Walleye Fishing
Walleye Fishing - River Fishing for Walleye
By mark fleagle
May 12, 2009 - 6:42:39 PM

Big rivers to the north will surprising have many portions that are open water all winter long. Amazingly, rivers will have open water fishing all winter long in the tail-waters of dams, and warm water discharge areas.

The new walleye angler typically has more trouble learning river walleye fishing then learning to fish in lakes. The new walleye fisherman many times gets discouraged on their first river fishing trip because of a poor catch and make the decision to not try again.You need to be able to adjust your walleye fishing technique by learning how the river currents and the fluctuation of the water levels effects the walleye on the river you intend to fish.

The only time you will find walleyes in a fast current is if there is some type of a current break the walleyes can hold in and dart out into the current for food, then dart back to the break. As a rule of thumb, you can eliminate approximately 75% of the water in rivers because the current is to strong for walleyes to hold in.

Concentrate your search in areas that are known to hold walleye such as small pools out of the currents path, downstream from any current break, a bridge or a large rock formation. A very good example would be a downstream island. Look upstream for areas that provide a likely current break areas such as made made formations to reduce river silting. Any upstream obstruction that has potential to break the current may hold walleyes.

The holy grail of river walleye fishing are the current edges. These are as important to finding walleyes in rivers as structure is to finding walleye in lakes. The river walleye will go into the current looking for food, then dart back into the slack water adjacent to the current to rest.

Experienced river walleye anglers know the ideal time to fish for walleye is when water levels are low, there is good water clarity and stable water flow. Walleyes are very predicable when the water levels are stable and the water is clear. They will be holding in in well know areas of the river.

If you are going to go river walleye fishing when the river is rising to be successful you need to know where the walleye go under these conditions. Many times if you find these areas the fishing will be outstanding! when the water rises, Walleye will often go into a feeding frenzy, because of all the worms and insects that are washed into the river after the rains.