Been reading a new book I heard about on here. Beneath the surface, I recommend it. So, it's always been said that walleye relate to structure. But now I'm wondering, do walleye relate to structure, or do they relate to bait fish relating to structure? So far, the book implies they relate to baitfish more than anything.

A lot of savvy fisher people on here, so I thought I'd ask.

Think like a walleye, think like a walleye, think like a walleye... ;)

lol Jimi

Walleye think... mmmm food!!

Excellent point. I used to believe in the structure gospel. I think a lot of the theory about structure comes from lakes that have relatively little structure, and a defined breakline. Canadian shield are different. They have oodles of "structure", drop-offs, points, etc. But a lot of it is sterile.

My own theory is that bottom composition is the key. Mud flats in the spring, gravel areas, areas where the waves wash up, etc. are all possible hot spots. And it probably comes down to where the baitfish are.

To me, the trick in fishing BW lakes is finding these spots. If you read enough fishing magazines, you'd think you could pick up a depth map and predict the hot spots. I've almost never found that to be the case. Yes, the maps can tell you that this or that bay is only 3' deep, and if you are lucky, there may be a mid-lake reef that is a good bet, but other than that, you are on your own.

That to me is why trolling on a new lake makes sense.

Well, I can't speak for a walleye, but I NEVER let myself get too far from the fridge, even if I'm not hungry.

Ever notice how people at a party always congregate in the kitchen?

Let me give my input. I fish bass tments all over the country and depend on finding bass very quickly. I have had the opportunity to learn from the best. I am no walleye expert but would suspect that they operate on the same set of biological behaviors as bass do... food, reproduction, and survival. Which is the same way baitfish operate. Depending upon the time of the year will determine which one of these factors the predatory fish are reacting to.

Early spring: deeper, but beginning to move shallow and feeding big time to put on weight before they spawn.

Spring: focused on spawning and moving into or out-of the shallower bays or mid-lake sheltered humps to spawn or leaving from spawning. At this time of year, the bass use the break-lines and creek channels as highways to move back and forth. They stop and take breaks on the "sweet spots" on the structure.

Late Spring/Early Summer: Food, but moving back to the deeper main lake areas

Summer: schools of fish will stack up on the sweet spots on the structure at a deeper depth and really ambush the bait fish. BUT... the way to find the bass IS to find the bait fish because they will follow them.

Late Summer: they follow the bait fish shallow alot of times using the same "high-ways" that they did in the spring.

Fall: they will be shallow feeding tremendously.

Think of it this way...

The structure offers protection from dangers or weather conditions (quick access to deep water). Once you find the structure, you must find the "sweet spot" on the structure. This often entails a good ambush point on the structure (a stump, boulder, change of bottom composition, grass, turn or point on the drop; basically any change of any type can be the sweet spot). Any of these things will give a bass (or group of bass) a point that it can hide and ambush prey as it comes along.

It could come along for any reason: following food, shelter (which doubles as an ambush point for the bass), positioning for current created by water inflow/outflow or wind, or weather conditions.

So to answer the question: YES, the predatory fish are focused on following the food MOST times of the year. And that is why depth finders can be so important if you know what you are looking for.

But, this is the BWCA and Quetico, if you dont want to get caught up in all of that crap, just realx, fish and have a good time.

Useful thoughts, bnb4. Thanks.

I live in Iowa and have been out with my local DNR fisheries guys when they've been radiotracking walleyes for a study they conducted down here several years ago. Their 2 year study showed that the walleyes down here will definately relate more toward the food source, they eat shad down here in east- central Iowa. The only time they related to structure was shade. On hot, sunny days, they would hang out in the shade, even if it was only in 6 feet of water. Dave