[adamsapple19]

I was at Turkey Creek last Thurs (Feb 8th). First time fishing this season and first time fishing this early in a season. This is just my second season of "real" fishing.

Back in the area near the bridge, there were dozens and dozens of dead minnows pushed up along the shore. Most were under thin, scattered sheets of ice right at the shoreline where the water is mostly shaded under trees.

Based on general research I've done about Walleye behavior, I understand minnows are their primary target early season. I have also read that Walleye like areas near current during spawn.

Would anyone be able to confirm if I'm at all close to correct in thinking that turkey creek might be a good location to target early season Walleye (shore angler)?

Any feedback much appreciated.

 

[Oyey]

The minnows you are seeing are likely shad... and they are definitely the eye's primary food source. Turkey Creek will get some early eyes, but most early eyes start on the dam and other spawning areas. From now until late march the spawn will happen. Eyes will be super shallow at night. If you happen to catch a big one, it's probably a female.. please release her.

It's a tad early for the spawn still, but since the winter was so warm, maybe not. Good luck.

 

[adamsapple19]

Thank you .. appreciate the feedback. I had read that the males tend to come shallow first and females soon after. Good tip on releasing females ... I look forward to hopefully enjoying years of fishing, as I hope most do.

I made my way to Turkey Creek that morning as both N1 Cove and South Fishing were closed, and I was going to lose my sunrise if I didn't find an area. All I could think of where there might be some shallow water was TC.

Is access to the dam closed off because of the unusually high water? If the dam is a good location for early eyes, there wouldn't be any reason (per parks dept) that I couldn't park somewhere and make my way on foot to the dam, correct?

 

[Oyey]

Thank you .. appreciate the feedback. I had read that the males tend to come shallow first and females soon after. Good tip on releasing females ... I look forward to hopefully enjoying years of fishing, as I hope most do.

I made my way to Turkey Creek that morning as both N1 Cove and South Fishing were closed, and I was going to lose my sunrise if I didn't find an area. All I could think of where there might be some shallow water was TC.

Is access to the dam closed off because of the unusually high water? If the dam is a good location for early eyes, there wouldn't be any reason (per parks dept) that I couldn't park somewhere and make my way on foot to the dam, correct?

That is correct. It is not closed. Also try main lake points with rocky bottoms. They will be spawning there too. Suspending jerk baits in bright colors or super dark colors work best. Don't shine your light on the water if you can avoid it...

That's all you get for now!!! lol.. have fun, catch some eyes

 

[adamsapple19]

That is correct. It is not closed. Also try main lake points with rocky bottoms. They will be spawning there too. Suspending jerk baits in bright colors or super dark colors work best. Don't shine your light on the water if you can avoid it...

That's all you get for now!!! lol.. have fun, catch some eyes

Haha okay... thank you again.

I'll return either with pics of caught walleye or a whole bunch of observations/question marks! ... probably both actually :tongue:

 

[adamsapple19]

I was out there last night at dusk, didn't get to the bank until "late dusk" but I managed to fish for a little over an hour, about half of that in pitch black. New Moon not helpful I suppose.

Here's a couple pics of where I was fishing (took right when I got to the bank) .. the back corner of N1 cove on the dam side. I think the one pic is pretty stunning, personally. But these are just for reference.

I liked this spot because I had the boulders to my left and what appeared to be a pretty flat, loose-gravel type area to my right. I figured I could toss suspending jerkbaits about 45° at the boulders (and flats) and toss a Keitech on a 1/4oz jig on the flat area.

I did both, and nothing. I thought I might have caught a quick glimpse of a glowing orb behind one of my jerkbaits on one of my final retrieves. Idk though, probably just my mind playing tricks on me in the dark.

I was thinking about the role weather/temps are playing. So below is a screenshot of the temps since Feb 11th. I fished last night (evening 13th). I wonder if the recent overnight lows from that coldsnap/snow event aren't a factor?

With today's temps and tonight's mild (?) overnight low .. I wonder if fishing tomorrow evening (Thurs, 15th) might be more ideal, given that temps will have been mild for about 3 days at that time, vs mild for only about ~1 day when I fished evening of the 13th?

Any thoughts/feedback appreciated.


Below is the forecast for the South Shore Marina just for general reference.

 

[_colorado]

Stick with Oyey's advice. You can't go wrong if you are persistent. If you see an old guy limping around say hi!

 

[adamsapple19]

Stick with Oyey's advice. You can't go wrong if you are persistent. If you see an old guy limping around say hi!

Persistence is not something I'm lacking!

If you see a guy walking around with what's certainly too much tackle, heavy black workboots, funny looking (but effective!) sunglasses, and a general air of confusion about him ... also feel free to say hi!