Why do walleye scatter?

Hello Everyone,

I have a question and am hoping someone here can give me the answer.

I am noticing that over the last week, that the walleye around here (Mentor Ohio) have begun to scatter. I mean 2 weeks ago they were stacked like cord wood. Now I have to hunt to find them. And when I do find them they are in small pods and not the big schools like they were.

Can anyone explain this? I am am asking, because I don't know what is happening with the fish.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to your reply.

Good Fishin, Bill.

Because the food has scattered.

[Gritty]

>Because the food has scattered.

Exactly - As the In-Fisherman guys used to say (maybe they still do), "If I were a hungry walleye, where would I go?"

Also, not sure how deep you've been fishing but the walleyes around here have been migrating , or already have moved, into deeper and cooler waters.

>>Because the food has scattered.
>
>Exactly - As the In-Fisherman guys used to say (maybe they
>still do), "If I were a hungry walleye, where would I go?"
>
>Also, not sure how deep you've been fishing but the walleyes
>around here have been migrating , or already have moved, into
>deeper and cooler waters.
>
Yes but isn't it true that walleys will relate to weeds and that is not neccessarily meaning deep water. I have went to two fly-ins in areas north and west of Ear Falls and have had great success in 8 feet of water trolling crankbaits in weed beds and edges....

[Gritty]

>Yes but isn't it true that walleys will relate to weeds and
>that is not neccessarily meaning deep water. I have went to
>two fly-ins in areas north and west of Ear Falls and have had
>great success in 8 feet of water trolling crankbaits in weed
>beds and edges....

You’re right, of course, and it sounds like you read your lake correctly. I think its a good idea to check out the shallows in addition to going deeper.

With shallows, I think it depends alot on the water and what kind of forage is in the lake. Walleye’s shouldn't necessarily relate to structure like weed edges if there is no food around, espcially if the water is warmer there. So, if the forage have gone shallow, or were pushed there by wind, the walleyes should follow. This can be especially effective when there is a nearby drop-off and at night, I believe.

So, working the weeds in the shallows can produce nice walleyes, especially if that is where the forage is.

Here's another thought, and no idea it this is true or not, but I heard that the weeds in the shallows of a generally shallow lake can be cooler for the walleyes in summer and can provide more oxygen. Any thoughts?

[expectthebest]

Wind is something I have used to my advantage when walleye fishing. As it warms, the walleye are going deeper and scattering. But, when the wind blows hard, the walleye will congrigate in shallow water near the downwind shoreline. These were the conditions and pattern when I caught my biggest eye of the year so far, 6 pounds.

Ed

I've heard the same theories on walleyes in the weeds. I don't know the reasons, but I know we've found them there lots of times when it's hot and sunny and you'd think they'd be deeper. I suspect it has to do with oxygen, and the baitfish that hide there.

>I am noticing that over the last week, that the walleye around
>here (Mentor Ohio) have begun to scatter. I mean 2 weeks ago
>they were stacked like cord wood. Now I have to hunt to find
>them. And when I do find them they are in small pods and not
>the big schools like they were.
>
>Can anyone explain this? I am am asking, because I don't know
>what is happening with the fish.
>

What you are experiencing is the changing patterns of walleye behavior based on changing seasons. Most of that is driven by water temperature and food availability.

The Lindner's did a great write-up about this stuff. They left it with In-Fisherman as they sold that business to its new owners. Here is the book which will give you a lot of information on what is happening. I looked at the In-Fisherman website to find it for you. I bought this about 15 years ago when I was just getting into walleye fishing.

https://newstore.primediamags.com/sh...x?item=100000&

It will help you figure out WHY things are happening and will help you at least establish a game plan for finding fish. The problem is the fish don't read the calendar, so when they go through their migration varies from year to year. The good thing is that as they migrate the initial stopping off locations (first = initial drop offs, second = next deepest drop offs with lots of scattering, third = starting to relate to humps) are often repeated from year to year so as you get to know your lake you can at least narrow down where to start to look for them when they have left the shallows.

As far as your current situation, the fish are trying to get to their summer patterns. In the summer patterns they will relate to underwater bars and humps and will be easier to find than they are after they leave the shallows. Your locator will tell you when the fish are there -- something that it won't tell you in the shallows because the locator cone is so small. The challenge is figuring out where they are hanging out as they go through the transition from spring pattern (shallows -- to feed on minnows which spawn after the walleye spawn is over) to summer pattern (humps). But, that is why they call it "fishing" and not "catching".

[Gritty]

>The Lindner's did a great write-up about this stuff.>

Their work is great and really helped me, as well. My recommendation is their 5-book series on fishing Walleyes: https://newstore.primediamags.com/sh...x?item=102106&

Another book that is very helpful if you plan to troll crankbaits is Precision Trolling, which helps to show precise depths for a lot of popular cranks.