Walleye in trees.

[Mr. Ed]

I fish a Kansas reservoir that has a pretty good walleye population. I say pretty good in that we have them (though I wouldn't call them our primary species), they stock them and every spring you’ll see them spawning heavily on our main dam. 10# fish are not uncommon during the spawn… there is an 18” limit on this lake. The trick is come post spawn the fish seam to disappear into the vast amounts of flooded timber this lake has. We have limited success fishing mud flats but I really think these fish target the trees and the forage there… namely on an abundant crappie population. So… what are some good methods for working heavy timber for walleye?

I tried a search but didn’t find much help. Thanks!

[thump55]

slip bobber.

my shortest post ever...can't have that.

Shove a camera down there if you can. If you have walleye, and if you have deeper submerged timber, they will find each other. Underwater wood is not all the same. Density, depth, general size, and relation to other habitat (deep water/weeds/etc.) all play a part. It can be hard to fish (anchoring can be tricky), but well worth it.

[bob1]

In Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas, the tops of the trees are about 35' deep in as much as 125' + water.

It would be very tough to anchor in this depth of water. WIth any wave action, it would be very difficult to fish slip bobbers here.

A lot of people troll cranks over the tops of the trees and lose a lot of cranks. Also, the Walleyes seem to be down in the trees. Jigging spoons sometimes work, but again, you lose some spoons doing it.

Bob

[KLN2 ul]

If you have a area that is holding fish, there is a way to fish a jig in the timber. Fish heavy line and run the hook of your jig into a grub or skirt. The key is to work the jig through the wood, gently easing it over the limbs, preventing the hook from grabbing the wood. When you get a bite, set the hook hard, giving the hook a chance to exit the plastic and into the fish.

Another jig method is to use a jig with the small gold hook. The gold hooks can be pulled out of the wood when snagged. Fix the hook with pliers and cast again.

[karpbuster]

I fish a Kansas reservoir that has a pretty good walleye population. I say pretty good in that we have them (though I wouldn't call them our primary species), they stock them and every spring you’ll see them spawning heavily on our main dam. 10# fish are not uncommon during the spawn… there is an 18” limit on this lake. The trick is come post spawn the fish seam to disappear into the vast amounts of flooded timber this lake has. We have limited success fishing mud flats but I really think these fish target the trees and the forage there… namely on an abundant crappie population. So… what are some good methods for working heavy timber for walleye?

I tried a search but didn’t find much help. Thanks!
Troll a shad rap (# deep that will hit the tops no deeper) and run thru the trees. That is a great spot for eyes. You will lose lures, and you can switch up to a jig and minnow/crawler when you locate a bunch. It can work so well you don't want to change from the shad rap.

Good luck!

karpbuster

P.S. Would that be Milford?

[Fish For Fun]

Two years ago on Devils Lake the Walleyes were in the trees with the wind blowing into the trees at a good clip. I had a tough time getting in there and getting tied to the trees but once we got setup it was one fish after another jigging weedless jigs over the side of the boat with crawlers and leeches. Strong prowerpro or fireline with light wire jigs so you can straighten out the hook if you get hung up.