How to Catch Walleye

Welcome to the world of walleye fishing! If you've ever cast your line into a cool, clear lake in pursuit of these elusive creatures, then you've experienced the thrill of the chase that only walleye fishing can offer. Renowned for their elusive behavior and often finicky nature, walleyes are indeed one of the most prized species in the fishing world.

In this comprehensive guide, we're going to cover the A-Z of walleye fishing. We'll delve into understanding the enigmatic walleye, from its preferred haunts to its favorite food. We'll also share some of the best techniques to make the walleyes think your lure is the most appetizing thing since, well, baitfish. We'll even dive into the art of choosing baits, lures, and other essential gear.

Remember, when it comes to walleye fishing, we're all in the same boat - eagerly waiting for that next big tug on the line.

Understanding the Walleye

The walleye, sometimes called the yellow pike, yellow pickerel, or yellow pikeperch, is a unique species that offers an unmatched fishing challenge. Originating from the Northern United States and vast stretches of Canada, it is a freshwater fish that has a peculiar fondness for the large, shallow lakes and rivers where there's a touch of water movement or turbidity. Call them picky, but these water conditions seem to suit their lifestyle just right.

When it comes to appearance, walleyes carry a unique charm. With a color palette transitioning from olive at the dorsal side to gold on the flanks, they exhibit a visual appeal that's hard to miss. This pattern is interrupted by five darker saddles extending to their upper sides, lending a distinct visual contrast. But don't let their beauty fool you; their large mouths are home to numerous sharp teeth ready to snatch their next meal.

The name walleye describes of the fish's most striking features: its eyes. When you catch a glimpse of a walleye, one of the first things that will catch your attention is the pearlescent shimmer in their eyes. This appearance is not just for show; it's a result of a reflective layer of pigment known as the tapetum lucidum. Like nature's own night-vision goggles, this pigment layer equips the walleye with impressive low-light vision capabilities.

This adaptation significantly influences the walleye's behavior, steering them towards the cover of low light to maximize their hunting advantages. The reason is simple - in the muted light conditions, their prey typically has a hard time seeing, while the walleye's enhanced vision enables them to spot and snatch up their meal with ease.

Because of this, walleyes have a bit of a nocturnal lifestyle, preferring to avoid bright light and feast under the cover of low light conditions. This behavior gives them an edge over their prey, which can't see as well as they can in low light.

Walleyes are not too choosy about their food, snacking on an assortment of creatures, including minnows, insects, and crayfish.

Knowing Where to Look

Walleye like certain places in a body of water. They love:

• Humps (raised spots)
• Saddles (low points between two humps)
• Points that stick out from the shore

These spots are good for hiding and catching food.

You can also find walleye in different types of water. They can live in:

• Tiny creeks
• Big rivers
• Shallow ponds
• Deep lakes

Pro tip: If you're fishing for walleye, look for certain types of underwater plants. They tend to prefer:

• Sand grass
• Coon tail
• Cabbage plants

Depending on the season, walleye tend to move around. In the late summer and early fall, they usually move closer to the shore. This is because the water gets cooler and food is easier to find. But remember, not all walleye do this. Some stay in deep water all year.

Catching Walleye: Techniques and Gear

Catching a walleye isn't just about casting a line into the water and hoping for the best. It involves a strategic blend of technique, the right bait, equipment, and a keen understanding of the walleye's habits. Let's dive into some time-tested methods to increase your walleye-catching success.

Live Bait Techniques

The use of live bait is a classic yet highly effective method when angling for walleye. Choosing the right bait can significantly tilt the odds in your favor.

• Shiner and flathead minnows occupy the top spot in the hearts of many seasoned anglers. If you are casting your line in waters abundant with walleye, shiners could be your secret weapon, with their ability to attract larger, more mature walleye. On the other hand, flathead minnows shine when your targets are the smaller walleye or when fish are playing hard to get.

• Leeches are another worthwhile choice, especially the larger ones, and in bodies of water dominated by walleyes. Take note, though, that in ecosystems that are more diverse, where panfish or bass, for instance, also live, you can end up catching these other species instead of your target. The same is true for nightcrawlers, another popular live bait for walleye that can also fall prey to other opportunistic fish. One thing you could do is to rig them onto a worm harness spinner, which increases the size and complexity of the bait, helping ward off unwelcome nibbles from other fish species.

• Minnows and leeches offer a degree of versatility that can be a game-changer in walleye angling. Live bait can be either jigged or rigged to mimic the movement of the walleye's natural prey.

Lure Strategies

While live bait is an effective approach in walleye angling, lures offer a potent alternative that can be incredibly fruitful. When choosing a lure for walleye fishing, consider factors such as the season, water temperature, and the specific characteristics of the water body you're fishing in.

• Crankbaits, soft plastics, and jigs rank high among the lures of choice for many walleye anglers. Jigs usually excel in shallow waters, while crankbaits are more suited for the depths.

• Don't be afraid to experiment with your retrieval speed and techniques. Anglers often find success in diverse retrieval strategies, with some favoring a slow, steady retrieve, while others see results with a more erratic approach.

• To make your lure more enticing to the walleye, consider adding live bait or a soft plastic to it. This can simulate the movement of the walleye's natural prey, attracting their attention more effectively.

• Using lures that mimic the local prey of walleye can often prove successful. For example, if the water is teeming with minnows, a minnow-like lure could be the key to your success.

Bobber Fishing

Fishing with a bobber adds another dimension to your walleye fishing strategy. This technique allows you to maintain your bait at a specific depth, making it more visible to passing walleye.

• There are a number of different types of bobbers available, but when targeting walleye, slip bobbers are often the top choice. These bobbers have a hole through the center, allowing the line to slide through freely, so you can adjust the depth easily.

• Pair your slip bobber with a lightweight jig head, typically one-eighth to one-quarter of an ounce, depending on wind and current conditions. This will help to ensure the bait sinks properly and stays where you want it to be.

• Don't forget that when using bobbers, it's crucial to determine the depth at which the walleye are feeding. Walleye tend to be bottom feeders, but they will often suspend at certain depths based on factors like water temperature and available food. 

Jigging

Jigging is another well-loved technique when fishing for walleye. You'll probably want to use a medium action spinning rod and reel. This type of rod and reel works really well for this technique. For the line, usually, something in the range of six to ten pounds will do the job just fine.

Remember that at the most basic level, a jig is just a hook that has a weighted head stuck onto it. This simple design is what makes it so effective. But here's the cool part, you can switch up the style of the jig body you attach to the hook. There's a whole bunch of different styles to choose from. This way, you can experiment with different looks and movements until you find what works best for you and the walleye you're trying to catch.

Best Time to Catch Walleye

The best time to catch walleye depends on various factors such as the season, time of day, and water temperature. Here are some general guidelines:

Season

Spring is a good time to catch walleye as they are hungry after a long, cold winter. The first hatches of small fish and fry emerge during this time, and other species are up and about getting ready to spawn. Late summer and early fall are also good times to catch walleye, especially after sunset. During this time, walleye move shallow and feed on baitfish close to shore.

Time of Day

The best time to fish for walleye is any low-light period. Walleye have better eyesight than smaller species, so they can use these conditions to their advantage and sneak up on their prey. Very early morning and late evening often give the best opportunities. The low-light window 30 minutes before and after sunrise and before and after sunset are peak times to catch walleye. During the summer especially, the bite will continue through the night but really reach their peak around sunset and sunrise. Walleye will often swim up from deep water onto shallow flats to feed on schools of minnow and small prey during these times.

Water Temperature

Walleye move to deeper locations as water temperatures rise throughout summer. When the sun is high at midday, walleye move deeper and hold tightly to shade providing cover. During periods of low light, however, walleye will move shallow to feed on baitfish holding close to shore. Therefore, it’s easier to target walleye condensed in the shallows during low light as opposed to finding them in the deeper expanses during a sunny afternoon.

Conclusion

Catching walleye is all about adapting to the conditions and trying out different techniques. Whether you're into jigging, using live bait, or bobber fishing, there's something for everyone. Don't forget to take into account factors like water temperature, season, and the time of day. By following these tips and techniques, you'll increase your chances of reeling in that prized walleye. So gather your gear, hit the water, and get ready for an exciting adventure in walleye fishing!

Don't miss our other guides for fishing different well-loved species:

• How To Catch Carp
• How To Catch Trout
• How To Catch Bass