Despite the extremely cold weather lately, the best-eating fish that swims in Lake Lanier is silently migrating northward toward the upper Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers in search of suitable spawning grounds. This tasty northern sport fish is the walleye, and even though they have had excellent spawns over the past few years, only a small number of fishermen who visit Lanier have ever caught one.

Actually, the walleye was only stocked one time in Lake Lanier back in the early 1960’s when biologists were experimenting with the introduction of several cold water species. Despite the low numbers that were put into Lanier’s fertile waters, they have reproduced well enough to maintain a standing population. Walleyes are probably not numerous enough to target during most of the year, but certainly a sufficient amount are available to warrant angling for them during their spawning run.

Unlike most other fish in Lake Lanier, the walleye thrives in colder water, and their urge to reproduce is triggered at a much lower temperature than any other predator in the lake. In fact, as soon as we pass this coldest part of the winter, the walleye population will venture up into the shoals of both rivers to lay their eggs.

Since the sections of the rivers that annually produce the best catches of walleyes are quite shallow and littered with huge rocks that destroy propellers, the problem for many anglers is reaching the areas where walleyes congregate in enough numbers to readily catch them. As a fishing guide, I solved that problem by acquiring a special 18 foot, aluminum boat with an 80 horsepower jet outboard. Since this rig will run in less than an inch of water, float in about six inches of water, and doesn’t have a propeller, it allows me to take clients right to where the walleyes, and later the stripers, and white bass, reproduce. Even without the usually good fishing, the exciting ride, the gorgeous scenery, and the chance to see a bald eagle in the wild are worth the trip.

Catching walleyes, however, is not always easy. They can often be as difficult to pattern as black bass. Nevertheless, if the river isn’t high and muddy from heavy rains, walleye catches are generally very good.

Though the walleye’s natural food tends to be their cousin the yellow perch, they feed primarily on shad in Lake Lanier. Therefore, the best bait up in the rivers is often live emerald shiners, nightcrawlers, or shad. In the warmer conditions of March and April, however, smaller jigs dressed with a 3-inch Ranger curly tailed grub or 1/8th ounce Swirleybird spinners are the most effective during the walleye’s feeding binge after the spawn.

Lanier walleyes are easily recognized by their dark olive color with white stomachs. They may appear lighter on top, however, if they have spent much time in muddy or stained water. The lower lobe of their tail is usually tipped with white, but the most noticeable feature is always the eyes from which their name is derived. Walleyes have large, glassy, opaque eyes that glow under lights at night, giving them an eerie look. A special pigment in the retina of the eye causes walleyes to be very light sensitive, which often makes them less aggressive on bright, sunny days in clear water.

Despite the difficulty of reaching fishing spots, or finding enough eager fish to catch, Lanier walleyes are the first fish to spawn each year. Most of them weigh two to five pounds, and are easily the best table-fare of any fish that swims in Lake Lanier.

Find out more about Bill Vanderford on his website http://www.fishinglanier.com, or drop him an email at [email protected]