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Light level is the single most important influence on walleye behavior. It determines when and where
walleyes feed, and where they spend their time when not feeding. Most anglers know that walleyes have light-sensitive eyes
and shy away from bright sunlight, but they do not fully understand how light affects their fishing.
The angle at
which sunlight strikes the water determines how much of the light will penetrate. When the surface is calm and the sun is
just above the horizon, most of the rays are reflected. If the sun is directly overhead, most of the rays penetrate.
Sun
angle can have different effects in different waters, depending on clarity. I low-clarity water, suspended particles or dissolved
organic matter filter out sunlight, keeping light levels in shallow feeding areas relatively low.
The time of day
at which walleyes feed may be much different in spring and fall than in summer. On the first day of spring and fall, the angle
at which the sun strikes the water at 9 A.M. at the latitude of Lake Erie is about 30 degrees. On the first day of summer,
the angle is about 50 degrees. In spring and fall, as a result, morning feeding periods last later into the day and afternoon
feeding periods start earlier.
Weather conditions also affect the amount of light that penetrates the water. Although
walleyes in clear water generally feed at duck and dawn, an overcast sky or choppy surface can reduce the light levels enough
to allow some midday feeding. In some waters, heavy cover like boulders or tall weeds provides enough shade for occasional
feeding during the middle of the day.
Canadian researchers have proven that the rate at which light intensity changes
is the most important factor in triggering walleyes to feed. In a moderately clear lake, walleyes bit best as the sun rose
above the horizon in the morning and as it disappeared below the horizon in the evening. Light intensity changed at a lower
rate immediately before and after these periods, and walleyes bit at a significantly slower pace. This research also explains
why walleyes bite so well when a storm is approaching.
Happy Fishing,
Rob
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