02-09-2012, 10:10 PM
[cool][#0000ff]The walleye spawn is predicated upon water temps...not on fisherman enthusiasm and impatience. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In years like this one, when the ice comes off before March, there is a longer period of water temps between 35 and 45 degrees. When the temps crawl to 40 - 42 degrees the wallies usually have a brief prespawn feeding period...and even the fat mamas will smack a lure. But once the temps get to about 45 degrees they forget food and focus on procreation. Time to empty those big fat tummies. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In moderate spring conditions the ideal temps last for several weeks...swinging up and down around that magic 45 degree mark. But if the ice comes off late and a warm spring takes the temps over 50 the walleyes do a hurry up spawn and if you blink you will miss it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lots of feisty males caught during the actual spawn but I prefer fishing the post spawn feeding binge after all the frivolity. The fish are more active and they hit harder in the warmer waters...especially when they are trying to feed up after a long winter and a hungry spawn period.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I plan to test my theories often...beginning tomorrow at the bubbleup.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In years like this one, when the ice comes off before March, there is a longer period of water temps between 35 and 45 degrees. When the temps crawl to 40 - 42 degrees the wallies usually have a brief prespawn feeding period...and even the fat mamas will smack a lure. But once the temps get to about 45 degrees they forget food and focus on procreation. Time to empty those big fat tummies. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In moderate spring conditions the ideal temps last for several weeks...swinging up and down around that magic 45 degree mark. But if the ice comes off late and a warm spring takes the temps over 50 the walleyes do a hurry up spawn and if you blink you will miss it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Lots of feisty males caught during the actual spawn but I prefer fishing the post spawn feeding binge after all the frivolity. The fish are more active and they hit harder in the warmer waters...especially when they are trying to feed up after a long winter and a hungry spawn period.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I plan to test my theories often...beginning tomorrow at the bubbleup.[/#0000ff]
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