Walleye Fishing

Welcome to our Walleye Fishing Home Page

Walleye are one of the most popular freshwater fish. Some of the best walleye fishing is in the northern states such as Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and farther north into Canada. Walleye are popular because they are one of the best-tasting fish and they are easy to fillet. While other freshwater fish such as bass, northern pike and muskie are known more as sport fish, walleye are a popular fish to eat.

Walleye Fishing Tips

Quick Links

Baits, Rigs & Techniques	Tackle Recommendations

Best Fishing Rigs	Fishing Line Recommendations
Best Fishing Techniques	Fishing Rod & Reel Recommendations
Best Live Baits
Best Lures	Time of Day & Throughout the Seasons

Catch More & Bigger Fish	Seasons (Spring thru Winter)
	Time of Day
Catch Big Walleye
Catch Lots of Walleye	Water & Weather

Kitchen Table	Cover & Structure
	Types of Water
Eating Walleye	Water Depths
	Weather

Habitat

Walleye are found in many different bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs and rivers. Walleye can be found in crystal clear lakes and in muddy-colored rivers. Wood, rocks and weeds will attract walleye. In most lakes and reservoirs, walleye are often found in deeper water for most of the year. It is not uncommon to catch walleye in 5 to 10 feet of water early in the year, but once the summer warms the water temperatures, most walleye anglers will be fishing 20 to 35 feet of water. At night, however, walleye can be found very shallow even in the summer. Some anglers catch walleye in just a few feet of water at night.

Learn more about the different types of cover and structure where you will find and catch more walleye.

Walleye Can Be Very Difficult To Catch

Walleye can be very tough to catch at times, which makes fishing for them frustrating at times. While there are plenty of places in Ontario where you can catch 50 plus walleye per day or more and you can catch them by fishing during the middle of the day. However, on more pressured bodies of water, walleye can be downright difficult at times and many anglers have had tough days fishing for them. Walleye are known for turning on and biting very aggressively then allow of a sudden they seem to turn off just as quick and then the bite disappears for long stretches. They may be difficult to catch at times, but as you learn more about these fish, you will be able to consistently put more quality fish in the boat.

Walleye Are Very Light Sensitive

Walleye have nocturnal feeding habits. They are superior to most fish at feeding at night and they take advantage of their strength by feeding heavily during lowlight conditions. Early morning, late evening and at night are the best times to fish for walleye. However, they will bite during the day, especially in murkier water. In clear waters, fishing during the day can be difficult, especially if it’s just an average walleye lake.

Walleye Prefer Colder Water Temperatures

Walleye like colder water, so early in the spring and late in the fall, you may have water temperatures cool enough to move good numbers of walleye in the shallows. However, when water temperatures are above 60 degrees, don’t plan on finding too many walleye in the shallows. Walleye are usually going to be found deeper. There are some exceptions to this though. Walleye can often be found much shallower in murky water, in river systems and during low light periods of the day. For the most part though, walleye like deeper, cooler water and they can often be caught even when water temperatures drop below 40 degrees.

Walleye Move A Lot

Walleye roam long distances from spring through fall. While their seasonal migrations are fairly predictable, it can be quite difficult to located some of these large schools of walleye once they head offshore over deep water. In the spring, you will find more walleye shallow than in the summer and fall, so it is much easier to locate them in the spring. In the summer and fall months, the best fishing spots can change daily.

Walleye Relate to the Bottom

Walleye are often found resting tight to the bottom in rivers and lakes. Walleye do often suspend out over deeper water, however, most anglers have a lot of success by targeting walleye around the bottom. Jigging and drop shotting with live baits such as minnows, leeches and nightcrawlers is by far the most popular method that anglers use to fish along the bottom for walleye. However, don’t rule out Carolina rigs and any other bottom rig that you want to use.

Lures Work, But Live Bait is King for Walleye Fishing

For many anglers, catching walleye on live bait can be quite difficult. Live bait is usually king for walleye anglers. In the spring and fall, it’s more of a minnow bite, while the summer usually offer an excellent bite on leeches and nightcrawlers.

Trolling is Popular for Walleye

Because walleye are known for moving great distances on larger bodies of water, many anglers will choose to troll for them. Crankbaits, swimbaits, spoons and spinner rigs tipped with live bait are the most popular trolling baits for most anglers.

Some of the Best Walleye Fishing is up North

Walleye can be found throughout the midwest and in many reservoirs in the south as well. However, walleye like cold water temperatures, so the best places to consistently catch good numbers of walleye with quality fish are in the northern part of the country and into Canada. As you can see on our map below, there are some featured walleye destinations in the south, but many more are located up north.

Best Walleye Fishing Destinations

Best Baits for Walleye

Soft Baits

Hard Baits

Live Baits