RE: Walleye movement
2007/10/07 12:06:21
(permalink)
Walleye are wanderers except for two times each year, Prespawn and spawn. Movement is instigated by water temperature, volume and light levels to some degree. In late January - late February, fish stage at the river mouths in preparation for the spawning run. As the water, chilled from the newly melted ice and snow, begins to carry the heat of the day and thermometer readings hit 38-40, fish begin their upstream movement. Males/jacks are first to enter. The bigger fish garnering the best of the spawning beds. As waters reach into the 45/46 degree area, some of the first females/hens begin their influx into the river system to find a mate and a suitable bed. Post spawn has the females leave the river first to relocate in the undulating terrain of the western basin looking for forage to replace the body fats used up in spawning. The jacks eventually follow 2-4 weeks later (late April/early May). The fish will be in the shallows in morning at this time and as the heat increases water temps. They begin the pattern of early morning feedings with afternoons spent on drop-offs to deeper haunts. Summertime, the schools go pellagic (out to the open water) in search of forage species. Late summer, September or so, when the water begins it's downward spiral and creeps below 70 degrees or so for a period, the schools will begin to relocate back toward the west from their deep basin haunts. During this time they move in toward shore in an attempt to trap baitfish in shallower water making them easier prey. Eventually as temperatures drop into the lower 60's, the fish will have made their way to the area where they will hold out over winter. This is an area in the general proximity of the river they plan on running up in the spring.
Hope this little story helps illustrate the circular migration routes in the western and central basins.
Michael