Big Female Walleyes Are In Deep Water

A tip in the current issue of In-Fisherman Magazine is worth noting if you’re fishing early season (now) walleye. Studies by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources indicate that most of the larger females move out of the shallows and into deep, cool water right after spawning on Canadian lakes. Why? These big females are better able to conserve energy in deep, cooler water as opposed to warmer, shallower water where they burn more calories. The deep water also is home to ciscos, a high-energy baitfish that these walleye seek out as a preferred food source.

The article suggests looking for these fish on classic deep structures, 16 to 24 feet down. Try trolling deep-diving crankbaits or bottom-bouncers with spinners. Incidentally, Gord caught a 28 inch walleye in 35 feet earlier this week. That’s a big female, the kind this article is describing.

So, if you want a shot at a hawg walleye, fish deep. For eater walleye stick to the shallow areas.

I find the evidence-based research to be an eye-opener. I’ve always fished early season walleye on Eagle in shallow water, very rarely deeper than 15 feet. These depths produced some nice walleye for me, but never a truly large fish. Now I know why.

3 thoughts on “Big Female Walleyes Are In Deep Water”

  1. Perchmaster
    Reply

    Those pant are killing me!!!!
    True but you can get slab walleyes in early spring and to catch one before it spawns can have some heft to it.
    I wish I would have had the camera with the day I had the 28"er that had not spawned yet that was sure a brute!!!
    I thought we were going to get pictures of the actual hand itself or did I misread one of your posts?

  2. Professor
    Reply

    Perchmaster…Sorry, man. The hand and glove are now fully integrated into a "fish handling system". I won't be able to post a pic of the hand component until I have the glove surgically removed in December.

  3. charles W. Weiss
    Reply

    The ancient underwater gamefish trails are interesting.The smaller walleye take the shallow water(high road)the large walleye take the deep water(low road). Who knew?
    Chuck what ya caught

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