Spring Walleye Fishing Tips

By: FishUSA Staff

October 18, 2022

Spring is one of the best times of year to target walleye. As fish enter their pre-spawn and spawning phases, they become heavier, more aggressive, and more predictable. In this guide, we’ll cover how to locate and catch spring walleyes using the most effective seasonal techniques, baits, and gear to help you maximize your success.

Pre-Spawn Tactics

Spawning Period

Post-Spawn Walleye

Final Thoughts

Pre-Spawn Tactics

In early spring, water temperatures remain cold, and walleyes are often sluggish. However, once water temps approach 40°F, walleyes begin migrating toward spawning areas. These include rocky reefs, shallow flats near the main lake basin, and river mouths.

During this period, slow trolling can be highly effective. Use wide-wobbling crankbaits like the Rapala Down Deep Husky Jerk at speeds between 1.2 to 1.8 mph. Keep your baits running near or just off the bottom where fish are staging.

Another great option is a bottom-bounced worm harness, such as the Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness. This rig works well for slow, lazy fish and can be trolled or drifted with excellent success.

Spawning Period

Most walleyes spawn when water temperatures reach between 42°F and 50°F. Depending on your region, the spawn may begin in early April and extend for several weeks. On bodies of water like Lake Erie, spawning activity often varies based on location and water clarity.

Some walleyes spawn in rivers, like those that migrate up the Maumee River. Others remain in the lake and use rock reefs or gravel flats. Each behavior requires a slightly different approach:

River Spawning Walleye

For river-run walleyes, a Carolina rig paired with a Northland High-Ball Floater Jig and a soft plastic like a Mister Twister Curly Tail Grub in white, chartreuse, or pink is a proven combo. Cast upstream and let the rig drift naturally along the bottom for best results.

Main Lake Spawning Walleye

For walleyes staging on reefs, vertical jigging is a top choice. Use blade baits like a SteelShad or rip baits like the Rapala Jigging Rap. The technique often resembles “video game fishing”—idle over structure with your electronics, find a group of fish, and watch your lure on screen as you jig it above the marks.

This is one of the most visual and exciting ways to fish for spring walleye, especially when the bite is strong and the fish respond quickly to your jigging cadence.

Post-Spawn Walleye

After spawning, walleyes retreat to deeper water and begin feeding to recover. They often stage along the first breaklines or drop-offs near their spawning locations. At this point in the season, trolling becomes the dominant technique once again.

Instead of holding tight to structure, these fish roam in search of baitfish. To stay on them, you need to cover water efficiently with baits that can trigger reaction strikes.

Best Lures for Post-Spawn Walleye

Plugs: Berkley Flicker Minnows, Bandits, Bombers
Spoons: Michigan Stinger Scorpions
Worm Harnesses: Dreamweaver Wormburners

These baits can be trolled at various depths to locate active fish. Once you find a productive zone, adjust your trolling pattern to stay in contact with schools of walleye and increase your catch rate.

Final Thoughts

Spring walleye fishing is one of the most rewarding times to be on the water. Whether you’re trolling crankbaits, vertical jigging over reefs, or drifting river mouths with soft plastics, the key is to match your technique to the fish's current phase—pre-spawn, spawn, or post-spawn.

Use water temperature and structure to guide your strategy. Explore these tactics on your home waters next spring, and you may just experience some of the best walleye fishing of your life.

Good luck and tight lines!

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