Walleye
Time is on the Horizon
by Bill Vanderford
Though rain and cold weather are keeping
many of Lake Lanier anglers at home in front of the fire, the walleye
population is silently migrating northward toward the upper
Chattahoochee River in search of suitable spawning grounds. This tasty
northern sport fish is only known to a small number of fishermen who
visit Lanier. That's because the walleye were only stocked one time 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, the walleye population is
already moving into the upper river shoals 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. That
problem is solved by jet boat, which will run in less than an inch of
water.
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 or
blueback herring in Lake Lanier. Therefore, the best baits up in the
rivers are live emerald shiners, nightcrawlers, or natural minnows.
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.
Bill Vanderford has won numerous
awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He is a regular
contributor and can be reached at 770-289-1543, at JFish51@aol.com,
or at his web site: www.fishinglanier.com. |
