Should start next week after a few warmer days. 3rd week of March til second week of April should be optimum. 42 degree water it's on.

 

Thanks for the info my man!!! That pretty much sums it up for me. I usually take it about the first week of April. Just wasn't sure about this year. Because the water getting warmer earlier.

 

I have what may be a dumb question but I'll ask anyway. Is the walleye spawn a good time to target them? I fish mostly for bass and they seem to be difficult (for me) to catch during the spawn. Are walleye different? What is the best way to catch them during the spawn? Trolling, jigging, throwing crank baits?

I have caught some walleye trolling at Mosquito in the Spring but that was more of a fluke. I would like to target them more this year as my Dad is hounding me for some fresh walleye this year. He even got me a really nice fillet knife for Christmas. Now I have to come through for my Dad. All advice welcome. Thanks.

 

I knew a guy that used to get them at night at Mosquito.There was a shallow water hump where he would get lots of males on small jigs early April.

 

Spring Walleye Spawning Map

 

View attachment 203815 Spring Walleye Spawning Map

That's a lie! I got 2 last year on April 6th! Hahaha

 

So the spawn can happen whenever the water temp is right..it's generally mid March to April. I have seen it last 3 weeks and ice seen it last 3 days..depends on the fish..body of water..water temp...and sometimes moon cycle...about 4 years ago I fished the spawn in February and it was close to a full moon phase...those fish were in thick and out in a week...just have to pay attention. As far as targeting them...ya they bite..not great but they do. I tend to have more success a month later in shallow water a disk when they really strap on the feed bags but they are more spread out then too.

 

The males start showing up first on the gravel bars. Should be a few on them now. Usually the rip rap along the dam and causeway is where the first few are caught. Small count down rapalas black and silver work there. Then in the next couple weeks the rock bars and shallow gravel areas turn on. They're will be fish on gravel bars for over a month. The males hang there for a while after the peak spawn waiting for the hopes of getting one last shot of action. Kinds like last call at a bar. You can keep targeting walleye in the shallows all the way into late April early may. They will be around weeds chasing perch that are spawning .
For the walleye spawn don't just try one gravel area and make that your judgment for the entire lake. Some days certain spots produce when others won't. So search around.

 

The males start showing up first on the gravel bars. Should be a few on them now.
For the walleye spawn don't just try one gravel area and make that your judgment for the entire lake. Some days certain spots produce when others won't. So search around.

Very likely due to variations in the water temperatures. This time of year, our lakes don't warm at the same rate. Bars that are shaded from the sun much of the day, or adjacent to deeper water, will not warm as fast as areas that don't get a lot of wind but do get more sun hours during the day. This brings another factor into play, checking for the magic 42 degree spawning temperature where you're fishing! The males will show up cruising for females at 40 degrees.(Study done by Minn. Fisheries biologists-not by me!) The ODNR with their nets cover the spawn the best. The Nets will be out next week, likely thru 1st or 2nd week of April. They have the true experts plus they can't chance not getting a good supply for stockings!(Just wish they'd compliment the fishing opportunities by putting some fingerlings in Mogadore and Wingfoot each year, but afraid that's never going to happen!)

 

How's that for good answers? Wallydvr and CJ Stone covered that one pretty well I'd say. Good stuff guys.

 

That spawning map, I would take with a grain of salt. The dates shown across Ohio would better apply to lake Erie. During a normal year, I'd say most walleye have fulfilled their spawning by April 7. As stated, the timing of the spawn has more to do with water temp and photo period and is not tied to specific days. Walleye are not willing biters while actively spawning. However, not all fish of one species are doing the same thing at the same time in any given lake. Walleye in various stages of the spawn may be present in a given area and fish willing to actively feed can be located where others are actively spawning. Post spawn typically provides better action as fish try to recuperate their body condition and feed more consistently as a result.

 

well boys you can't catch them from the couch. Out here now w one good one in the box

 

How bout on the throne?
Looks like some real muddy water in that live well, that narrows it down to TWO places for me! Keep us posted on the count!

 

Just topped off the batteries and heading out shortly. Love to see an eye in the well. Well done.

 

Thanks folks for the info. Hopefully I can get Dad a few filets this year.

 

Thanks everyone that responded very informative.

 

Looks like some real muddy water in that live well, that narrows it down to TWO places for me! Keep us posted on the count!

LOL I tried to check the photo properties to see if the GPS cords were listed. Must be turned off on phone. Dang it.

 

Ended up w three on 4 inch white paddle tails. South end on the drop offs. Real slow retrieve coming down the drop.

 

Bite was short and light. Lost 3 others

 

So is the benefit of fishing a lake like Mosquito during the spawn is that they are just schooled up? It doesn't sound like they put the feed bag on until post spawn.

 

The males will feed all the way thru the spawn. The females don't feed until after they spawn. The fish I caught this morning were stuffed full of baby blue gills. They were caught adj to wood on the drop offs.

 

They are starting snagged four females and caught a couple males milting vibes and cc spoons

 

Were you wading or in a boat. Nice catch

 

What was water temperature

 

37.8 mosqiito lake state park s Facebook page gives a daily temp and water elevation . It's pretty accurate.

summer pool level is 901 for a reference.

 

wonder what lake

 

Walleye are starting to run the grand.

 

probably a little early yet. Yeah, a few may be sniffing it out but to say they are running is a bit of a stretch. They are just barely starting up the Maumee (40 degrees) JMO

 

The grand..really...wow early...that's for the report...steelhead ain't even close to done yet.

 

Lol..thanks for the report...autocorrect

 

Well water temp is 39-40 already. Days are getting longer. Im just sayin they being caught. Lol I should say its probably jacks that were caught.

 

Wasn't implying that I didn't believe you just that it surprised me...for as much as I have fished that river the run on the grand although sparse compared to Maumee or Sandusky is usually later...but again thaks for the info!