By Roy Vivian

As the days get shorter and colder a majority of walleye anglers winterize their boats. Avid open water anglers will chase other passions like sitting in a tree waiting for a trophy to go by or on a bucket staring down a hole. I will spend some time on the hard water myself and I will be following a dog around looking for a wily old rooster. However, I will also join a minority of hardcore anglers who brave the elements for what is one of the best bites of the year, tailrace walleyes and sauger.

Starting in Minneapolis and ending in Granite City, IL there are 27 lock and dams on the Mississippi River. Each will offer some opportunity to fish in December through February. Obviously, the further south you go the opportunity to have a “fishable” day increases. There are also numerous warm water discharges from power plants, like the one in Red Wing, MN, that allows year round access to an excellent fishery.

Other outstanding sauger opportunities are available in the Midwest on major river systems like the Illinois and Ohio rivers and in the south on the Tennessee River. Don’t overlook smaller rivers, if there is a dam there is probably an opportunity.

Although, each lock and dam is different the best ways and areas to fish them is similar. In most cases there are the locks, which allow for river traffic on one side and the rollers, which control current flow and extend to the other side of the river. Lock and Dam 3 in Red Wing is different as there is an island between the locks and, where most of the winter river fishing occurs, the rollers. All pools will provide some winter action, however, there are several that stand out like pools 4, 9, 13 and 14.

I recently went down to Pool 14 with my childhood classmate, Brad Munda. Brad and I had spent a lot of time ice fishing in the area when we were growing up but we never had targeted walleyes and sauger.

We found the nearest boat ramp and headed up to the dam equipped with our jigging rods, jigs, Hutch’s One Eye’s and plastics. Over the years I have found that plastics will out fish minnows on the river once the water temperature gets below 50 degrees. Besides who wants to stick their hand in a minnow bucket? Minnows will certainly catch fish but be prepared to mess with a bunch of bait stealing cigar sized walleye and sauger.

We started fishing in an eddy between the locks and the first roller jigging Hutch’s One Eye’s. We marked a few fish but had no luck so we headed to the other side of the river. We found a nice current break and eddy that reversed the river flow back towards the dam. It did not take long for a 16” sauger to inhale my vertically jigged ½ ounce Hutch’s jig and ringworm. For the next 4 hours we worked that current break in 10’ – 15’ of water and caught between 25 and 30 walleyes and sauger. Most were 14” to 18” with the biggest walleye being 20-1/2”. Those fish, along with many more that will be joining them, will be in the same area, although they will move out into deeper holes as the water cools down.  Simply match the speed of the current with your trolling motor allowing for a vertical presentation. It is that easy. The same scenario will play out from Minneapolis to Granite City.

By late November runoff from rains will have ended, for the most part, and barge traffic will slow down eventually stopping in some areas in December and January. River flow will decrease and river clarity will improve dramatically. The saugers will move out into the middle of the river channel and into deeper holes. I do not recommend fishing holes deeper than 30’. Fish caught any deeper will likely die due to the pressure change which explodes their swim bladder.

A simple jig and plastic like a ring worm or 3” shad style bait is an excellent choice. Hutch’s One Eye’s and blade baits are also favorite baits in cold water. As the water cools, a subtle jigging motion will improve your catch. Use smaller, subtler baits like Super Doo’s and 2” to 2”1/2” flukes and paddle tails. If water clarity is poor, less than 5 inches a lift and drop jigging motion usually works. If the water clarity is 10” or greater try lifting and holding the jig 6” to 12” off of the bottom and be ready to hold on. It might only be 25 degrees outside but these fish are aggressive and they will inhale that plastic.

Baits with subtle action work best in cold water like Hutch’s Hair jigs, Super Doo’s and Flukes. Blade baits are popular in the winter as are ripple shads, paddle tails and ring worms on a Hutch Jig.

In general walleyes will be shallower than their cousin. If you are catching Sauger in 20’-25’ move in to 15’-20’ to try for walleyes. In low light conditions move to sand flats and slowly drag a 3/16 – ¼ oz. jig and 3-4” twister tail up river at 0.3 -0.5 mph. This is especially effective if there are dunes in the sand. You won’t miss many fish as the bite will be aggressive.

If you are looking for a monster try a wing dam in low light conditions. The same holds true for feeding areas near the dam that have a feeding shelf in 3’-5’.  These are great places for an easy meal, as walleyes will let the current bring them an easy meal. Cast an 1/8 – 5/16 Oz jig, depending on water depth, with 3”-5” tail or a ring worm. If walleyes are shallow they are there for one reason, to eat. You will know if there are fish there as their strike with transfer through the rod all the way to your shoulder with the patented “walleye thunk”.

Odds and Ends

If the temperature is below freezing, use monofilament line. Braided line repels water, which freezes on the spool and will accumulate on the guides of the rod. To reduce ice build up apply lip balm to the rod guide. Spraying Reel Magic on the line can also help. Use 4-6 lb. test, any larger diameter will make it difficult to stay vertical.

Make sure your boat and motor are in working condition and the wheels bearings of your trailer are properly greased. I have had two winter trips in Red Wing that did not end well. I won’t mention any names, Scott Pirnstill. In one case Scott’s motor ceased and we had to limp pack to the boat launch with the kicker motor. In another case Scott didn’t grease the bearings of his trailer. We were driving home, a couple of miles outside of Winona, MN when a car pulled next to us, rolled down the window, and said “your trailer is on fire!” We were lucky enough to pull over and throw some snow on the axle, which cooled things down. We limped to the Fleet Farm in Winona where Scott got a new axle.

Captain Scott Pirnstill with a Pool 4 Winter Sauger before his trailer caught on fire.

Winter fishing can be comfortable when you get Lund’s Complete Sun Top. Photo Courtesy of Lund Boats

Here are a few winter tips:

• Step out of your truck cautiously when launching and loading ensuring the ramp is ice free.
• When launching and loading let the trailer drain excess water before parking so others will be able to launch safely.
• Tilt the outboard motor down to allow all excess water to drain.
• If you keep fish throw them in the live well without turning on the pump. Water in the hoses will freeze and expand which will crack hoses and fittings.
• Check trailer for exposed wiring and ice build up.
• Dress warm! Bring a heater or two!

Make sure to have a shovel and salt or kitty litter.

Winter is tough on your equipment but with proper maintenance to your boat and a lot of warm clothes your efforts can be rewarded with one of the best bites of the year.

Roy Vivian is a tournament walleye angler from Madison, Wisconsin who fishes the MWC, FLW, and AIM Walleye Circuits.  In 2008, he finished in 11th place at the Illinois River MWC event, and took third place in 2009. He is presently on the pro-staff of Lund Boats, Mercury Motors, EZEE Steps, Do-It Molds and Shimano rods and reels.