Walleye Structure
This section we will talk about the main habitat and structure walleyes can be found around. First, we all know walleyes are known as predator fish walleyes and their primary location factor is food sources. Second, they need clean oxygenated water. Yes, walleyes get pushed into back water during high river stages, but this is not their prime habitat in the dog days of summer. They prefer water around 70 degrees but in the river is no thermocline, so they must adapt by moving to and from the deeper holes for comfort but come to structure to find food. We will discuss some of the main types of structure you will find in the river and how these come into play.
Wing Dams
Wing dams are man-made stone structures built to force current into the main channel to prevent the main channel from silting up. Since they sit off the main channel many are marked with navigation buoys but not all. Wing dams are the most consistent place to find walleyes in the river, the question is which one of the hundreds of wing dams and why. A main attraction to a wing dam is the fact it is pile of stone laid out in the river. The current hits it and causes the seams and mini eddy’s that stir up the water for them and all other living creatures in the river. The deflected current tends to make deep scur holes on the channel end and behind the wing dams. Over the years some wing dams have broken tops with irregularities in their height that create other current seams. The current seam towards the end of the wing dam keeps the river bottom bare to the bed rock from its current. So there you go, lots of stone, a transition line to sand or mud, current to create oxygen, rocks to create pockets in the current for them to sit and a flow of food constantly coming at them… everything the walleye needs. The walleyes are feeding most actively out in front of the wing dams or on top. They will go to the deep holes behind the wing dams to rest. What makes a wing dam good to a walleye will vary with the flow of the river and the time of year.
Tailwater
Mud and Sand Flats
Current Seams
Other structure! Trees, rock piles, rip rap shorelines humps.