Additional Information

Site Information

$5.95 Flat Rate Shipping!

Land loads of walleye this spring with these tips

Posted on

Now that spring has arrived, it’s likely that your favorite local fishing spot is about to get crowded. Everybody with a fishing pole has that itch to fish - and the walleyes are there for the taking.

If you can find them. You and everyone else.

You know the scene. Lines of anglers along river banks and groups of boats on lakes packed tightly over schooling walleyes.

Here’s how you can catch your walleyes limit this spring - even among the crowds.

1. Never overlook location.

Location, location, location! That is the primary key to catching walleyes in spring. Now, on most popular lakes and rivers, where the schools gather in spring as walleyes post-spawn won’t be a secret.

Just look for everyone else.

However, maybe there’s a hotspot out there not getting as much attention.

Walleyes begin spawn when water temperatures reach the mid-40s. After spawning, they’ll gather in specific places.

Finding the walleye bite on lakes

On lakes, walleyes most often spawn in shallower water along shorelines and near inlets from rivers or streams that feed into the main lake body.

Find some form of structure - rocks or vegetation. If the walleyes are actively feeding, they’ll be on top of the structure looking for food. If the fish are not on the hunt, they are likely hanging out close to cover where water depth dips down.

Current breaks hold walleyes

If you’re fishing on a river, look for structures that break up the current. That could be a rock pile or some other underwater structure that keeps the current at bay and allows fish to gather.

Many professional anglers suggest looking for shallow water, but others note that slower-flowing water - shallow or deep - is what matters most. Either way, keep your eyes peeled for any area that could offer walleyes a place to shield themselves from the river current.

If you’re near a dam, even better. By spring, many walleye have been camped out up-river near dams. Once they are done spawning, they’ll typically hang out for the season near the dam.

2. Select the right tackle.

As always, presentation is everything when it comes to walleyes. That doesn’t change even when the bite may be on and fish are gathered in large numbers.

One way to make sure you land more fish than the fella next to you is to make sure you have brought with you the tackle that gives you the upper hand.

Jigs - and what to use with them

Whether with live bait or a plastic, jigs are a go-to for spring walleye fishermen. And for good reason: They work.

Some jigs are made for repeated cast-and-retrieve pitching. Others are great for live bait. It’s certainly useful learn about the different styles of jigs and their best uses.

But let’s focus on changing up the bait you attach to your jig. Here again you have plenty of variety.

Make sure to carry twister tails (include baits with both one and two tails) and thumper tails. Color choice can vary based on conditions, but one rule of thumb that should always be considered is to try and match soft bait shape and color with something resembling what a walleye might actually hunt in your local waters.

Grab a variety of plastics that mimic minnows, shad and other baitfish. The options here are limitless, sure, but try to find a balance between knowing what is working for other anglers and thinking outside the box about what they may not have tried.

Hardbait options are just as varied

Like jigs and the bait options you can pair with them, there are many options that’ll land walleyes in the spring.

But the discerning angler needs to know which lures are best. After all, the other guy probably has many of the same lures at his disposal. This is all about how to land your limit.

So, with hardbaits, you can’t go wrong with crankbaits. Have a few color options on hand. Additionally, be sure to pack both lipped and lipless crankbait styles.

Which baits you will use depends on the body of water. Again, think what baitfish walleye come across in their natural habitat. Shad? Minnows? Mimic what’s available.

Finally, know your water depth. You don’t want a crankbait that swims at too deep a depth. That’s asking for snags - and lost lures. Be especially careful in smaller streams where hangups are more likely.

3. Don’t lose track of time

With spring here, don’t lose out on catching your walleye limit. Before we know it, walleyes will be making their journey back to summertime spots.

Still, even in this seasonal window, you have to know when fish are most likely to bite. For a couple of weeks before spawning, the walleye bite hits its peak. Then, it goes silent before picking up after the spawn.

The spawn in rivers near you could begin a few weeks before it does in a nearby lake - depending on the lake depth.

Hit rivers once water opens up and temperatures begin to rise for your best chance at pre-spawn walleyes.

The bite will pick up next on shallow lakes, since they don’t take as long as deep lakes to warm up. Look to the shorelines of these lakes in early spring.

Deep lakes could take as much as another month to warm up before walleyes begin to bite before the spawn. Head to deeper water for the best bet.

If you aren’t sure when the spring walleye bite heats up around you, then simply ask around. Or drive around. The crowds and boat trailers are obvious signs.

Stock up with Henning’s Tackle

Before you hit the water, make sure you have all your favorites from Henning’s Tackle. We carry a variety of tackle items that are sure to help you catch more walleye this spring. From our popular Mini Walleye Spins, to our jigs and custom shad divers - we have your covered.

You can view the most recent edition of our product catalog or look for a dealer who carries our products near you.

How To Catch More Fish In Early Spring

Early-spring fishing conditions are not always the most favorable. What's more, it can often be a pretty hefty challenge to entice fish to bite. But you are probably itching to get back to fishing without first having to bundle up and then sit over a hole in the ground. As fun as ice fishing can be, [...]

Read More »


Why You Need a Variety of Jigs In Your Tackle Box

When it comes to fishing, few lure options are as widely lauded as the jig for their versatility and effectiveness in catching fish. That's likely because of the sheer variety of jig sizes, shapes and colors. That's not to mention the number of enticing presentations you can create with jigs. All that variety boils down to [...]

Read More »


Why Jig Color Matters While Ice Fishing

Year-in and year-out, ice fishing anglers always have their trusted jigs at the ready. When ice fishing, you're stationary above the fish you're targeting. All you have to do is get your lure in front of the fish, which means finding the right depth. That's why jigs are so popular. No matter the depth of the [...]

Read More »


Equipping for Success: How to Find the Best Fishing Rod for You

Did you catch a fever? The fishing fever that is? Fishing is a relaxing and fun past time for tons of people around the globe. Most of us no longer need to fish for sustenance, but pretending you do brings you back to a simpler time. Whether you're fishing for dinner or catch and releasing, you'll [...]

Read More »


Get Hooked! The Top 8 Spots for Walleye Fishing in Iowa

Does your bucket list including catching the elusive walleye fish? A true angler loves a challenge. It's part of the adventure to find fish that are as strategic as the fisherman. The walleye may pose a challenge to the average fisherman. For the seasoned angler, it is the opportunity to test their mastery. If there was [...]

Read More »


Top 10 Must-Have Fishing Accessories for Beginners

Let's say you've only ever been fishing with family when you were a kid. You understand the idea of casting and bait, but you've never gotten ready to go yourself. There's a lot of stuff you need. That's why they invented tackle boxes, they're like makeup boxes but with fishing supplies. Like when you watch your partner [...]

Read More »


The Mind of a Walleye: What You Need to Know to Catch One

Fishing is a widely celebrated hobby throughout the United States. Participants of all ages continue to better their fishing skills to catch bigger and better prey. In fact, statistics show that over 12% of Americans go fishing (or hunting) on a regular basis. It's clear that the recreational activity is important to many people just like [...]

Read More »


What Is Better: Bait Fishing vs Lure Fishing

Planning a fishing expedition? That's great, but you're going to need a lot more than a fishing license before you load up the truck and head for the water. One of the most critical decisions you'll have to make is deciding whether or not you're going go bait fishing or lure fishing. A few people have a [...]

Read More »


10 Things You Must Have In Your Tackle Box

Every veteran angler knows the key to your catch (besides skill) are the items you pack in your tackle box. The right tools and gear can prepare you for success on the water whether you're fishing in a lake, stream, river or the great vast ocean. With all the choices of equipment and tackle, it can be [...]

Read More »