Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024 - 18

ADVANCED
Wintertime
River Walleye
Tactics
by Jeff Knapp
photos by the author
A
s water temperatures cool down in late fall and
early winter, Walleye action on Pennsylvania's
rivers heats up. From early December through
the season's temporary closure in mid-March, fishing for
river-dwelling Walleyes is often at its best.
With fish confined to select habitat niches that provide
optimal conditions over the cold months, there's the
strong potential to be fishing over high concentrations
of Walleyes. Expect to find Walleyes in areas of slack or
reduced current. Examples include deeper holes tucked
behind natural barriers such as rock bars, outflow areas
below dams, and near the mouths of incoming streams
and smaller rivers.
Deeper, sheltered pools allow Walleyes to escape the
stronger force of the river's current, particularly when
river flows are up. Low current conditions permit the
fish more freedom of movement. On river sections that
feature dams, expect to find good numbers of Walleyes
stacked below the dam provided there's not too much
current. Fish will gather in spots off the main current
such as the mouths of lock chambers on navigational
dams. Dam outflow areas often provide good options
for shore anglers. Junction holes-spots where incoming
streams join the main river-can be Walleye magnets as
these areas tend to hold a lot of baitfish. It's common for
foraging Walleyes to move into the shallows during the
evening twilight period providing fast action for both
shore and boat anglers.
In general, wintertime river Walleye anglers deal with
fish displaying two distinct attitudes. " Daytime " fish
that are somewhat neutral yet catchable. And, " evening "
fish, ones actively feeding. Obviously, this can differ on a
18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
day-to-day basis. Sometimes, you attack them during the
day, especially during cloudy conditions. The night bite
doesn't always happen, but it's a good guideline.
Boat anglers have the edge for daytime Walleyes,
as the fish tend to be in deeper water less accessible
to shore anglers. A typical scenario is a sheltered pool
below a rock bar formed at the mouth of an incoming
stream. The prime Walleye holding water stretches about
75 yards, and a mild current seam is found within it
between the main river and the pool, as well as a slight
back current that runs tight to the bank. It's likely that
Walleyes are scattered within this area.
The boat angler can seek out fish by drifting through
the pool, paying particular attention to the current
seams. If the depth is over 15 feet, it's often best to
simply hang the presentation vertically, placing it within
inches of the bottom. In shallower water, short casts can
be best.
Generally, if the fish are somewhat active, they will
respond to a bucktail jig, twister tail grub and even a Ned
Rig. Often, though, it takes a jig and minnow or metal
fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2024
