I’ve never used a topographical map but some of my buddies swear by them – how can it help me when I’m fishing for Walleye?

In my opinion, a map of the area you’re fishing on is an absolute necessity.  It’s probably one of the most important and least used tools available for Walleye fishermen.  A map will help you find the ledges, drop-offs and river and creek channels quickly.  If you don’t know where these structures are – you’re going to spend more time hunting for the fish than actually catching them.  When you locate a school of Walleye that suddenly stops biting, a map of the lake will immediately help you identify an area with a similar depth and structures to run to.  In addition to a good map of the area, a Global Positioning System can also be an extremely helpful tool on the lake.  If you don’t own a GPS, you may want to consider investing in one.  When you locate a school of Walleye that are biting, you can quickly mark the location on a hand-held GPS receiver, making it easier to return to the same exact spot.  If the fish aren’t particularly aggressive or don’t seem to be feeding, the GPS will allow to return during the day at various times.  Odds are, you’ll increase your chances of getting your bait in front of them when they’re hungry.