So why Geano Reef area?? - "Green Bay"

[Green Bay]

What made this area hot for the tourney? Green Bay.

[Juls_OH]

Water temp and forage. The food was there, so the fish were there.

When we got here last week, the H2Otemps up by Oconto were in the mid 60's and the Geano Reef area was 70. We prefished the Oconto area hard for the first two days and didn't get a bite. We hit the reef area next and had several prefish days with 5 fish for 35+ pounds in only a couple of hours.
By the end of the day yesterday the water temps by the reef area were in the mid to high 70's.

Walleye live for two things...spawn and food. They're done spawning, of course, so they will follow the "good eats". ;)

Juls

[C James]

Green Bay is a huge body of water and has several distinct populations of fish. The fish that spawn in the Fox River tend to live from Geano's and south for most of the season. Geano's is a massive hard bottom area that tends to congregate these fish during the summer. The Oconto-oriented fish spawn in the rivers along the western shore about 30-40 miles north and provide a great early season bite from ice out through June. Then there is a resident population around the Sturgeon Bay area that are Wisconsin fish. Finally, there is a huge influx of Michigan/Bay de Noc fish that roam the northern waters of the Bay after the spawn and can be found along all the reef systems from Sturgeon Bay north, primarily from mid-July up through fall turnover. Once water temps cool, it's amazing how fast these particular fish disappear from the Wisconsin reefs and show up in big numbers along the Michigan shoreline.

It's been interesting to watch the Green Bay walleye fishery become known over the past 10 years or so. For many years you would never see a walleye boat on many of the now most popular reef systems. The common belief was that the clear water fish could not be caught during the day. The first day of the first MWC held out of the city of Green Bay blew that misconception away when many teams brought in huge baskets from Larsen's reef and Monument shoal. I don't think most of those fish had ever seen a crawler harness. The Bay now most certainly ranks as one of the best walleye fisheries in North America. My hope is that anglers continue to primarily treat this as a catch and release fishery.

[Green Bay]

Juls, ect. why dont you think they liked the cooler temp by Oconto? Just curoius, Im still kinda new to Walleyes. / former Musky Hunter, Lol. I always thought Walleyes liked it cooler, Im still trying to learn their bio.

Thanks for the replies.

[walleyes133]

Can someone explain where Geano's reef is in relation to Green Bay the city?

[Juls_OH]

By water it's approximately 14 miles North and on the West side of the Bay. It's clearly marked on the maps.

Juls

[NoT Juls But]

cuz that is where the groceries were.

[Juls_OH]

Yes! Basically that's the correct answer. However, there were balls of baitfish in the Oconto area too.
It's my understanding that the Walleye's most comfortable temp is 70 degrees. So, if there are enough "groceries" in their most desired water temp, that is where you will find the majority of them.

Walleye like it cooler than Bass or Panfish, but warmer than a Lake Trout or Salmon.

Walleye have also been found in as little as 1-2 feet of water when the water temps were 80 degrees on a bright sunny day...figre that one out!

So, I guess instead of asking what the Walleye like best, we should be finding out what the baitfish that they are feeding on in any particular lake/river like best, since they are the "force" that drives the Walleye to do some pretty weird things at times.

That's what makes fishing for them so much fun! They are elusive and hard to figure out.

I don't have all the answers...wish I did, becasue then I wouldn't end up in the middle of the pack so much. I'm always learning new things everytime I go fishing too! ;)

Juls

[C James]

We've caught walleyes out of Oconto dodging ice flows when the water temps are 42 degrees. My experience in that area is that the water temps swing much more dramatically depending on wind direction due to proximity to colder offshore water. These swings can shut down or move the fish. Water temps in the shallower lower Bay are a little more stable and those fish will also tolerate unusually high water temps.

[Juls_OH]

Oconto Reef/Shoal is a major spawning ground up there isn't it? Or, no?

Juls

[Yep]

Juls,

You are correct on that area being a spawning location. Was there this spring and caught a lot of males still milking.
I was really surprized that the Oconto area did not produce during the FLW tour. You where not the only ones that put a lot of time in the area and decided that the big fish where not there.

May next year be the year of big weights for you :D :D

[C James]

Not sure about Oconto Shoal - you are probably right. I do know all the rivers on the west shore and even small creeks get spawning runs. The Peshtigo marsh also gets spawners.