Wind, Rain, and Cold Fronts What To Do for Walleyes

When I wake up in the morning, flip on the TV and Check the local weather and see nothing but bad coming I get prepared. What do I mean by getting prepared? Heavy weight or light weight tackle, fast or slow?
Well First I see how severe the weather is going to be. there are a few key things that I look at. First, how much of a temperature drop is the front suppose to be. Second, I look at which direction the wind is going to be and how strong it is going to be. Third, I look at what type of precipitation is going to be coming along with the storm, snow rain, fog, or thunderstorms. Now what do I do with that information, well I take all these factor into consideration but more than likely I'm going to be moving into the weeds to fish for those walleyes. When the temperatures drop and the wind picks up I think that the fish move into the weeds, as that water is going to be the warmest water so most of the bait fish are going to be hiding in or around those weeds. Then I look at the wind, I'm going to pick weeds that the wind is either blowing up on or off of. By that I mean if the wind is blowing from the West I'm going to fish the West side but I am also going to check the opposite side, the East side. Why check both sides of the weeds because the West side will be where the bait fish is getting tossed up on, and the East side because that is where the baitfish are being tossed off. More often that not fish will be on both sides looking for an easy snack.
Now what to do about precipitation, if its rain, fog or snow those fish are going to be in those shallow weed beds, your going to have to move as slow as possible through those weeds to get those walleyes to bite. If there are thunderstorms and lightening the night before the front move to the deeper weed lines. In my experience when there is lightening and thunderstorms the night before you go out fishing those fish will move to deeper water and deeper weeds with the cold front.
Now for tactics, Light weight and three different tactics which include: One: Jig and minnow, Two: Lindy rig, Three: slip bobber and small jig. I like to sometimes anchor when a front moves through and pitch jigs into those weeds or I will also have my partner or clients throw out a slip bobber. This will allow for those fish to look at the bait for a longer period of time which usually allows them time to think and then react to the bait. When those are going so well or the fish are really biting, I will start to move around with lindy rigs and snap jigging. What I am doing is searching for those aggressive biters and covering some ground doing it.
When the next cold front comes through like last weekend, I suggest people move in the weeds slow down and play the wind. The fish are still in the lake they may just have moved into cover and warmer water. If you take into consideration these factors it will help you become a more successful angler. Good luck. Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.