Go ahead and do some research obtaining the list of state and providence record walleyes and you see that most of them were caught in rivers. I am sure you will be surprised that river walleye fishing is how the majority of record size fish are caught.Rivers do not get the same fishing pressure that lakes get so they tend to hold stable populations, and produce larger walleye.

When cold fronts come in many a walleye angler knows to head for the tributary's and do some river walleye fishing because they are effected as much by cold fronts as the lake walleye are. For some reason, river walleyes are not effected as much from cold fronts as lake walleye. Late summer is a good time to head to the rivers because the walleyes in the lakes have plenty to eat and the water temperatures continue to rise.Lake walleyes will be scattered as the water starts it's fall turnover, unlike the river walleye where they will be feeding the same summertime places.

Big rivers to the north will surprising have many portions that are open water all winter long. Amazingly, rivers will have open water fishing all winter long in the tail-waters of dams, and warm water discharge areas.

Rookies walleye fisherman have more trouble learning river walleye fishing then fishing for walleye in lakes. A large percentage of rookies do very poorly on their first river fishing trip and they get discouraged and do not come back.To be successful on rivers you need to do some homework and learn how the current and water levels effect the walleye on that particular river.

Walleyes can tolerate some current but for only short periods of time. They need some type of a current break where they can rest if they are going to stay in a strong current area of the river. As a rule of thumb, you can eliminate approximately 75% of the water in rivers because the current is to strong for walleyes to hold in.

Concentrate your search in areas that are known to hold walleye such as small pools out of the currents path, downstream from any current break, a bridge or a large rock formation. A very good example would be a downstream island. Look upstream for areas that provide a likely current break areas such as made made formations to reduce river silting. Any upstream obstruction that has potential to break the current may hold walleyes.

The sweet spot of river walleye fishing are the current edges. These areas are as important as finding structure in lakes. The river walleye will go into the current looking for food, then dart back into the slack water adjacent to the current to rest.

Low water levels and stable water flow are ideal times to fish rivers for walleye. When water levels are stable, and the water is clear walleyes are predicable and will located in well known areas of the river.

River walleye fishing can be very rewarding when the river is rising if you can find the areas the walleye go under these conditions. If you are lucky fishing will be amazing under these conditions. when the water rises, Walleye will often go into a feeding frenzy, because of all the worms and insects that are washed into the river after the rains.