Spring Into Early Summer

During calm clear conditions, reservoir walleyes commonly drop down to classic structure about 25 to 40 feet deep, depending on forage availability and water temperature. In deep water, walleyes generally are easier to graph, and the exact depth at which they’re holding can be pinpointed. They’re generally harder to catch, however, compared to walleyes that moved shallow.

The key is to position over exact spots on the structure where you graph fish. Irregularities along the edge of the drop-off, like tips of primary points, clusters of deep rocks, stands of flooded timber, or twists and turns along a point, are places to find walleyes staging deep.

Vertically jigging jigs tipped with minnows, or jigging spoons or bladebaits, are productive tactics. Jigheads from 1/4 to 3/8 ounce work for most vertical presentations. Small plastic bodies with marabou dressing or a plain head tipped with a 21⁄2- to 31⁄2-inch minnow increase the profile of your jig, which may make it easier for a walleye to spot in deep water.

Walleyes suspended off the tips of points can be triggered by slowly working bladebaits through the depth where you spotted suspended fish. In reservoirs with baitfish like smelt or shad, walleyes are accustomed to seeing the reflective flash of the silvery-sided baitfish. Bladebaits feature the most vibration and action on the rise. Spoons offer the most flash, flutter, and action on the drop. Both lure styles work best with aggressive lift-drops of perhaps 12 to 18 inches. Walleyes generally strike the lure as it falls or rests on the bottom. Pay close attention to detect light strikes or fish that may have hit your jig on the fall.

Crankbait trolling produces along the edges of structure and over open water where walleyes suspend near baitfish. Deep-diving crankbaits, like a Reef Runner Deep Diver, Rapala Deep Down Husky, or Smithwick Deep Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue, are favorites in waters where smelt and shiners are abundant. Deep-diving shad baits, like the Rapala ShadRap or Cotton Cordell C.C. Shad, also are effective. Metallic colors offer lots of flash in deeper water, which attracts walleyes. Crankbaits that rattle seem to attract walleyes, too, especially in deeper or dark water.

Superlines allow for trolling crankbaits down 20 to 25 feet on unweighed lines. Add snap weights or use leadcore to get them even deeper. The key is to troll through the depth where you marked fish, or slightly higher. Walleyes will rise up to feed if they can spot your crankbait. Trolling at slower speeds just above the walleyes gives them time to spot, chase, and catch you’re lure.