03-17-2010, 03:14 PM
It has been a long week since walleyebob broke the ice from the launch ramp at Lincoln beach.
Daily I would head out on the lake searching for spawning walleye at numerous locations using a myriad of lures and techniques. It was all for naught.
A week ago the water temps were hoovering around 37 - 39 degrees. Day by day the increases in the water temps promised better fishing. Tomorrow...Always tomorrow. And yesterday tomorrow finally came.
After launching at Lincoln beach I scanned the fish finder for depth and temp. It stablized at 42 degrees and I remarked to Dan Ericksen, "Today is the day. The males will be in the shallows and the bite will be on!"
Utwalleye and walleyebob's trucks and trailers were in the parking lot and I started the day with a search for them. If the fish were truly biting those two would be anchored over the fish. No sense re-inventing the wheel...Follow the masters, these two have walleye fishing down to an art form.
Bob was at the orchards along with a half dozen boats and waders, but about the time we arrived he pulled out and headed down the lake. "Chuck or someone else must be into the fish wherever Bob is heading" I thought.
The "L " at lincoln beach is a major spawning location on Utah Lake due to its rocky bottom. Historically, it has been a major producer of walleye who venture onto the rocky shore to spawn. It is shallow for a long way and anglers with waders wander far out in search of fish. Float tubes are a productive method of exploring this area, giving the fisherman more mobility.
Then of course there are the boats. Fishing out of a boat can be warmer and dryer than wading but it is not necessarily an advantage as most are limited to getting into the shallow water the fish prefer. You use what you have and make the best of it.
When we reached Utwalleye and walleye bob's boats they had two or three male walleye on ice and the day looked promising.
After two or three hours we had to get off the lake. During that time we saw 8 or 9 walley caught. All were small males, as would be expected this early in the season.These precoucios males move onto the spawning beds and await the bigger females to join them for the timeless act of reproduction.
So, finally it has begun. For the weeks ahead trips to Utah lake will serve as a cure for cabin fever. Anglers will await the ice off of their favorite waters and enjoy the tasty walleye as a bonus. And as for my day yesterday?.......I didn't have a bite, but it doesn't matter. The fish are biting and I'll stay after them until I start catching them. Dust off your rods and get after 'em!
[signature]
Daily I would head out on the lake searching for spawning walleye at numerous locations using a myriad of lures and techniques. It was all for naught.
A week ago the water temps were hoovering around 37 - 39 degrees. Day by day the increases in the water temps promised better fishing. Tomorrow...Always tomorrow. And yesterday tomorrow finally came.
After launching at Lincoln beach I scanned the fish finder for depth and temp. It stablized at 42 degrees and I remarked to Dan Ericksen, "Today is the day. The males will be in the shallows and the bite will be on!"
Utwalleye and walleyebob's trucks and trailers were in the parking lot and I started the day with a search for them. If the fish were truly biting those two would be anchored over the fish. No sense re-inventing the wheel...Follow the masters, these two have walleye fishing down to an art form.
Bob was at the orchards along with a half dozen boats and waders, but about the time we arrived he pulled out and headed down the lake. "Chuck or someone else must be into the fish wherever Bob is heading" I thought.
The "L " at lincoln beach is a major spawning location on Utah Lake due to its rocky bottom. Historically, it has been a major producer of walleye who venture onto the rocky shore to spawn. It is shallow for a long way and anglers with waders wander far out in search of fish. Float tubes are a productive method of exploring this area, giving the fisherman more mobility.
Then of course there are the boats. Fishing out of a boat can be warmer and dryer than wading but it is not necessarily an advantage as most are limited to getting into the shallow water the fish prefer. You use what you have and make the best of it.
When we reached Utwalleye and walleye bob's boats they had two or three male walleye on ice and the day looked promising.
After two or three hours we had to get off the lake. During that time we saw 8 or 9 walley caught. All were small males, as would be expected this early in the season.These precoucios males move onto the spawning beds and await the bigger females to join them for the timeless act of reproduction.
So, finally it has begun. For the weeks ahead trips to Utah lake will serve as a cure for cabin fever. Anglers will await the ice off of their favorite waters and enjoy the tasty walleye as a bonus. And as for my day yesterday?.......I didn't have a bite, but it doesn't matter. The fish are biting and I'll stay after them until I start catching them. Dust off your rods and get after 'em!
[signature]
