Making the Most of Spring Fishing the St. Lawrence River
The St. Lawrence River is renowned for its diverse aquatic life and stunning scenery, but like most waterways, it has specific seasons that offer the best fishing opportunities. One of the prime times to cast a line is during early spring, when the river comes alive with various species and offers first-rate fishing experiences.
During this vibrant season, anglers can find a wealth of fishing opportunities along the entire length of the river. Northern pike become particularly active as they move into shallow waters to spawn, providing exciting action for those seeking a thrilling catch. Walleyes also begin their migration, making their way towards spawning grounds, and can often be found in abundance during this time.
In addition to pike and walleye, early spring is an excellent time to target yellow perch and bullheads. Yellow perch are known for their aggressive feeding behavior as they prepare for the warmer months, making them a reliable catch for anglers. Bullheads, on the other hand, are often overlooked but can offer a fun and rewarding fishing experience, especially for those who enjoy bottom fishing.
Northern Pike Fishing
Bays
The St. Lawrence River is dotted with thousands of bays along its mainland and scattered islands, creating a diverse habitat that is essential for anglers targeting northern pike in the spring. To maximize your chances of success, it’s crucial to understand where to find these elusive fish during different stages of the season.
In the early spring, northern pike gravitate toward warmer, sheltered bays. While larger bays often hold the most fish, don’t overlook the potential of smaller bays, as they can also be productive fishing spots. As a general rule, the best bays to target in early spring are those that face south and are protected from prevailing winds. These locations tend to warm up faster, attracting pike that are eager to spawn and feed after a long winter.
As the season progresses into late spring, pike behavior shifts. During this time, the fish begin to seek out cooler environments, which means that the most effective bays to fish become those that are north-facing and wind-blown. The wind helps to mix the water, keeping it cooler and more oxygenated, which is ideal for pike.
Habitat
When targeting northern pike in the bays of the St. Lawrence River, understanding where to find these fish is essential for a successful outing. Certain features within these bays are particularly attractive to pike, as they provide ideal habitat for feeding and spawning. Here are some prime locations to consider:
- Tributary Mouths: The mouths of rivers and streams that feed into the bay are hotspots for pike, as they attract baitfish and provide a flow of nutrients. These areas are especially productive during the spring as warmer waters push into the bay.
- Weed Edges: Northern pike often seek out the edges of weed beds, where they can ambush unsuspecting prey. Casting along these edges can yield great results, especially during low-light conditions.
- Points and Shoals: Points that extend into the bay create current breaks and provide structure for pike to hide. Similarly, shallow shoals near deeper water can act as feeding zones where pike hunt for baitfish.
- Deep Holes: Look for deep holes within the bay, as they provide refuge for pike, particularly during warmer days. These areas can be excellent spots for fishing, especially when temperatures rise.
- Break-Walls: Man-made structures, such as break-walls, can create ideal ambush points for pike. These structures attract baitfish and provide cover for predators, making them prime fishing locations.
- Shorelines Leading to Deep Water: Areas where the shoreline drops off quickly into deeper water can be productive as pike often patrol these transitions in search of food.
- Structural Edges: The edges of any structures, such as submerged rocks or logs near the mouth of the bay, can create ideal hiding spots for pike. Casting near these edges can lead to increased catch rates.
Techniques
When it comes to successfully targeting northern pike in the early spring, employing the right techniques is crucial. As water temperatures begin to rise, pike become more active, but during the colder months, they tend to be less aggressive. Here are some effective techniques to consider:
- Casting Jigs or Minnow Plugs: Jigs and minnow plugs are excellent choices for targeting pike. Use brightly colored jigs that mimic the appearance of baitfish. Cast them near weed edges or structure, allowing them to sink before retrieving them with a slow, steady motion. This method effectively entices pike, especially when they are more lethargic in the cold water.
- Suspending Live Minnows Below a Float: Using live minnows can be highly effective for pike fishing. Suspend a live minnow below a float and position it near known pike habitats, such as weed edges or around structure. This method allows the minnow to move naturally in the water, attracting pike as they search for an easy meal.
- Trolling with Minnow Plugs or Spoons: Trolling is a productive technique for covering more water and locating active pike. Use minnow plugs or spoons, adjusting your trolling speed to maintain a slow presentation. This approach can help you find pike that are actively feeding along the deeper edges of the bays or in open water.
Regardless of the technique employed, one of the most important considerations when fishing for northern pike in early spring is the presentation speed. During the colder months, pike are generally less aggressive, requiring a slow, deliberate presentation to entice bites. As water temperatures gradually creep into the sixties, pike become more active and responsive, allowing for faster and more erratic presentations.
Spring Walleye
Spawning Grounds
Once the walleye season opens in May, the key to success is finding their spawning locations, where schools of fish are concentrated. Walleyes return to the same spawning sites each year, making these areas well-known among anglers. As a result, these spots often attract both local and visiting fishermen during the month of May, creating a rich tradition of walleye fishing in the community.
Where to Look for Walleye Habitat
In the spring, the best spots for schools of walleyes in the St. Lawrence River are the tributaries where they spawn. Key locations within these tributaries include:
- Rocky shorelines
- Prominent points
- Current breaks, such as bridge pilings
- Boulder-strewn stretches
- Eddies
- Deeper holes
- Current edges
- Warm-water discharges
- Necked-down areas, like marina entrances
Adjacent to these spawning tributaries, important spots include break-walls, bars at tributary mouths, and soft-bottomed flats that attract schools of baitfish and yellow perch.
Techniques For Spring Walleye Anglers
Casting jigs and trolling minnow plugs are among the most popular techniques for walleye anglers in the St. Lawrence River during spring. Regardless of the technique used, two key factors for successfully hooking walleyes at this time of year are maintaining a slow presentation and ensuring that the bait is close to the bottom.
Jig Fishing
Jigs provide remarkable versatility with various types, sizes, colors, tippings, and presentations. Their true effectiveness lies in the ability to fish them slowly and near the bottom. One of the most effective techniques for working a jig is the lift-and-drop action. In fact, around 90 percent of walleye hits typically occur when the jig falls, as the fish often inhale the bait during this moment.
Additionally, using crawler- or leech-tipped jigs enhances their appeal by adding scent, taste, and texture, making them even more enticing to walleyes.
Minnow Plugs
Like jigs, minnow plugs are effective lures that offer versatility in size, action, color, and depth. When trolling a plug near the bottom, anglers can choose a lure with the appropriate lip size or add an in-line weight to achieve the desired depth. Generally, river walleyes tend to prefer long, slender plugs over shorter, stubby designs.
To ensure that the lure is performing correctly while trolling, anglers should pay attention to the vibrations of the plug, as this feedback indicates the proper action and effectiveness of the lure.
Yellow Perch Fishing
After ice-out in April, as water temperatures rise into the forties, yellow perch migrate into the shallow bays and tributaries of the St. Lawrence River to spawn. This behavior results in large concentrations of fish in relatively small, near-shore areas, creating excellent fishing opportunities. For a period of about two months, yellow perch become highly accessible to both shore and boat anglers, allowing for an enjoyable and productive fishing experience.
Where to Catch Perch
When attempting to find yellow perch in a spawning bay, anglers should look for structural edges such as weed-lines, break-walls, humps, drop-offs, and sloping shorelines. Deep-water flats in any bay also merit angler attention. Good bets to locate fish in tributaries are quiet-water areas and structural edges at the tributary’s mouth for the best perch fishing.
Techniques for Perch Anglers
While most anglers may not have access to underwater cameras, these devices can be invaluable for pinpointing schools of yellow perch. However, a more traditional approach involves drifting through potential fishing areas.
Once you land a yellow perch, it’s beneficial to drop anchor and focus on that school until the action starts to slow down. Keep in mind that perch are known for their roaming behavior; they may linger in a specific location for just a few minutes or even several days. Consequently, anglers shouldn’t solely rely on previous feeding spots.
While it’s worthwhile to revisit areas where fish were biting yesterday or even an hour ago, if the action is sluggish, be prepared to move and search for a more active school. This adaptability can significantly increase your chances of success.
Bullheads
With ice-out occurring in April, nearly every marshy bay and tributary along the river becomes a hotspot for bullheads. Their abundance, catchability, fighting spirit, and delicious taste attract many anglers to the water’s edge. One of the most appealing aspects of bullhead fishing is the minimal gear required to entice these fish to bite.
The simplicity of the techniques involved in bullhead fishing truly captures the essence of the sport of angling. Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or a novice, the accessibility of this activity makes it a rewarding experience for all.
Timing is Key
Timing is crucial for successful bullhead catches, so anglers should stay informed by contacting local bait shops for updated reports or scouting potential fishing spots to gauge the action. Although bullheads typically begin biting at sunset, it’s wise for anglers to arrive early. This allows time to select a prime location and the opportunity to catch perch, crappies, or other panfish that often share the same waters during this time of year.
On overcast or windy days, it’s particularly beneficial to get to the water early, as bullheads tend to feed throughout the day under low-light conditions. This strategy can lead to a more rewarding fishing experience.
Original Article By Captain Mike Seymour
About The Author
Captain Mike Seymour is a licensed Coast Guard Captain and NYS guide who guided extensively on the St. Lawrence River, Black Lake, and western Alaska. He is a member and former president of the New York State Outdoor Writers’ Association and is an active writer for several publications. In addition to fishing on the St. Lawrence River, he is actively fishing Lake Ontario, the Adirondacks, and the other waters of the state. Contact him at fishmike@twcny.rr.com.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
