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We’re now in that sort of awkward transition time of year where ice-fishing opportunities are fading fast, yet many open-water gamefish seasons are still closed. Sorta feels like:
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So you’ll be seeing a little mixture of both in these TW emails... Let's get into today's shenanigans!
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Late-ice crappie locations and presentations
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Whole pile of great info from diehard fish-head Blake Tollefson in the full In-Fisherman write-up, but a few excerpts below:
High-probability spots
> “Once we start getting into late ice, typically March, a lot of crappie ice anglers abandon the basins.... I still start my search in the basin, especially shallower ends of it, then I proceed to 10’ to 20’ flats adjacent to the basins.”
> “Fish will begin to transition from mid-winter’s deeper crappie-holding basins and start moving toward spawning areas in shallower bays, typically the northwestern ends of lakes, where water temperatures and the ice melts first.”
> Another thing, Tollefson said, is crappies tend to cruise higher up in the water column as they move from mid-basins to flats on their move shallow.
> “You’ll notice them from 5-6’ below the ice all the way up to just under the ice. They’ll chase a bait really high to smash it!”
> “In WI we have a lot of manmade fish cribs, Christmas tree piles, and brush and timber. These areas load up during late-ice – especially those in the mid-depth range. The deeper cribs and shallow cribs don’t necessarily hold fish during late-ice...it’s that mid-depth stuff you want to target.”
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> He says crappies will pretty much stay on this kind of mid-depth structure until they get ready to move into the shallows to spawn.
> “And if there are green weeds shallower, there will always be crappies there, too....
Presentations
> Tollefson says it’s hard to beat a 3 to 4mm tungsten jig tipped with a micro-plastic, most often without the addition of a waxworm or a couple maggots.
> “Late-ice fish are aggressive. It’s all about getting your bait to pods of fish fast and not worrying about having to re-bait. While scent can be important, it’s not super important for me during the late- to last-ice period. These fish just want to eat.”
> In terms of specific micro-plastics, Tollefson is a fan of the Eurotackle Bloodworm for fishing many of the smaller basin-style lakes in his neck o’ the woods that have a soft, muddy bottom with emerging critters.
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> “The other bait I fish a lot is the Eurotackle Leech...which is like a tiny Beaver-style bass bait with a big, water-displacing tail....
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> “In really stained water I might use pink or chartreuse – and in clear waters I might try a bluegill or green pumpkin hue pattern – but 90% of my late-ice crappie fishing is done with red, black, and white micro-plastics [because they work across all water clarity situations].”
You can keep reading here or by clicking the pic below:
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Sauger have the coolest camo 💯
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Exhibit 1A: Gorgeous markings on this WI sauger caught by fish-head Austin Ragotzkie last week:
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Btw Austin guides thru Blue Ribbon Outdoors in southeastern WI and offers spring walleye fishing trips on the Rock River, Wisconsin River, Green Bay and its tributaries. He’s already out open-water fishing catching – here’s a quality bite from last week
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Now back to some camo’d-up sauger...
Exhibit 1B: This one caught by tourney pro Isaac Lakich is a real-life unicorn:
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> Isaac: “Gotta love the colors on these feisty little fellas! There’s no missing the thwack of a p’d off sauger!”
No doubt!
Exhibit 1C: This WI Säugen-Dazs looks ready for the spring turkey hunt lol. Posted by Pike Pole Fishing Guide Service on FB:
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Exhibit 1D: I’m digging the contrasting colors on @dennis_kuhn’s northern-ON catch:
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Side note: When is somebody going to wrap their boat with a sauger pattern? I mean it probably already exists (send me a pic!) but in the meantime, here’s a quick ‘n sloppy preview hahaha:
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Gotta give props to some folks that are making a BIG difference! 🙌
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Those folks = Wheelchairs & Walleyes, who are bringing awareness to outdoor recreational access to children with adaptive needs and celebrating their achievements. Little background on ‘em from here:
> Wheelchairs & Walleyes was born out of a necessity. Individuals with adaptive needs are constantly being forced to conform to an able-bodied world. In many cases, such as outdoor lake recreation, they aren’t even given the opportunity due to nonexistent accommodations.
> After witnessing firsthand how limited the access is at public lakes my wife and I chose to make it our mission to allow anyone, regardless of their physical limitations, to be able to enjoy the lake without feeling like they are a burden to their friends and loved ones.
> The result of this idea was the construction and donation of the most inclusive wheelchair ramp and disabled persons lift in ND, at Beulah Bay Campground on Lake Sakakawea. It was topped off with the first annual Wheelchairs & Walleyes charity tournament and an officially proclaimed Children’s Mobility Awareness Day Festival on 7/25/24.
> Words cannot describe the joy and excitement from the children/parents who got to fish with their loved ones for the first time. However, I will quote a message that we received from a parent of one of our anglers:
> “All of you who saw this project through are a godsend. The gift you gave me and my daughter is something I only believed was possible in dream. I had all but given up on my lifelong dream of being able to take my daughter fishing with me. You truly have no idea the impact you have made in my life. Thank You, and God Bless You.”
> The response from the community, anglers, children, and family members was so profound that Wheelchairs & Walleyes had requests from throughout the region in less than one week from the unveiling. Thus, a new movement began. Wheelchairs & Walleyes feels that every disabled child, adult, elderly loved one, and paralyzed veteran in the country deserves the right to experience what many of us take for granted every day: Independence.
They have had lots in the works since then – I recently came across this FB post from Wheelchairs & Walleyes in Devils Lake, ND
> W&W just landed in Devils Lake! Tomorrow is a big day. We are delivering the very 1st piece of accessibility equipment slated for the Merle Baisch Memorial Wheelchair Ramp project [at the Lakewood Park Landing] tomorrow morning.
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> We are delivering it early because the local veterans groups need it for a few of their events in the next few months! It’s a WIN WIN for everyone!
Here’s a mockup of what the finished project will look like:
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Btw Wheelchairs & Walleyes has some big, awesome plans (from here) and could use some help. Maybe you or someone you know is the right person to help put this in motion?
> Hey, all...being as we don’t have enough on our plate right now, I have been mulling around a very special idea. We need some help getting our projects on Lake Oahe in Pierre, SD and Fort Peck reservoir in MT.
> Once completed, we would like to utilize our larger tournament organizations [Wheelchairs & Walleyes was founded and organized by the same family that owns/operates the Dakota Walleye Classic] within these three states and create a dedicated paralyzed veteran three lake annual tournament series.
> If this is something that interests you enough to help move this along, and you have contacts that could put us in front of the right veteran organizations, please let me know.
> Preferably we would build and donate the structures in 2026, then have our first series in ‘27 at the latest.
Incredible. A big thank YOU to Wheelchairs & Walleyes!
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Vodka > salt 🤔 for preserving minnows?!
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> Soak them in vodka and you will preserve them. You can then freeze ‘til spring. The combination suspends the minnows in a state that keeps them hydrated and preserved, but never frozen completely rock solid.
Who’d a thunk? Lake Erie capt Ross Robertson talks thru it in this MeatEater write-up, but he’s also got a YT video for you visual learners:
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Only other time I’ve seen anything like this was years ago at a cool little place called The Corral in Nelson, MN where you got a t-shirt for taking a shot with a minnow in it. 😅
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This ice video is outrageous
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I don’t know WTHeck the guy was even doing out there in the first place 😧 but of course am glad that he (eventually) made it back to shore. It’s like driving past a car accident and you just can’t look away 🫣 except this time the crash happens over and over and over again:
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1. MN: New Mille Lacs walleye regs are set.... 🥁
> Anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will have the opportunity to harvest 2 walleye daily during the upcoming open-water season, which begins on Sat, May 10, and continues through Sun, Nov 30. Harvested walleye must be 17” or greater, and only 1 of them can be over 20”.
2. Battery storage tips from Amped Outdoors
If you’re calling it quits on ice for the year, don’t just toss your gear in the garage and forget about it. Your batteries need a little love to stay in top shape.
How should you store your lithium battery in the offseason?
- Never store it fully dead – aim for about a 50% charge before putting it away.
- Keep it in a cool, dry place (40-80°F) and avoid long periods without charging.
- Top it off every 2-3 months to keep it fresh.
- Never leave it on the charger full-time, and don’t charge it below freezing.
Bonus Tip: Before your last few trips, check all connections and wiring. Loose or corroded terminals = power loss when you need it most.
3. Genius spare boat trailer bearing tip
> It's an excellent idea to go ahead and pack some bearings to carry with you on the road. Pack them with the proper grease then vacuum seal and throw in the boat or truck. It's also a good idea to carry a hub with axle hardware (axle nuts, seals, and cotter pins). This could save you thousands on an after-hours/weekend flatbed tow.
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4. MN/WI: Free onX Fish class TONIGHT at 6:30pm CST
> "An introductory tutorial on how to get the most out of the onX Fish App. ...live Q&A...enter giveaways for free gear, and walk away with a better knowledge of how to use the Fish App to its full potential both on the water and on the ice. Attendance is limited...."
5. ND: Hatchery produced record # of walleye fingerlings
> Walleye fingerling stocking wrapped up with Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery setting a record with just short of 12 mil fingerlings produced.
> Distribution trucks traveled more than 12,000 miles over a 2-week period to stock the fish.... When combined with fingerling production from Valley City National Fish Hatchery, 177 waters were stocked....
> “Stocking conditions in 2024 were optimal given the wet spring and early summer, and cooler than normal temps. The receiving waters were rich in invertebrates, critical food for the survival of the newly stocked walleye. Conditions are favorable for good survival and growth of young walleyes, which will continue to provide good fishing opportunities across the state for years to come.”
6. MN: Last weekend for the Igloo Bar
She’s still ON THE ICE at Lake of the Woods out of Zippel Bay Resort.
7. MN: Rainy River guided sturgeon trips are a thing
Awesome opportunity thru Border View Lodge to reel in a fish that’s stronger than you this spring!
8. A new Z-Man Chatterbait is coming 👀
Not sure how the Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer can get any better [it absolutely crushes!] but I’m excited to see what they’ve got up their sleeves next week.
9. Gambler expands distribution with Pitman Creek
10. Blast from the past! (old-school flasher)
Check out this vintage gem posted by The Structure Cafe on FB – back when your fish finder dial looked more like a speedometer! 😂 Who else remembers staring at that 100-ft dial and squinting to figure out what was happening beneath the boat?
This ad was pushing a "modern" upgrade to a 60-ft dial that promised "pinpoint resolution even in the shallowest water" for just $44.95...but don’t forget to mail in your transducer.
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Hard to believe how far we've come from these analog wonders to today's side-imaging and live sonar tech. Makes you wonder what folks back then would think of seeing fish move in real time....
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Jason Mitchell’s late-ice walleye patterns
For those of you lucky enough to have open walleye seasons AND safe ice, there’s a bunch o’ great info in this Virtual Angling write-up – few excerpts below:
> Ultimately, some of my most memorable late ice walleye patterns happen in shallow water less than 10’. The classic late-ice scenario where the ice is deteriorating and runoff is starting to seep in along the shorelines. You know when you have really hit true late-ice conditions when the shoreline ice starts to separate from the shore. Often, the water will become more stained and have more color. This thaw really drives these shallow patterns. This is when we often find aggressive fish in shallow water.
> The classic locations include shallow reefs or hard-bottom flats that are connected to the shoreline. Large flats that have rock, gravel, or sometimes sand that have access to deep water are classic spots. As the water becomes more stained, there are times when the traditional sunrise and sunset windows become less obvious. When this happens, moonrise and moonset can often become important.
> On some bigger bodies of water with classic spring walleye movements into tributaries or rivers, simply connect the dots between traditional winter locations and the incoming water. Could be a point or secondary point at the mouth of a traditional spawning bay on a reservoir. Could be a sand flat out in front of the anticipated spawning location.
> Fish often make massive moves on big water at late ice. Really the pattern can be simply running traffic. Setting up on a prominent location or piece of structure that fish pass by as the fish move from point A to point B. When fish do start putting on a lot of miles, they will often become more washed out in color. Pale fish tell you they are on the move. This helps you figure out the strategy a little better. The fish you are catching today won’t be around tomorrow but you will keep catching fish the next day if a new wave of fish pushes through. This is overall the best strategy or situation I have found for catching big walleye at late ice.
> Especially when we get towards the end of late ice, don’t be afraid to fish with aggressive presentations. When fish will respond to aggressive presentations, you can simply move and encounter more fish because fish can find and see aggressive presentations from further away.
> Big fan of horizontal swim lures like the classic Jigging Rap, Jigging Shad Rap [now discontinued] and Salmo Chubby Darters. Have absolutely fallen in love with the Salmo Rail Shad. Blade baits like the classic Heddon Sonar can shine if there is current. Spoons are always a staple.
> In stained water, experiment with rattle spoons like the CPT Rattlin' Blade Spoon. In water with good visibility, try flutter spoons like the CPT Leech Flutter Spoon. Rattle Baits like Rippin' Raps and LiveTargets can also shine.
> More important than the lure perhaps is the attitude. Make the fish chase the lure and pound the lure and lift the lure high when fish aren’t around. Pull fish in and make the fish react or chase the lure.
Keep reading here.
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Like I said, it’s an awkward time of year for most of us...hang in there:
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If you see our friend Joel VandeKrol, in his natural habitat, doing this:
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Step out the way and let the man cook! 🔥
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Dude is beyond talented with a camera in his hands. 🧙♂️
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Fella is just out there taking his (Snow)dog for a walk. 😅
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Thanks SO much for taking time out of your day to read these Target Walleye emails! 👊 Hope you have a great + safe weekend!
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Sign up another fish-head!
If you're forwarding Target Walleye to a friend who loves to walleye fish or want your fishing buddies to get these emails, just send us their email addresses and we'll take care of it! (We won't sell the addresses, use them for spam, etc.)
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FRIENDS OF TARGET WALLEYE
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Target Walleye – walleye during open water and all species during hardwater – is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jay Kumar, Chris Philen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!
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Brett McComas is the main man for Target Walleye He was discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing biz. He's in it now, but still can't answer that question.... Brett is one of those guys who majored in marketing, only because there was no such thing as a "fishing degree" at the time.... Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com
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