SEASONAL CHANGES
That walleyes originally began as river fish is evidenced by their positive relationship to rivers, especially in spring when walleyes gather at river mouths to begin their move to spawning areas. But fish, especially walleyes, can make major locational changes during the year. Needs change, as do food sources, sunlight penetration, and available cover. Walleyes can be found in various locations during the different seasons. The versatile angler should consider the time of year and take into account how the walleye reacts in the various bodies of water.
Spawning
In spring, after gathering at mouths of rivers, walleyes move into shallow gravel and rock bottom current areas under the cover of darkness to succumb to the urge to spawn. Although the rivers and creeks draining into a lake will draw most of the walleyes, shallow rocky shoals and shorelines that are windswept will provide all the necessary ingredients to attract lake-spawning fish. In some instances, these may be the only spawning sites available. In lakes of this type, hard bottom and sometimes even sandy areas become important to the process. Anglers should note that walleye in a small shallow-water environment will spawn and recuperate much sooner than those in a large, deep lake. Recuperation is dependent upon the amount of water volume that must warm up to spawning levels.
Females quickly leave the spawning areas once their job is completed. The males remain a little longer and can provide the fisherman with some action, but large females are feeling the rigors of the spawn and head for deeper water or shallow cover in order to rest. Fishing during the postspawn period of about two weeks can be termed sporadic at the best of times.
