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.
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 dark colored water 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. 20 to 35 foot depths are common depths to find walleye, however, you can find some fish in very shallow water as well, especially during the spring and in darker colored lakes and rivers.
How to Catch Walleye
You can catch walleye many different ways, however, vertical jigging and trolling are the most popular ways to fish for walleye. Jigheads tipped with nightcrawlers, minnows and leeches are very effective when vertical jigging. Trolling with crankbaits and spinner rigs are another very popular way to catch walleye. Walleye typically bite best in lowlight conditions, so get out there in the early morning, late evening or fish at night for the best results.
Eating Walleye
Walleye taste excellent. You can eat them a variety of ways, but frying them is the most popular method of cooking them.
Popular Walleye Fishing Tips & Techniques
- Bottom Bouncing
- Bottom Bouncing for Summer Walleye
- Drifting
- Drop-Shotting
- Jigging
- Lure Colors for Walleye
- Trolling
Fishing Lures for Walleye
- Crankbaits | Shallow-Diving, Medium-Diving, Deep-Diving, Lipless
- Flatfish
- Jerkbaits | Soft Jerkbaits, Hard Jerkbaits
- Jigs | Jig & Soft Plastics, Scrounger Jigheads & Soft Plastics, Maribou Jigs, Swim Jigs
- Soft Plastics | Grubs, Minnows, Tubes & Crayfish, Worms
- Spinners | In-Line Spinners, Spinner Rigs, Spinnerbaits
- Spoons | Casting Spoons, Jigging Spoons, Trolling Spoons
- Swimbaits | Hard Swimbaits, Soft Swimbaits
Fishing Rigs for Walleye
- 3-Way Swivel Rig
- Carolina Rig
- Drop Shot Rig
- Florida Rig
- Free Lining Rig
- Jigheads | Scrounger Jigheads
- Slip Bobber Rig
- Split Shot Rig
- Texas Rig
- Wacky Rig
Live Baits for Walleye
Cover & Structure for Walleye
Different Depths of Water
- Shallow Water
- Deep Water
- Suspended Walleye
- Bottom Fishing
How the Weather Affects Largemouth Bass
Spawning Time
Time of Day
Time of Year (Seasonal Movements)
Types of Water
