Guide To The Art of Fishing for Walleye
All about walleye fishing.
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These toothy critters are now found throughout the US, even though their initial distribution was among the waters of the eastern and southeastern states. While often found in rivers and streams, it prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms.
Catch More Walleye
Walleye are pursued for their succulent white meat, and rank among the most sought-after freshwater species for anglers worldwide. Understanding the behavior and preferences of these elusive fish is key to unlocking their secrets and catching more walleye.
How To Fish For Walleye
For starters, focus on the fact that walleye move about the lake in search of two things. First and foremost, they follow their food source of baitfish and other small fish. Second, walleye relate to structure whether that be points, rock outcroppings, drop-offs or flats at their preferred depth for the season. Generally speaking, walleye can be found in the 10 to 40-foot range, depending on the particular body of water and time of year. Identify the preferred depth on the day you are fishing, and you can then look for potential structure at that depth. Fish finders can help locate the fish, structure and baitfish. Get further details by visiting the fishing for walleye page.
Best Tackle For Walleye Fishing
Whether you prefer spinning reels, which are popular with many walleye anglers, or baitcasting reels, be sure to use a quality fishing rod. Medium or medium-heavy action rods in the seven-foot range are ideal. Sensitivity is crucial, so spend a little extra and you'll feel more of the soft bite’s walleye are notorious for. Most rod manufacturer offer rods specifically designed for walleye. Spool your reel with 8-to-12-pound monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided line, depending on the size and types of bait you plan to use. When using braid, add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader.
Best Baits For Catching Walleye
How To Catch Walleye With Minnows
Minnows of all kinds including shiners and fatheads can be fished on a hair jig or an open-hook jig. Still fishing or slow drifting with, or without, a bobber can be productive. Carolina rigs or drop-shot setups both work well.
How To Catch Walleye With Jigs
Jigs are a top choice among many seasoned walleye enthusiasts. Select jig heads in 1/8 to 1/2-ounce range. Use lighter weights for slow fishing when no current is present, heaver jigs for actively feeding walleye, in windy conditions or when dealing with current. Plastics or hair jigs are both good options.
How To Catch Walleye With Crankbaits
Crankbaits come in all sorts of colors and actions, each designed to run in a specific depth range. They can be cast and retrieved or trolled behind the boat. At times, bright, flashy colors entice strikes. Other times subdued colors and actions are more appealing. Experiment to find the best combination for day. Using leaded line, planer boards or down riggers for trolling can get baits to run deeper than normal.
How To Catch Walleye With Nightcrawlers
Nightcrawlers are a staple for catching walleye. The fish love them and they are easy to get and keep fresh. These worms too, can be fished on a hair jig, an open-hook jig, or as a trailer behind a spinner setup. Still fishing or slow drifting with, or without, a bobber are popular tactics for walleye.
How To Catch Walleye With Spinners
Spinners can be trolled or cast and work well, with or without any bait enhancement. At times adding worms or minnows can further entice strikes.
How To Catch Walleye With Spoons & Blade Baits
Spoons and blade baits can be fished vertically under the boat, or by cast and retrieve. Lifting the lure and letting it fall like an injured baitfish is the trick to fooling walleye into taking the bait.
Learn the seasonal migration of walleye to enhance your chances of finding them on your next outing. Once you locate them, choose the best walleye lures for fishing that depth and cover.
Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum
Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current. Ideal water temperature: 38° to 60°
World record: 25 pounds, 4 ounces
Walleye feed primarily on small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. Try fishing from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.
Use bait, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, ice jigs as well as plastic worms and grubs. Trolling is often a very effective way to fish for these tasty fish.
Best Techniques For Fishing For Walleye
Walleye Fishing Tips
First and foremost, learn about the lake or body of water you intend to fish. Review maps to locate potential structure at a variety of levels, read fishing reports and talk to local bait and tackle shops. Gather as much information as possible before heading off on your walleye fishing trip.
In addition to lure selection, mastering the art of presentation is essential for success in walleye fishing. Walleye are known for their keen sense of sight and can be particularly discerning when it comes to bait presentation. Utilizing subtle movements or even erratic actions to mimic the behavior of injured prey can often provoke a predatory response from walleye. Slow, methodical retrieves are often effective in enticing sluggish walleye, especially during periods of low light or inclement weather conditions. Conversely, aggressive jigging or rapid trolling speeds can trigger reactionary strikes from walleye in more active feeding modes.
See more details about walleye seasonal movements here.
SPRING
Top Baits: Shallow crankbaits, small jigs tipped with minnows, and spinnerbaits.
Fish shallow to moderate depths as the walleye move into the shallows to spawn. In most fisheries 2 to 12 feet is an ideal depth. Gravel ledges, points and submerged humps in wind-blown areas are prime holding areas. During this period, walleye exhibit a strong inclination to migrate into feeder streams or rivers for spawning purposes. However, in instances where such migratory routes are unavailable, walleye will seek out alternative spawning grounds. Shallow bars or shoals with clean, rocky or gravelly bottoms, situated in close proximity to deeper waters, become prime locations.
SUMMER
Top Baits: Crankbaits, jigs and jigging spoons.
Fish shallower in the mornings and evenings and move deeper as the sun rises. Use lures that mimic small baitfish or sunfish as these are a favorite food of the walleye. Follow points, and rocky or gravel structure, deeper until you establish the proper walleye holding depth. Common depths in Summer are 15 to 30 feet deep, sometimes deeper. Night fishing for walleye in summer can be very effective. Often, bright colors attract walleye, especially when they are aggressive. Other times try colors that closely match the prey they feed upon in your local water. Trolling, drift fishing and vertical jigging are all effective. Bottom bouncers, worm harnesses and deep diving crankbaits are popular choices.
FALL
Top Baits: Jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spoons.
In fall, walleye follow schools of baitfish into feeder creeks where they tend to hold in 10 to 25 feet of water. Points nearby shallow bays, creek channels, flats and ledges are popular holding places at this time. Lures mimicking baitfish often work best during this short season. At this time thy are feeding aggressively, preparing for a less-active Winter. This is a good time to catch a trophy fish.
WINTER
Top Baits: Jigs, spoons and ice jigs.
If local lakes freeze over in winter, see the ice fishing page for ice fishing tips. For lakes that do not freeze over, walleye will be found in similar areas as in summer, typically around deep structure in 15 to 35 feet of water. Use summer fishing techniques, but slow down the presentation as the cold water makes them sluggish. Keep all baits very close to the bottom
Visit the walleye fishing videos section for tips, ideas and great fishing action.
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