This cold snap, which is very typical of the first week in January over the years, is getting old. Or is it just me getting old? It seems it's harder these days for me to get the drive to go into the biting cold to catch a fish. I've often said, you have to be pretty "mad at the fish" to go after them in tough conditions.
In my travels to almost every walleye haunt on the continent, each winter I think more about warmer walleyes. During a stretch of temps like we've had the past few days, even temps hovering around the freezing mark seem inviting to launch the boat into. So, the question is, where?
Some of the best walleye action I've seen and experienced has been in the Ozarks and even further south. Although most southern walleye haunts are based in high country where it can get quite cold and snow, the boat would rarely be off limits. From Canyon Lake to Lake Powell in Utah, to Ute and Conchas in New Mexico and to Bull Shoals, Norfork, Stockton and others in the Ozarks, warmer walleyes are easy to find. Good size and good numbers! Key word is "warmer".
Here in the upper midwest, we are glad to fish on Opening Day in nasty weather. We are glad to fish in October with temps in the thirties. Like a good hunting dog, the boat loves it!
Compared to the temps the past few days, those cold spring and fall days are looking better all the time. The GPS on my boat has plenty of numbers on it where walleyes live in every one of the spots mentioned above! I think I'm getting mad at the walleyes at Bull Shoals. But then again, I could hate the walleyes that live at Beer Can Point on Canyon Lake right out of Mesa, AZ. too. Ya, you betcha!
Next winter? The cold and I will be even older. I can't wait. Guided walleye trips--southern style! contact Steve at sf1954@embarqmail.com or 651-270-3383