02-25-2007, 07:46 PM
[cool][#0000ff]If it's any consolation, Utah Lake has been stingy with it's walleyes for everybody the past two years. Some of the best 'eye-chasers in the state have been frustrated. In fact, some real pros did not even catch a single walleye last spring (married either).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My personal theory is that it has been a combination of several factors. First of all, the walleyes took a big hit at the end of the drought years. Many of them starved to death because there were not enough young white bass to feed on...poor spawning conditions, etc. The second factor is just the opposite. Now that there is a lot of water, the fish spread out more...and they have more young whities to eat, so they are not as desperate for angler lures.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the things that is different now is that the walleyes are hanging out in structure more. It isn't that they like the brush so much, but that is where the groceries are. So, that is where they go to hunt. Wherever you find walleye food you will find walleyes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I remember some high water years from the early 80's when we had to fish walleyes with weedless plastics right up in the brush, almost like flipping for bass. That was mostly after the spawn and the fish were actively feeding again. Before that they were in the usual rocky structure or wandering over the flats. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My game plan, starting about next week, is to drag a minnow on a corky rig while casting plastics with my second rod. I will be fishing mostly 3" or 4" plastics, on light heads and fishing slow near rocks. I will also be trying some slip bobber rigs, with either crawlers or minnows, fished in or near structure in water at least four or five feet deep.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It will take some trial and error, but we need to find what kind of bottom and what depths the fish are using. It may be that the fish are reverting to their "natural" tendencies and seeking out the deeper holes. That could be in 15 feet of water with the current water conditions. Before the drought ended it was difficult to find water over about 7 feet deep. Now there are some deep spots both off Lincoln Beach and around Bird Island. The island is a bit far for me to kick in my tube, but I know some deep channels off Lincoln Beach.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I just gotta go back to school on those wascally wallies. We'll find 'em and figure 'em out sooner or later.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My personal theory is that it has been a combination of several factors. First of all, the walleyes took a big hit at the end of the drought years. Many of them starved to death because there were not enough young white bass to feed on...poor spawning conditions, etc. The second factor is just the opposite. Now that there is a lot of water, the fish spread out more...and they have more young whities to eat, so they are not as desperate for angler lures.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the things that is different now is that the walleyes are hanging out in structure more. It isn't that they like the brush so much, but that is where the groceries are. So, that is where they go to hunt. Wherever you find walleye food you will find walleyes.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I remember some high water years from the early 80's when we had to fish walleyes with weedless plastics right up in the brush, almost like flipping for bass. That was mostly after the spawn and the fish were actively feeding again. Before that they were in the usual rocky structure or wandering over the flats. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My game plan, starting about next week, is to drag a minnow on a corky rig while casting plastics with my second rod. I will be fishing mostly 3" or 4" plastics, on light heads and fishing slow near rocks. I will also be trying some slip bobber rigs, with either crawlers or minnows, fished in or near structure in water at least four or five feet deep.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It will take some trial and error, but we need to find what kind of bottom and what depths the fish are using. It may be that the fish are reverting to their "natural" tendencies and seeking out the deeper holes. That could be in 15 feet of water with the current water conditions. Before the drought ended it was difficult to find water over about 7 feet deep. Now there are some deep spots both off Lincoln Beach and around Bird Island. The island is a bit far for me to kick in my tube, but I know some deep channels off Lincoln Beach.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I just gotta go back to school on those wascally wallies. We'll find 'em and figure 'em out sooner or later.[/#0000ff]
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