Diagnosis of stomach contents.

[mac]

Does the empty walleye stomach indicate that the walleye has been fasting? can't find food? is in area where food is not present? or something else?

The last two nites, (1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunset) the walleyes have been caught on a very slow minnow and jig presentation. They will not hit a stick bait run right by their noses.

Are they just in a resting phase as far as feeding is concerned?

The water is full of mayfly nymphs and at times last week they had gorged on them, but for two days, they just haven't eaten.

Anybody have any guesses? We have had high pressure, no clouds, very bright days. Does that make them not eat? Go dormant? The place where I am fishing has no deep water within 2 miles for them to go to to escape the bright light and the water is very clear.

[Kolby]

Sounds like some crummy weather along with "light dazzlement" is taking place, due to the bright skies. I've heard of scuba divers being able to swim up to and touch walleye that are flat to the bottom suffering from this condition. What does everyone else think about the bright light walleye thing.

Anyone have any groundbreaking information that can shed some light on how bright light really affects walleye? I've heard some Pros say walleye will move right up into 3 and 4 feet of water on a calm bluebird day??? But some live and die by the old school of thought, dark water=fish shallower, clear water=deeper fish???? I think most of us know there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to walleye behavior and response to environmental change, but under most circumstances what do you guys think?


Kolby

[rebelrn2001]

I say that's why they call it "fishing" instead of "catching".

[mac]

And the answer probably is that nobody knows and for the good of the fish that is probably best.

[lunker99]

Sometimes an empty somach just means it's time to feed. Other times I've read that the empty stomach you're seeing is the result of them "throwing up" during the fight as a result of the stress from being hooked. That or they've realized they ate something bad and they purge in an effort to get rid of this bad meal (kind of how we feel after too many beverages). As for the bright light thing, I've caught too many walleyes in the middle of the day in 2-5' of water to believe that light paralizes them. Many factors as well as normal daily active/inactive periods will dictate how they react to different offerings.