High water techniques

Looks like the water is going to be pretty high for a while now. I’ve never really had much luck in these higher water times.

What do you guys do to catch fish in high water? I dont need any spots or anything, but would still like to get out on the river during the high water and hopefully catch some fish.

Any help on techniques, location, things to be aware of are appreciated.

To the willows! I can’t say I’ve fished high water like this ever into July, so I’m not sure with elevated water temps that they’ll be up there, but it’s worth a check. Esp. if the wind is blowing into it, just put the trolling motor down and cast up against the edges.

Depending on the amount of debris, it could be tough to fish cranks, but if it stays high enough and debris-free enough, I spend a good deal of time throwing the Shad Rap RS’s up against that edges. You can cover water quickly that way, and throw jigs/plastics to them after you’ve put together a few stretches that have produced.

Don’t spend too much time on any one spot unless it produces in short order. You’ll find all kinds of species up there eating. The last time I fished a great high-water willows pattern, we caught smallies, largemouth, eyes, crappies, and channel cats in the same stretches. In other words, you’ll know if the fish are up there.

Again, this is typically a pattern that produces well earlier in the summer, but I’d be definitely giving it a look if the levels are high enough.

All the feeder creeks should be pushing good water into the lake as well, making these spots to add to the list. Let us know how you do!

Joel

I have been fishing and tried the willows the last two days. Have not boated a legal walleye there in some time now.

Look for current breaks and areas with less flow. Not all will hold fish but just keep checking them. If you find bait fish or other fish using them like Joel said good chance the eyes will be using them to.

If you have some spots that hold fish under more normal conditions start on the shorelines near there. Shoreline root balls, rock piles, ect can be good current breaks to hold fish.

I also look for areas with less flow. Inside bends of the river, below islands, side cuts, back water lakes can all offer less flow. Keep in mind the bait fish want to get out of the flow also. Find them and good chance you will find fish.

For what to catch them on that can depend a lot on the location. Cranks, hair jigs, plastics, live bait can all produce but some areas may be suited to one presentation better than other. Keep in mind not all the fish in one location may want the same lure or presentation to. Find a shoreline or large flat below a island and trolling might work well to cover ground. Find a rock pile on the shore thats kicking out a 20′ current seam and you’ll most likely be pitching it.

It can take some time to locate high water walleyes. Lot of checking spots. Sometimes rechecking them to. Put in the time and as you start to pick up a few fish you will get a better idea of areas the fish are looking for. Sometimes my search for high water fish ends up with finding just a fish or two on a spot. In this case Ill put a milk run of spots together and hope for the best. Once and a great while you end up landing on that golden high water spot and its game on. Those are the days that get me excited about fishing high river water.

Thanks guys, this is all incredibly helpful. Man, I can’t wait to get out there. I’ll be sure to post any results.