The walleye have cooperated nicely for my boat on the last couple of trips to the big river. We are not seeing those 20-40 legal walleye a day yet but the walleye are more than willing to bite right now with some nice eyes making a showing. My best presentation in the past week has been trolling crank baits. #5’s, #7’s and jointed #5 Shad Raps have all put fish in my boat. Trolling speeds while I am fishing the river portions and side channels have been in the 1.3 to 1.6mph range for best results. When on Lake Pepin 2.2 to 2.8mph have seen best results for me. In the river and side channels I have been targeting 3′-10′ of water. While on the lake, longlining cranks in 5′-9′ of water has been best for me. I have not fooled around much pulling lead line in the deeper water on the lake but have heard good reports from other anglers that have caught walleye and sauger while utilizing this presentation.
The day Rochelle, Andy and Fran spent in my boat we did make some walleye connections while dragging jigs tipped with crawlers but all of our bigger walleye came on crank baits this day. Rochelle took big fish honors for the day with a 29″ walleye. 
. Andy and Fran made a connection with a couple of real dandies as well. Nice eye’s! Thanks for spending another day in my Boat 
. It’s always a fun day of fishing with you guys. I’ll see you again this Fall
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Last week I shared my boat with my good friends Greg Spencer and James Holst. Our goal was to check some areas that James and I use to frequent quite a bit on guide trips in the month of May. As most of us know, everything is ahead of schedule on the river right now. With the warm Spring that we experienced my boat has seen typical May presentations emerging in late April. The three of us had a fun day on the water with a decent number of walleye cooperating. All though we didn’t load the boat up with those big mama walleye we saw some really nice walleye make the net. Greg is pictured below with our best fish of the day. All of our fish on this outing came trolling crank baits.
Trolling crank baits and dragging jigs with bait, will be predominant presentations for the rest of the summer months if the water levels continue to recede as fast as they have been. If the big rains come an we see an influx of water on the big river, then it will be back to 3-way rigging bait in deep water current breaks or casting jigs/cranks to shallow water walleyes.
I’ll see you on the river!
Here are some Pictures of the day James and Greg were in the boat. It was good to fish with both of you again
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Nice report and fish Dustin!
Thanks for the report Dustin I will be on the lake this weekend and then again the following week the 7th to the 15th mostly in the evenings on the weekdays hope to see ya on the water!
Excellent report! Care to share the story on that big ole white crappie James is hoisting while Walleye fishing?
Who is that guy with you and James with the DARK sun glasses?
That crappie hit a #7 shad rap on lead.
Good to see you guys out there on Sunday! Once the wind quit blowing, it was great.
Excellent report. We are a little surprised that trolling speeds are that high.
Does anyone have a general “rule-of-thumb” starting point for trolling speed relative to water temps on the river?
hey Dustin !!!
Good to see you and James in the boat together again
Looks like someone needs to buy James a razor…
great info Dustin !!!
I start slow when the water temps are in the 50’s. In the river I usually stay under 2mph for the most part. Once the water temps climb in to the 60’s and 70’s 4mph on some days is what it takes to get bit. That’s my rule of thumb anyway, it’s what usually works for my boat. Others may have a different opinion
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Great Report Dustin
Is this outing going to be featured on an upcoming episode of IDO TV
Big fish honors to Ro again huh? Sumthin fishy going on with that Ro ?????
Those crappies dont exactly follow the “profile size rules” like they are supposed to!
Cant help but wish I had a dollar for every fish caught on those tidemaster & wildriver trolling rods in Dustin’s boat.
Actually, no. This was “buddy” fishing and the video gear stayed put at home. I’m sure Dustin and I will film on the river this year though. We just haven’t picked our bite yet.
Nice fish great report Dustin.
Hey it was great to see you and Rob fishing.
Hope to see you next weekend.
Nice fish Dustin