How Do You Know Where Walleyes Are In A Lake?

Here is a question I received from our new friend Shane who would like some info on where to catch walleyes on Shields and Mazaska Lakes:

How do you know where walleye are in a lake. For example Shields or Mazaska. I grew up with out any one I knew catching walleye. I want you to understand that I realize it takes many years of experince on the water. So I am just looking for a place to start. What would be a good rule of thumb to break down any lake.
Thank You, also this forum is great. I’m glad I stumbled acrossed it. sincerly, Shane Edwards (just starten)

Welcome. Great to have you here with us. I would check weedlines, humps, any rock bars and points and transition areas from say mud to rock or mud to sand. Get a map, a hotspots map of the lakes or another good brand of map. A locator will be very helpfull too. One with ”grayline” will help to show where the hard bottom [rock or sand] meets the soft bottom [mud]. A hard bottom will show a thicker bottom thickness and a soft bottom like mud will show a skinnier bottom thickness. Another thing you could do is check out the Southern Minnesota forum under Mn. Lakes and Rivers on the site and check to see what is being said there too. I will cut and paste this question over onto the So. Mn. forum to get it started for you. Good luck and feel free to let us know how you do. Feel free to ask questions to me or on the So. Mn. forum too. Thanks, Bill

Hey Bill, don’t forget the tried and nearly true method. Check the local bait shop or other anglers at the landing. You can usually get a good idea of where the current bite is. If you should find that the bite has moved, don’t sit there waiting for it to come back. look for a new location based on Bill’s previousl tips.

The person who owns Fairbault Bait and Tackle in Fairbault is named Brent Lake. Thanks, Bill

On Shields fish in 6-12 feet of water outside of the weeds on sand/rock breaks from shoreline of the main lake that have deeper water near…the better the break the more likely you’ll find walleyes from the base of the break on up to the flats. The larger walleyes I’ve caught at this time of year have been on deeper flats…12-20 foot of water and mostly on spinners w/bait and deep running crankbaits. Fatheads, Shiners, crawlers seem best on Shields…and you can go through a couple dozen shiners pretty quick. Expect to catch a lot of 12 inchers, but otherwise the bigger ‘eyes are gonna run 3-6 pounds…there fewer and farther between unfortnately. Evening is generally best. The weeds will be choking you out in the next couple weeks and then in the fall those same areas will be good again as the weeds begin to die back.

On Mazaska crawlers and fatheads or even crappie minnows work well. Pitch light jigs to deep weedlines and up into the weeds that border deep water. Most of the ‘eyes on Mazaska have been running around 3-4 pounds…it’s a tougher lake for walleyes until you get a good feel for it. Crappies hang out on the same weedlines so you’ll likely catch both in some areas.

Don’t get discouraged on these 2 lakes it takes time to figure them out and recent and daily fronts make fishing tough.

Also check the MN DNR website under lake finder as it gives you a printable map, lake surveys (sometimes outdated), and forage information. It can get you started.

Great to have you back on board with us Bud. Sure missed the knowlege of our Fishing Geru on these lakes. Welcome back. Thanks, Bill

Bill, I don’t know about guru, but I’ve been too busy with keeping too many irons in the fire. I haven’t had much time to get on the computer…actually I haven’t had any time! I can’t even get enough time to fish for more than a couple hours here or there and generally that’s been in the rain, but I don’t turn down the opportunity. My schedule goes work, eat, work, work, hopefully wet a line, eat, sleep, work. I’m anxious to get back up to the river and hopefully knock the dust off some crankbaits this weekend. See ya there!

One thing that i have been learning to do on new lakes and old favorites is fish the weeds. Its one place you can count on fish being year around. You often have areas all to yourself because people dont want to mess with the weeds. I usually dont have too look any further for fish either, its been a very successful strategy for me, especially on some of these southern lakes.