Posts: 33,471
Threads: 423
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
33
I'm not sure the exact reason why the spawn seems slow this year but the water temp is plenty warm enough, at least surface water temp was 51* on Thursday. When there are rocks in the water on the West side of the lake the eyes are usually there. Last year the best part of the spawn was starting right about now.
[signature]
Posts: 455
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
Just my opinion but the dike fishing usually peaks at the very tail end of the spawn.Think mid April. The males get super aggressive. I don't know if they are guarding nests or just mad they won't be getting any for another year. From mid April till mid to late June any good wind will bring them right back to the rocks willing to slam any shad shaped plastics. I have had days like the picture below when I catch more than a limit, but if I catch enough for tacos I count myself lucky.
Me and my brothers limit. West dike.
[signature]
Posts: 36,054
Threads: 300
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
60
"I don't know if they are guarding nests or just mad they won't be getting any for another year."
[#0000ff]Walleyes do not build nests. They "broadcast" spawn, with several males swimming around an egg laying female...spewing out their "contributions". If the eggs are properly aerated by running water...or wave splashed water along the rocks...they hatch in a few days and never see either parent...hopefully. Because the parents cannot recognize their own young and will eat them once they get big enough.
The cycle goes something like this. First, the walleyes have a brief prespawn feedup...between iceout and spawn. That is usually when the water temps are between about 42 to 45 degrees. When water temps stay above 45 the spawn begins and continues until they reach over 50 degrees.
During the spawn the females do not feed much but the aggressive males are competitive and will actively bite lures and some baits. They do not have the huge mass of eggs in their bellies that the females do so they stay hungry. However, some females do still smack a lure out of instinct. Walleyes are feeding machines and they do bite stuff.
The best fishing of the year is the post spawn period, which may be from sometime in April until summer water temps get much above 75 degrees. Then they do not hit as well during the day but often feed for brief periods at night. However, in Willard Bay...where the main food source is shad...walleyes are caught even during the daytime as they are cruising around and competing with wipers for food.
Every year seems to be different on Willard. There are up and down cycles of water levels and the weather is always changing. This year saw an extended period of complete ice coverage. Then we have had a slow, cold spring transition. That has slowed things down a bit. But April should be a good month for folks chasing spawners and after that it will be good for everybody else...if there are any fish left by the snaggers.
[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Posts: 660
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
0
Thanks for all the advice. I was wondering if I was a bit early. I cut the carp up for some Kitty bait later.
[signature]
]
