Eager walleyes slash into both schools, scooping up the surprised baitfish and causing a feeding frenzy not unlike that of a crazed pack of sharks featured on a National Geographic TV special. Amongst the swirling water, bubbles, stirred bottom silts and chaos of the feeding frenzy, the distant, silver flutter of an injured baitfish darting and flashing catches the eye of a scrupulous twenty-nine inch walleye. Rhythmically, the bait thrashes up, then flutters down helplessly. The walleye moves in closer, and as the bait drops, his predatory instinct invites the walleye to dart forward, flare its gills and sink its sharp teeth into the soft, plastic twist tail tipping my Swedish Pimple. Such scenes are not uncommon among ice anglers following specific winter walleye strategies.
Few things occur randomly in nature.
Each predator has adaptations to find forage given certain conditions. Their survival depends on it. So it is with walleye foraging patterns. Walleyes seldom wander aimlessly in search of prey. Rather, they follow distinct patterns throughout the winter that instinctively tell them will produce life-sustaining food.