By Steve Weisman
Outdoor Editor

The Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club’s recent Spring Fishing Seminar held at Oak Hill Outdoor drew over 200 people in anticipation of Jason Mitchell’s seminar topic: “Weed Walleye!” Most certainly, they weren’t disappointed.

Mitchell began by talking how many bodies of water are becoming clearer, and with the clarity comes the expansion of both underwater and emergent vegetation. Historically, walleye anglers have focused on rocky points, deep rock piles, sandbars and basins. Most certainly, anglers would cast jigs and troll the weed edges with lindy rigs and spinners and bottom bouncers, but fishing in the weeds was not for the faint of heart. For a lot of us, fishing the weeds was unpleasant, wore on our patience and for the most part, we avoided the weeds and looked for walleyes deeper.

Mitchell, however, challenged us to target the weeds; he believes weeds are one of the last best-kept secrets. As mentioned earlier, though, weeds are not for the faint of heart. However, as Mitchell said, “A lot of secrets today are in 10’ to 12’ of water and most definitely shallower. Weed growth is expanding with our clearer water and the fish are moving shallower with these weeds.”

Each lake has its own characteristics, and it is important to understand how weeds fit into a particular water body. Generally speaking, according to Mitchell, understand the lake, what and where weeds are located and just plain understand what good spots look like. Mitchell offered these general suggestions for good spots: native milfoil, varieties of broad and narrow leaf pond weed, coontail, rushes, sago pondweed. The type of bottom will help determine types of vegetation…sand, rubble and rock. Then within the weeds, you will find openings and troughs (fish highways), edges and flats and breaks. Mitchell said, “Look for the open lanes. Walleyes are not going to go through the heavy weeds. They are not going to part the jungle.”

So, just as in all types of fishing for walleyes, there is a true learning curve. It always helps to have a fishing partner who has worked these weeds or tutorials on YouTube videos. No matter the way, it takes time to learn! Bottom line is you have to study the weeds and the differences as the bottom changes.

Deep weed flats have their own characteristics. Mitchell added, “Look for the sweet spots, the holes, maybe the breaks. Look where the baitfish are. Look for the differences in the weeds. Look for the bigger and taller weeds. On clear lakes, early in the season, look for the fish to be on the sunny side of the weeds, while later in the season (July and later), look for the fish on the shady side.”

Always take a look above the weeds. The weeds are a great place for a predator fish like the walleye to lie in wait. As weeds grow, some of the best fishing can be above the weeds. As the water warms, the weeds will often continue to grow. Fish above the weeds and dial in the openings.

A ripple on the water can actually lead to walleyes moving out on the edge of the weeds. The wave action can a disturbance in the weeds, which can make fish more aggressive. According to Mitchell, “It is important to dial in the depth. As the weeds change, make sure to relearn the spot as the year goes. Adjust the baits as the weeds grow. “

A game changer for walleye anglers has been the advancement of Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS). Although the weeds cut down on how far the FFS can help you see fish versus in open water, it still allows anglers to help eliminate weeds and find the fish. “However, these fish can be spookier, and you don’t want to put the boat right above the fish. Once you find the walleyes, use your SpotLock to keep you on the edge to reach the fish. The SpotLock is the easiest boat control ever. It is so easy to do incremental creeks, say 10’ at a time. Move…hit the SpotLock and sit and then move again!”

The old adage that proper repetition is the mother of all learning certainly holds true targeting weed walleyes…and that is the key proper repetition! Next comes the presentation options, and there are a lot of them. In our next column, we will see what Mitchell has to say about a variety of presentations.

A huge crowd over 200 people attended the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club’s spring get-together.

Jason Mitchell captivated his audience discussing “Weed Walleye.”