Each season, millions of folks head from the prairie north to the woods. Clear water, pine forests, and northwoods walleyes, here we come! Along the way, they pass small lakes and reservoirs—bullhead ponds—that just don't look like much, given their shallow, dingy water.

These little bodies of water may be the only frontier left in walleye fishing. These fertile lakes and reservoirs grow walleyes fast, providing they're stocked and don't freeze out. They may grow big fish, too; not just carp, but walleyes.

Look at a map of Minnesota, for example. Look at all the lakes in northern Minnesota.

Now look at southwestern Minnesota. Small lakes like Sarah, Shetek, and Lake Benton—good walleye lakes—barely stand out. It's desert!

But it's not. On a county map, you'll see hundreds of tiny lakes. Lots of those 200-acre ponds have more walleyes per acre, sometimes more total walleyes, than those classy lakes up north.

Fishing Prairie Ponds

Most prairie lakes have a few obvious walleye spots like Point A and Island Area G. Drop your trolling motor in 6 feet of water just off Point A. The most prominent barrier here is the drop-off from the 2-foot-deep flat into 6 feet of water. Cast a #5 Countdown Rapala onto the flat and retrieve past the drop-off. If the wind is blowing onto the point, walleyes may be scattered across the top of the flat.

Fish down Shoreline C until the shoreline lip becomes indistinct near the corner marsh area. Turn the boat around, fish quickly past Point A, and continue down Shoreline B past the fallen trees to the point where high bank gives way to gradual taper. It takes a distinct shoreline lip to concentrate walleyes shallow along a shoreline.

Motor slowly along Shoreline D, checking for a distinct shoreline lip. OK, make a cast or two to Shoreline D. The area's too shallow to consistently attract walleyes, though.

Things change along Shoreline E and F: a distinct lip and cover, too. Lips along points—obvious fish travel areas—like A and G are always better than indented spots like E and F. Always check 'em, though, especially if the wind's blowing in.

Island Area G consistently attracts shallow walleyes along the outside (deep side) island lip. This spot is deep enough to cast a Cordell Wally Diver instead of a countdown lure. Switch back to a shallower-running bait as you move along Shoreline H. Looks pretty good, although the fish are likely to be scattered away from the shoreline.

Shoreline I is a lot like Shorelines E and F. Check it quickly. Shoreline J is bullhead country.

Retrace your steps or check a new lake.