When do the "Eyes" spawn?

[cnags]

When do you think the eyes here in the Saginaw River system spawn?I have been catching only males for the last week.They have been milking as soon as you get them in the net,and their bellies are all reddish,and fins are all torn up.I did catch 1 female today that was dripping her eggs in the boat.It just seems a little early for this ,and the water temp. is only 33 deg. What do you think??Any fish biologist here?

[Ralph]

I don't know but it seems really early for that kind of stuff to be happening.

Maybe the reddish bellies/ torn up fins are caused by Zebra mussels.

I don't think it's unusual to see spawn in them at this time of the year though. I was catching some in the fall with spawn and as late as late May, last year. So there is a big window.

[Reels]

Actual spawn should be around 46-48 degrees water temp. But not every fish follows the rules...

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[WAeyes]

I think the increased amount of daylight has just as much to do with it as the temperature. I am going to give it a go this weekend and I am headed directly to a known spawning ground for some C&R. I will report what the fish look like when I get back...boy I am assuming alot aren't I?

[Hawgeye]

Depending on the time of the season and water temperature, walleyes spawn anywhere between 40 and 50 degrees. Typically they will start to go around 43-44 and all the way up to 50. Genetically they are all a little different but I doubt they are running yet in the mid 30s. They are ready but will not move onto their rocky shorelines for full blown spawn for a while yet.

I must clarify this by saying, that these are just some things that I have read in fishing magazines.

[Airwave(OH)]

Right now!!! thru half of April

[Scott Richardson]

I always know when the spawn is on because the post-sex cigarette haze over spawning areas grows. Some mistake this for early-season fog.

Scott Richardson

[Lund AnglerMJ]

This may be one of those bad year classes. The water is still cool, and the daylight is increasing,and haven't had spring rain's.These contribute to a not-as-successful as it should be spawn.Try the 3rd week of April in PA.Pre-spawn is right now,West PA.Fish that night bite,it's alway's good.