The walleye bite on the river has been somewhat confusing this year. It is almost as though the article written in the Duluth News Tribune stating the river and walleye patterns alike are changing is well…..spot on. With the rapidly exploding population of zebra muscles, the water is getting clearer, and with that, the overall ecosystem of the river has changed. Different types of weeds now consume previous fish holding areas as we get into June. The shad are abundant, and now us fishermen must adapt to the changes in order to be successful.
Don’t get me wrong, There are still plenty of fish to be caught, but it may take a little more work and time compared to six or seven years ago.
The Twin Ports Walleye Association walleye tournament that took place on the river on the 21st and 22nd was a huge success as we saw close to 50 boats, and many great prize donations from the sponsors. This also showed everyone where the best bites were on the river and where the majority of the fish were. With the late spring, many people anticipated a great jigging bite above the highway 23 bridge where these fish go to spawn. Long story short, it seemed as the majority of the fish were down river, a few miles from the spawning grounds, feeding on the flats. Weather it was community holes in spirit lake, or below on arrowhead flats, or anywhere in between, it seemed as the majority of the fish were and still are here. Fishing was not fast and furious but boats were and are able to scratch out a limit or two.
One thing i have noticed in the past few years is you can never be too shallow to catch walleye. One, two, three feet of water is common territory for walleyes, and big ones at that. Bottom bouncers, spinners on planer boards, cranks all have their time and place. This past week, crawler harnesses 20 feet behind a board with no weight was yielding fish in two to three feet of water. Classic river colors such as gold, orange and chartreuse are still top producers. Even if you have to net fish with the board on, you are not too shallow in my mind.
I recommend finding a presentation you are comfortable and confident fishing with, and take that to a new area you have never fished before because it can pay off big time! The walleyes are using new areas and depths of the river and it is up to us to find them again!
