Fishing for walleye can be a little tricky and a lot of fun. One of the main things you’ll hear about this species is that they are tougher to catch than some of the other species. However, this just makes it more exciting when you do reel one in. Another thing that makes them stand out is their great eyesight. They can see so well that they can even see you if you’re fishing in clear water and get too close to them.
Walleyes are an olive green or brown color with contrasting dark vertical bands running down the sides. They have a white belly and a white tip on the tail fin. However, they are best distinguished by their wide, glassy eyes that allow them to see better in the dark than most species. This gives them an advantage over their prey in the dark.
Walleye Fishing Secrets
Knowing some of the fishing secrets that have been passed down through the generations form one fishermen to another will help increase the number of bites you get when fishing for this species. Mix it up a little and use different techniques in order to get maximum response when fishing for walleyes in your area.
Here are 5 fishing secrets to help you catch more walleyes:
1. Choose the Best Lures – Walleyes are attracted to color so pay attention to what you use. During the early part of spring, very bright and florescent colors will work the best. During the late summer to early fall, dark lures like browns or dark shades of green and blue will work the best. Always take along an assortment of colors with you on each fishing trip so you can try different ones if you’re not getting the results you expected. Sometimes, the fish can be picky and they will respond better to something unusual.
2. Know Your Location – Knowing the location where you plan to fish in is very important. You need to know where is safe to travel and which places you should stay away from. Some lakes and rivers have undergrowth that can get caught on boat motors and leave you stranded. It will also make it easier for you to locate the walleyes. When fishing somewhere new, pick up a map or hire a guide to help you learn the area.
3. When to Fish – Walleyes feed the most aggressively at night and this is a great time to fish provided you know the area. It can be dangerous going out on water at night that you’re unfamiliar with. In this case, it would be better to go fishing during the early morning before the sun gets high in the sky or late evening just before sunset. They are still very active during these hours and you can see much better making it safer. Overcast and windy days when the water is choppy are also good walleye fishing times.
4. Fishing Gear – When fishing for this species, you’ll get the best results when using light line between the four and six pound range. Use small gear and bait so the fish can get it into its small mouth. This will also make it easier to tell when you have a bite. In most cases, a bobber will also work very well. When you feel the fish take the bait, don’t jerk the rod to set the hook. Instead, use a snap of the wrist and this will set the hook without pulling it out of the mouth of the fish.
5. Take Advantage of the Shallows – Many anglers don’t fish the shallow waters for walleyes and this is a mistake. Water as shallow as two feet deep can house a good size walleye and it’s a good place to start your fishing trip before moving out into the deeper parts of the water.
Using these tips can help make any walleye fishing trip more fun and productive.
Walleye Fishing Bait
Choose the right bait when fishing for walleyes and it will improve your chances of reeling in more fish. Fortunately, they will respond well to both live and artificial baits so, you do have a lot of choices. This makes it easier to find something that will get their attention because you can also switch around when they’re not responding to one thing.
The best live bait to use when fishing for walleyes are small minnows, worms, crayfish and night crawlers. The size you use will depend on the time of year you go fishing and the size fish you’re trying to catch. During the spawning season, smaller bait will work bests and after spawning, you can move up to slightly larger bait, just don’t go to big.
When using artificial lures, try jigs, spinners, soft plastics and crankbaits. These lures work very well for this species and they will usually yield excellent results in most any situation. Use a slow retrieval and gradually speed up for the best results and have a great time reeling in those walleyes.