Minnesota Experience

Walleye Seasonal movement

Spring Walleye Fishing

Fall / Ice Fishing Walleye

Summer Minnesota Walleye

Every spring, walleyes make their way into shallow spawning beds. This movement typically starts when the Minnesota ice goes out. Around 45 degrees is when the female walleyes show up on the spawning grounds. After the spawn, Otter Tail walleyes will go into a recoup period. The males will stay in the spawning ground for a good period of time after.

During the Minnesota walleye opener, we typically throw jigs with shiners. The Lindy rig is another good tactic for spooky fish.

Summer Minnesota Walleye

Fall / Ice Fishing Walleye

Summer Minnesota Walleye

Soon as the water warms, we start to see a trend of fish moving to the outside weed edge. Otter Tail County walleyes love the weeds, and we can see a steady pattern through the rest of summer. Typically, a slip bobber and leech work great this time of year. Open-water Minnesota walleyes are some of the most fun to catch. These fish push into the depths of Otter Tail County walleye lakes to feed on suspended bait fish, and bugs. We will use planer boards and crank baits to chase these fish!

Fall / Ice Fishing Walleye

When cooling temps give way, the walleyes are on the move. Most Detroit lake walleyes tend to make a deep movement. They do this to find stable water temperatures and bigger bait.

Once the turnover has accrued, we see a split as some fish stay deep until winter, and others push shallow to chase bait. Typically, this pattern will hold true for early ice walleyes.

Minnesota walleyes lose metabolism during the cold months. What this means for fishing is that being "spot on the spot" plays a much bigger role.