Now that the ice is melting, all of us seem to have the same idea, spring fishing! For those of you that enjoy walleye fishing the Fox, here are a few tips that might help you be a little more successful. I think we have all witnessed the many boats up around the damn. There are boats always coming, and going, trying to find that special spot were the fish are sitting. That tends to scatter the fish even at depths to 20 feet.
Find a spot away from the crowds. Drift slowly down stream keeping your jig vertical. If your boat is drifting too fast, use your Minn Kota trolling motor to slow you down. Remember, the water is cold and the fish are slow! In the summer months we troll for walleyes as slow as .8 mph so use your GPS to check your speed. When going slow you'll notice at times your jig tends to get downstream from you. Don't be afraid to try a little heaver jig in order to keep your line vertical.
As the fish move upstream, they'll try to stay away from the faster currents. The current is always slower right on the bottom. Additionally, look for those breaks in the current along the main channel, the fish will tend to travel along those edges. Last year, the water had much more clarity than years before. In such cases as the water is very clear, the fish will tend to be spooked from your boat, so try making long casts into the current breaks.
The six plus miles of the Fox River from the damn to the mouth of Green Bay is loaded with areas that hold walleyes. Don't be afraid to venture downstream and take advantage of some of the best walleye fishing on the Fox. Fish the many bridges, drop-offs, and rocky shores; they can be treasure troves of great fishing!
