Walleye Fishing in March
Pre-Spawn / Spring Stage — water temp 35-44°F. Moving toward inflow rivers, current breaks, gravel staging.
Where the walleye are this month
Moving toward inflow rivers, current breaks, gravel staging. The biggest mistake anglers make in March is fishing the same depths they fished last month. Walleye move with water temperature, oxygen, baitfish, and light — and March's pattern is its own.
Tactics that work in March
- Find river inflows where current meets lake
- Fish gravel shelves in 6-12 ft
- Slowly twitch jigs near bottom
- Watch for staging fish at sundown
Lure picks for March
1/4 oz hair jigs, jig + minnow, slow-roll swimbaits, paddle tail jigs
Best lakes to fish this month
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When do walleye start staging in spring?
When water hits 38–42°F, walleye move toward river inflows and gravel shorelines to stage for the spawn.
Where to find March walleye?
Inflow river mouths, current breaks, and gravel shelves in 6–12 ft. Females stage deeper than males.
Best lure for March walleye?
Hair jigs (1/4 oz) tipped with a minnow, fished slowly along bottom near current breaks.