The Ultimate Guide to Walleye Fishing: Tips, Techniques, and Equipment

Introduction

This guide will provide an in-depth overview of walleye fishing, including tips and techniques for catching walleye, essential equipment for walleye fishing, and information on walleye habitats and behavior. Whether you are a seasoned angler or a beginner, this guide will provide valuable information to help you catch more walleye.

Understanding Walleye Habitats and Behavior

Walleye habitats

Walleye are native to North America and can be found in a variety of freshwater environments, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. To thrive, walleye require specific habitats that provide them with the right combination of food, shelter, and water temperature.

Walleye behavior

Walleye behavior is influenced by many factors, including water temperature, light levels, and food availability. Understanding these factors can help anglers identify the best times to fish for walleye and increase their chances of success. For example, walleye are often more active at dawn and dusk when light levels are low, and they tend to move into shallow waters in the spring to feed on spawning baitfish.

By studying the habits and behaviors of walleye, anglers can identify the best times and places to fish and choose the right gear and techniques to help them catch more fish.

Examples:

• Walleye are known for their keen sense of sight and are attracted to lures that resemble the natural prey they feed on.
• Walleye are most active in low light conditions, so early morning and late evening fishing trips can be especially productive.
• Walleye are known to be migratory fish, moving from shallow to deeper waters throughout the year in response to changing water temperatures and food availability.
• Walleye are also known to be ambush predators, lying in wait to ambush their prey. Fishermen can use this behavior to their advantage by fishing near drop-offs, rocky points, and other structures where walleye are likely to be lurking.
• Walleye are also attracted to areas with strong currents, as these areas often provide an abundant food supply.

Tips and Techniques for Catching Walleye

When fishing for walleye, the type of lure you use can be just as important as the technique you use to fish it. Choosing a lure that mimics the appearance and movement of the prey that walleye feed on will increase your chances of success. There are many types of lures and brands available to choose from, each with its own unique benefits and uses.

Jigs

Jigs are one of the most popular and versatile types of lures for walleye fishing. They can be fished at different depths and can be tipped with live bait, soft plastics, or even hair to add extra attraction. Some top brands of jigs include Northland Tackle, Lindy Fishing Tackle, and VMC. There are also many different types of jigs to choose from, including spoon jigs, hair jigs, and finesse jigs. A popular jigging technique for walleye fishing is the vertical jigging technique. This involves lowering the jig to the desired depth and then using a combination of twitching, lifting, and reeling actions to imitate the movements of live bait. This technique can be especially effective in deeper waters and in situations where the walleye are holding at a specific depth. The key to this technique is to keep the jig in front of the fish and to pay attention to the line for any signs of a bite.

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are another type of lure that can be effective for walleye fishing. They are designed to imitate a variety of prey that walleye feed on, and they can be fished at different depths to cover different levels of the water column. Some of the top brands of crankbaits for walleye fishing include Rapala, Strike King, and Lucky Craft. There are different types of crankbaits to choose from, including floating crankbaits, diving crankbaits, and shallow diving crankbaits. A popular technique for fishing crankbaits for walleye is trolling. Trolling involves slowly dragging the lure through the water at a set speed and depth. This mimics the natural movement of prey and can attract walleye to strike. Some anglers also use casting and retrieve methods to fish crankbaits for walleye, but trolling is a more popular technique.

Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are a type of lure that has a rotating blade that creates vibration and flashes to attract fish. They are a great option for fishing in murky or stained water, as the vibration and flash can help draw fish in from a greater distance. Some top brands of spinnerbaits for walleye fishing include Mepps, Blue Fox, and Johnson. There are also different types of spinnerbaits to choose from, including inline spinners, Colorado blade spinners, and willow blade spinners. A popular technique for using spinner baits for walleye fishing is the slow-rolling method. This involves casting the spinner bait and reeling it in slowly, using a steady retrieve with occasional pauses. The vibration and flash produced by the spinning blades can attract the attention of walleye, making them more likely to strike. Some anglers will also use a twitching technique, where they make quick, short turns of the reel handle to give the spinnerbait a more erratic, lifelike movement.

Soft Plastics

Soft plastics are a type of lure that is designed to imitate live bait and are often used in conjunction with a jig or hook. They are a great option for fishing in clear water, as they can be rigged in a way that makes them appear very lifelike and enticing to fish. Some top brands of soft plastics for walleye fishing include Berkley, Yum, and Gene Larew. There are many different types of soft plastics to choose from, including grubs, worms, and swimbaits. A popular technique for using soft plastics for walleye fishing is "dragging" or "slow-rolling" along the bottom of the lake or river. This involves reeling in the line slowly while keeping the soft plastic bait close to the bottom, which often mimics the action of a crawling baitfish and can attract walleye. Other techniques include "jigging" the soft plastic bait vertically in a jerky motion, or rigging the soft plastic on a jig head and casting it out, then reeling it in slowly with pauses to mimic a dying or injured baitfish.

Live Bait

Live bait rigs are a type of fishing rig that uses live bait to attract fish. They can be fished at different depths, and they can be tipped with a variety of baits, including minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers. There are different types of live bait rigs to choose from, including floating jigs, bottom bouncers, and split shot rigs.

Essential Equipment for Walleye Fishing

Rod and Reel

A 6-7 foot medium-light or medium action rod is considered to be a good size. This length is versatile and provides good sensitivity while still having enough backbone to handle larger fish. As for reels, a spinning reel in the 2500-3000 size range or a baitcasting reel are both suitable options. It's recommended to look for reels with good line capacity, smooth drag systems, and reliable anti-reverse features.

Fishing Line

There are a variety of options to choose from. However, not all fishing lines are created equal, especially for walleye fishing. Some popular types of fishing line for walleye fishing include fluorocarbon, monofilament, and braided line. Fluorocarbon line is known for its low visibility and sensitivity, making it a great choice for fishing in clear waters. Monofilament line offers good flexibility and is easy to handle, making it a popular choice for anglers. Braided line is known for its strength and sensitivity, but it can be more visible in the water, which can be a concern when fishing for walleyes. When choosing a fishing line for walleye fishing, it's important to consider the type of fishing you're doing and the conditions of the body of water you're fishing in. Some popular brands for fishing line include Berkley, Sufix, and PowerPro. A good size fishing line would be between 6-8 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon. Some anglers may also choose to use braided lines in the range of 10-20 lb test, depending on the size of the fish they are targeting and the type of cover they are fishing. 

Hooks

There are several options to consider when fishing for walleyes. Some popular types of hooks include jigs, offset hooks, and circle hooks. Jigs are versatile and can be fished with a variety of baits. Offset hooks are best for hooking and landing the fish, while circle hooks are designed to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth for a cleaner and more responsible release.

Weights

Split shots, drop shots, and slip sinkers are commonly used for walleye fishing. Split shots are small round weights that can be pinched onto the line, while drop shots are used to keep the bait near the bottom of the body of water. Slip sinkers are cylindrical weights that slide up and down the line, allowing for a more natural presentation of the bait. Some popular brands for fishing hooks include Mustad, Gamakatsu, and VMC.

Summary

When it comes to successful walleye fishing, the key is to have patience and be willing to experiment with different techniques until you find what works best for you. Pay close attention to the conditions, such as the weather, time of day, and water temperature, and adjust your approach accordingly. It's also important to have a good understanding of the type of water you are fishing in and the habits of the walleye.

With a better understanding of walleye habitats and behavior, coupled with the right equipment and techniques, you'll be on your way to a successful and productive fishing trip. So gear up, study up, and let's go catch some walleye!