flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Bunch of interesting walleye-spawn factoids.
From this Max Loesche write-up on his Strike and Catch site:

> Walleye will spawn in water temps above 40 and up to 50°F.

> As soon as the water temperature is nearing 40°F, which is usually just after the ice has disappeared in the northern regions of the North American continent, the fish will gather in big schools and start their migration toward their spawning grounds.

>Spawning activity will commence at a water temperature of about 44-46°F and peak at around 50°F.

> Walleye either spawn in smaller lake or river tributaries or shallow lake areas with depths of 1' to 10'.

> If they spawn directly in a lake, the shallows they tend to seek out are usually close to the shoreline and exposed to winds, as the moving water will cleanse the area from fine sediment that could harm the eggs.

> ...windswept shallows will hold more oxygen, which is needed for the eggs to survive.

> The preferred bottom features for spawning walleye include rock and gravel, as the eggs will have an easier time attaching themselves to such bottom structures.

> Furthermore, the shallow areas the walleye will use for spawning in lakes will almost always be closely located to considerably deeper water.

> The smaller males arrive at the spawning ground much earlier than the bigger females, who prefer to remain in the deeper water adjacent to the shallows.

> Walleye are broadcast spawners, which means that they will scatter their eggs across the bottom instead of building protective nests for them.

> That is why they choose bottom features such as gravel or rocks so that the eggs can attach themselves to the structure or fall into crevices, where they will remain protected until they hatch.

> On average, a female produces a staggering 27K eggs per pound. Egg production generally ranges from 12-55K eggs per pound. Amazingly, that means that a trophy-sized walleye of 10+ lbs has the capacity to produce and store over 500K eggs in her body.

> Most of them have reported an additional weight of about 10-25% in pre-spawn fish, compared to egg-free post-spawn ones. ...bigger females with more eggs will be closer to that 25% mark, while smaller fish will be closer to a 10% weight increase....

> This would imply that a 5-lb walleye could gain roughly 0.5 lbs before the spawn. A 10-lb fish could gain 1 to 1.5 lbs, and a 15-lber could gain close to 4 lbs before it spawns.

Go get them, guys! 🎣🐟🦈

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Thanks for sharing Leo!

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Thanks for sharing Leo very informative. I was just reading an article on Erie walleye and it was saying the walleye are no longer all migrating as they once did to the western basin to spawn. A lot of fish are spawning in deeper water in the areas of the lake they call home. They think it’s a combination of changes in water depth, temp, and fish population that’s caused the change. I’ll post the article.

Thanks again and Tight lines!
J

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

Mighty good information. Good to know

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

I would like to know please if walleye are easier to catch during the spawn or do they quit eating while doing the sex thing??

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Walleye are always eating! They are caught jigging mostly through the ice or during early spawn then trolling or casting the rest of the summer.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Thanks J. I’ve only caught one in my whole life and that was trolling so I’m not up on how to fish for them but there are a couple of lakes here that have them and it is my most bestest fish to eat I want to learn to target them.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

I have the most luck trolling stick baits. (Bandits, flicker minnows, rapalas, perfect 10’s, etc.) .8-1.2 MPH for water below 52 degrees. 1.2-2.0 as the water gets warmer. The warmer the water the faster you troll. Hope that helps!

Tight lines
J

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

I don’t have a boat so it will be from the bank prolly early mornings or late evenings but I do appreciate the information.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Plenty of fish are caught from shore around here. Usually in the evenings starting around dusk. The walleye come in close to shore to feed at night.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Thanks again for the information. I hope to post pictures of the results.If it ever warms up LOL.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

It has been my experience, Wulffy, that each lake will fish a little differently. In some lakes, you will not catch a walleye if the sun is on the water. For other lakes, you will be wasting your time fishing them during the low light hours. It depends on how clear the water is. It also depends on how much pressure they are getting. They do not like a lot of pressure, noise, or activity around them. They are a very finicky fish like a trout. I have fished with walleye anglers who will not let you talk in their boat while fishing. They are also very line shy, like a trout. I personally like to jig fish with a crawler, minnow, or leach on it, but I caught my biggest walleye, a 31"er, casting a Rapula Tail Dancer. I usually troll when fishing Lake Mich. I have caught the most walleye during or shortly after the spawn. After the females spawn they will usually go to a smaller structure, like an island at the mouth of a river and rest up and eat everything in sight. The males eat everything in sight during and after the spawn. Once the water temp. gets over 62* in the shallows, less than 20', they will be looking for deeper water and a more comfortable thermocline. If I were fishing a walleye from a lake shore or a river bank, Wulffy, I would use a slip bobber with nothing but a dorsal fin, lively, hooked minnow, on a size 6 octopus hook tied to a 6# FC leader. Good luck, Wulffy. MHO, folks.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Wow Leo, fantastic, many thank yous. I have never “targeted” a certain kind of fish until just the last couple of years since being on the Stage. I am learning a lot.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

You are so welcome, Wulffy. We love pictures, ya know!

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

Interesting info