Bield: fish

Single-region spawn timing

Walleye spawn timing in Southeast Rivers and Reservoirs.

  • Sander vitreus
  • Late February – Mid-April

Tennessee tailwater walleye (Cherokee, Norris, Center Hill) peak March.

Calendar & temperature

Walleye in Southeast Rivers and Reservoirs.

JanJan — Outside spawn windowFebFeb — Outside spawn windowMarMar — Outside spawn windowAprApr — Outside spawn windowMayMay — Outside spawn windowJunJun — Outside spawn windowJulJul — Outside spawn windowAugAug — Outside spawn windowSepSep — Outside spawn windowOctOct — Outside spawn windowNovNov — Outside spawn windowDecDec — Outside spawn window
Typical window: Late February – Mid-April
32°37°42°47°52°57°62°67°72°77°82°87°Peak 42–48°F
Pre-spawn — best fishingPeak spawn — conservationPost-spawn — recovery feeding·Dashed line = peak spawn boundaries

Phase-by-phase

Pre-spawn → spawn → post-spawn → summer.

Pre-Spawn

Trophy fishing window
35–38°F

Pre-spawn walleye concentrate below river rapids, dam tailwaters, and rocky lake shorelines as water temperatures rise into the high 30s after ice-out. Fish hold in deeper pools and run shallow at night to spawn.

Tailwater fishing during the pre-spawn run is the iconic walleye event — jigs and live bait below dams in the early season produce trophy-class fish.

Spawn

Conservation window
38–52°F (peak 42–48°F)

Active spawning behavior. Walleye are broadcast spawners — no nest construction or parental care. Multiple males attend each female; eggs are released over gravel and abandoned. Fish spawn at night in groups of 1–3 fish over hard bottom.

Spawn-run walleye in dam tailwaters concentrate in small areas and are exceptionally vulnerable to harvest pressure. Many states impose closed seasons or slot limits during spawn; MN, WI, and OH have

Conservation context

Spawn-run walleye in dam tailwaters concentrate in small areas and are exceptionally vulnerable to harvest pressure. Many states impose closed seasons or slot limits during spawn; MN, WI, and OH have restrictions on specific spawning waters during peak windows.

Post-Spawn

Recovery feeding
52–60°F (~7 days)

Post-spawn walleye disperse from spawning areas relatively quickly and resume feeding within a week. Females recover faster than males, who may stay near spawning grounds longer.

Aggressive feeding on shallower structure begins immediately after spawn — fish gravel-sand transitions in 4–10 ft.

Summer Pattern

Standard patterns
Above 60°F

Fish disperse to summer habitat and feeding patterns. Spawn cycle complete until following year.

Standard summer fishing tactics apply.

Full Walleye spawn guide →Full Southeast Rivers and Reservoirs spawn calendar →