I have heard debate as to what triggers spawning in walleye. With the cold winter in Ohio, the thought is that the spawning is a week to 10 days behind. However, my belief is that the change in light( in the form of longer days and more daylight) is a strong trigger for spawning. I am fishing the PWT as an amateur, and I think this year is going to be a very challenging tournament. My instinct is telling me that the closer to river mouths that we fish and reefs near river mouths may be more productive if this is truly a late spawn due to temperature. Any thoughts appreciated.

tmoney.
I believe it's the combination of all of the above. I believe that the length of the days/light, sets the walleyes reproductive cycle in motion. That is it kicks in their egg and milt productiion in their individual bodies.

Then the other variables such as air temps, water temps and their optimum or disasterous conditions play a big role as to the success of the spawn.

These last conditions I believe will determine if the spawn goes fast, slow, hard or easy, or is stalled and put back a few days to a week before all conditions get things rolling and back on schedule.