Shelby's Tips for Spring Walleye

Featuring Shelby Ross, Mack’s Lure Pro Angler

As a lifelong angler and guide at Ross Outdoor Adventures, I’ve spent countless hours chasing walleye on Washington’s legendary Potholes Reservoir. Spring is one of my favorite times to target these fish, as they’re staging to spawn and actively feeding in preparation for the season ahead. With the right techniques, gear, and understanding of walleye behavior, you can have some of the most productive fishing days of the year. In this article, I’ll share my tried-and-true methods for spring walleye fishing, including how to use Mack’s Lure tackle effectively to consistently put fish in the boat.

Understanding Spring Walleye Behavior

In early spring, as water temperatures rise into the low 40s, walleye begin transitioning from their wintering areas into pre-spawn staging zones. On Potholes Reservoir, this means they move from deeper water (30–40 feet) into shallower areas (10–25 feet) near creek arms, drop-offs, and flats. These fish are opportunistic feeders, looking to build energy reserves for spawning.

Key factors to consider:

Water Temperature: Early spring walleye are most active in water between 42–50°F. At colder temperatures, they tend to be less aggressive and require slower presentations.

• Depth Zones: In March and early April, focus on deeper areas like the mouth of Lind Coulee or Crab Creek. As temperatures warm into late April and May, walleye move shallower.
• Feeding Habits: Walleye feed on baitfish like perch fry and insects such as mayflies and chironomids in spring. Matching your presentation to their forage is critical.

Trolling Techniques for Spring Walleye

Trolling is my go-to method for covering water and locating active fish on Potholes Reservoir. It allows you to present your bait at precise depths while maintaining a consistent speed—two key factors for success.

1. Slow Death Rigs

One of my favorite setups in spring is a Slow Death Rig paired with a Mack’s Lure Smile Blade. The bent hook creates an erratic spinning action when tipped with a nightcrawler, mimicking an injured baitfish.

Speed: Troll between 0.8–1.0 mph in early spring when water temperatures are cooler. As temps rise above 50°F, you can increase speeds slightly to 1.2 mph.

Depth: Use bottom bouncers or sliding weights to keep your rig near the bottom where walleye are feeding.

Colors: In stained water or low-light conditions, I prefer bright UV colors like chartreuse or orange. In clearer water, natural tones like silver or gold work best.

 2. Mack’s Lure Hot Wings

The Hot Wing is another excellent tool for spring trolling. Its lightweight Flash Lite Blades create flash and vibration that attract walleye from a distance.

Pair it with a Smile Blade rig or a plain slow death hook tipped with a nightcrawler.

Troll at similar speeds (0.8–1.2 mph) and adjust leader lengths based on fish activity—longer leaders (18–24 inches) for subtle action or shorter leaders (12–18 inches) for more aggressive action.

 3. Plugs

As water temperatures warm later in spring, crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps or Berkley Flicker Shads become effective. These lures mimic baitfish and allow you to cover more water quickly.

When to Use: Switch to plugs when you start seeing perch fry in your life or when cleaning fish reveals they’re feeding heavily on baitfish.

Speed: Troll faster—1.5–2.0 mph—to trigger reaction strikes from aggressive post-spawn walleye.

Where to Find Walleye on Potholes Reservoir

Potholes Reservoir offers a diverse habitat that holds walleye throughout the spring season. Here are some key areas to target:

1. Lind Coulee Arm:

This area warms up earlier than others due to consistent water flow.

Focus on depths of 28–36 feet in early spring and move shallower (10–20 feet) as the season progresses.

2. Crab Creek:

As irrigation flows increase later in spring, walleye migrate toward Crab Creek to spawn.

Target drop-offs and flats near creek inflows using slow death rigs or Smile Blades.

3. Shallow Flats:

As temperatures approach 50°F, walleye move onto shallow flats near weed beds and rocky points.

Troll slowly along these areas with bottom bouncers or planer boards to avoid spooking fish.

Using Mack’s Lure Tackle Effectively

Mack’s Lure products are staples in my tackle box because they’re versatile, durable, and proven to catch walleye consistently.

Smile Blades

• Smile Blades are ultra-light spinner blades that spin at speeds as low as 0.25 mph—perfect for lethargic early-spring walleye.
• Adjust the blade angle for different actions: a wider angle creates a slow roll, while a narrower angle produces a faster spin.
• Tip your hooks with night crawlers or leeches for added scent and attraction.

Hot Wings

• Hot Wings add flash and vibration that draw fish from farther away
• Use it with crawler harnesses or plain hooks tipped with bait.
• Experiment with UV colors like hot pink or chartreuse on water clarity and light conditions.

UV Glo Burst Smile Blades

• These spinner blades feature UV-enhanced finishes that increase visibility in murky water—a common condition on Potholes Reservoir during spring runoff.

Pro Tips for Spring Walleye Fishing

1. Match Your Presentation to Conditions:

• On calm days with clear water, use subtle colors like silver or gold and lighter weights.
• In windy conditions or stained water, switch to brighter UV colors and heavier weights for better visibility.

2. Vary Your Speeds:

• Incorporate changing speed and direction—this often triggers reaction strikes from the following fish.

3. Monitor Water Temperature:

• Use a thermometer to track temperature changes throughout the day; even slight increases can push fish shallower or make them more active.

Final Thoughts

Spring is an exciting time for walleye fishing on Potholes Reservoir, offering opportunities to catch these prized fish as they prepare for the spawning season. By understanding their behavior, targeting key areas like Lind Coulee and Crab Creek, and using proven gear like Mack’s Lure Smile Blades and Hot Wings, you can maximize your success on the water. 

Whether you’re new to walleye fishing or looking to refine your techniques, these tips will help you land more fish this season—and if you want hands-on guidance, I’d love to take you out on a guided trip through Ross Outdoor Adventures!