Walleyes on river flats are easy to spot with electronics. Check the entire flat, as one part may hold no fish while another is loaded. (Shutterstock image)
The snow is melting and spring rains are running off half-thawed landscapes to swell rivers as Old Man Winter’s grip on the Midwest loosens. Anglers are taking boats out of storage and grabbing rods off their garage racks. Walleyes are gathering en masse, preparing for the upcoming spawn, migrating upriver and hanging out in huge schools as they make the journey. This window may represent the best chance of the year to net a pot-bellied trophy or experience the season’s best walleye action. Let’s examine how to find and catch the hot bite or that giant memory maker.
Walleyes begin moving upstream to gravel, rock and rubble-lined spawning...