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New User
Posts: 2
| On spring break, I was hoping to do some walleye fishing below a reservoir dam near my home (Solon, Iowa). The dam itself is not large by any means. But, I have been told that one could catch walleyes and saugeyes below it. But a walleye fisherman I am not, I am a avid salt water fisherman, and bass fisherman. But I lack the knowledge to catch walleyes with any consistency. Unfortunately I am limited to fishing from the shore. Any techniques, tips, or helpful info will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
-Andrew
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Member
Posts: 299
Location: Wind lake, Wi | Being limited to shore action is sometimes difficult to locate walleyes. But it can be done, find the deepest hole in that area and start by casting a 1/4-3/8 oz. jig and minnow. Give it a jerk and pause retrieve, keeping a tight line. While you are doing this set out a lindy rig down current. The set-up I would use (if you have current flow) is a 1/4-3/8oz bell sinker above your main line, which would consist of a 18"leader. First slip on your bell sinker then tie a good barrel swivel to the end of the line then tie on about 18-20" of tag line addsome beads or mabey even a small in line float next tie on a #6or#4 hook. Hook on a minnow and cast er out down current put the rod propped up on a stick and leave your line semi-tight. Watch your line for any movement. If there is any signs of a bite pick up your rod tighten up your line,feel for the strike and send it home. If either of these works try a #7 split shot or bigger crimped on about 10-12" above a #6 hook w/minnow and slowly drag it in with mabey a pop here and there. Feel for areas of rock or other hard bottom areas and concentrate on those areas first. Mabey some other guys on here might have some other ideas in mind. Good luck and let us know how you do. And welcome to Walleyefirst hope you like the site.
Edited by eyefever 3/6/2004 11:03 PM
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Member
Posts: 377
Location: Neenah Wi | You did'nt say how deep the area is.Is it wadable?If it is put on a pair of waders and increase your fishing area.Find some slack water or current breaks and cast with a jig and minnow or twister tail.Use the lightest jig you can and still keep it close to the bottom.i like to use short lift and drop retrieves.Also behind and in front of any rock piles or other current deflector is a good spot too.Slower is better at this time of year.Good luck. | |
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Member
Posts: 874
Location: Neenah, WI | If there are walleye/sauger in the river above the dam you may have some luck there. With water running through the dam, look for a place upriver where it narrows. This narrow area will concentrate baitfish and hopefully, your supper. Fish jigs or 3 way rigs with a minnow or the new Gulp baits. Good luck, and let us know how it goes for you. | |
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | Originally written by upforarun on 2004-03-06 11:29 PM
On spring break, I was hoping to do some walleye fishing below a reservoir dam near my home (Solon, Iowa ). The dam itself is not large by any means. But, I have been told that one could catch walleyes and saugeyes below it. But a walleye fisherman I am not, I am a avid salt water fisherman, and bass fisherman. But I lack the knowledge to catch walleyes with any consistency. Unfortunately I am limited to fishing from the shore. Any techniques, tips, or helpful info will be greatly appreciated.
Andrew.
Most of my guiding trips on rivers are done below dams. Mostly coffer type overhead spillways without the BIG Turbine wheels and undertow, but some of the same principals will apply. And believe it or not, often guys on foot from shore can get the best vantage point to the fish holding in the current in these areas. Depeneding on what time of year it is will make a difference where the fish will be holding below a dam.
If it's spring spawning time and their actively searching out spawning partners, they will seek out the flat gravel bottoms, with rock sizes conducive to their own spawning needs, not nessecearily in the deepest holes but more out in the flats areas that have some current. For walleye this is baseball size round or chunk rock, where they broadcast their eggs over the top versus fanning out a nest depression. If it's pre spawn and the water temps are not quit right yet, they will be near these areas but tucked in behind wing dams and other current obstructing boulders, ledges and points. Places just out of the current patiently waiting for their eggs to mature and to ambush any easy prey washing down in the current.
In warmer temps they could be anywhere in the current. Watch for minnows or small baitfish jumping in the riffles or off to the sides of the faster current areas. This spells baitfish being chased by preditors and a likely places to be casting your offerings. Jigs tipped with minnows is my own favorite choice for this type fishing. Use jigs just heavy enough to keep in contact with bottom. Those that will sweep with the current the best, and will appear the most lifelike and real to the fish when being worked in the current. They will also telegraph the slightest of hits back to your hands the best. If your interested in learning more about fishing rivers during certain seasons and using different techniques, check out a few articles I wrote on the subject on this site address. http://www.saginawbay.com/tips/index.html Hope this helped.
Edited by walleye express 3/7/2004 10:13 AM
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Mt Prospect, IL | Here is a link to an informative article that will help you.-seerad http://www.walleyesinc.com/pwtinfo/springwal.htm
Edited by seerad 3/7/2004 12:47 PM
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New User
Posts: 2
| Thankyou for all the information and tips.
-Andrew | |
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Walleyes below the dam?