In spring, a variety of baitfish species seek similar shallow spawning locations, triggering walleyes to stay shallow to feed on baitfish preparing to spawn. Shad, chubs, and juvenile fish like white bass and perch tend to reside in shallower water, using shallow cover like weeds, scattered rocks, or flooded wood.

Walleyes key on different forage species as seasons change and as baitfish make seasonal movements. In western reservoirs, a spawning run of spottail shiners in June or July into creek arms triggers walleyes to home in on this shallow feeding opportunity.

In many reservoirs, self-sustaining populations of coldwater baitfish (smelt or alewives) create deeper feeding opportunities and fishing patterns. As summer approaches, walleyes in reservoirs with coldwater baitfish tend to roam and suspend, often following these baitfish out to open water. If the predominant forage is smelt, by early summer the walleyes follow them deeper, out to the edges of the flats or points, and even out to the main basin where they suspend near baitfish schools.

Water levels also determine how long walleyes remain shallow. During low-water conditions, walleyes tend to quickly vacate the shallows and migrate back out to deeper structure soon after the spawn. When water levels are high, though, shoreline vegetation floods, serving as good spawning cover. The shallow cover also provides shelter for baitfish and young-of-the-year forage. Walleyes may remain in creek arms throughout the summer to feed on baitfish in the flooded brush or grass.

Wind -- or lack of wind -- alters walleye location in reservoirs. During calm clear conditions, reservoir walleyes may drop deeper, depending on forage availability, water clarity, and temperature. In deep water, walleyes generally are easier to graph, and the exact depth at which they're holding can be pinpointed. They're generally harder to catch, however, compared to walleyes in the shallows.

Wind creates current that often triggers walleyes to move and feed. Wind blowing waves into shorelines, points, and bays mixes sediment into the water, creating a cloud of murky water (mudline). In spring, stained water absorbs heat from the sun, warming the water, which may attract walleyes that have yet to spawn or baitfish preparing to spawn. Either way, fish seek warmer water in spring, and so should you.

In all cases, changes in bottom composition, shape of the contour, or depth tend to concentrate walleyes in limited areas, even in the shallows. Sometimes these changes are subtle -- depressions, gravel patches. Other times, they're obvious and even visible to the eye -- rock slides along shore, flooded wood cover, deep-water swing-ins toward shore. In reservoirs, what you see on shore often extends out into the lake, indicating the shape and nature of the nearby terrain. Use your eyes to help locate reservoir 'eyes.

Remember, reservoir walleyes tend to roam and they're really on the move in spring. Conditions change daily, even hourly, however. Note weather conditions, wind direction and speed, water temperature, and time of day. Points, windswept shorelines, shallow ledge shale drops, stained shoreline water (mudlines), flooded shoreline vegetation, or riprap are prime shallow locations. Depending on conditions, consider doing some reservoir roaming yourself to find postspawn walleyes.