experienced northwoods anglers

I think I am going to take advantage of the early ice out and fish a lake right across the Canadian border next weekend before the season closes for 6 weeks on April 15th. If all goes well I will catch a couple of big spawning pike in a bay and then have time for some walleye fishing. Given the characteristics of the lake and the time of the year (pre-spawn) where do you think I will find walleyes?

THE LAKE: The lake is only about 250 acres in size but much of it is over 40 ft deep. It is a productive lake (hardly fished) with perch and ciscos and does produce some nice fish.

SPAWNING AREAS: I believe there are 3 possible spawning areas for walleyes in this lake. Two windswept reefs and a shallow sandy area at the east end of the lake with a small creek coming in. I don't think walleyes would go up the creek to spawn but dominant west winds might make it a possible spawning area.

WHERE SHOULD I LOOK FOR WALLEYES: In a small lake like this is there any need for pre-spawn staging? In other words, should I look for fish near the proximity of the reefs? Or, will the big females congregate only a few days before they spawn given the fact that they don't have far to travel? Do you think it is possible that walleyes would spawn on the sandy area at the east end of the lake? Does anybody live near Duluth, have a RABC permit, Canadian license, and want to take an adventure next Sunday, April 11th?

I'd start in the sand pitching jigs, then try the reefs, then punt. Don't forget about very shallow fish. I've watched big females on Mille Lacs swimming on a couple feet of water when there was still ice on the lake except for the edges. If it is way before spawn, think typical ice fishing spots. The beauty of a small lake is you can try all of it.
Let us know how that goes.

Walleye hunter it will all depend on water temp, when the big females come in shallow in spring their first run is a prespawn feeding binge, they are gorging for the rigors ahead, and because the baitfish are concentrated. They will move in and out of the shallows based on weather and water temps. When it hits the magic temp range for spawning they will look for rock rubble shoal ares to get down to baby making. Water temp will be the absolute key to their location, they could be from 2 feet of water down to the deepest part of the basin !.

With a lake that small, you feasibly could effectively fish all of those areas. That said, warmest water gets my vote...jigs and suspending minnowbaits(Rogue or Husky Jerk). Speed will be the key.

I've never seen an Indian with a spear longer than 7' in April.

Thanks for the ideas guys. It was very hard to fish any spots with confidence when I wasn't sure where the walleyes spawn on the lake so I took lundojam's advice and punted. I did have a blast pike fishing and now my canoe will smell like pike for the rest of the summer. I usually view pike as a slimy inconvenience but they are fun in early spring when they are real shallow.

Im glad you had a good time, any big ones or just lots of them .