Please help me scout a few walleye spots on a challenging lake.

[bobber_down_1979]

I am not a "Walley guy", but would like to get better. This weekend I plan to fish a lake that has very good promise. The problem is, the stucture on the lake is very challenging. Outside of points, there is not a ton of classic structure. The lake is very deep, and nearly all of the lake is sharp drop-offs. Forgive me for not posting the lake, but I am a bit protective of it. I was hoping I could get some recomendations on a Hotspot Member who has "Guide" type knowledge. I would like to private message that person for advice on my lake without posting it up publicly.

[Greg Clusiau]

Just for starters, I'd set up during the low-light periods of first-light and dusk, along a drop-off area that has one of the larger cabbage beds next to it. Get out there early, before the sun comes up and give it a couple of hours in the 20' range. Pretty basic info but that's a start. Good luck.

[GotALunker]

Greg, what about the evening...same advice?

[NELS-BELLS]

I'd add that if your not sure what depth...the weedline is usually a good starting point or at least put a tip up there and set up a little deeper. If there is more than one house, set one up on an inside corner and the other on the tip of a point.

Nels

[Greg Clusiau]

Yes, pretty much the same approach for the evening. I would get out there early, like 2:30 pm or so, and do your hole drilling before "prime time" so you don't scare anything. Once you have found a nice breakline spot, 20' for example, set up your shelter and "wait and see".

Use two lines, one bobber-rod with a live shiner or chub about 1' off the bottom and the other a jigging rod used with electronics. For the jig rod I would use a smaller spoon tipped with a minnow head. I like to use glow type jigs and give them a charge every once in a while.

It may take a time or two to figure out just where the fish are but this is a good start.

Let us know how you do. Good luck.

[CaptainMusky]

The key also would be to find any subtle changes in the drop off. There is probably one area where it drops off slower or find an inside turn and start there.

I look at some lake maps and get googley eyed with all the possibilities, but finding a difference in the drop would be key. I think if you started out earlier in the afternoon and drilled a bunch of holes and maybe found a suspected area, then make sure you are there when dusk is around. A good map or GPS with mapping software would definitely help.

[Northlander]

Look for bottle necks between island or mid lake structure.

Fish early and late shallow like in that 20' feeding area like Greg stated. Mid day move out off the same area or explore deep mid lake bottle knecks and reefs. Look at the map and look for areas that look like fish may travel to and from shallow feeding areas on.

[bobber_down_1979]

Thanks for all the good advice. It make me feel more conident, and that is the most important thing. This will be my first big ice fishing effort this year, and if I catch fish I will report back and post pics. We need more fish pics out here on this site!

[Northlander]

Good luck and if ya want pics check the walleye forum. Tons of pics in there.

[Powerstroke]

A lot of this also depends on the clarity of the water. The clearer the water the more careful you'll need to be and the earlier/later you may have to be.