Tackle
Post-spawn, water in the upper-40s to mid-50s, walleyes will bite but it's a "work for them" kind of week. Less is more.
Primary
- 1/8 oz jigs tipped with fathead minnows or rainbow chubs in calm shallow water.
- 1/4 oz jigs when wind or current makes you fight for bottom contact.
- Pitch to 4–8 ft, let it hit bottom, slow hop and drag.
Colors
- Gold, orange, firetiger, chartreuse, pink/white, plain black.
- Rotate natural ↔ bright depending on water clarity and sun.
Backups
- Slip bobber + leech or minnow on shallow rock at dusk for the bigger walleye.
- Small crankbaits during wind or after dark.
- Paddle-tail plastics if we want to cover water fast.
Bait swap rules
- Default: minnows.
- Switch to leeches if surface temps push past 50°F and fish are pecking but not committing.
- Switch to plastics if minnows die fast or fish are chasing.