Early-season walleye fishing can be a feast-or-famine situation for the average angler and challenging, for sure, for even the most seasoned angler. And when my timing is just right and walleyes are preparing to spawn, the action will be fast and furious. Not only will I have plenty of filets for the pan, my odds of catching a trophy 'eye or two are excellent!

Small or large, deep or shallow, the best springtime walleye lakes are those that promise to be the most productive under the current weather and water conditions. Photo by Ron Sinfelt.

However, long days on the water stand between successful spring fishing outings when cold fronts send water temperatures tumbling. That's what makes it tough for many anglers to consistently catch early-season walleyes.

I learned long ago as a fishing guide that I keep my walleye anglers happy when I don't pay too much attention to the calendar and how the fishing was last year. May often blows in erratic, unpredictable weather conditions to the northern tier of the country. Key to taking walleyes this time of year is to approach each day with an open mind. Oftentimes, I do well to break with tradition, fishing in different places than I did last year, and with different presentations.

Choosing the right lake is among the first decisions that help put early-season fish in the livewell. I'm not necessarily referring to a lake with a high walleye population. Rather, I'm looking for the lake that promises to be the most productive under the current weather and water conditions. Do I fish my favorite clear, deep-water lake, or do I move on down the road to a shallow stained-water lake? Am I looking for a meal, or am I looking to score with a trophy walleye? Answering these two questions -- and using the right presentation -- should increase my chances for a consistent catch. (Continued)

SMALL, SHALLOW LAKES
Because small, shallow lakes holding stained water warm quickly, I often choose these lakes first because spring fishing conditions can be weeks ahead of large, deep lakes. These lakes may not hold many trophy walleyes, but they can be counted on for a lot of spring fishing action.

But walleye spawning activity often wanes early in small lakes, leading fish activity -- and my fishing success -- to be at the mercy of the water temperature. If the water temperature rises after spawning and is holding around 50 degrees, both male and female walleyes will be on the feed. If the water temperature drops after spawning, walleyes won't move very far from the rock-and-gravel spawning areas if food is available.

The best rock-and-gravel areas will be points close to shallow, mucky bays. Mucky bays typically warm quickly and are among the first sites to experience weed growth. Before the start of any weed growth, baitfish will stack up on the edge of the bay and venture atop the point. Once weeds start to develop, baitfish will move into the bay. As weed growth intensifies, walleyes will move out to the edges. That's when a rock hump out from a shallow bay can be a potential hotspot.

A jig-and-minnow rig is the most effective presentation for walleyes that relate to these rock-and-gravel areas. They hold tight to the bottom and won't usually chase a crankbait or other artificial lures unless a warming weather pattern has the water temperature on the rise. Bring in the jigs and match the size of the jig to the water depth, using the lightest jig needed to get the jig down. This time of year, I'm often fishing in water less than 10 feet deep, and a 1/16-ounce leadhead jig is my first choice. I choose a 1/8-ounce jig when there is a chop on the water. Beyond that, it's simple: Tip the jig with a medium-sized minnow. In the upper Midwest, fathead minnows are readily available, and they are very durable when casting.

The color of the jighead can be very important, and there may be many days when only one color scores. I also have seen walleyes change color preference throughout the day, even when no change takes place in weather or water conditions. Go figure; that's fishing.