Walleye's in shallows

[jdjyoung]

 I've often wondered why guys never fish the shallows at night for walleye's. Does anyone think they come in at night to feed like they do in the spring time? Have you ever tried it and have a story to tell?
 I just had someone recommend it to me and was looking for input before I give it a try.

 Thanks for any and all replies,   
                                                      JD

[fishinfurkarma]

jd,

Did some reading in the walleye page on this board and what I read was that they hang around in 20 -40 FOW in the day and then come into the shallows from 12 - 6 FOW to feed at night around humps and islands so I would say your on the right track.

[JimmBob]

JD,

Use to do it on Oneida back in the late 80's early 90's out of Tripp's Marina.  Went out just before dark and opened up the shoals around Dakin from 3' to 8'.  When they moved in at the 8' holes you had a short time to get fish, when they stopped we would go to the shallow holes; when they hit in shallow you best have a good grip on the rod.

JimmBob

[Sullymon]

In the spring they spawn March-May, you will find them piled up in the inlets/outlets around that time.  When the water tempurature drops in the fall, the come in shallow water at night, and continue to do so until spring spawn.  Sometimes VERY shallow.  I've seen and caught walleyes in as little as 2 feet of water in late fall before the ice.  Many people believe they are always in 30 ft. of water or more hugging the bottom all year, that is just not true.  During the summer months, yes they inhabit deeper colder water.  Most of the time yes, they are close to bottom.  But now and then they are suspended and or in shallow water.  I have on rare occation caught them on top water, using a floating Rapala and just letting it sit there, giving it a jerk action now and then.  This technique has been used by many, but only at certain times of the year, and it is not easy.  Sometimes they even pound bait by blasting out of the water like a bass or trout ... rarely, but it does happen.  Spend enough time on the water and you'll see for yourself!
-Sullymon

[Chainsaw]

From the hardside my Son-in-Law and I fish from the water is less than 8' deep all winter. I normally would not fish there but success has proven me wrong. We often limit out through the night. Sandy bottom, no vegetation, what gives. I've even had the Aqua-view in the water all night. Still no real clue, but we keep hittin' 'em.

[doctariAFC]

Walleyes do what walleyes do.  In many lakes, walleye will move into the shallows at night to feed.  One thing I learned from the Lake Erie Charter Captains last year is that walleye are most active at water temps of 72 degrees.  I was surprised to hear it (thought it would be cooler temps), but, the success at finding schools suspended in that water temp, and highly active, proved this to be true.  They will seek out this warmer waters, or if waters are warmer, cooler waters 72 and below.

Walleye tend to frequent the shallows at night more often during key times of year, including pre-spawn, post-spawn and fall, when its time to feed in advance of winter.  They will enter shallows during the low light/ no light periods when its time to gorge on baitfish.  During winter when temps are as cold as they are, walleye head deep for the "warmest waters" (water is at its peak density at 39 degrees F, colder or warmer and water starts to rise) so it makes sense to find them deep during winter, however, as pre-spawn nears, 'eyes will move into the shallows, especially around the outlets/ creek mouths, where food is present and waters show slightly warmer than the surrounding vicinity. 

As another poster mentioned, shallow cruising 'eyes will move in and out of shallows 3' - 10' during night, following bait schools, and the opportunity to catch them at specific depths is a short window.  I like the idea of cutting holes at varying depths in advance, reduces the chances of spooking fish in the shallows once they arrive.  Nice.

As for ice fishing at night, its awesome, but can be a bit "hazardous" depending on the lake.  Not for the ice conditions, but for the sobriety of snowmobilers   Light up your shanty like a Christmas tree if fishing a lake that gets heavy sled traffic. 

[Scientist]

Many of the 4 to 6lb walleyes that I have caught through the ice were in shallow water, less than 15 feet deep. However, I have found that the larger ones are caught in the shallows were linked to how much snow was on top of the ice or how much light was getting through to the bottom. Black ice it was best to fish deep, once covered with snow the shallower I went. Late ice covered with snow sometimes I'd be fishing in 5 feet of water, as long as it was a gravel or stone bottom. Everyone assumed I was fishing for pike but was actually targeting walleye. 

[jdjyoung]

 Everyone has given a very nice opinion on shallow walleyes and I appreciate it very much
 The person that first told me of this idea on Chaut. Lake advised me first that I wouldn't believe him when he told me where to go for eyes. Which he was right, hence the post for more info.
 I guess the only way to really find out is to give up a night of 36' water and see what happens in the shallows.

 Keep the replies coming, still appreciated!

 JD

[MuskyHunter]

My brother and I have caught 'em in 18" on a regular basis...no doubt, go shallow at night.

[snaggerr]

I fish a bay that is a steady 6-8' and do well at night.Only diff. In winter no wind effect so bait stays put in shallows for safty,have to eat sometime. But I did have someone tell me wind played apart and I told him I never seen a fish stick his fin out of a hole to see which way the wind was blowing. He walked away with out a word.LOL

[fishstalker]

i fish a sandy bottom at a mouth of a large river. when i check my lines at night i can easily make out the botton with my head lamp!! thats how shallow im fishing. and i limit out every night, after i throw back some spawners. stay shallow at night and you'll have great success!!!

~fishstalker

[iceplank]

do not be afraid to fish a few feet of water with plugs in the summer also in areas where the weed growth allows. taken many many fish in nys waters especially Great Lake bays this way.If the shallows are in close proximIty of deeper water even better. Smithwick rogues!!!! 6 FEET OF WATER.NO LIES HERE!!!