Walleye at Shabbona Lake spawn around the 3rd week in April, which coincides with the Mega Big Fish Weekend of April 20th& 21st. The water temperature is typically in the upper 40’s. This year, with the late Spring, it may be a little cooler.

Biologists set out hoop nets, to capture Muskie & Walleye for lake sampling, every Spring around the middle of April. The hoop nets when retrieved are full of Walleye & Muskie. Hoop nets are placed in about 4-6 feet of water along the shorelines in the South end of the lake. First hint on where the Walleye are.

Walleye will be in the bays early & late in the day foraging on food. Some will be following schools of shad in deep water. Others will be staging along the dam face to move in to spawn.

The big females move into the shallows after dark to spawn. I have been out with the biologists along the dam face after dark. When we shined a spotlight down into the rocky shoreline, it is actually eerie to see the reflections of all of the male Walleye’s “eyes” looking back at you, while they wait for their sweethearts to stop by.

Now the tough question, how do we catch Walleye in early Spring at Shabbona Lake? Well, that has been a question basically unanswered since the Lake opened. There has, of course, been several nice Walleye caught in early Spring. But yet, we have not come up with a consistent pattern.

Even though the Lake has lots & lots of Walleye and several well over the 10 pound class, Walleye fishing in the early Spring can be very tough at Shabbona Lake. But not impossible!!!

Techniques that have worked include a jig & minnow combination. Typically a ¼ ounce jig with a bass minnow on it. Chartreuse and red seem to be good colors. Leeches, if we can get them that early in the season, will also work very well. Casting the South shorelines with Shad Raps and Husky Jerks can also be productive. Work the Shad Raps with a jerky motion and work the Husky Jerks with a stop & pause motion.

Water temperature is critical to fish movement, feeding activity and spawning. Temperature dictates where the fish will be in the water column. For example, during a colder than average Spring, fish movement shallow may be delayed. Warmer water increases feeding activity. Also keep in mind that all Walleye do not spawn at the same exact time.
Spawning may take place over a 2-3 week period or maybe, in less than 7 days, if there is a rapid warm up.

So it is hard to say exactly at this point where the Walleye will be in mid April, other than they will be staging to spawn, spawning or just finishing up the spawning. Walleye go thru the spawning ritual of swimming side by side and scattering their eggs along hard bottom, such as the rocks along the dam face. But the eggs are not successfully hatched at Shabbona, because the scattered eggs fall down in the muck of Shabbona’s lake bottom. Walleye eggs need a current such as in a stream or river to keep the eggs clean and vibrant.

Many of the Walleye, you catch up shallow during this time, will be the males. The large gigantic females will be suspended, except when spawning or after dark feeding. So if you can, spend some quality time on the lake after dark. You may fish up until 9:30 PM and then you must pack up and get out of the Park by 10 PM.

Try the shad raps and husky jerks at twilight and after dark. You never know, you could quite possibly catch a new State Of Illinois Record Walleye. Take a look at the largest Walleye of last year. If that fish would have been caught in Mid April, full of eggs it would of be an 11-12 pounder, as a large female can have 3-4 pounds of eggs in her.

May the “eyes” be with you!!!