Despite this bummer spring the walleye are doing their thing…
04 20 11 Mississippi River walleyes are spawning right now. This week I have caught both pre and post spawn walleye, also some egg spillage of hooked fish shows the eggs turning away from the transparent color and more gold looking. I was surprised to see that this last cold snap, the one bringing the snow has barely budged the water temp downward and temps are still 45 degree range. Warmer water temps would likely help egg development, but that is just a fisherman’s guess as I am not a biologist Jim.
Saugers appear to not have spawned yet. I am still seeing a nice mix of fish in the 14 to 19 inch range, and the walleyes are also a good range from the sub legal 14.5 inchers to the mid 20 inch fish. I am fishing in 10 – 20 feet of water on the sand.
Jigs with plastics or jigs with minnows are still taking fish. Chartreuse and firecracker have been great plastic colors for fooling fish. I have not trolled as I have not needed to but you will see that being more popular soon. Here stickbait Rapala’s will work best on three ways.
Water is fairly clear and debris free and falling fast.
Levels in Red Wing, MN Lock and Dam
679.69 feet and flowing at 90.000 cfs
Levels in Stillwater, MN
685.00 feet
Keep Catchin’
Turk
Thanks for the report Turk I can not wait to get back out on the water!
Thanks for the update Turk, hoping to get out soon and get on some of white tips
Nice report Turk!
btw- saugers are still holding their eggs. We caught mostly eyes yesterday on P3, but two larger saugs had their eggs still.