When early-season walleye get lockjaw, try these 5 simple baits and tactics

Sure, chasing the latest and greatest new walleye techniques can be fun and exciting, but when the bite becomes overly cruel or challenging, never underestimate the power of keeping things simple instead. It’s all about understanding the habits and habitat of the fish, then giving them what they want, when and where they want it.

With the curtain soon rising on the walleye season across the country, we know we’re going to find most of the fish lingering close to where they recently spawned. That includes areas where rivers, streams, creeks and canals flow into main lakes, as well as constricted channels with natural or wind-induced current, and boulder-strewn shorelines facing into the prevailing breeze.

The downside to the walleye returning to the same locations season after season, of course, is that scores of other anglers will also know the best spots, making for heaps of fishing pressure. Compounding the potential for a tough bite, spring weather conditions can be topsy-turvy at best. This is the perfect state of affairs for shining the light on simplicity, and putting to work these five back-to-basics tips, tricks and tactics…