How to Catch Canadian Walleye

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The walleye is best known for the shape of its eyes and natural predatory skills. Born with a membrane called the tapetum lucidum located behind the retina, the Canadian walleye can see with greater clarity than most other fish can in low visibility and dark, murky waters. Walleye also have nerve endings that run down the length of their bodies. These sensitive nerves help the fish detect vibrations in the water and to catch nearby bait fish. While the Canadian walleye is a natural born predator, anglers and fisherman can turn the tables on this fish and use a few simple techniques for beating the Canadian walleye at its own game.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Medium to medium/heavy action rod
Bait
Fishing line

Step 1

Plan your fishing day. Walleye prefer deep waters with minimum light. Fish at higher depths early in the morning and late in the evening when walleye are feeding. Fish in deeper waters during the day; especially when the sun is high and bright.

Step 2

Find where small fish are biting. Canadian walleye will follow the location of bait fish, so it is important to search for the location of the most active fish and work those channels. Use the drifting technique in backwater areas and look for minnows breaking the current. Canadian walleye are most frequently waiting in still waters for minnows and other bait fish.

Step 3

Use a 6.6 medium action rod with a 2500 series reel. Thread your line with 8 to 10-pound fluorocarbon fishing line and tie your hook directly to the line. If you are trolling, a 7 medium to medium/heavy action rod with a 4000 series reel is sufficient. In this case, use a 10 to 16-pound fluorocarbon fishing line.

Step 4

Switch between minnows, leeches, night crawlers and beet hearts for bait.

Step 5

Cast a 1/8 to 1/2-ounce jig into still water and retrieve back it into the current. Be sure to twitch your line to entice nearby walleye to strike the bait. Keep your eye open for water disturbance. Canadian walleye are known to swim from behind an obstruction to strike a lure, and then fall back to still waters to eat it.

Tips & Warnings

Consider factors that determine how your bait travels underwater. Low temperatures can reduce the speed at which bait and lures travel under water, so when fishing for Canadian walleye in the winter and autumn, match the presentation of your bait or lure to the speed at which real bait fish and prey fish are traveling for a more authentic presentation.

Remember to factor in seasonal changes. Female Canadian walleye are more prone to bite in the fall when developing eggs require additional nourishment, which is the responsibility of the female.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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