catfish & mud everywhere

[steve(IL)]

I've been trying to squeeze in a few hours in the boat after a long winter. Recent rains have raised the water level and muddied everything up. When I fish traditional places in our lake & river system where I'd expect to find high water walleye, all I catch are catfish & drum. I'm pretty sure our spawn is over. Temps range from 53 to 59.

Is anybody else up against this? Any suggestions? I think I found some fish late the other day, but couldn't get them to go. I'm anxious to get back on 'em to make a positive ID. I tried some back channels and have been looking for clearer water. I've been concentrating shallow, but just read an article that says postspawn movements send fish deep and make 'em lethargic.

What to try? Thanks for any suggestions. (Note: condition-wise, we have it all. River stretches, hard & soft bottom, points, reeds, neck down areas. We're in for a brutal cold front this week too.)

[Backwater Eddy]

If the temp is that high then they most likely have spawned. If the channel is overflowing onto flooded grass or tributary arms are slow look there for the walleye, they may be in tight on newly flooded cover feeding on invertebrates and minnows?

Hay if not, fish for them cats, peek temp for early feeding binge for them.

Backwater Eddy

[Dutchman]

I've found that the walleye will feed in the same area as the drum and cats, in water so tubid you would never think they would be there. If there's feed there and you no you have a good eye population keep trying aroun the edges of the current and over newly flooded areas. What out for steel fence posts, they'll do a number on the bottom of your boat.