Q.Spawn Timing & Fishing
When do walleye spawn and how do I fish the spawn run?
A.
Walleye spawn at 42-50°F, typically March-April in the Upper Midwest, with the run starting just after ice-out. Fish stage at the mouths of tributaries and below dams, then move upstream to spawn over rocky/gravel substrate. The spawn run produces the year's most concentrated walleye fishing — limits come fast on jigs or live bait below dams during the peak.
Many states have closed seasons or special regulations during the walleye spawn to protect the run. Check state regulations before fishing. Spawn calendar pages cover walleye timing.