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Who doesn't love Colorado? The state of fishing oppertunity! Now I know Colorado can be a little strick on rules like boating and opening lakes but between the high country and the front range we have some incredable fishing! Take the past 5 days for example, I've been in the hill's catching great Pike through the ice, lot's of Rainbow's and even had a chance to go play with a few Lake Trout. If I would have had time I would even joined a few buddies on the Dream Stream which is living up to it's name this past week. All awhile the front range lakes are open for boating and Walleye fishing is booming. Yes, Booming!!

With that said, we'll get straight to the Walleye. This is that time of year where if you get the fish dialed in you are golden, if you don't then this time of year can be as tough as it gets for Walleye. The key is to watch and time the migrations of Walleye in and out of spawn. Most of the Dam faces are closed this time of year for Walleye Spawning so fishing for shallow spawners is not an option so you are forced to target pre-spawn and post-spawn fish (I like these better anyways, there looking for a meal). The only issues with these fish is that they are on there own schedule and are a little lazy and won't work very hard to get a meal. So you as an angler have to work hard to build a pattern around these fish and cater to there wants. I find most of these fish susended in the top of the water colum feeding on gizzard shad in the dim lights of night.

My go to techanique.. Yep you guessed it, trolling planner boards! Not because I'm lazy or because I like to add weight to the fish I'm reeling in but because it allows me to cover water and to target fish that would normally be scared away by my boat.

Here are the simple keys to success.....

-Fish the upper half of the water colum

-Forget about structure

-Find the food source and you'll find fish

-Be stealthy, try not to spook fish with your boat or bright lights

-Slow action baits

Good Luck

Nate Zelinsky

Tightline Outdoors