Mid-spring is a prime window for walleye staging near structure and bait, and trolling is a fast way to locate those schools and dial in depth. Here’s a practical, step-by-step approach to locate walleyes by trolling for structure and schools:
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Gear and spread
- Run 1–2 rods per side and use a spread with planer boards or in-line boards to keep lines from tangling and to cover more water.
- Depth control is key: mix baits at multiple depths using crawler harnesses, shallow-running cranks, and lipless or minnow-style cranks. Leadcore or weighted line helps keep your lure at the right depth as you move.
- Start with two basic depths on the same stretch of structure (e.g., one a bit shallower, one deeper) and adjust as you learn where the fish hold.
- Practical tip: label each rod with its target depth so you can quickly adjust if you mark active fish on the screen.
- For a solid how-to on trolling walleyes, see WALLEYE Fishing 101 - HOW TO Troll For Walleye (EASY!).
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Where to target (structure to key on)
- Look for classic walleye structure: breaklines and shelves that run adjacent to deeper water, points that project into the basin, weed edges, humps, and saddles where bait concentrates.
- Structure isn’t just vertical relief; walleyes also stage around bait schools, so be prepared to follow subtle contour changes as water depth and clarity shift in mid-spring.
- Use your sonar to spot bait balls and arches; suspended fish near the edge often indicate a ready-to-bite school.
- For a feel for contour trolling along breaks, check Contour Trolling for Walleye at the Toronto Boat Show (Part 1).
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Troll patterns to locate schools
- Contour trolling: run parallel to the breaklines or weed edges, slightly offset to cross any channels. Vary your depth as you mark fish or bait so you intercept the school as it moves.
- Fan your spread: place lines at multiple depths along the structure so you sweep a vertical strip of water; this increases your odds of finding the fish’s preferred depth quickly.
- Cover water fast, then slow down when you find activity. If you see tight sonar marks or a dense bait cloud, hold your spread there and vary speed and lure until you trigger bites.
- If you’re lucky enough to witness strikes on camera or from a boat, the underwater action often mirrors what you’d expect from the fish’s depth and the lure’s action. See underwater footage here: Underwater Walleye Trolling With Crankbaits! (Huge Schools of Walleye!).
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Lure choices and setup
- Use a mix of shallow-running crankbaits, lipless cranks, and spinner rigs with a harness or bottom bouncer to hit successive depths.
- Color choice should follow water clarity: brighter colors in clear water, more natural or metallic tones in stained water. Start with 2–3 effective options and rotate.
- If you’re trolling shallow spring walleyes, cranks like those in Trolling Cranks for Shallow Spring Walleye can be very productive. Also, lipless options shown in [WALLEYE Fishing 101] offer quick depth control when you need to cover a deeper edge quickly. Weighing options from a trusted lure lineup such as the Bill Lewis line can help you tailor your spread. Example: Bill Lewis Walleye Crankbait.
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Reading the map and the water on the fly
- Stay flexible: if you’re not marking bait or fish, adjust depth, spread width, and speed. Walleyes will hold on bottom edges or slightly above depending on forage and temperature in mid-spring.
- Log your productive depths and patterns so you can replicate success on future trips (and save time when conditions shift).
- For broader concepts, see Underwater Walleye Trolling With Crankbaits!.
Bottom line: start with a multi-depth trolling plan along key structures, use electronics to pinpoint bait and fish, and then refine your depth and lure choices to match the fish’s preferred depth. With practice, you’ll be able to locate schools quickly and convert those marks into solid bites. Get out there, stay patient, and enjoy the chase—walleyes love a good chase, and you’ll love the results. Tight lines and good luck! 🎣
