by Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz 

How long have you fished your favorite walleye water? Has it been five years? Ten years? More? ... In that time, has the fishing changed? Chances are it has. Do you know why? Based on our experience in fishing around the country, it’s a good bet that your water isn’t the same as it once was, and the walleyes have adapted. In order to keep up with the ever changing walleyes, anglers must also adapt.

It’s happening all across walleye country ... lakes and rivers are evolving, some more drastically than others. The most common change to walleye ecosystems in the upper midwest seems to be clearing water. What were once dingy, fertile waters are becoming clear as gin. Many factors have contributed to this, but the bottom line is, to catch fish consistently, you’re going to have to change just like the walleyes have. Let’s examine a lake where this scenario is playing out as we speak, and see what sort of evolutionary process is likely to take place and how you may be able to use this information to improve your fishing success on your home waters.

Situated in heart of Wisconsin’s agricultural and industrial region, Lake Winnebago’s walleyes are seeing a different environment than they did just a few short years ago. Whether it’s because of it’s connection to the Great Lakes via the Fox River system, or the result of transferal by boaters using both Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago as a playground, Zebra Mussels have found their way to this popular walleye fishery.

Their natural filtering effect, coupled with a decrease in agricultural and industrial runoff, is increasing water clarity on the big lake. What makes Winnebago such a good lake to study for this scenario is that it has traditionally had such a wide array of productive structures and patterns for catching walleyes. Over the past few months we’ve gotten several emails from anglers asking what they can expect to see as a result, and what changes to make to keep catching fish. Having fished walleyes all over the country, we’ve dealt with plenty of clear water lakes, as well as lakes in the process of clearing. If you’re facing ‘eyes that can see clearly now, here’s some tips that you should keep in mind when you hit the water.

Many lakes, Winnebago included, are dotted with large to small rock reefs that attract walleyes throughout most the year. In the past, fishing the tops of these reefs with slip bobber rigs, pitching jigs, or casting cranks caught a lot of fish. With clearing water however, the tops of the reefs will become less productive. Don’t assume the walleyes have completely vacated the area, just move off the structure a bit. Switch to livebait rigs, or better yet, a Rock Runner bottom bouncer, and work the bottom edges of the reef where it transitions into soft-bottom basin. A bottom bouncer rig will allow you to move along the transition quickly, pin-pointing your presentation on key structural elements like points and inside “cups” along the edge of the reef. The tops of the reef may still be a productive area, but only worth the effort when light penetration is diminished, like on windy, overcast days or at night.

The expansive main basin of Winnebago has had a reputation for years as harboring a good population of “open water” walleyes. Trolling crankbaits in bright color patterns has been productive here in seasons past. Even with an average main basin depth of 18 feet, many fish have been taken in the upper 10 feet of the water column. Here too, clear water will have an effect. Now may be the time to trade those FireTiger and chartreuse Deep Jr. ThunderSticks for more natural finishes such as perch and shad patterns. While the depth at which walleyes will be caught can still vary from day to day, expect the “high” biters to be more skittish than in the past. In-line boards like Off Shore Side Planers become an even more important part of the presentation puzzle in clear water, for spreading the baits way to the side of the boat to lessen spooking.

Another pattern long popular on Winnebago and it’s companion lakes Poygan and Winniconne, is flipping small jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in the cane beds and shoreline structure. Many natural lakes hold walleyes relating to vegetation, and working the pockets in the weeds for these ambush feeders is deadly. The key to this pattern has always been to fish “close quarters”, and make short, accurate casts to target these fish. While the clearing of the water won’t move these fish out of the weeds, it’s possible that as they rely more and more on sight for feeding opportunities, the outside edges of the vegetation may be more productive. With that in mind, you’ll want to start positioning yourself a little further off the weeds (or structure) and make longer casts to the fish. As with any clear water fishery, the walleyes will be easier to spook, so keeping your distance and making precise presentations will be critical.

Some adjustment in the gear you use will also help in dealing with clear water. Most obvious is line choice. Nothing fits the bill better than Berkley’s Vanish. This 100% Fluorocarbon line virtually disappears underwater. It’s long been argued whether or not walleyes are particularly line-shy, but why take a chance. The low-stretch, low-visibility characteristics of Fluorocarbon make it a perfect choice in clear water situations.

Other gear adjustments would include, heavier use of electric trolling motors for “sneaking up” on shallow fish, increasing the use of spinners in the open water scenarios, and smaller jig sizes. Clear water calls for finesse, where many times smaller is better.

Lake Winnebago is indicative of many walleye waters these days. If your favorite lake or river is seeing the light of day at deeper and deeper depths, be sure, that as your walleyes start singing “I can see clearly now”, that you’re adapting and therefore continuing to catch fish with predictable consistency.