Where to find early ice walleyes

For walleyes, the best spots are usually located well out into the basin, as opposed to pike and panfish spots, which may be more bay-oriented and offer earlier safe ice. Start fishing in the same areas you last contacted walleyes in late open water: namely prominent main lake structures with steep drops to the basin. Major points, deep humps – somewhere that deep water swings up tight against a sharp drop off, within modest walking distance (a mile or so) off shore.