| Walleye fishing on the Mississippi river is special. | | | | there. Muddy, flat areas are also good choices for |
| While other walleye enthusiasts are inside the | | | | finding walleye during May in the Mississippi, |
| warmth of their humble abodes during the winter | | | | particularly inside turns near wingdams and |
| months, dreaming about warmer weather and | | | | downriver areas. |
| walleye fishing, those fortunate enough to be on | | | | Rods with fast tipped spinners are good choices |
| the Mississippi River can actually BE out there with | | | | for catching walleye. Using eight lb. test line is a |
| their hooks in the water, reeling in the catch of | | | | good choice with these when fishing for walleye. |
| the day, walleye style! | | | | One suggestion that is good no matter what |
| Open water walleye fishing can be enjoyed all | | | | conditions or where you are fishing for walleye is |
| year round! Following the big drought that came at | | | | to always watch your line for the slightest |
| the end of the '80s, walleye began to spawn and | | | | indication you have a bite, because walleye can |
| hide in places in which they had not been | | | | bite lightly, and you have to be vigilant! |
| previously plentiful. This version of survival of the | | | | It is always a good idea to look for walleye in |
| fittest also saw walleye moving farther to the | | | | shallow water. Use the lightest weight jigs you can |
| south, where they found spawning ground and | | | | for the current in which you are fishing. Use a |
| hiding places where they flourished, making it | | | | weight sufficient to allow your jig to just float to |
| possible to locate vast numbers of nice walleye all | | | | the bottom. The more naturally your bait seems |
| the way to St. Louis! | | | | to be, whether in color, appearance, or action, the |
| Near Dubuque, Iowa on the Mississippi, walleye | | | | more fish you will catch, and a jig that drops |
| stack up near the bases of the main lock and | | | | heavily and quickly, like stone will startle, rather |
| dam, particularly during the winter months, which | | | | than attract, the fish. |
| allows walleye fishermen to catch their limit of | | | | The jig size you choose matters too when fishing |
| nice walleye whenever the ice allows. Fish the | | | | for walleye. Usually, jigs anywhere from a |
| deeper areas in the lower areas of the river | | | | sixteeth of an ounce to a quarter of an ounce |
| during this winter fishermen's prime time as well | | | | are good choices. |
| for great walleye catches. | | | | Cast toward the shore, and slowly reel the bait |
| With spawning usually beginning by mid April, | | | | back. Take extra time to slow your reeling when |
| fishing is usually prime downriver around bend | | | | you are close to likely spots (such as rocky |
| areas where the river bottom is hard and rocky, | | | | areas) and watch for birds. Anytime you are |
| but walleye can normally be found spawning in the | | | | fishing for walleye, and see lots of birds on the |
| muddy areas and even in trees that are flooded | | | | shore, there is a good chance the fish are there |
| and brushy areas. During early spring months, like | | | | as well, because walleye and birds look for the |
| May, walleye can be found in areas where the | | | | same food source, and when these bait fish are |
| current tends to run a little slower, because their | | | | present, the chances are the birds on shore can |
| food sources are plentiful and easy to get at | | | | signal walleye are there too! |