Walleye Fishing in Michigan

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Michigan

Residents in MI are blessed with plenty of water with populations of walleye. Some of the major impoundments include Black Lake, Brevoort Lake, Burt Lake, Grand Lake, Hamlin Lake, Houghton Lake, Hubbard Lake, Indian Lake, Lake Erie, Lake Gogebic, Lake Huron, Lake Michigamme, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Long Lake, Manistique Lake, Mullett Lake and Sanford Lake.

The Michigan state record walleye was landed out of Pine River.

Michigan walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Michigan walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

How To Fish For Walleye

SPRING
Top Baits: Small crankbaits, small jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow to moderate depths as the walleye move into the shallows to spawn. Gravel ledges, points and submerged humps in protected areas are prime holding areas.

SUMMER
Top Baits: Crankbaits, Jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow in the mornings and evenings and move deeper as the sun rises. Use lures that mimic crawfish as this is a favorite food of the walleye. Follow points and rocky or gravel structure deeper until you establish the proper depth.

FALL
Top Baits: Jigs, crankbaits and spoons.
Fish shallow to moderate depths in the mornings and evenings. As the sun rises move deeper toward outside structure and use small spoons or jigs.

WINTER
Top Baits: Jigs, spoons and plastic worms.
Try moderately shallow depths in the mornings then move deeper as the sun rises. Walleyes are less active in cold water, so move your bait in a slow, easy to catch manner and fish deep structure.

Look for Michigan walleye fishing articles here.

Walleye Resources

Yahoo! Directory - Walleye
Google Directory - Walleye

Walleye Fishing Information

The purpose of the page is to provide specific information about fishing for walleye in Michigan. Find information on basic trends and seasonal patterns of walleye here in the state of Michigan. Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your walleye fishing trips in MI more successful.

If you have information, articles or photos relating to Walleye which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration. We will gladly give you credit for your contribution. If you have a fishing related business and would like to mention it within the context of the article, we will consider your request. For significant contributions we may offer complimentary display ads, please contact us if you are interested.

If you offer fishing guide services for walleye in Michigan we would like to include you as a resource for our visitors. We offer a complimentary listing for your guide service on our Michigan Fishing Guides page or you can see other options to promote your walleye fishing guide services in Michigan by visiting our Advertising opportunities section.

Let us list your fishing or outdoor activity-related websites in our Michigan Business Directory. It is included to provide our visitors with direct access to MI fishing related resources.

Michigan fishing home page.

How to submit Michigan fishing articles.

MI Walleye Fishing -
All About Fishing for Walleye in MI.

25 lbs - 0 oz

17 lbs - 3 oz

38 - 60 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current.