With Spring approaching, my winter hibernation has come to an end ! It’s about time!! It’s been a long cold winter and even thinking of floating a boat on most days didn’t even get the blood flowing . I kicked off my guide season last week and found out those big river walleyes had been waiting for my arrival !
Tom with a big, sunrise river walleye. Second cast!
On the last two guide trips we have taken bigger walleyes on a couple of presentations. Ringworms, or jig/minnow. Both presentations have put really nice walleye in the boat depending on activity level of the fish. Early and late in the day, ringworms have been key. Mid day, jig and minnow has been the bait of choice. I have been targeting shallow rock or sand with very little to no flow on them. Those walleye are starting to move daily right now. Dead slack water adjacent to the main river channel is a good place to start. These bigger fish will stop and feed in areas like these, maybe even days at a time if the water levels hold until they decide to get back on their migration route.
Steve Sherwood wih his personal best walleye
My best depth for the better fish has been 10‘-15’ if it is cloudy, 10’ and shallower if we are fortunate to get a warm sunny day. The sun can do wonders for the shallow water walleye bite this time of year. That sun pulls the baitfish shallower in search of a Spring food source, the walleye follow. Casting is pretty much the only option right now to target these shallower fish. The water clarity on the big river this past week was 7’ to the human eye. Keeping the boat a safe distance away from your target area, and making long casts, is essential to keep bigger fish from spooking on calm days.
Steve with another river walleye!
My best ringworm colors have been the ol’ winter stand byes, pro-blue and oyster shell have done the damage in my boat. Black, sour apple, or pain lead precision jigs from B-fish have been my jig colors of choice on plastics. Black jigs, or chartreuse colored jig heads have been my best color head when using jig/minnow.
I have not taken the time to pursue the sauger bite on my last couple of trips. This bite has been very day to day from the anglers I have spoke to pursuing these fish. Evening and morning has been best as of late. Dragging ringworms up river, or down river, has been the best presentation to get these fish in the boat. Up river sounds like it has been best for most anglers that are dragging. I have boated a couple of pig female Sauger that are staging in the 10“-12’ depths right now while casting for walleye. Don’t be afraid to target the shallower areas when dragging plastics, especially in the morning and late afternoon hours.
With the warmer temps finally here, we are going to see several changes on the big river over the next few weeks. Prepare yourself for daily changes in fish location, water clarity, and presentations to be consistent in boating fish.
Rumor has it that a good friend of mine boated a big river Walleye just over 13lbs on his maiden Spring voyage. Maybe he can chime in here and show us all a picture
It was a pleasure joining you in your boat for the day. It was fun to explore some new water also. Hope to do it again some time soon See you in a couple of days
Awesome fish! Can not wait to get on the open water. Keep us posted on the fish activity. Jeweler
-------------------- Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, fishing rod in one hand, beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO WHAT A RIDE!"
hunting4walleyes
Member
Reged: 01/07/06
Posts: 557
Fish Bucks: $9.14
Loc: Eagan,MN
Re: Mississippi River Walleye Fishing Report 3-13-
You guys are funny. Nothing like a big fish that continues to gain weight after you catch it and let it go... lol
It was 13.8 on Dean's digi-scale.
So next spring I get to claim she was 14.5, correct?
Dean has a lot more photos of this dandy and a bunch more big fish caught this past week. But you'll have to lean on the counter top in the baitshop to see those.
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
eye verson
Member
Reged: 02/25/03
Posts: 18
Fish Bucks: $0.36
Loc: Mantorville, MN
Re: Mississippi River Walleye Fishing Report 3-13-08
Great report! It's nice to see you two guys are out of hibernation. I'm coming out of it tomorrow and like you said I'm ready to be out of the house-what a long winter. See ya on the river!
Jeff
Greg Vandemark
IDA Field Staff
Reged: 06/18/01
Posts: 1717
Fish Bucks: $34.54
Loc: Wabasha Mn
Re: Mississippi River Walleye Fishing Report 3-13-08
Beautiful fish there James, 14.5 lbs that is a lot of fish.
Where and how did you catch her???
There you guys go again... lol It weighed in at 13.8. Fisherman don't need any help exaggerating their catches but everyone seems very willing to lend me a hand with this one.
Here's the link to the report about how and when it was caught. >>> web page
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
Mississippi River Walleye Fishing Report 3-13-08
With Spring approaching, my winter hibernation has come to an end 
! It’s about time!! It’s been a long cold winter and even thinking of floating a boat on most days didn’t even get the blood flowing 
. I kicked off my guide season last week and found out those big river walleyes had been waiting for my arrival 
! 
Re: Mississippi River Walleye Fishing Report 3-13-08
if I turn my head it looks maybe 16
