Early May is no man's land for a lot of walleye anglers. The spawn is wrapping up, the water is warming fast, and the fish aren't where they "should" be. They're scattered, recovering, and starting to feed again — but if you know how to track them, this is prime time to put numbers and big ones in the boat. Ignore old spring habits. Early May calls for fresh eyes and a mobile approach.
Look for Recovery Zones, Not Spawn Grounds
Spawning is over or nearly there. Hanging around shallow gravel and river mouths won't cut it anymore. Focus on nearby recovery areas: inside turns, soft-bottom basins, and first break lines just outside the spawning grounds. Walleye won't travel miles yet — they're close, just sliding deeper to rest and feed. Start your time out by fishing in 8 to 18 feet depending on water clarity and water temperatures - if the weather is unusually warm, you may have to go deep.
Speed Up Your Presentations
Forget the "slow and subtle" routine you used in April. These post-spawn fish are getting their appetite back. Moving baits trigger more bites than dead-sticking. Pull crawler harnesses slow. Cast a jig and plastic with sharp snaps. Troll crankbaits at 1.5-2.2 mph if water temps push past 50°F. Cover water until you find active pods. Post-spawn walleye often bunch up tighter than you think.
Use Your Electronics Aggressively
If you're not seeing arcs or bait on your sonar, keep moving. Waste no time fishing empty water. Post-spawn fish relate loosely to structure — meaning a gravel hump today, a sand flat tomorrow. Set side imaging to scan 80-100 feet out. Drive fast. Mark fish first, then double back and fish tight.
Lighten Up Your Jig Size
In early May, fish often suspend or hover just off bottom. A 1/8 oz or 1/4 oz jig lets your bait hang longer in their strike window. Tip with a fluke or minnow profile plastic. Pop it aggressively, then let it glide down naturally. Watch your line — bites usually come on the fall. Heavy jigs fall too fast and pull you out of the sweet spot.
Post-spawn walleye fishing rewards the angler who adapts. Fish aren't stuck to one pattern or one place, and neither should you be. Stay mobile, trust your electronics, speed up your presentations, and target those recovery zones. Early May can be a puzzle, but when you crack it, the rewards are heavy stringers and empty boat ramps. Get after it.