Cold and Clear Walleyes

[Panfish Pirate]

I fish a lake in Becker County that is super cold and has a clearance depth of almost 14 feet. It is full of walleyes to wish I fished to no avail. There is a nice sunken island that comes up to 9 feet with solid weeds, another nice weed bed at 14 feet, all full of rock bass and sunnies, but I know the Walleyes are there somewhere. The only advice that has worked on the lake has been using a huge #8 Rapala. But that just doesn't seem to produce them in huge amounts. Any wisdom from you professional walleye hunters? Thanks!

[nofishfisherman]

I guess I always start with the good old jig and minnow combo. I would work the sunken island in all depths. Maybe try drifiting from deep water on one side over the top and then toward deep water on the other side and try to nail it down to what depths they are at.

I am not the most knowledgable guy but thats my first thought.

[Little Joe]

I'll be on a similar lake for the sconnie opener. We've done well in the past corkin rock piles and reefs as well as just casting out a small jig/minnow combo and slowly retrieving. Biggest mistake I see people making this time of year is they're too fast on their retrieve or trolling motor or both. With the cold water, downsize baits and go sllloooow. Trolling raps is my last option if the others aren't working. Find some sand/rock shorelines on the windy side of the lake and you can have some fun action.

With the clear water, all of the above are typically done during low light periods or during the day if there's good cloud cover and or some wind. These types of lakes are challenging but often very rewarding once you figure out some pattens - good luck.

[Jay R]

I would suggest as I fish a similar type water as you explained in Ottertail cty, low light periods or at night. If you are fishing opener weekend it is a full moon on the 13/14 the night patrol might be your best option. If you do that head to your sunken island / weed beds and try, slipbobbers, casting husky jerks or slow trolling original raps. When using cranks just go S L O W. During the day a lindy rig or split shot rig might be the best with very livley shiners especially if there are cisco (tulibies) in the lake. I have a hunch that during the day with the water clarity you mentioned the walleys could be much deeper than you would think. If we have any kind of a front that would move through fish deep during the day and as daylight decreases move up.... good luck

J

[ChuckN]

Good advice Jay R.

I have noticed on really clear lakes early in the season it's a dawn/dusk/night bite. When the water warms I see much more daylight activity and as the fish fully recover from the spawn activities.

I would key into windswept sides of the lake and work the shallows or weedlines. Shiners should still be shallow and walleyes will prey on them, especially if the water is churning and the fish have easier meals.

[Boedigheimer]

Panfish Pirate, I would suggest going out on a calm night and getting the biggest spotlight or two that you can find and go shining in as deep of water as you can and still see bottom.

You can learn a ton about a lake in a short period of time. If you don't see walleyes, which you will, you may find young cabbage patches, rocks, baitfish, etc. When you find these areas don't be afraid to go pretty shallow, many times the walleyes seem to 'push' baitfish up against the shoreline at night. Once you spook'em they may not return right away but you can fish these areas the next night and have some confidence.

Oh ya! if you have any current, waders and current areas can be super! Often times these lakes don't turn on until LATE at night, bring coffee and good luck.

[Team Otter]

Snap-jigging big plastic during the day in the weeds can produce. Another option to try would be riggin' a Phelps Floater tipped with a leech or crawler on the deep edge of those weedlines and humps you are speaking to. Finally, if you roam the basin of the lake and look for pods of baitfish followed by a few "archs" on your electronics, put some crankbaits behind boards in their face. These suspended fish are typically willing to chomp. Trolling at night is an option too over shallow flats but that is dependent on your schedule.