02-15-2006, 08:49 PM
[cool][#0000ff]By "active" are you referring to the spawn? That usually occurs at about 43 to 45 degrees. But, as soon as the ice is off and there is even a couple of degrees of warming...say up to about 40 degrees...the fish go on a "prespawn" feed. That is usually a better time to get some big fish than during the spawn, when they are not eating.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]During the spawn, most of the fish caught legally (not "dorsal diners") are smaller and more aggressive males. They are not feeding as much as defending territory and trying to drive off intruders. That includes anglers lures that get close enought to chomp on.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The best time to catch walleyes anywhere is about two to four weeks after the spawn is over...lasting until summertime water temps get over about 70 degrees. Once the fish are through with the "spring fling", they stabilize and then begin feeding actively to replace energy and weight lost during the non-feeding spawning period.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are already prespawn fish being taken around Utah Lake. Best spots are Lindon, American Fork Boat Harbor, the end of the jetties at Provo Boat Harbor, The mouth of the Spanish Fork River and the ever-popular Lincoln Beach.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]For those who think they have it dialed in, you need to know that the water levels are way higher than they have been at any point in the last few years. All of your favorite wading spots are several feet deeper, and the rocky structure that held fish in years past is deeper than the fish usually like for spawning. So, you might have to do some searching to locate this year's hot spots.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I haven't been out yet. As soon as Mama Nature settles down for a day or two, I plan to correct that oversight. Mid February is usually a starting point, and the first of March is almost always a good bet. Once the fish start coming in, the word gets out fast and you can plan on lots of company wherever you decide to go.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Willard Bay is another matter. However, in years past, mid March is a good time to start throwing plastics around the edges of the rocks. I am sure that as more boats get out from the north marina, trolling for wipers, that some walleyes will start showing up too. The south marina is still closed to launching. Too bad. There is sometimes some good walleye fishing on either side of the channel along the rocks early in the year.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]During the spawn, most of the fish caught legally (not "dorsal diners") are smaller and more aggressive males. They are not feeding as much as defending territory and trying to drive off intruders. That includes anglers lures that get close enought to chomp on.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The best time to catch walleyes anywhere is about two to four weeks after the spawn is over...lasting until summertime water temps get over about 70 degrees. Once the fish are through with the "spring fling", they stabilize and then begin feeding actively to replace energy and weight lost during the non-feeding spawning period.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are already prespawn fish being taken around Utah Lake. Best spots are Lindon, American Fork Boat Harbor, the end of the jetties at Provo Boat Harbor, The mouth of the Spanish Fork River and the ever-popular Lincoln Beach.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]For those who think they have it dialed in, you need to know that the water levels are way higher than they have been at any point in the last few years. All of your favorite wading spots are several feet deeper, and the rocky structure that held fish in years past is deeper than the fish usually like for spawning. So, you might have to do some searching to locate this year's hot spots.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I haven't been out yet. As soon as Mama Nature settles down for a day or two, I plan to correct that oversight. Mid February is usually a starting point, and the first of March is almost always a good bet. Once the fish start coming in, the word gets out fast and you can plan on lots of company wherever you decide to go.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Willard Bay is another matter. However, in years past, mid March is a good time to start throwing plastics around the edges of the rocks. I am sure that as more boats get out from the north marina, trolling for wipers, that some walleyes will start showing up too. The south marina is still closed to launching. Too bad. There is sometimes some good walleye fishing on either side of the channel along the rocks early in the year.[/#0000ff]
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