Lindy Rigging on a new lake

[acgrue00]

I am going to fish a new lake. The local bait shop says the best think to do is lindy rig with a minnow or leech. What type of structure or bottom conditions would be best to look for on this new lake to find walleye?

Thanks

[duckbutter]

I don't know where you are talking about, but if it is anywhere North, and the water is still cold, I would stick with a minnow and work break lines and edges of weed beds. Better yet, if you have electronincs and a trolling motor, you can probably mark fish with the quiet approach. I would also suggest the trolling motor for keeping your presentation as slow as possible at first, and then gradually increasing your speed and let the fish tell you what they want. I fish Northern Michigan, and leeches don't work for us until the water gets into the mid sixty degrees. Good luck and tight lines>

[Jim Ordway]

Fish have been staging for the spawn for the last couple of months. Do some research on your lake and determine where they spawn. Wind blown rocks and rubble sustrate are common on contained lakes.
This may include shorelines and reefs.
Other lakes have river feeder systems that draw fish into marshes, such as the Winnebago system, and many of the fish are heading up to rivers to spawn.
Whichever your situation, you want to work your way toward the potential spawing areas to find the fish.
Work deep and shallow until you figure it out. Minnows are good this time of the year, but do not be afraid to use crawlers and even blade baits.
Good luck,

[eyeballs]

I agree with Jim, good information there. I would only ad that lindy rigging and jigging are slow methods of fishing, be sure you mark fish before fishing when you're looking in water from 12 to 25 feet. Any shallower you're going to have to fish for them to know they are present. One thing you see a lot of this time of year in a wide array of waters is shallow fish that can be finicky. You have to fish good shallow spots thoroughly and with confidence. A cold blast comes in and these fish often times stay put, they just won't grab a jig or crank compared to a slip bobber or long lined lindy rig. Warm weather trends and stability and you can eliminate those shallow spots a little quicker. Good Luck...

[Bigfishhunter]

I never use a finesse tactic such as Lindy riggin to find fish, this is especially true on a new body of water. Look for the fish in typical areas, some will probably be more aggressive and tip you off as to where they are hanging out. Use a faster approach, spinners or even suspended cranks or something that you have confidence in. Then once you have located them, work the electronics to finesse them with the lindy rigs. I have done better with crawlers and even minnows in the spring as oppose to leeches. But in saying that all bodies of water are unique, and if the guy is straight up, he is hopefully giving you some good info. :grin: