No Profanity *** No Flaming *** No Advertising *** No Anti Trappers ***NO POLITICS
No Non-Target Catches *** No Links to Anti-trapping Sites *** No Avoiding Profanity Filter


Home~Trap Talk~ADC Forum~Trap Shed~Wilderness Trapping~International Trappers~Fur Handling

Auction Forum~Trapper Tips~Links~Gallery~Basic Sets~Convention Calendar~Chat~ Trap Collecting Forum

Trapper's Humor~Strictly Trapping~Fur Buyers Directory~Mugshots~Fur Sale Directory~Wildcrafting~The Pen and Quill

Trapper's Tales~Words From The Past~Legends~Archives~Kids Forum~Lure Formulators Forum~ Fermenter's Forum


~~~ Dobbins' Products Catalog ~~~


Minnesota Trapline Products
Please support our sponsor for the Trappers Talk Page - Minnesota Trapline Products


Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Small river walleye discussion #6840809
04/13/20 11:15 AM
04/13/20 11:15 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
D
DWC Offline OP
trapper
DWC  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
Other than the little lowhead dams that tend to get pretty packed (especially this year since a lot arent working), does anyone venture out on their flatbottoms on the small rivers? Ive only ever went out with the intentions of catching catfish and really only ever did the dam thing in the spring and fall. Where do you look in the coming weeks? Into the summer? Saw one video on youtube where the guy is fishing snags and trees exactly like one would for channels. Saw another video i got a kick out of the guy was throwin 6 dollar crank baits. Other than throwin floatin raps, thatd cost 30-50 bucks every time out where ive went in the past.

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840815
04/13/20 11:25 AM
04/13/20 11:25 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,943
South Dakota
H
Hydropillar Offline
trapper
Hydropillar  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,943
South Dakota
I dont know why you would spend so much on crank baits... all ya need is a old bed spring and some cable throw out at one of them dams ya are talkin about !!


The only place you find free cheese is in a mousetrap !
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840819
04/13/20 11:30 AM
04/13/20 11:30 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
why not fish for cats

more meat and no limits or a lot less limits


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840827
04/13/20 11:36 AM
04/13/20 11:36 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
D
DWC Offline OP
trapper
DWC  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
I do fish for cats, usually starting in may throughout the summer. Tryin to broaden my horizons and its the first spring in i cant remember how long that the river isnt flooded.

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: Hydropillar] #6840830
04/13/20 11:37 AM
04/13/20 11:37 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
D
DWC Offline OP
trapper
DWC  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
Originally Posted by Hydropillar
I dont know why you would spend so much on crank baits... all ya need is a old bed spring and some cable throw out at one of them dams ya are talkin about !!



Ha. I dont know if ive actually seen someone tossin cranks at a dam. Usually live bait or twisters. Theyre wise to ur bed spring tricks.

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840850
04/13/20 12:01 PM
04/13/20 12:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
Where I am good spots for fishing for pickerel are where creeks enter the bigger river-especially after a rain.Lots of worms and bugs get washed down with the run off which attracts small fish,which attract the bigger fish.Good action normally as they are in feeding mode.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840865
04/13/20 12:21 PM
04/13/20 12:21 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870
Mn
N
nightlife Offline
trapper
nightlife  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870
Mn
Just Above, below or under bridges on smaller rivers/bigcreeks around here there almost always seems to be a hole in those spots that tend to congratulate fish in such places, not so much on mid or larger rivers at least in my area anyways

Also where other creeks or streams enter or where there is a sharp turn in direction or there is a change in flow such as from a shallow rocky area to a deeper slower one

Or where flow is restricted by a narrow culvert ect fishing below such spots seems to be a productive area for me



�Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.�
― Robert A. Heinlein
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840866
04/13/20 12:22 PM
04/13/20 12:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 84
U.P. Mi
C
crane Offline
trapper
crane  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 84
U.P. Mi
In my area I have good luck pitching jigs up along the bank and hopping the jig down the edge of the drop off. If no steep drop off I just keep pitching up into the shallow water. In the spring the walleye seem to prefer being up shallow in the warmer water. Sometimes I catch the most fish in a foot of water. You can see the water swirl when they strike sometimes. Early on more subtle baits and jigging techniques seem better.

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840877
04/13/20 12:32 PM
04/13/20 12:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,301
Waterville Minnesota
M
mudtracker Offline
trapper
mudtracker  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,301
Waterville Minnesota
Spinners like mepps or panther martins will work, small spoons, the road runner jigs with a spinner blade attached to the jig head, minnow on a jig. Twister tails of course.


WHO MADE THIS MESS ALL OVER MY FLOOR THE MUDTRACKER WAS HERE HE HE HE
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840897
04/13/20 12:59 PM
04/13/20 12:59 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
pa
H
hippie Offline
trapper
hippie  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
pa
Any "hole" will hold them. I like to fish minnies for them on a number 6 hook that's the smallest wire size you can find.

There's is a definite knack to know when to set the hook! Anchor to the side of the hole/ spot you think they're at so your bait is dragging the bottom before it gets to a 45 degree angle from ya. If your bait just stops like your snagged, sit tight and wait for a little bit with a slightly slack line so they don't feel you. They'll sit there gumming it before they spit it out to flip it around. After they do that, they're yours.

I just use small split shot just big enough to get it bouncing along the bottom. Sometimes they grab it and run before they stop to turn it so he ready to give line. Mostly they just stop it like I said above.

I prefer what we call butter-chubs over shiners, hands down in our river. Some places they call them red-fins. One more piece of advice for rivir fishing, don't be bumping around in the boat. It will shut them down!

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6840900
04/13/20 01:05 PM
04/13/20 01:05 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
P
pcr2 Offline
"Twerker"
pcr2  Offline
"Twerker"
P

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
sucker minnows and shade over a deep hole.i spend my summers on a little creek known for trout but all i fish are musky and walleye.usually out of a 12 ft kayak.

if i could only use one lure here it would be the original 5 1/4 gold rapala. [Linked Image]









Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: hippie] #6840907
04/13/20 01:09 PM
04/13/20 01:09 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
D
DWC Offline OP
trapper
DWC  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
Hippie, do you float downstream and anchor before u get to where you wanna fish to avoid spooking? Ive often thought that i probably spook some cats too when i motor thru a hole to check depth in unfamiliar areas. Thanks for the feedback guys. There were a few older guys around when i was growing up that could catch fish all over the river most of the year. They were tightlipped though. Sometimes we would see their trucks parked along the roads so we knew where they walked in but what they were doing or where exactly my buddies and i never really knew. Youd not see these guys showing up to the crowds at the dams.

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: pcr2] #6841220
04/13/20 05:40 PM
04/13/20 05:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 316
PA
C
cablejohn Offline
trapper
cablejohn  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 316
PA
Hey Pcr. When you say sucker minnows,.are you referring to riffle runners?

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6841231
04/13/20 05:58 PM
04/13/20 05:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
pa
H
hippie Offline
trapper
hippie  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
pa
Yea, I get anchored up as quiet as possible.

Had them biting before and some other fisherman idled by and they'll shut down for a quarter to half hour. Morning and evenings are best producing.

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6841232
04/13/20 05:59 PM
04/13/20 05:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,649
se SD
rags57078 Offline
Humorist
rags57078  Offline
Humorist

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,649
se SD
DWC look for slack water spots or slower current , current breaks . Use a jig and minnow , or twister tail ,or split shot and #6 hook with a minnow . The Sioux can hold some nice eyes and pike . Right now the walleye are spawning on the Missouri so I would think they are on the Sioux as well . Best times to fish are before sunup to about 10 am and an hr or so before dark till way after dark .


Off in my own world

Fish on !!!!!!!



47 years in this game of trapping
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: rags57078] #6841338
04/13/20 07:40 PM
04/13/20 07:40 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 305
Wisconsin
D
Dirk Offline
trapper
Dirk  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 305
Wisconsin
Originally Posted by rags57078
DWC look for slack water spots or slower current , current breaks . Use a jig and minnow , or twister tail ,or split shot and #6 hook with a minnow . The Sioux can hold some nice eyes and pike . Right now the walleye are spawning on the Missouri so I would think they are on the Sioux as well . Best times to fish are before sunup to about 10 am and an hr or so before dark till way after dark .


Bingo, used to fish small rivers alot in southern Minnesota, white twister tails reeled in slow on the bottom always produced for me, also caught alot of other gamefish.

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6841376
04/13/20 08:19 PM
04/13/20 08:19 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
D
DWC Offline OP
trapper
DWC  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
Post spawn should i stick to more sand/gravel bottoms vs mud or do you guys find them in slack water with muddy bottoms?

Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6841623
04/13/20 10:43 PM
04/13/20 10:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,649
se SD
rags57078 Offline
Humorist
rags57078  Offline
Humorist

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,649
se SD
DWC fish them all if you are covering water fish as much as you can , those fish move around a lot in those small rivers


Off in my own world

Fish on !!!!!!!



47 years in this game of trapping
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: DWC] #6841671
04/13/20 11:16 PM
04/13/20 11:16 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,575
N. Carolina
S
Scout1 Offline
trapper
Scout1  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,575
N. Carolina
[Linked Image]
I had posted this pic in an earlier walleye post. I got these one evening last week out of my yak. I fish right where a river enters a local lake. Caught them on #7 black/silver rapala countdown in around 4-5 ft of water. All within 45 minutes of dark. And none after dark, fished about an hour. One thing I notice when I do good or better than this is mayflies hatching? If we see the mayflies coming off the water good normally we do well, if no flies then no fish. I've read where up north walleye will gorge themselves on mayfly larvae? Now most were males with sperm running out, but we hardly ever catch a female. This is just my observation and may be wrong.


-------------------------------------
DJT & MTG in 2024!
Re: Small river walleye discussion [Re: Scout1] #6841841
04/14/20 07:50 AM
04/14/20 07:50 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
P
pcr2 Offline
"Twerker"
pcr2  Offline
"Twerker"
P

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
Originally Posted by Scout1
[Linked Image]
I had posted this pic in an earlier walleye post. I got these one evening last week out of my yak. I fish right where a river enters a local lake. Caught them on #7 black/silver rapala countdown in around 4-5 ft of water. All within 45 minutes of dark. And none after dark, fished about an hour. One thing I notice when I do good or better than this is mayflies hatching? If we see the mayflies coming off the water good normally we do well, if no flies then no fish. I've read where up north walleye will gorge themselves on mayfly larvae? Now most were males with sperm running out, but we hardly ever catch a female. This is just my observation and may be wrong.

man,you and i could have a ball. grin









Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread