Bait & Techniques When Fishing for Walleye

Bait & Techniques When Fishing for Walleye
Walleye are prized not only for their sweet, flaky meat, but for the challenge of catching them in their deep hiding places. Utilizing a few tips and strategies will help you catch a walleye worth bragging about.

Walleye Habitat

Walleye can be found in both open lakes and in streams. They prefer deep, shadowy pockets with vegetative growth and cover to protect their eggs. In streams, they cling to shorelines in pockets where the current is less strong.

Open Water Technique

In large lakes, trolling is the best method to reach them at their shadowy depths.

Open Water Lures

Use a lure that wiggles or rattles to attract walleyes' attention. Since they can feed 10 to 90 feet below the surface, a deep diver is needed.

Shoreline Technique

Find a shadowy spot that affords walleye cover beneath downed trees or logs, or at the base of rocks. Jigging creates motion that attracts the walleye to your lure. Once you find a spot where they are biting, continue to fish the same area since they cluster together.

Jigging Lures

Use a variety of jig lures until you find one the fish prefer. A simple jig head with a brightly colored, plastic grub, or the more complex spinners and rattling spoons will surely catch their attention.

Use Your Resources

When fishing a new area, always consult your local fish and wildlife office. Those organizations offer a wealth of knowledge about the locations and lure preferences of the fish in their area.

Article Written By Liz Hinman

Liz Hinman in an English teacher from North Carolina. She has spent the past seven years helping students better their lives through reading, writing, and experiencing the outdoors. She has decided it is time to better her own life by returning to her passion for writing.

Write for Trails.com
  • Editor's Pick

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...

    More Backcountry Camping...
  • Popular Article

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...

    More Beach Camping...
  • Featured Video

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.

    More Camping Basics...

Outdoor Gear & Equipment

ALL NEW Trails Gear Store powered by:

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword