Early season shield walleye?

[Slimeball]

Hey,
I've been chasing muskies around for quite a few years now and haven't fished walleyes in a looong time. I'm going to Ontario at the end of May for just a three dayer with my dad to target walleye, my questions are:
1. I know many factors come into play like weather and how the spring has progressed but should the bigger walleyes be shallow on shield lakes this time of year.

2. If they are shallow what tactics are worth trying? what lures? Rapalas floating,huskey jerks.

3. I know this watershed well as far as navigation at night. Is it worth staying out after dark this time of year?

Thanks!

[J. BERG]

There are a lot of factors I guess. The lake I always fish in late may in Ontario has sanctuaries during that time that don't open up until June 4th I believe. If that is the case on the lake you're fishing, I would target the north end of the lake; and stay shallow. No deeper than 12 ft.

What's worked the best for me, if there aren't sanctuaries. Is to use a small, 1/8 ounce bottom bouncer w/ your avg. spinner (gold, colorado my #1). It sounds backwards, but that small bouncer really cuts through the weeds in those shallow south bays where a couple split shot seem to get caught up.

Let out more line than you feel comfortable w/. Tip it w/ a minnow or leech. Really depends on the day, or hour. Depends on the boat, but back trolling w/ that set up in 5-7 ft. of water in smaller bays w/ feeder creeks has been dynamite for ME in the past.

[orchard frank]

Some years back we killed them on Lac Seul during a late spring, fished in snow squalls much of our late May trip, using boards and glass minnow husky jerks trolled along shoreline breaks in 8-15' of water. We and many others in camp were having a tough time with jigs, rigs. Lots of fish, not many biters. We tried the trolling out of frustration, wind was making jig fishing difficult. Kept the baits about 2-4' off bottom or so, although some of the bigger fish came on higher baits on the deep side of the boat. On that trip, the glass minnow color (kind of white and clear) was WAY better than anything else.

[jarheadjohn]

We have our annual Ontario trip on Memorial Day and the best advice I can share is be ready to change your approach. We have caught them on stick baits - Husky Jerks & Shad Raps - casting the shorelines in 2 - 10ft, off wind swept points, jigging with minnows, leeches, Gulp. Haven't tried trolling as where we go is full of submerged trees.

The only consistant thing I noticed is that they are not consistent!
Try the east facing bays as they warm up first and look for any mud lines if its windy.

Good Luck.