Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 17
Game
Plan for
Wintertime
River
Walleyes
by Jeff Knapp
photos by the author
For many folks, early winter weekends revolve around the
gridiron. If you're like me, though, you'd rather spend your
days afield or on the water. At this time of year, fishing for
Walleyes in rivers is high on the list.
But just because a person prefers the field sports to sitting
in front of a wide screen television, they can still borrow a
page from "the game," more specifically the detailed game
plan that goes into such contests. Indeed, having a well
thought out game plan can help one make good use of the
limited daylight of early winter.
In this spirit, here is a plan that examines the playing field,
the opposition and the plan of attack.
The playing field
Rather than a 100-yard field, this venue is a large river,
one like the Allegheny River in western Pennsylvania,
the Susquehanna River in the central part of the state
or the Delaware River to the east. While each may have
differences in regard to physical characteristics, there are
many similarities, particularly in how Walleyes relate to
their environment.
By December, water temperatures are cold, typically in the
30s. While Walleyes are lethargic in the frigid water, they will
also be concentrated. They won't be found in areas with any
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com
high degree of current, meaning they will be tucked back
in slack water areas. While they typically aren't as active as
when conditions are 20 to 30 degrees warmer, they are much
easier to find, a major advantage for the angler.
So, what constitutes a slack water area where winter river
Walleye will stack up? Basically, these are areas protected
from the brunt of the river's force by some kind of natural
feature or man-made obstruction. It could be the mouth of
the downriver lock chamber on a lock and dam facility on
the lower Allegheny River or the quiet water below a gravel
bar washed out into the Delaware River at the mouth of an
incoming stream. On the Susquehanna River, it may be a
slow pool nestled in behind a good-sized island.
Other situations that create slack water pools are major
river bends. Deep holes are often found in these areas (the
deeper water typically along the outside of the bend). The
sheer depth of such spots often creates the needed habitat for
winter Walleyes. The aforementioned gravel bar cannot only
create a protected pool downstream of it but upstream as
well. It can act as a wing dam of sorts.
The collection of surface debris-leaves and sticks
following a period of higher water-is often an indication of
a slack water pool. These areas also tend to freeze over first
as winter progresses.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2015
17
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 24
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 34
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 36
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 42
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 45
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 52
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 54
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - Cover4
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