah if you are jigging, a minnow head is a good option or a whole minnow (dead obviously) on a puppet jig...a good no bait option is the salmo chubby darter. have caught some nice walleye back home on them and have some buddies that swear by them . try off points and humps.. walleye also hold over gravel bottoms and off cliff/drop off... if you can find a good rock pile ,maybe off of your boat in the summer, walleye will hold there in the winter. the best time is dawn and dusk but i can assure you that if targeted properly walleye can be caught all day.
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01-18-2012, 04:18 AM
Agreed. We gotta play the hand we're dealt though... It's really tough to pattern them in a reservoirs.
I'm bummed that the DWR doesn't give more love to the walleye though.
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I'm bummed that the DWR doesn't give more love to the walleye though.
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01-18-2012, 03:18 PM
I caught a walleye two weeks ago threw the ice at UL I caught it on a swedish pimple and a wax worm I also caught a LMB 2 min before, they were both a wopping 2 inch long. It was cool to see these little guys.
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03-29-2012, 11:05 PM
[quote jiggaWHAT]target break lines from sand to gravel and drop offs. Target deeper water during the day moving in to about 6-8 ft by dark. BE QUIET. have your holes drilled for the evening before it gets dark ( I put hole covers on them) for hole hopping i use a spoon with a minnow head. Usually a macho minnow or a buckshot. I have seen a few posts on this board that say they are merely a bonus fish... whatevs. They arent trout... you have to work to catch them... but it can be done.
Trout fishing keeps crappy walleye fishermen entertained.[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]Okay, we have messed up the other thread enough. Above is the "generic" info you provided to the original poster. It reads like something right out of a midwest walleye website...with little or no application to Utah walleye waters. 6-8 feet? Too deep in Utah Lake and too shallow in any of the other Utah walleye waters. Break lines from sand to gravel? Where in Utah? Mostly mud.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Without references to specific areas of specific waters your rhetoric is oversimplistic mumbo jumbo. That is why I made the response I did. You have only a few posts on BFT and there are no original reports on anything in Utah. Provide us with something we can use and believe and you will have credibility.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Then to let my comments fester on you for two months before finding some way to launch a personal attack on me is definitely not going to do much to enhance your image. You owe the original poster on the other thread an apology. Bad form.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The old quarterback Don Meredith used to say "If you can do it, it ain't braggin'". If you can catch walleyes at will, my hat is off to you. I am not disputing your claims...but without proof I reserve the right to be skeptical. And an old recycled picture of a good day at Ft. Peck does not do much to dispel questions of your successes in Utah.[/#0000ff]
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Trout fishing keeps crappy walleye fishermen entertained.[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]Okay, we have messed up the other thread enough. Above is the "generic" info you provided to the original poster. It reads like something right out of a midwest walleye website...with little or no application to Utah walleye waters. 6-8 feet? Too deep in Utah Lake and too shallow in any of the other Utah walleye waters. Break lines from sand to gravel? Where in Utah? Mostly mud.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Without references to specific areas of specific waters your rhetoric is oversimplistic mumbo jumbo. That is why I made the response I did. You have only a few posts on BFT and there are no original reports on anything in Utah. Provide us with something we can use and believe and you will have credibility.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Then to let my comments fester on you for two months before finding some way to launch a personal attack on me is definitely not going to do much to enhance your image. You owe the original poster on the other thread an apology. Bad form.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The old quarterback Don Meredith used to say "If you can do it, it ain't braggin'". If you can catch walleyes at will, my hat is off to you. I am not disputing your claims...but without proof I reserve the right to be skeptical. And an old recycled picture of a good day at Ft. Peck does not do much to dispel questions of your successes in Utah.[/#0000ff]
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03-30-2012, 12:40 AM
O.K. you are just full of assumptions. Break lines can be from weeds to mud lines as well. or gravel/ rocks to mud. Being proficient with an underwater camera and GPS is essential. I have never been on any midwest walleye board that I can recall but there are places that transition from 13ish to 5-6 ft over about 40 yds in Utah. I really don't care if you don't think I am credible, but what gives you the right to say that I am not? None of the fish in the picture were caught at Ft Peck or even in MT. They were all caught on soft plastics with no worms/leaches/ minnows to tip. I didn't notice your post until today. I went back and looked so I wasn't stewing on it although I did see that you said WalleyeBob doesn't post as much because of people doing exactly what you did to me. Seems Hypocritical to me but whatevs.
Keep trolling the net and being negative to anybody that doesn't give you exact coordinates or have any of your credibility and Ill just keep fishing and putting eyes in the boat.
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Keep trolling the net and being negative to anybody that doesn't give you exact coordinates or have any of your credibility and Ill just keep fishing and putting eyes in the boat.
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03-30-2012, 04:28 AM
Chill, chill, chill. Let's all just go fishin'.
I came to Utah talking the talk about being a walleye ace, but I learned real quick that "we ain't in Kansas anymore." I grew up hammering the sneaky buggers in the midwest, both in the summer and the winter. These reservoirs fish completely different as rhey're much more difficult to pattern. I'm slowly catchin' on, although I still haven't pulled one thru the ice.
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I came to Utah talking the talk about being a walleye ace, but I learned real quick that "we ain't in Kansas anymore." I grew up hammering the sneaky buggers in the midwest, both in the summer and the winter. These reservoirs fish completely different as rhey're much more difficult to pattern. I'm slowly catchin' on, although I still haven't pulled one thru the ice.
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03-30-2012, 04:39 AM
[quote jiggaWHAT]
Trout fishing keeps crappy walleye fishermen entertained.[/quote]
Yep...I am one of those!
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Trout fishing keeps crappy walleye fishermen entertained.[/quote]
Yep...I am one of those!
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03-30-2012, 04:47 AM
That's like walking the streets of New York and doggin' the Yankees... Trout may not make the best fish tacos (Pat probably has a good recipe for 'em) but they're damn fun to catch. They're great grilled, smoked or baked too.
I love my walleye, but they don't fight anywhere near as hard as these fat Utah trout do!
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I love my walleye, but they don't fight anywhere near as hard as these fat Utah trout do!
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03-30-2012, 05:48 AM
I have never caught a walleye..but I have tried enough times to consider myslef a crappy walleye fisherman...I like that quote...Trout fishing keeps a crappy walleye fisherman entertained...could not agree more!
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03-30-2012, 02:09 PM
Quit tryin'....walleye are weak fighting fish that only provide sport in that they can be difficult to catch. If you want some good fish fillets for dinner, catch perch! Otherwise, spend your time fishing for any of the other wide variety of species the state offers....! Walleye are worthless.
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03-30-2012, 02:17 PM
Sure wish I could catch more of those Worthless Walleye!!! More Perch as well, both fine table fare.
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03-30-2012, 03:03 PM
I couldnt agree more. You definately dont pursue walleye for the battle. The challenge of catching walleye is the fun part to me besides the fact that they are the best eating fresh water fish IMO (along with perch.) Once you land a few on light line with a super sensitive rod it is pretty addicting.I like catching trout on occasion, especially when I am taking out kids or guys that have forgotten how much fun it is. There is a cult like trout following in MT as well, big time industry there.
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