They are up on top of the reefs, in front of the river mouths, and spread out all over the rubble and sand shorelines. When we use a live-bait rig we generally set it up with a very long snell, something in the eight to ten foot range. This is because shallow walleyes are spooky and by getting the sinker away from the bait we are taking a spooking factor out of the equation. A long snell also lets the bait work better. If you stick a leech on a number-eight hook and the sinker is eight feet from the hook, the leech can swim all over, stay up off the bottom, and actually look like a real swimming leech.
Natural presentation makes sense early season.
Dragging jigs works well for the shallow early-season walleye. Tip an eighth-ounce jig with a minnow, cast it way out, let it sink to bottom, and then, using a dragging, short hop retrieve, bring it back. The walleyes will suck the jig right off the bottom. In some states the gamefish seasons aren't open during early season. If that's the case where you live, think about taking a long weekend and visiting a state where fishing for walleyes, pike, and bass is available.