Early Spring COLD WATER River Walleyes!

Quick Overview

The anglers successfully caught several walleyes and perch while fishing the open, partially iced-over river in early spring 2026, culminating in catching a notably large perch, which one angler jokingly referred to as a "monster."

Key Points: The fishing trip took place during the early spring of 2026 on a river that still had significant ice chunks floating in the open water areas. The anglers targeted walleyes, catching several small ones initially, with one being about 13 inches long. One angler caught a perch that was significantly larger than the others, prompting comments about it being a "monster" or a "sagger." One specific technique involved casting near the ice chunks and structure near a dam/powerhouse visible in the background. The angler filming caught multiple fish, often struggling to remove the small lures from their mouths, as seen between 00:48 and 01:02. The day was sunny with a clear blue sky, despite the cold water conditions indicated by the surrounding ice.

Context: The video documents an early spring fishing adventure for walleyes and perch on a river that is just beginning to thaw, evidenced by large ice floes visible on the water surface and snow along the banks. The anglers, including the person filming and at least two others on the boat, are dressed in heavy cold-weather gear, suggesting very cold water temperatures typical of early season fishing.

Detailed Analysis

The video documents an early spring fishing trip focused on catching walleyes and perch on a cold, partially iced-over river. The opening aerial shot (00:00) shows the boat being launched near the ice edge. Once on the water, the anglers, dressed warmly in bibs and heavy jackets, begin fishing. The first angler filming (00:13) prepares his gear and quickly lands a small walleye, noting it's his first of 2026. Throughout the session, they catch several small fish, with one angler exclaiming that they are catching a lot of "minnows" or small walleyes (00:50-01:02). A significant moment occurs when one angler hooks a much larger fish, which is later identified as a perch. This larger perch causes excitement, with comments like "That was crazy" (00:45) and "that was a good one" (03:52). The anglers also discuss technique, such as jigging near ice seams and structure, noting that the fish seem to be holding near these areas (04:45). The video concludes with the anglers continuing to fish successfully despite catching mostly smaller specimens, with the overall mood being positive about the unusual open-water fishing opportunity amid the lingering winter ice.