How to catch the shallow-water walleye that most anglers overlook

CHANGING PLACES

From ice-out until early summer, walleye inhabit the warmest water they can find, typically in shallow flats and bays on the north and east sides of a lake. These areas are generally less than 15 feet deep, with muddy bottoms, sandy areas with a few emerging weeds, and rip-rap. When summer arrives and the entire lake warms, the fish move out of those early-season habitats and disperse throughout the lake.

Some walleye will head for deeper water and spend their entire summer at or deeper than 20 feet, while others will stage in the deep water, then move up into shallow water areas to feed at various times of the day. Still others, though, will stay in 15 feet of water or less, feeding aggressively throughout the summer.

When looking for walleye in shallow water, key in on sandbars, mid-lake flats, submerged islands, rip-rap and rock piles that are in close proximity to deeper water. Also look for large weedbeds. The most productive beds have tall weeds such as cabbage, along with open pockets. This allows the walleye to hide, but still spot and snap up prey.