Worry Looms Over Walleye Spawning Season Amid Early Ice Out

(KNSI) — The wily walleye could be at risk because of the early ice out.

Officials with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say they are worried the fish could have trouble reproducing. A study from the University of Wisconsin shows that walleyes’ traditional spawning season starts shortly after ice out when the water temperature is warming.

Conservation Officer Mike Martin is concerned about the spawn since many lakes are ice-free, and there is still the threat of winter weather. “Are we going to get a stretch of cold that’s going to turn everything dormant again? Are we going to go right into spring and the eggs won’t be mature when they’re dropped?”

He says if there are impacts to the spawning this year, that might be offset by the lack of winter pressure due to poor ice conditions.

Regardless of the early ice out, expect the walleye fishing opener to stay put. The Legislature sets the season, and Martin says with lakes around central Minnesota ice free, there are plenty of other species to go after. “There will be opportunities for other fish to be targeted, specifically panfish. And trout will also be opened in April. So I’m excited to see some of that.”

The walleye opener is May 11th.

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