Different Spawning Times for Diifferent Trophy Walleye Fiish - By: Terry S Vostor

In early spring , as the days grow longer and the water temperatures rise, Walleye and their Canadian cousins - the Pickerel fish , know thet the time has come to abandon their winter haunts and begin their annual yearly spawning migrations.

Walleye are versatile both as a resident of many forms of open fresh water and also in their choice of prey,. In many cases some Walleyes spawn at the main body of a lake or reservoir while others spawn in tributary streams.

Spawning areas are usually one to 6 feet deep, with a bottom of baseball sized rock. Because the eggs require constant aeration, Walleyes in lakes and reservoirs deposit their eggs on shoal areas exposed to the wind. River Walleyes usually spawn in areas with moderate current. Seldom will Walleye fish in a sheltered bay or backwater.

Male Walleyes are the first to move into the vicinity of the spawning areas. Large numbers of males gather even though the water temperatures may be only a few degrees above freezing and spawning time is months away. When the water temperatures in the area begin to move up and climb into the upper 30 degrees , then the female fish begin to move into the spawning areas as well.

Walleye fish remain relatively deep until spawning time approaches. A week or two before spawning, they move into shallower waters and begin to feed more heavily. On some evenings, they mill around in the spawning locales, and then drop back to slightly deeper waters when the sun and daylight comes up. These nighttime movements become more frequent as spawning times approach.

The exact water temperature and temperatures at which Walleye and the Canadian Walleye Pickerel fish depends on latitude. Aquatic and fishing expert Gimli based K. Olson notes that the name commonly assigned to Walleyes in Canada in the fishing trades is "Pickerel". Walleyes in Northern Canada - who may be correctly called Pickeral - such as those found in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, may spawn at temperatures as much as 15 degrees lower than those in the South. In the extreme northern part of their ranges - The Canadian cousin of the Walleye fish , the Pickerel , have adapted to the colder Canadian climate and temperatures by spawning in temperatures in the 40 degree range while their Southern Walleye relatives make do in the 50 degree range.

Spawning times can differ as much as two weeks in waters in the same area. A shallow lake , for instance , warms much faster than a deep one, so that expert anglers know full well that walleye fish there will spawn much sooner and earlier in the seasons.

Because offshore waters warm more slowly, spawning on reefs may take place as much as two weeks later than spawning on shorelines and tributaries.

Spawning is now a done deal , completed and fished. Its now a new life , and a new season both for the fish and the avid fisherman. Males stay near the spawning area up to a month time period, continuing to feed. Females begin to move toward their early summer locations soon after spawning. When recuperating they refuse all food after spawning. But as avid fisherman knows after recuperation, they begin a period of most heavy feeding that lasts for several weeks.

Anglers who know where to find their prize during this post spawning feeding event enjoy some of the best fishing of the year, particularly for trophy class Walleyes.

About the Author

Gimli Fish Store Winnipeg Manitoba Canada Manitoba Smoked Goldeye Lake Winnipeg Fresh Pickerel Fish

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