Early Ice Walleyes

[Kyle Sandberg]

Where do you like to target during the first couple weeks of ice up?

Are the shoreline areas key or can off shore stucture produce as well?

[eyewarrior]

Close to where I caught them during the last weeks before it iced up. Normally shoreline stuff close to deep water.

[Team Otter]

Shoreline transition areas rule the roost.

[gopher_nation]

I always start with shoreline structure, it seems the most aggressive fish are there. Even better if an inlet is near and ice is safe. Once the shallow bite starts slowing down I'll explore mid lake structure, for me that's usually after the first of the year.

The last open water report will send you in the right direction.

[Boedigheimer]

Kdawg, I like major points or humps extending into the main basin areas of the lake, access to deep water being key. If the point or top of the hump is adjacent to a large shallow flat, all the better. Once the good bite slows down in these areas, which usually coincides with an increase in fishing pressure, I will focus on more minor shoreline points and edges of flats.

[FRESHWATER PETIE]

Any lake that has any moving water with a funnel(channel) area.Of course check for safe ice. I'll return to this same area for late ice too.