thermometers can be a handy gadget but you can also employ your noogin. Early in the year just after ice out fish will seek warmth not only to find food that might be attracted by an increase in water temps but also to stimulate egg development.

Surprisingly enough shallow mud bottom bays especially those with emergent timber in the water can hold some of the biggest female walleyes very early on. Small safety pin spinners and original rapalas cast in water as shallow as three feet can take them. Concentrate on any standing timber as the log grabs the suns rays and the water immediately around the timber will be warmer. This pattern happens usually within a few weeks after ice out......very early. I hit on it while casting for largemouth bass and was rewarded with some very big walleyes........since then I have seen it repeated by some pros........

Later on I would focus more on light penetration than actual water temps in canoe country. Clear water usually equals deeper fish. If the water is stained (think lake Conmee) then the fish may reside shallower even during the day.

But since I have never really spent much time tracking water temps  in correlation to fish location except early in the year I might be off base and in need of some furthering education......always more to learn isn't there?