Iowa Spring Fish Runs: Walleye

At Spirit Lake and Rathbun Lake, usually in April. That timing comes from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The day each year follows the water: the Iowa Department of Natural Resources puts the walleye spawn at 42 to 54°F.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources gives 42 to 54°F for walleye in Iowa. Water inside that range means the spawn can be on; within 5°F below it, the run is getting close.

Each run card follows the usual months its source gives. The spawn itself waits on the water, so a river thermometer read against the spawning temperature on the card settles it: more than 5°F below the spawning temperature is Not yet, within 5°F is Getting close, inside the range is On, and above it late in the run is Winding down.

No. The months are the usual window, and the water sets the day: a cold spring holds a run back, and a warm one brings it forward. In Iowa, a reading at the river against the spawning temperature shows where the water stands.

Walleye leave big lakes and reservoirs for rivers, tailwaters and rocky shallows to spawn in cold water.

Water temperature is the main signal: each species waits for its own range. Longer days bring fish toward the rivers, and a warm rain that raises and warms the water often starts a push upstream. Walleye go first in cold water; white bass, herring and shad follow as rivers warm.