When does the Walleye start to pick up on Willard again?

[boatfisher]

I am heading to Willard Aug 1st and would like to know if it is to soon to catch some eyes. I will be bottom bouncing. New at fishing Willard. This spring was great. Not sure about now. Any help would be great Thanks
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]You can always catch walleye on something...at some time of day...in some part of the lake. But when the water temps rise much above 70 the wallies tend to stay deep and quiet during the day and feed mainly after dark...or on cloudy breezy days. Still a few caught on slow bottom bouncers but not like the post spawn period in May and June.

Over the years I have fished Willard I usually watch for the first good fall storm...generally sometime after the first of September. That gets the water chilling and signals fish to put on the feed bag before winter. October into November can be good for walleyes. And I have caught them by casting to the edge of the ice in December as the harbors were capping.

August 1 it will still be hot and the fish will likely be hanging out in the deeper spots around the lake. With our low water that won't be as deep as they would like it to be but they gotta deal with it. Early morning, late evening or for a couple hours after dark will be your best shot. Low and slow.
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[boatfisher]

Thanks for the info TubeDude sounds great.[fishin]
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]The one potential positive is that the wipers might be in a boil mode. Depends on shad sizes and movements...and the overall predator/prey population numbers. Some years are better than others. But there have already been a few boils reported and it generally gets better through August. Often the best boil action is in the last hour or so before dark.

Definitely take your tackle and give it a shot. It is an actual fact that you have a better chance of catching something if you are on the water and making casts. At least that's what I've heard. And if you don't do well you can always blame it on something else. That is the way of the angler.
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[boatfisher]

Like my dad used to say "You can't catch them out of the water" Hmmm He may of had a point. I never made the connection. And I will be looking for the boils. Thanks[fishin]
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[wiperhunter2]

Eye catching can be tough this time of the year at Willard but they are still hitting cranks trolled around 3 mph. Was out there yesterday and with water temps at 86* at launch, I figured there was little chance of catching any eyes but surprise, surprise, first fish of the day was a nice 19" eye and we ended up with three.
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