EARLY SPRING TO MIDSPRING

As spring approaches, warmer temperatures trigger initial snowmelt and run-off, and perhaps some rain. The resulting gentle influx of water from the surrounding watershed causes subtle increases in water level and current. Water temperature also may begin to creep upward from midwinter lows.

At first, walleyes begin reacting subtly to such changes. As eddies shrink, fish may shuffle over to reposition along the new boundaries of calm water meeting current. As water rises significantly, midriver areas, in general, begin receiving the brunt of the new flow, and walleyes begin abandoning them, shifting more toward shorelines. Here, the aforementioned rock points, wing dams, and riprap obstructions form breaks in the increasing current. Walleyes also may tend to use water a bit shallower during daytime hours -- say, 8 to 18 feet.

Telltale current breaks along the surface of the river often betray subsurface holding areas. Rather than simple straight drifts, it now becomes necessary to position your boat and lines directly along edges where current meets slack water, as you control-drift the boat downstream. Should you elect to cast to such spots, either hover or slip slowly downstream with your trolling motor, or anchor and cast a jig toward the target area. Retrieve it with subtle lift-drops of the rod tip, slightly on and off bottom, letting current sweep it along the current break.

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