(8) Walleyes in rivers use current when feeding. Active walleyes seldom use slack water, but they position farther than trout or smallmouths from the fastest flows and on the back side of current breaks more often than those species. River current slows when the water’s low, and walleyes increasingly use the tops, sides, and even the front (upstream side) of reefs, rockpiles, and wing dams as water levels drop. Look for them in these locations, especially during low-light periods. During midday, the edges, head, and tail of deeper pools are key, especially in cold water.

(9) As mentioned, river walleyes are more aggressive than their lake-bound cousins, and cold fronts affect them less negatively as well. Hard-body baits—minnowbaits, suspending jerkbaits, crankbaits, and rattlebaits—tend to take bigger walleyes all year in rivers, even in water temperatures below 35°F. Live redtail chubs and other hardy river minnows on a rig or jig might outfish hard baits at any time all year, but they rarely produce bigger fish.

A true river “rodent” pays strict attention to water level, water temperature, and water clarity. A small rain shower in spring can cloud the river enough to make crankbaits (noise, thump, flash) more productive than minnows. That same rain shower can raise the water just enough to move walleyes around, from one feeding lane to a slower lane. And a shower can actually trigger an upstream migration.

To be consistently successful for river walleyes, forget every cliché ever uttered involving crankbaits and water temperature, especially during prespawn. Crankbaits and all those hard-body cousins (minnowbaits, jerkbaits) help locate aggressive walleyes quicker than livebait in almost any river condition.

Where prespawn bites are open to anglers on rivers—portions of the Upper Mississippi, the Rainy River, the Saginaw River, and in a host of other spots—staging walleyes can be found in heavy concentrations. It’s not hard to determine where; just find the flotilla of walleye boats. Vertical jigging with minnows is generally considered the “way to go” for river walleyes in spring. But trolling crankbaits through those concentrated schools consistently produces bigger fish. Much bigger. At this time of year, long, slim, deep divers in smaller sizes, like the Reef Runner Lil’ Ripper and Storm Deep Thunderstick Jr., connect with some real giants. Cranks are effective for finding walleyes fast in rivers.

Don’t forget plastics. During a hot bite, even in 32°F water, scented plastic tails may catch more fish per unit than minnows, meaning less down time changing baits, which translates into more fishing time, which means more fish caught. And you never know when the minnow supply will run out, especially on a long trip. Plastics like the Berkley Jig Worm, the Riverside Super Vee Tail, and the Mann’s Walleye Worm can save a trip.

Though the morning and evening bites are definitely best in summer, walleyes generally bite better at midday in rivers than in lakes. In spring, midday and evenings tend to be the best times to be on the river. But it’s always good to be on a river. Never boring. A river is an abstract, rolling puzzle, always changing. Every day. Change with it day to day, and the reward is consistent walleye fishing throughout the year.