Help finding walleye structure

  • Zach Mergen
    Posts: 7
    #1588218

    I am new to walleye fishing through the ice and was trying to find good structure to fish on a local lake in western South Dakota. I have attached a PDF file with the lake topo map with a sticky note placed were most people go to catch walleyes. I have fished were most other people go and caught a few small ones but you could only get them to bite right around sunset and everyone else I talked to said the same thing. I fish this lake regularly in the summer and hardly catch any under 14 inches. So I think ice fishing could be better than what I have found but I’m not sure where to start. I have found a few places that look good and was wondering what everyone else’s opinions are on good structure. You should be able to open the PDF and add a sticky note to places that look good and add comments to them. Any help that you all could give me would be much appreciated.

    Attachments:
    1. Orman.pdf
    Zach Mergen
    Posts: 7
    #1588224

    So the PDF didn’t work out the way I thought it would. So apparently to add sticky notes you have to save it to your computer and then reattach it in a reply. Sorry about that. I thought it would be easier than that and you definitely do not have to go through all that trouble if you don’t want to.

    Alex Welter
    Bangor, WI
    Posts: 306
    #1588225

    Found 1 spot near the community hole that stuck out to me

    Attachments:
    1. Orman1.pdf
    Zach Mergen
    Posts: 7
    #1588228

    Awesome thanks I will have to check that out.

    Alex Welter
    Bangor, WI
    Posts: 306
    #1588230

    Also an inside turn there, I’m definitely not an expert but it seems like a good place to me. Lake may just be an afternoon bite kind of lake as well, definitely have seen that before.

    Ty Kennedy
    Posts: 141
    #1588264

    I would try the two islands just up and to the left of the original sticky note, trying to find small hooks and fingers projecting off the islands.

    rjthehunter
    Brainerd
    Posts: 1253
    #1588281

    Take a look here,
    https://webapp.navionics.com/#@10&key=gy_pGdb%7BwR
    Gives a better detailed map of the lake. What I’m seeing (not an expert, just learning more about walleye myself, So correct me someone if I’m wrong)
    This point here straight up off of Rockey Point
    https://webapp.navionics.com/#@15&key=g%7B~oGlr%7DwR
    Looks to be a pretty good spot. Fish around the island.
    The southern Island looks pretty good too, I’d set up in 8 to 15 feet of water and drill lots of holes until you find them.
    https://webapp.navionics.com/#@14&key=wh%7BoG%60gzwR
    These links should take you to the spot of the lake I’m zoomed in on.
    Otherwise somewhere other than those points would be here
    https://webapp.navionics.com/#@14&key=wgdpGpicxR
    Between the island and shore, right in that 15ft range.
    Again, someone correct me if I’m wrong, I’m just starting to get into walleye fishing more myself and have only been at it a few years. Feedback is appreciated!
    Good luck and stay safe!

    tapout
    Posts: 309
    #1588295

    Alex before looking at your sticky that’s the same spot that stuck out to me. waytogo

    Zach Mergen
    Posts: 7
    #1589395

    I haven’t checked this in a few days but thanks everyone for your help.

    Zach Mergen
    Posts: 7
    #1589397

    Thanks for posting those links I was trying to look at the navionics map but couldn’t find it without paying for it but there it is lol.

    Michael Burcusa
    Saint Louis Park
    Posts: 69
    #1589401

    To me, it appears like there is a ton of structure to fish. As others mentions, those inside turns around 18 feet would look good. There are a couple saddles that stand out for me as well. All of these will be generally good if there is no current and the reservoir does not have a lot of periods of current during the winter (in which case the walleye will be forced to hunt verses ambush).

    It looks to me like when the dam is allowing water through, the current flows north, I would say that paying attention to that will be key. Is there always current? Pay attention to the draw downs. In these situations, you might find that the eyes are only really active during periods of high current. If this is the case, imagine how the walleye would want to ambush passing forage. I would find a place with more slack water close to the main channel. Fish where the walleye can stay in the slack water and ambush whatever is passing by.

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