Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 37

For taking ice-out walleyes, troll areas with subtle action shadshaped crankbaits.

Whereas, last weekend you may have been catching walleyes
in 20 feet of water, the following weekend you may see the
majority of fish in the 5- to 10-feet range.
Until the fish begin to spawn, expect this deep-to-shallow
movement to be one of give-and-take, dictated by recent
weather and wind action. Warming trends bring fish shallow
while cold fronts, common in this part of the state, send
them deeper.
The mobile approach will help you find the key depths
for a particular day. Wind-drifting while dragging a jig-nminnow achieves this objective and is a classic approach
on Pymatuning Reservoir. Longline trolling works well too,
particularly on days when the wind doesn’t kick up. Work
Pymatuning
different depths to find the range walleyes are using on a
Reservoir
particular day.

ERIE

CRAWFORD

Pymatuning Reservoir is one of the few waters in the
state where you can fish for walleyes during the spawning
season. The fish will be in the shallows, about 3 to 6 feet, on
windswept gravel points and shoals. Water temperatures will
be in the mid- to upper 40s.
Wade fishing is another Pymatuning Reservoir tradition,
as neoprene-clad anglers brave the cold water temperatures
and venture out in hopes of making contact with shallow fish.
Wading becomes potentially productive as fish begin making
pre-spawn movements, and continues through the spawn into
the early post-spawn period. Early evening well into nighttime
hours are most productive. Light leadhead jigs dressed with
chartreuse 3-inch twister tails take fish as do smaller-sized
floating and suspending minnow baits. The key is to work the
presentation fast enough to give it action.
Boat anglers also score during the spawn. A productive
approach is to longline troll the shallows during the daylight
hours, focusing on the 5- to 10-feet range. As fish contact is
made, you can zero in on a more defined depth. As nighttime
approaches, the fish typically move shallower so anticipate
having to do the same to keep in contact. Boat anglers can
continue to troll after dark or anchor on prime spawning areas
to cast. Be considerate of wading anglers, allowing them plenty
of room. Most popular wading sites are close to access areas.
There are plenty of productive spawning areas boaters can fish
that aren’t plied by waders due to their limited accessibility.
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

OHIO

Spawn

MERCER

VENANGO

The combined
efforts of the
Pennsylvania
Fish & Boat
Commission and
the Ohio Division
of Wildlife have
restored walleyes
to Pymatuning
Reservoir.

Post spawn

Actual spawning activities in a given area typically take
place over a week or two, depending on weather patterns.
Quick warm-ups often equate into shorter spawning periods.
Female walleyes quickly vacate the shallows after spawning,
with the smaller males hanging around longer.
As fish scatter and move deeper following the spawn,
they are often caught in a wide variety of depths and with
different tactics. Weedbeds will become established, with
some fish using this shallow cover. Other walleyes will move
into the deeper basins. At this time of year, some of the
largest walleyes are caught in the depths on crankbaits trolled
on leadcore line.
Wind-drifting with jigs is often productive. While
minnows were the bait earlier, leeches and nightcrawlers
become good tipping options in the warmer water. Longline
trolling the mid-depths at 2 mph often produces fish with
more active lures including Storm Hot-n-Tots and Cordell
Grappler Shads. This is frequently a good tactic when the
wind isn’t up.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March/April 2013

http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013

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