Unlocking New Waters: Using onX Fish To Find Prime Walleye Lakes (and a Plan B Crappie Bite) for the Opener

The Midwest fishing opener is a time-honored tradition. It’s the sound of boat trailers rattling down gravel roads, the slap of minnows in a bucket, and the low hum of optimism that fills the spring air. For many of us, it’s the moment we’ve been waiting for all winter—a reset, a reunion, and a shot at the fish we dream about.

But with thousands of lakes to choose from across states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond, the big question always comes down to this: Where do I go? And beyond that, how do I know the fish will be there?

That’s where onX Fish Midwest comes in. It’s become my go-to tool for trip planning, lake-hopping, and digital fishing research overall. With the right preparation, this app can turn that big question mark into a well-informed plan—and a productive day on the water.

Why onX Fish Midwest Is a Game Changer for Opener Prep

The app, available for Apple iOS/IPhone and on the web, was built with serious anglers in mind, especially those of us who fish the Midwest. This isn’t just another mapping app—it’s a full-service tool designed to take the mystery out of discovering new water. What used to take hours on the DNR website, message boards, or in the pages of guidebooks is now consolidated in one place.

The app pulls together up-to-date survey data, local fishing regulations, species-specific insights, and trusted intel from seasoned experts. It helps you eliminate guesswork, reduce wasted time, and focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.

How I Use onX Fish To Scout Walleye Water

When I’m planning my opener, the first thing I do in onX Fish is filter for walleye. With just a couple taps in the Filter section, I can highlight lakes with “High Abundance” based on recent DNR surveys. These aren’t just anecdotal hotspots—this is real, fisheries-biologist sampled and verified data showing which lakes are currently producing better-than-average numbers. More importantly, the data is infinitely more sortable than the previous lake-by-lake sleuthing we used to do, and it’s done more quickly and easily I might add. 

Or, maybe I have different goals for opener, such as chasing only trophies. Selecting the “Trophy Potential” filter after selecting “walleye” allows me to see, again, verified sampled catches of walleyes 28”es and above. Similarly, if I’m interested in a few for the pan (which tends to be a big part of the fishing opener experience) the app displays a red icon on all of the lakes in my search area that have greater than 30% of the lake’s walleye population in that 14-19” “keeper” range. From there, I click into each lake to take a closer look. The species breakdown gives a clear picture of what’s swimming below. I can see not just that a lake has walleye, but how the walleye population has progressed over the years, with scrolling historical data that graphically displays surveys from years past.

Next, I check the regulations. This part is critical. Every lake has its own rules, and these are regs that, for certain lakes, can change even within the fishing season. Some have slot limits. Others have different bag limits than the general state regulations. onX Fish lays all of that out clearly, and it updates daily, so you don’t need to worry about tracking down the latest regs.

Then I look at lake access. A lake isn’t any good if you can’t get on it. I can see where the public ramps are, and can conveniently click “driving directions” to take me into Google or Apple Maps for turn-by-turn directions to the landing. It saves me from scrambling at dawn, taking wrong turns, or going purely off of memory. Every angler loves seeing the little brown public access signs, but it’s never fun to have to peel eyes and hunt them down while trying to make the most of your opener plans. 

Then I look at lake access. A lake isn’t any good if you can’t get on it. I can see where the public ramps are, and can conveniently click “driving directions” to take me into Google or Apple Maps for turn-by-turn directions to the landing. It saves me from scrambling at dawn, taking wrong turns, or going purely off of memory. Every angler loves seeing the little brown public access signs, but it’s never fun to have to peel eyes and hunt them down while trying to make the most of your opener plans. 

Finally, I’ll save a few promising lakes as favorites, drop some Waypoints, and add notes. I usually pick one or two primary targets and a few backups—just in case. That way, if I pull up and there are trucks parked down the road, I’ve got another option without having to guess where to go next.

The Plan B Every Walleye Angler Should Have: Crappie

We’ve all had those opener mornings where the walleye just aren’t cooperating. Maybe a cold front pushed through or the wind made your favorite shoreline unfishable. When that happens, I don’t force it. I pivot to crappie, especially in the afternoon. 

Early May is prime time for crappie in the Midwest. When the shallows warm up, they move in to spawn and feed, and they’re usually ready to bite. Crappie are also a great option if you’re fishing with kids or beginners. The action can be fast, the fish plentiful, and the smiles constant.

To find a good crappie bite, I flip the species filter in onX Fish from walleye to crappie and look for the same “High Abundance” flag. These lakes tend to be smaller and warmer than big walleye water. I’m looking for places that heat up early and have some shallow bays or protected arms where crappie stage in spring. 

Just like with walleye, I’ll pull up each lake’s details. I want to know the species mix, survey data, and regulations. Then I’ll check the access and save the lake as a backup. In many cases, my Plan B crappie lake is just a short drive away from my primary spot. Once there, I look for water temps warming in the shallows in the low to mid 60’s. If temps are drastically colder than that, or warmer, I’ll revert back to my Favorites List and hit a different nearby lake. 

Quick Tips for a Better Opener

Here are a few things I always remind folks about this time of year. First, make sure to download your maps ahead of time if you’re heading somewhere with questionable service. onX Fish works offline, but you need to prep by downloading those maps.

Second, keep an eye on the weather. The app shows real-time precipitation data, hourly forecasts, and barometric pressure changes, which can be a big help when you’re deciding whether to change locations or wait out a system. And finally, mark your spots. If you find a new lake that produces, drop a waypoint. Those little notes from this year become gold for next season.

Final Thoughts

For me, the fishing opener isn’t just about tradition—it’s about opportunity. And every year I try to add a new lake to the mix. Not just to check a box, but to keep learning, exploring, and staying sharp.

With onX Fish Midwest, I can do that with a lot more confidence. It’s made scouting easier, trip planning smoother, and it’s helped me find more fish in less time. Whether you’re chasing that first walleye of the season or loading up on spring crappie, it’s the tool I trust to make opener weekend and beyond a success.

Scout smart, then get out there and fish hard. Rather than heading to where you used to go, hit lakes you know have your target species in them, in the abundance and sizes you’re looking to catch. Even the best anglers can’t catch fish where they ain’t, so knowing before you go means less guessing, and more catching.