Mud or Gravel Whos right??

[Bassboy1645]

Roomate and I are in an argument about opening day locations. I say Gravel bottom 7-15 feet with current and adjacent deep water. He says mud 3-10 feet near the mouth of a river. His theory being as the water temps on mud warm faster and make more aggresive fish...Makes sense but I hate being wrong. Whats your opinions?? Well be around ely area for opener.

[pfluemis]

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Roomate and I are in an argument about opening day locations. I say Gravel bottom 7-15 feet with current and adjacent deep water. He says mud 3-10 feet near the mouth of a river. His theory being as the water temps on mud warm faster and make more aggresive fish...Makes sense but I hate being wrong. Whats your opinions??

Well be around ely area for opener.

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Not very often do you find Walleye over/near muddy bottom.

[Team Otter]

I would agree with gravel from a post-spawn stand point but it's tough to beat the mouth of a river, especially if there's some water moving.

[PerchJerker]

Right after ice-out I'd buy the muddy river mouth theory a little more, but the farther away from ice-out you get the more I'd lean to the first gravel or sand break.

[SupaMan]

Your friend is right!

[Bassboy1645]

Heres my other thoughts....in my opener experience( only 3 yrs worth) Rivers are key. No matter what Ill be fishign a river mouth. 2 years ago on madison I hit some fish in deep breaks trolling spinners. The first year on bear Island we hit them in about 15 feet on a gravel bar about 60 yards out of a river system with a combo of jigs, and slip bobbering. Last year We hit them in 9 feet over mud along a windblown shore close to Otter's fav spot a transition If I fish Shagawa My roomate says I should fish the river mouth about 5-13 feet which is mud. If I fish white Iron or Vermillion I was gonna go the river approach as well only gravel. And what about Millacs?? Fish love the mud esp when feeding on the mayfly hatch. But gravel can be just as good at times....At either rate Im gonna try both for opener and Ill find the fish sooner or later. Just my own somehwat limited experience.

[Dave B]

We have a great spot on Vermilion over opener that has a mud bottom and usually has emerging larve. If they are done spawning, just look for food.

[Mike Walerak]

Try them both and fish at which ever one you catch fish.

mw

[james_walleye]

Moving water, especially low light will be the hot spot. Doesnt matter what the bottom content is, the baitfish will be drawn in.

[Paul]

Last year we slayed the walleyes at the mouth of a creek in 2 feet of water after dark. In the Rain, Sleet and Wind. Next day we caught them on another lake in the evening in 15 feet of water using 1/2 oz jig heads in the mud bottom of a river mouth. First Lake was a sand/gravel mixture covered in muddy silt from the creek entering the lake.

[Sonicrunch]

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Try them both and fish at which ever one you catch fish.

mw

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Bingo!

[nofishfisherman]

If I had to pick just one I would let wind and warm water tell me where to go.

If you have had a good wind pushing the warm water up on the shore containing gravel its a good bet.

If the creek/mud area is the only area with warm water then its a no brainer I would give that a shot first.

[Muddog]

How about a Mud to Gravel transition near deep water and current?

If there has been little or no wind, I think he would be right. If the wind has been blowing stiring up the water, I think your right.