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Now don't get excited. It's still too early to fish for walleye at Starvation. Starvation is covered by a foot of ice and the walleye won't become active until the water warms to between 40 and 45 degrees (sometime in late March or early April). But, it isn't too early to start planning for a trip to Starvation. And it isn't too early to start thinking about where and how you are going to fish Starvation.

First go buy a good topographic map of Starvation and/or a topographic map showing the lake and surrounding area. Study the map and find the tributary streams. Once the stream mouths are located look for shallow flats near the stream mouths. This can be difficult until you get the hang of it because you will be projecting land forms under the water. These flats can be anything from broad shelves (flat or gently sloping) to narrow bands running parallel to the shoreline. Study the flats and isolate those that drop off steeply into the deeper part of the reservoir. Concentrate on those that drop off steeply into the deeper water.

Once the ice comes off the walleye will move from the deeper water and begin to congregate on the flats near the mouths of the streams. Flats that have easy access back into the deeper water will be preferred. These flats can be anywhere from 5 to 20 feet below the surface.

The walleye congregate on the flats for three reasons: First the water on the shallow flats warms the fastest and will be warmer than the surrounding, deeper portions of the reservoir, second: the warmer water attracts chubs and crayfish— the walleye's favorite food, and third: the walleye congregate in preparation for the spawn in mid to late April.

During the prespawn the walleye are concentrated into relatively small areas and they feed aggressively. Consequently, this is one of the easiest times of year to catch them.

Other places to look for walleye during the prespawn are on flats (similar to the ones described above) near rocky reefs (riprap near bridge supports, on the face of dams, or on any gently dipping slope covered with gravel or cobble).

Generally the smaller male walleye move onto the flats first. The females follow a week to 10 days later. Walleye don't eat much when they are actually spawning but will hang around the spawning beds for a month or so (well into April) after the spawn and will feed aggressively once they recover from their spawning activity.

No doubt about it, it's time to start planning for a trip to Starvation.