GUIDE'S CORNER FEATURED ARTICLE
DAM THE TORPEDOES
As winter loses its grip to spring's thaw, rivers start to swell, bring a wave of torpedoes. These torpedoes would be the chunky walleye on their annual spawning upstream migration. The torpedoes in the swollen rivers sometimes encounter an obstacle in the form of dams. Many fishermen know that this is the spot for some fantastic walleye fishing and the amount of boats on the water gives proof to that. For the shore fishermen, this is the best time of year to catch walleyes. After the spawn, the walleyes will go back to open water where they originated
from, leaving the shore fishermen less chance at catching the prized fish. Fishing from shore offers a great way to catch walleyes at the dams that congregate them.
From the Menominee to the Rock Rivers and in between, Wisconsin offers many opportunities to fish from shore for walleyes at dams. Many of these places end up being downtown in some pretty decent sized cities. Being from the Fox Cities, I have fished and caught walleyes at dams in Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, and Kaukauna. Then there is Voyager Park in De Pere, where you have a crack at a truly large trophy walleye, all while fishing from shore.
from, leaving the shore fishermen less chance at catching the prized fish. Fishing from shore offers a great way to catch walleyes at the dams that congregate them.
From the Menominee to the Rock Rivers and in between, Wisconsin offers many opportunities to fish from shore for walleyes at dams. Many of these places end up being downtown in some pretty decent sized cities. Being from the Fox Cities, I have fished and caught walleyes at dams in Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, and Kaukauna. Then there is Voyager Park in De Pere, where you have a crack at a truly large trophy walleye, all while fishing from shore.
This angler found some of those Downtown Walleyes at the Appleton Dam.
Yes, I do have boat, and use it to fish for walleyes on the rivers in spring. Warm sunny days can give you the itch to fish open water, but the ice still locks the rivers. That is when I grab my pole and head for the dams. The rivers right below the dams is the first to open and many times fishing from shore is the only option. Believe me, there will be some walleyes already there. Once you get to the dam, current breaks and eddies are spots you will want to look for to fish. Also, warm water discharge areas can be real magnets for these downtown torpedoes.
Fishing at this time of the year means some pretty cold water, and the walleyes can be finicky. One of my favorite spots has gravel at the end of warm water discharge. I cast out a Lindy rig with a 1/4 ounce Lindy over the gravel. I drill a hole in the sinker which removes weight and resistance for when the finicky walleye picks up the bait. After 18 inches of 4-6 pound monofilament line (super lines tend to sink to fast), I will use a number 10 hook with a bead in front or a number 10 Mack's Lure Glo Hook. The Glo Hook will help it float a bit and the glow will help the fish to locate the bait.
Fishing at this time of the year means some pretty cold water, and the walleyes can be finicky. One of my favorite spots has gravel at the end of warm water discharge. I cast out a Lindy rig with a 1/4 ounce Lindy over the gravel. I drill a hole in the sinker which removes weight and resistance for when the finicky walleye picks up the bait. After 18 inches of 4-6 pound monofilament line (super lines tend to sink to fast), I will use a number 10 hook with a bead in front or a number 10 Mack's Lure Glo Hook. The Glo Hook will help it float a bit and the glow will help the fish to locate the bait.
Bait the hook with a minnow slightly larger than you would use for panfish. I cast the Lindy Rig out over the gravel and let it settle a while. Then slowly drag it by lifting the rod tip for about a foot, let it pause for a minute, reel in the slack, then repeat the process again. What is nice about the Lindy Rig, when the walleye starts to nibble it, you can open the bail and let the fish take the line without it feeling unnatural. Another way for these light biting walleyes is to use a small hook or Glo Hook under a small bobber. Cast it upstream, let it float through the spot, and repeat again.
Certainly other methods will work when the fish are more aggressive. Bouncing a jig and minnow off the bottom is an old standby. Swim a jig with a plastic grub with a slow steady retrieve is another way. Also, casting a crankbait or spoon can entice a walleye to bite. Just before and into the dark of night is usually the best time, and if you want to brave the cold, early mornings can be effective too. Depending on the weather, I have been at the dams as early as the end of Febuary, but the first part of March is more the norm. So that is where you will see me; Dam the Torpedoes, the run is on.
Certainly other methods will work when the fish are more aggressive. Bouncing a jig and minnow off the bottom is an old standby. Swim a jig with a plastic grub with a slow steady retrieve is another way. Also, casting a crankbait or spoon can entice a walleye to bite. Just before and into the dark of night is usually the best time, and if you want to brave the cold, early mornings can be effective too. Depending on the weather, I have been at the dams as early as the end of Febuary, but the first part of March is more the norm. So that is where you will see me; Dam the Torpedoes, the run is on.
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