There are many different types of tailwaters across North America, and traditionally rivers mean daytime fishing. Night-fishing may be the answer in some cases, however. In either case, the principle to fish location remains the same. Check slack water areas in the immediate tailwater area, especially under moderate- to high-water conditions. Walleyes don't like to fight heavy current, but often lie close to it. Hard bottom is important, of course.

With a low water level, walleyes often use the main channel. Concentrate your fishing along points, humps, or turns in the channel, realizing, however, that walleyes may scatter across flats, too.

All the walleyes aren't in the immediate tailwater area. The principle for fishing a downriver area is the same as for fishing an immediate tailwater: Search out slack water areas during moderate- to high-water conditions, adding the points, humps, and turns in the main river channel to the list when current is down.

As a rule, early season walleye activity occurs in less than 15 feet of water. Under high-water conditions, when fish are forced into flooded timber, they may be as shallow as one foot.