Walleye fishing can be a great and fun pastime but it can also be challenging to the novice and professional alike. Those who are good at it know that they have to be able to find the fish as well as knowing what to use to land them. This leaves a great deal of room to work with because there are different lures and baits in each area that the walleye are located that are effective. So it really depends on the location you are at but, there are some tips and information that everybody who is walleye fishing can use that span the spectrum of locations.
These are tried, tested and offer the fisherman a better chance at successful walleye fishing trip no matter where they are fishing. The follow are these tips and information that you can use if you want to be a better walleye fisherman:
* Time of Day – No matter where you are located in the country, if there are walleye, the best time for fishing is during the early hours of the morning or in the evening when the sun goes down. You can fish for them during the height of day, but they are deeper in the waters and are more difficult to catch. As long as you get your bait or lure deep enough when it is sunny out, you can find and catch some decent sized walleye. Even though most of the walleye do head to deeper waters during the daylight hours; you can find some of them hiding in the reeds and water plants at the shoreline. There have been many large walleye pulled out of lakes in the shallow and shadowy waters during a heat wave so the fish can be found but the majority is in the deeper waters.
* Fishing During Spawn – One of the biggest kept secrets is that fishing for walleye is the easiest when they are in the spawn season. All of the females need to refuel after the exertions of traveling to the lake tributaries, streams and rivers to lay their eggs. They also need to have the energy to make it back to the lake and to the deeper water that they prefer. The walleye at this time take just about any bait or lure that you offer them because of their increased appetites. Look for water that has reached a temperature of at least forty degrees. This is when they head upstream to spawn and when they are taking in the most food. You can also catch them when they complete their spawn and begin the journey back to the lake.
* Fishing in the Autumn – Another prime time for fishing for walleye is in the cool days of autumn. The walleye leave the comfort and coolness of the deep waters to begin their feast to build up the energy to get through the harsh and lean winter months when the food sources are not as high and the oxygen levels in the lakes are lower. Again, they travel to the inlets of streams and rivers. They are also found in the weed beds and in the rocks where the minnows and other baitfish are located. The walleye do not like to chase much food at this time and they tend to be in areas where the food is literally coming to them. Go downstream and downwind are the best places to find the walleye waiting for their next meal before they go into winter status.
* Vertical Jigging – It is not always possible to troll for walleye when there are a great many people in the boat. This is because the lines can get tangled when there are many out in the water. Another method needs to be employed and vertical jigging is the best way to fish for walleye in a crowded boat. First, use a fish finder in the areas that you know the walleye have been spotted or where you have been successful at finding walleye in the past. Find where the fish are located and drop anchor. Each person can drop down a line and allow it to get as deep as the fish are. Then jig the bait or lure to get the attention of the walleye. It is very easy to reel the fish in and bring it into the boat in this manner.
There is a great deal of information on fishing for walleye and many of the tips you find can offer you a better fishing experience. If you want to catch your limit or a trophy sized fish, then you need to fish during the time of day and year that they are feeding. Look for them in dark water or in areas that are shaded. Use vertical jigging when there are many people in the boat fishing with you to make it easier on the entire party.
