Some of the finest ice fishing reservoir action requires recognizing the potential for walleyes to migrate toward spawning locations. In fall, walleyes migrate into creek arms and stage near the mouth on primary points and other locations near deep water, where they remain throughout winter.

One key factor on many western reservoirs is safe ice. Colder than normal temperatures create thick ice on many western reservoirs, allowing anglers to make their way safely to key winter walleye staging areas.

When ice is safe, investigate primary locations first. Northern portions of some reservoirs freeze before the lower deeper section, and a population of walleyes migrates to the northern stretches of reservoirs. Structures near deep water are key winter locations. Steep breaks along major points and humps near the mouth are prime locations to find wintering walleyes. Hard-bottom locations--shale, rock, or gravel--also attract fish. Secondary points and hard bottom locations in creek arms near deep water can be good, too.

In shallower impoundments like flatland reservoirs, the lower end may be the only deep water available for winter survival. Main feeder rivers may also be deep enough to support a population of fish. Rock shorelines and riprap areas along the face of dams can be key fishing locations if the ice is safe.

Search several different locations and depths, keying on spots where you see schools of baitfish on sonar. Anglers using electronic sonars while ice fishing on reservoirs have a big advantage. Sonars, like the Vexilar (612-884-5291) FL-8 or FL-18 enable you to see schools of baitfish like smelt, shad, or shiners, and walleyes that move through the middle of the water column. In many lakes and reservoirs, walleyes may suspend several feet from the bottom, chasing schools of baitfish. When you mark schools of baitfish or fish cruising somewhere through the water column, raise your lure up to that depth. Suspended walleyes are looking for a meal and seldom hesitate to strike your bait. Without a sonar, though, you'll never know when walleyes move through, or where to position your bait.

Along sharp breaks, flash lures and swimming lures are good options. The flash and vibration qualities of flash lures work for calling walleyes along steep breaks where they may be moving through at different depths. Flash lures also work great for getting the attention of walleyes moving through at suspended levels.

Many areas along structure, like points, can produce walleyes, but often there's a sweet spot--a spot on the spot--that attracts more fish. Walleyes are attracted to these locations because of bottom content, baitfish, or both. Swimming lures are a top choice for fishing specific locations. Swimming lures, designed to imitate and duplicate the swimming actions of baitfish, are a top choice for fishing spots walleyes visit in search of food. Swimming lures like the Nils Master Jigging Shad, Rapala Jigging Rap, or Salmo's Chubby Darter, have a profile similar to the baitfish common in reservoirs, and their larger profiles make it easier for fish to see in low-light conditions.

Using a jig tipped with a minnow is another good tactic when the fish seem neutral or negative toward hitting flash spoons and swimming lures. Suspending minnows below floats also will produce. When several anglers fish together, using tip-ups to cover many different depths along structure, like points, is a popular reservoir tactic.

During winter, walleyes and baitfish in reservoirs congregate near the mouths of major creek arms, staging near sharp drops. When conditions are favorable, walleyes migrate toward key spawning locations. Key on major points, sharp drops, rock, gravel, riprap and other hard-bottom locations.