Ah, if only the rest of the fishing season were as predictable as the spring fling into the shallows! Unfortunately, it isn’t. The good news, however, is that regardless of lake, river, or reservoir type, walleyes react somewhat predictably on an annual cycle. They take best advantage of spring spawning areas; diverse summer habitat with food and cover opportunities; fall transition zones for feeding and security as they drop deeper when water cools; and finally, wintering areas, during the period of reduced activity, when they continue to feed at a lesser pace.

While we just described four seasons as viewed and interpreted through man’s eyes, walleyes and other fish react to seasonal changes on a different basis. The In-Fisherman Calendar describes their behavior during 10 identifiable periods of activity. Some periods may last less than a week; others several months. The timing and length of each period depends on latitude, region, lake type, and local weather.

Even in the same body of water, periods can vary, occur at different times in successive years, and last for different lengths of time. Prespawn may last 20 days one year and only 10 days the next. In one location, Spawning Period may occur in mid-April one year and as much as three weeks earlier or later the next, according to variations in prevailing weather. Even in years of extreme environmental fluctuation, however, nature seems to moderate the effects of unusual weather. For example, walleyes spawn not only at a particular water temperature, but also at a particular photoperiod (duration of daylight) that remains pretty consistent from year to year. Thus a combination of moderating factors—not just a single one like water temperature—determines walleyes’ seasonal responses throughout the year.

Seldom are there distinct, instantaneous jumps from one Calendar Period to the next. Instead, each period blends into the following one. Transition phases can be difficult to distinguish, but they affect fishing location and methods because walleyes are often moving between sections of the lake, from one depth level to another, between different types of cover or bottom content—or all of the above.

The arrival, length, and duration of Calendar Periods also vary by regions of the country. Southern waters have an extended Summer Period and a brief Winter Period. In contrast, lakes along the U.S.-Canadian border have extended Coldwater and Winter periods. Walleyes in Alabama or Texas can be in the Spawning Period while those in Minnesota are still in the Winter Period. Similarly, walleyes in cool, high-elevation waters of the mountainous western states tend to experience Calendar Periods differently from fish in lower elevation waters on the warmer prairies, even though they live at the same latitude. The key is that walleyes everywhere experience the same sequence of seasonal changes, although periods may be of different duration.

Thus it’s important to understand the sequence and dynamics of the walleye’s seasonal calendar before you can predict seasonal location and behavior. This topic is the focus of Chapter 2 in (Book 1) Walleye Fundamentals—Foundations for Sustained Fishing Success. Consult that chapter for a more thorough review of the critical background material mentioned here.

Coldwater Period (Spring)

Water Temperature: Warming Slightly from Annual Minimum

General Fish Mood: Neutral

In northern parts of the walleye range, prespawn movement may begin at the end of the Frozen Water Period, making the Spring Coldwater Period scarcely distinguishable. A Coldwater Period may occur in years with early ice-out, however. And in more southern walleye waters, the spring Coldwater Period begins with the first rise in the thermometer accompanied by lengthening days.

This period is one of staging before movement to spawning areas begins or after staging areas are reached. Walleyes move from deep offshore humps to shallower structure, particularly along shorelines with points, rockpiles, and other features that provide cover and attract prey. In reservoirs, walleyes gather in holes at the mouths of tributaries or in deep channel areas in the lower portions of creeks, which provide spawning habitat.

Prespawn Period

Water Temperature: Upper 30°F Range to Low 40°F Range

General Fish Mood: Neutral

Fish concentrate near spawning grounds, generally rock-gravel substrate in windswept or current-swept shallow water. Schooled fish can mean fine fishing. The length of the period varies with local weather trends.

Spawn Period

Water Temperature: 43°F to 52°F

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Negative

This is usually a short period because female walleyes commonly drop their clutch of eggs in one night. Walleyes don’t all spawn in the same place or at the same time, however. With fish instinctively focused on spawning rather than feeding, fishing often is fair at best.

Postspawn Period

Water Temperature: Low 50°F Range

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Negative

This is a recuperation and dispersal period. Walleyes often move from shallow to deep water and may begin moving far from spawning areas. Smaller males may linger in and around spawning areas longer than females. Generally a tough fishing period because walleyes are scattered, moving, and usually not feeding aggressively. Look for fish in the best available cover along breaks near spawning sites. Concentrations of baitfish or other forage also begin attracting walleyes.

Presummer Period

Water Temperature: Mid-50°F Range to Low 60°F Range

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Positive

Walleyes begin regrouping in areas that offer abundant prey. Many patterns develop, depending on local habitat and other environmental factors. Walleyes may be shallow or deep, relating to timber, weeds, drop-offs, or rockpiles. Bodies of water begin taking on distinct personalities, with localized versions of walleye behavior.

Summer Peak Period

Water Temperature: Mid-60°F Range to Low 70°F Range

General Fish Mood: Positive

Walleyes regroup, feeding aggressively and competitively in those areas in which prey abounds. Grouped and aggressive fish may mean some of the year’s finest fishing both by day and night. Lakes often seem alive with fish activity.

Summer Period

Water Temperature: Annual Maximum for an Extended Period

General Fish Mood: Variable—Negative to Positive

There is a difficult period to characterize. Walleyes feed aggressively, but in many bodies of water so much food is available that they may not need to feed for long. Heavy weedgrowth also hides walleyes in many fertile lakes. Find ‘em feeding deep, shallow, or suspended, and you’ll catch fish. Dawn and dusk often are prime feeding times because walleyes have a distinct vision advantage over most minnow prey during the transition periods from light to darkness. Fish use different depth levels or types of cover and may feed at different times of day in brief but intense flurries, followed by periods of relative inactivity until opportune conditions reoccur. Cold fronts can temporarily disrupt feeding patterns; stable weather patterns tend to enhance feeding and fishing.

Postsummer Period

Water Temperature: Cooling Substantially from Annual Peak

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Positive

This is nature’s natural transition period. The water begins to cool, and submerged plants thin. Walleyes sense the impending seasonal change and tend to feed heavily and aggressively. Fishing can be difficult in lakes with thick plant growth, so focus on the outer edges of weedbeds, or on rock reefs, deep structure, and river fisheries.

Turnover Period

Water Temperature: Low 60°F to Mid-50°F Range

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Negative

In summer, most lakes and reservoirs stratify into three distinct temperature bands. Upper and lower temperature levels are divided by the thermocline (metalimnion). Fall turnover occurs when this stratification breaks down, mixing all levels of the lake. This can produce difficult fishing, although walleyes relating to shallow water may not be as heavily affected. In waters that don’t stratify, this period is a continuation of the Postsummer water temperature decline. Covering water quickly in search of scattered fish often is the best fishing strategy.

Coldwater Period (Fall)

Water Temperature: Low 50°F to Annual Minimum

General Fish Mood: Neutral to Positive

This is one of the most consistent fishing periods of the year during night and day. Grouped and aggressive walleyes take advantage of vulnerable prey. Check current areas that draw baitfish, generally at night. In most environments, the general tendency is for baitfish and walleyes to begin dropping deeper into recently reoxygenated portions of the basin in order to take advantage of the deep, stable habitat. This is prime time for fishing deep structure.

Winter or Frozen Water Period

Water Temperature: Annual Minimum for an Extended Period

General Fish Mood: Variable—Negative to Positive

During first-ice, walleyes remain active in their late-fall holding areas. Activity slows but never halts while the ice season progresses. In clear lakes, walleyes feed most actively at dawn and dusk, with flurries of nocturnal action. Darker waters maintain a daytime bite because river walleyes occupy deep holes. In waters that don’t freeze, the fall Coldwater Period continues through spring. In those that do freeze, a short spring Coldwater Period follows the spring thaw; walleyes quickly move into prespawn locations, perhaps doing so earlier, under the ice.