In natural walleye lakes they spawn on shallow windblown gravel/rock areas. Water temps in the 40's. Note that those conditions occur while the season is closed.

 

What if there are no rock/gravel flats?

 

I said natural walleye lakes. If they don't have a place to spawn all the fish in there are planters.

 

My lake is not a natural walleye lake. They were plants, but they are spawining for the last few years naturaly. We dont have any gravel bars. It is mostly sand. Our guess is they are using zebra muscle piles to spawn on.

 

"Walleye spawn in spring to early summer depending on how far north the lake is and water temperature. Usually when the ice first breaks up and at water temps of 44-48F, but can take place from 42-52F. If temperature is not favorable sometimes the walleye will not spawn at all.

Spawning occurs in rocky areas in white water below falls and dams in rivers or boulder/course-gravel shoals of lakes. The fish will often move into tributary rivers of lakes as soon as they are ice free and the lake is still ice covered.

They will also spawn on mats of vegetation in flood-bench marshes."

Taken from "Freshwater Fishes of Canada" WB Scott, EJ Crossman. Fisheries Research Board of Canada.



"Northern Ontario Fishing Guide", Hines, Herringer, Jensen; 2nd ed. says

"Spawning takes place soon after the ice goes out in the spring when temp ranges from 38-44F. They ascend to tributary streams and spawn in bouldery riffles at night. Spawning also takes place in shallow waters of lakes, on sandy or gravelly or stony shoals."

Not sure why the temperature is discrepant between the two sources.

I think anywhere the eggs can fall into small crevices and are protected from predation will work.

 

Thank's everyone for the info!! it's something i always wondered.

 

"Walleye spawn in spring to early summer depending on how far north the lake is and water temperature. Usually when the ice first breaks up and at water temps of 44-48F, but can take place from 42-52F. If temperature is not favorable sometimes the walleye will not spawn at all.

Spawning occurs in rocky areas in white water below falls and dams in rivers or boulder/course-gravel shoals of lakes. The fish will often move into tributary rivers of lakes as soon as they are ice free and the lake is still ice covered.

They will also spawn on mats of vegetation in flood-bench marshes."

Taken from "Freshwater Fishes of Canada" WB Scott, EJ Crossman. Fisheries Research Board of Canada.



"Northern Ontario Fishing Guide", Hines, Herringer, Jensen; 2nd ed. says

"Spawning takes place soon after the ice goes out in the spring when temp ranges from 38-44F. They ascend to tributary streams and spawn in bouldery riffles at night. Spawning also takes place in shallow waters of lakes, on sandy or gravelly or stony shoals."

Not sure why the temperature is discrepant between the two sources.

I think anywhere the eggs can fall into small crevices and are protected from predation will work.

Good research. I think I read somewhere they need some type of water movement over the eggs also such as river current or wave action. Probably to keep them from getting covered with silt.