In general, do you guys feel like the winter walleye bite is best early season and slows down as the season progresses?
I really have never had a great walleye trip in the winter. I would like to get up to Red or LOTW but not sure if it would be worth it in Feb or if I should plan it for next year on the early side
I would go in March. Fishing is usually some of the best ice fishing of the whole year on lotw.
Where I fish, first ice seems to be the best, but I’ve had some good luck fishing later in the season during snowstorms, or weather change.
Big one: early ice through Xmas
Numbers: mid dec-mid Jan
Not a fan of most fishing in Feb
March can be a great bite again for some species.
I do winter eyes early season. They seem to last in numbers through out. But size seems to tame down. But I go to lotw in March and catch monsters.
I’ve heard from a couple others that LOTW in March is good. Only problem is I am planning to do the Rainy River for the first time this year and that will likely be end of March or early April. Not sure I can get up there twice in the same month…… LOL
Never say never. 
I’ve done several two-trip seasons on the rainy even though I told my wife I wouldn’t.
We were all set to do the Rainy last year…. everything lined up early April I believe. Then it got so cold that the river re-froze. Had some first hand reports from other guys up there they were trying to break ice and it was very difficult at best so we ended up cancelling and I was bummed.
We were all set to do the Rainy last year…. everything lined up early April I believe. Then it got so cold that the river re-froze. Had some first hand reports from other guys up there they were trying to break ice and it was very difficult at best so we ended up cancelling and I was bummed.
I go up for between 5 and 10 days in mid March we do the bumper boats and fish the lake. We got sick of the launch refreezing. We ice fished the river a few miles up and it was pretty crazy no one else had this idea. We put an absolute murder on the fish. I think we are talking about not even dragging the boat this year
Rainy was a cluster last year–brutal weather. We ice fished the river as well as we couldnt/didnt dare launch with all the ice. Curious if the new regs will have any effect on the crowds.
We will be back this spring
Rainy was a cluster last year–brutal weather. We ice fished the river as well as we couldnt/didnt dare launch with all the ice. Curious if the new regs will have any effect on the crowds.
We will be back this spring
I doubt it will have effects on the guys coming up. The new regs really only sound like they will protect sauger. But ice fishing the river last year while every one delt with that boat launch was awesome.
Probably not every year you can safely ice fish the river at that time? I’m guessing it varies from year to year but I don’t have much experience up at LOTW
The main channel starts to break and that’s when I head up. That’s when the walleyes are running. It’s only a couple mile stretch that’s open when I am there. I go up about ten miles or so and we fished 10 inches of good ice. I’m sure it’s bad in spots. But I’m not really a expert. It’s just a thing we do every year and i think the ice fishing the river will be a go to for now on.
Early ice is better, by Feb I better have my honey holes dialed so I can just go at prime time. Nice thing about eyes slowing down is it usually goes hand in hand with crappies starting to suspend over deep water.
That is true also it seems. Some of the best crappie trips we have ever had are typically end of Jan to early Feb. I am jonesing to fish… haven’t made it out much yet this season. Got to change that soon!
It’s slowed down a bit it seems. However, time to go visit a secret spot and see if it produces!
The best walleye fishing for me generally comes when the ice is so thin/soft in the early or late season that I’d be afraid to bring a four-wheeler out. The last two seasons, it’s been the final week of the season (late-Feb) right before the walleye closure in about 10’ or water or less. It’s been warming up by then and the ice has been melting significantly.
Just something to keep in mind. The more noise and activity there is, the more the fish get spooked away. When is there more activity and noise? Generally when the ice is the thickest and people can drive out there.
Also, fish are cold blooded. So as the water continues to get colder and colder, their activity level will decrease. When it starts to warm back up, their metabolism will increase and they will want to eat more. That is why spring time is often the best fishing of the entire season.
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