Late Spring Walleye Fishing In The Waters Of Green Bay
Author John Neilio
Late spring walleye fishing on the waters of Green Bay can be very rewarding and lots of fun. Generally we’re talking about late April into May along the shore lines of Oconto and southern Marinette Counties in Wisconsin. Just like early spring, shallow water trolling in 8 feet to 20 feet of water produces the best results.
The big difference in day time trolling is a switch from crank and stick baits to crawler harnesses. Two hooks are most popular but the important part is a quick change clevis which enables you to replace the spinner blades. Make sure you have an ample supply of different colored blades in different sizes. Check with local sport shops and other fishermen for advice to get you started. As always, experimentation is the key to success. Holographic blades are popular and the Colorado Spinner Blades are designed to produce maximum flash, vibration and realism, regardless of water color. Check out Bass Pro Shop’s website, search crawler harnesses and you will be amazed are the variety available.
The harnesses can be weighted in several different ways:
Light weight bottom bouncers can be used, however you may run into weeds in certain areas. Snap weights are another method employed, again using light weights. The last method is simply attaching split shots to the line a few feet above the harness. Experiment with these methods and weight to find what works best for you and the depth you’re fishing in.
The waters of Green Bay are very clear due to Zebra Mussels, so you will need to use a method to get your lines away from the boat. Skis or off shore planer boards will do the trick. Planer boards allow you to spread your lines and get them away from the boat at the same time. Line counter reels can really help keep track when running several lines in shallow water.
There is still stick and crank bait fishing available but after dark is the best time for this type of fishing. Start just before dark to get your initial setup and your bearings. Make sure you have plenty of lights onboard for night time fishing. There are also light kits available for some of the planer boards, which make strikes much more apparent. Rapala, Thunder Stick, Reef Runners and other similar baits in a wide assortment of colors are the most popular choices.
You will need some electronics on your boat for depth and speed, although water temperature isn’t as important at this time of year. Typically slower speeds are better, from just below to just above 1 mph. The best thing to do is experiment. Some days the fish like slower speeds more than other days.
There are a few access points to Green Bay along this area of the West shoreline. There is a launch in the Pensaukee River in the City of Pensaukee off of County highway “S”. Follow the river out to the bay but be careful at the mouth, as it can be a little shallow. The City of Oconto has a municipal boat launch where the Oconto River enters Green Bay. Oconto County has a launch at their County Park II off of County Highway “Y”.
Good luck and good fishing.
About the Author
John Neilio is an advid fisherman with 35 years experience fishing on the Great Lakes, throughout the U.S. and Canada. Great fishing information can be found on his website www.profishingblog.com
Basic Fishing Gear : Spooling Monofilament Line on Spinning Fishing Reels
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