Walleye & Sauger Fishing In Indiana

Guide to fishing for walleye and sauger in the Hoosier state

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

The purpose of this page is to share basic information about walleye fishing and identify popular walleye waters in the state.

Indiana offers excellent opportunities for walleye fishing, attracting anglers who seek the challenge of pursuing these prized game fish. In addition to walleye, anglers can also target sauger and saugeye, two related species that provide exciting angling experiences in Indiana's lakes and rivers.

Walleye are highly sought after by anglers for their elusive nature and delicious meat. They are often found in lakes and reservoirs such as Brookville Lake, Patoka Lake, and Lake Monroe. These lakes provide ample habitat for walleye, including submerged structures and drop-offs where these fish can hide and ambush prey. Anglers targeting walleye in Indiana commonly use techniques such as trolling with crankbaits, casting with jigs or swimbaits, or drifting with live bait.

Sauger, a close relative of the walleye, can also be found in Indiana's rivers and lakes. They are known for their aggressive strikes and hard fights. Anglers can target sauger using similar techniques as walleye, focusing on river systems such as the Ohio River and the Wabash River. Sauger prefer fast-moving water and are often found near rocky areas or below dams and spillways.

The state records for walleye, sauger, and saugeye in Indiana reflect the potential for trophy-sized fish. The current state record for walleye stands at 14 pounds, 4 ounces, while the sauger record is 5 pounds, 6 ounces. As for saugeye, the record stands at 14 pounds, 2 ounces. These impressive catches serve as a testament to the quality of walleye, sauger, and saugeye fishing opportunities in Indiana.

When pursuing these species, it is important for anglers to familiarize themselves with local fishing regulations, including size limits, bag limits, and specific rules for each body of water. Adhering to these regulations helps maintain the sustainability of the fish populations and ensures a positive fishing experience for all anglers.

Indiana's walleye, sauger, and saugeye fishing offer a thrilling and rewarding angling experience. Whether fishing in lakes or rivers, targeting walleye, sauger, or saugeye, Indiana provides opportunities for anglers to test their skills and potentially hook into some trophy-sized fish. With proper knowledge, techniques, and respect for the environment, anglers can enjoy the excitement of walleye fishing in Indiana's waters.

There are some nice choices for walleye including Bass Lake, Brookville Lake, Cagles Mill Lake, Cecil M Hardin Lake, Clear Lake, Crooked Lake, Dewart Lake, Eagle Creek Reservoir, Geist Lake, Hardy Lake, Kokomo Reservoir, Lake Freeman, Lake Maxinkuckee, Lake of the Wood, Lake Wawasee, Mississinewa Reservoir, Monroe Lake, Morse Reservoir, Patoka Lake, Pike Lake, Prairie Creek Reservoir, Pretty Lake, Salamonie Lake, Summit Lake, Sylvan Lake, Syracuse Lake, Tippecanoe Lake, Wall Lake, Webster Lake and Winona Lake. Ice fishing for walleye is available at some of these lakes in winter.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Top lures for walleye in Indiana

Jigs with a variety of trailers and bait work well in virtually any depth water. When walleyes are shallow, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and rip baits are the often very productive. As they move deeper, spoons are ideal for active walleye. Understanding the seasonal movements of walleyes can enhance your chances of selecting the right lures for conditions on local waters.

IN State Record Walleye

The state record walleye is a tie, one was caught from the Kankakee River and the other from the Tippecanoe River.

The state record sauger came from the Tippecanoe River.

Douglas Johnson shows off a couple real nice walleye from Lake Monroe while night fishing.

Indiana 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.

Fishing For Walleye

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. Trolling for walleye with deep diving crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinners and live bait provides a way to cover vast areas and locate concentrations of fish. Use of planer boards allows anglers to cover water out both sides of the boat while trolling. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

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.

Fishing For Sauger

Closely related to the walleye and similar in appearance, sauger are generally smaller than walleye, reaching 4 to 5 pounds (or more) and up to about 20 inches. Often found in muddier rivers, it thrives in larger, silty lakes. They spawn in the shallows at night, without creating or guarding specific nests.

Walleye prefer moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in warmer impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting filets. Click here to learn all about walleye fishing.

Click here for a Indiana Fishing License.

Watch this video for walleye tips and tactics.

Walleye Resources

In-Fisherman - Walleye
U.S. Fish & Wildlife - Walleye
The National Wildlife Federation - Walleye

Also find information about walleye, sauger or saugeye fishing in these states.