The Ultimate Guide to Walleye Fishing: Tips, Techniques & Tackle

The first walleye I ever caught was by mistake. It emerged from the depths of my local lake with its jaws around a curlytail grub I had been jigging for smallmouth bass, and its haunting, moon-like eyes and toothy grin immediately grabbed my attention. 

Those same features, along with a tendency to prowl the shallows after nightfall and vanish into the depths during the day, have earned walleye a reputation for being mysterious and elusive. It took me years to learn how to catch more, but for anglers who have cracked the code to this species, walleye fishing doesn’t have to be a mystery. 

Dogged fighters known for their slow-and-steady head-shaking runs, walleye commonly weigh 2 to 5 pounds and are capable of growing well past the 10-pound mark. They are also some of the best-tasting fish in freshwater, as their popularity on menus across the Great Lakes region will attest. 

Walleye inhabit natural glacial lakes, sprawling man-made reservoirs, mighty rivers and modest-sized streams alike. They’ve been transplanted to almost every state in the U.S., and wherever they swim, catching them starts with understanding your quarry.

• Understanding Walleye Behavior
• Seasonal Patterns and Movements
• Walleye Fishing Gear
• Walleye Fishing Baits and Lures
• Walleye Fishing Techniques
• Start Catching Walleye

Understanding Walleye Behavior

The first thing to know about walleye is that they behave differently than many other freshwater gamefish. They’re not bass. And techniques that are effective for catching bass often leave walleye anglers empty-handed (the occasional accidental fish on a curlytail grub aside). Walleye can be temperamental, easily affected by factors like water temperature, light conditions and food availability—but they still follow predictable patterns. When fishing unfamiliar waters, the following factors can help you locate fish:

Focus on Bottom Structure

Walleye are, for the most part, bottom-oriented fish. It’s not unheard of for walleye to be found higher in the water column—larger female walleye may suspend a few feet above bottom, where they don’t have to compete with their smaller, faster male counterparts—but most walleye, most of the time, will be on or near the bottom. 

Rocky structure is most important. Walleye relate to rocky points, gravel bars, mid-lake humps, reefs and river channels. The best locations are often areas where multiple areas of structure intersect, such as island clusters and reef complexes, especially if there are also healthy weed beds in the area. Edges where different types of structure meet are good places to start, especially transition zones like drop-offs in 8 to 12 feet of water. 

Low Light is Best

Walleye are named for their distinctly milky, reflective eyes, which are adapted to seeing in low-light conditions. These fish actively avoid direct sunlight, and walleye fishing is most challenging on bright, sunny days in clear water. Walleye are more comfortable when the weather is cloudy and the water has some color to it. 

They are most active at night. Under cover of darkness, walleye in almost all rivers and lakes hunt more actively, and they often move toward shallower water. For anglers who fish for walleye from the bank, there’s no better time to find them within casting distance of shore.

Follow the Food

Walleye are seldom far from their next meal. They’re opportunists, eating leeches, crayfish, worms and a wide variety of underwater invertebrates, but the main item on the menu is baitfish. Depending on the body of water, that could mean shad, yellow perch, ciscoes, shiners, gobies or other species. Locate baitfish in an area that offers the right environmental conditions, and walleye will likely be nearby. 

Consider Current

Walleye are equally at home in lakes and rivers, and each offers unique possibilities. Lakes can be a bit more challenging to fish because of the broad array of habitat available, while rivers tend to concentrate walleye in more limited areas. That being said, current can be important in both. While the effect of current in a river is obvious, its impact on large lakes and reservoirs can be more subtle. 

In rivers, walleye often try to avoid the strongest current. They congregate in deep pools and holes—these may be as little as 8 to 10 feet deep, depending on the river—and downstream of boulders, logs and other structures that provide a current break. Some of the best places I’ve found to catch walleye in rivers are right below dams, which halt the ability of the fish to move upstream. 

In lakes and reservoirs where current is present, walleye often use it to their advantage when hunting. They usually orient themselves to structure, facing directly upcurrent and waiting to ambush prey. Walleye also commonly patrol current seams where fast water meets slow water.

Seasonal Patterns and Movements

Like all freshwater fish, walleye follow a seasonal cycle, and their movements and habits change with the calendar. Understanding how they behave in different seasons is essential to effectively pattern walleye. 

Spring

Spring offers some of the best walleye fishing of the year, especially early in the season as walleye head toward nearshore areas to spawn on shallow, rocky reefs and gravel shoals. Walleye typically begin spawning when water temperatures reach 38°F to 44°F, with peak activity occurring between 44°F and 48°F. 

In most places, walleye season is closed during the spawn to fishing to protect the fish. But one of my favorite times to catch them is the early pre-spawn period, when walleye gather in staging areas immediately after ice-out. You can catch some of the biggest fish of the year during pre-spawn, if you’re willing to brave the cold. 

Summer

Post-spawn walleye feed aggressively while waters warm in late spring, but as summer approaches, temperatures become uncomfortable, and fish head for deep cover. Around 70°F seems to be the tipping point at which they descend to deeper, cooler basins, weed edges and drop-offs. 

Trolling deep structure is a go-to method for locating walleye in summer, and vertical jigging above deep haunts is also effective. Summer walleye are commonly caught between 15 and 35 feet down depending on what is available to them in any given body of water. Dawn and dusk are the best times to fish. 

Fall

Once temperatures start to cool in fall, walleye begin shifting back toward shallower habitats, including many of the same rocky points, bars, rock piles and reefs they inhabited in spring. They feed heavily as fall progresses, following schools of baitfish toward the shallows. 

Walleye spend a lot of time in 8 to 20-foot depths in fall, but they often move into just a few feet of water at night. Long structures like sloping points and river channels are like highways that walleye use to move back and forth between daytime depths and shallow nighttime feeding grounds. 

Winter

As winter’s chill sets in and northern lakes ice over, walleyes’ metabolism slows, and the fish become significantly less active. They often settle into deep holes, main lake structures and river sections with deep, slow current. 

Winter walleye still need to eat, but they’re much less likely to expend energy chasing a lure. Slow, subtle presentations—especially live baits—are most effective, and many anglers find success ice fishing for walleye using live minnows or jigs tipped with live bait just above the bottom.

Walleye Fishing Gear

When fishing for walleye, it’s highly important to hit the water with the right equipment. The best rod and reel for walleye depends on the conditions, but a fairly straightforward setup will prepare the beginner walleye angler for most situations. 

A medium-action 6’6” to 7’ spinning combo is a versatile choice for walleye fishing. A setup like the Piscifun Carbon R1 Spinning Rod paired with the appropriate Piscifun Carbon Series Spinning Reel offers a good balance of versatility and ease of use. It’s well-suited to jigging, cast-and-retrieve lure fishing as well as live bait. Spool your reel with 8- to 10-pound monofilament or braided line, and consider using a fluorocarbon leader for abrasion resistance in rocky areas. 

Many anglers prefer a different setup for trolling. When trolling for walleye, a heavier-duty baitcasting reel like the Piscifun Chaos Pro CNC Baitcasting Reel is a great choice for fishing heavier lures in deeper water using 12- to 15-pound mono. 

For more walleye fishing gear, check out this collection.

Walleye Fishing Baits and Lures

Walleye lures haven’t quite exploded in color and variety to the extent that bass lures have. But bait shop shelves are lined with many options for targeting walleye in any conditions. A well-stocked walleye tackle box should include at least a few each of the following. 

Jigs

A jig is essentially a hook with a weighted head that can be tipped with bucktail, marabou, or a variety of soft-plastic baits like curlytail grubs and shad-style plastics. The appeal of a jig can further be increased with the addition of a nightcrawler, leech or other natural bait. Jigs are among the most versatile walleye lures, ideal for vertical jigging or cast-and-retrieve fishing at virtually any depth.

A ¼-ounce jig is the average size for walleye, but lighter ⅛-ounce jigs may be ideal for shallow water, while heavier jigs around ½-ounce are suited for deep water, windy conditions and strong current. My favorite colors are bold and high-visibility colors like chartreuse, white and hot pink, but black can also be highly effective.

Stickbaits

Also referred to as jerkbaits, stickbaits are hard minnow-imitating lures with multiple treble hooks. Classic lures like the Storm Thunderstick and Rapala Husky Jerk measuring 4 to 6 inches are perennial favorites. Stickbaits are ideal for times when walleye are in shallow water, and they often work best with a slow, steady retrieve.

Blade Baits

Slim metal lures that can be either cast-and-retrieved or jigged, blade baits like the Silver Buddy and the Reef Runner Cicada are ideal for deep-water walleye fishing. Their heavy, metal construction helps them sink quickly, and their metallic sheen makes them eye-catching in dim conditions. 

Crankbaits

Typified by the Rapala Shad Rap and the Cotton Cordell Wally Diver, crankbaits are similar to stickbaits, but have a comparatively squat profile that mimics a shad or other baitfish. Crankbaits are typically designed to dive to a specific depth, making them ideal for both casting and trolling in various seasons and conditions. 

Live Bait Rigs

A variety of rigs have been devised to present live bait to walleye in appealing ways. Most common are spinner rigs, also known as worm harnesses, and bottom bouncing rigs. These rigs use spinning blades and beads for attraction, 1 to 3 hooks to secure a nightcrawler, minnow or leech, and usually some form of sinker for weight. Live bait rigs can be drifted, trolled or retrieved in rivers and lakes. 

Walleye Fishing Techniques

The methods anglers use to catch walleye vary widely, but most fall under a few basic categories. A handful of straightforward techniques will prepare you to catch these fish in most situations

Jigging

Jigging is one of the most fun and accessible walleye fishing tactics. Vertical jigging over the side of the boat is effective in most seasons, but especially in cold water and around rocky areas. Cast-jigging from banks and piers is one of the best ways to catch walleye at night and whenever they are in shallow water. Use jigs tipped with live bait or soft plastics, and hop the jig on or just off the bottom. 

Trolling Crankbaits

Pulling hard-bodied diving crankbaits behind a boat—known as trolling—is arguably the best way to cover large expanses of water quickly and locate walleye. It’s a great way to start on an unfamiliar lake. Speeds of 1.5 to 2.5 mph are usually ideal, with higher speeds being effective for more active fish. Match your crankbaits’ diving depth so that they run within 2 to 5 feet of the bottom. 

Live Bait Rigging

Presenting live bait rigs like spinner rigs or walking rigs with a long leader is a great way to tempt shy-biting walleye during spring or fall. Drift or crawl the rig very slowly along the bottom in a lake, or allow the current to carry it naturally in a river. Floating hooks and slip-bobber rigs can be helpful to avoid snags and keep the bait visible. 

Bottom Bouncing

Bottom bouncing combines live bait fishing and trolling, using a specialized setup known as a bottom bouncing rig. A heavy snag-resistant sinker and a spinner or worm harness—each on their own separate leaders—are attached to your main line via a three-way swivel. The rig “bounces” along on the lake bottom when slow-trolled at less than 1 mph, keeping the bait elevated and visible. It’s great for deeper rocky areas on summer lakes. 

Start Catching Walleye

Like most fish, catching more and bigger walleye comes with experience. While walleyes’ movements and patterns can appear mysterious, this fish is ultimately a creature of habit. Learn where it likes to live, what it likes to eat, and what gear is needed to get your lure in the right place, and you’ll be that much closer to becoming a successful walleye angler.