Iowa Walleye Fishing Tips

walleye image by Elena Vdovina from Fotolia.com

Anglers have plenty of options when choosing where to find walleye in Iowa waters. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources stocks 6- to 8-inch fingerlings in most of the state's interior lakes. Walleye are adapted to capture prey in low light conditions including in total darkness. They also tend to forage at dawn and dusk which is why many anglers find fishing success during these low light periods.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Rod and reel
Lures
Fishing license

Step 1

Choose larger bodies of water with healthy walleye habitats such as Rathbun Lake, Brushy Creek, Saylorville Reservoir, Big Creek Lake and Lake Red Rock. Cast for walleye in spots like deep points, submerged rocky covers and windswept shorelines.

Step 2

Use a lightweight monofilament line for a slow retrieve when fishing for walleye during spring. Use natural baits with sensitive rods to detect light strikes. During summer, back trolling with a slip-sinker rig is effective. Speed trolling with deep diving crank-baits is a popular walleye fishing method, according to Iowa DNR. When speed trolling, search in areas with rock bars, flooded river channels, reefs and submerged roadways with depths of 8 to 12 feet.

Step 3

Use lures such as crankbaits, plastic worms, spoons and jigs to attract walleye. Cast with smaller lures during spring. For live baits, use minnows, leeches and small crawfish.

Article Written By Rona Aquino

Rona Aquino began writing professionally in 2008. As an avid marathon runner and outdoor enthusiast, she writes on topics of running, fitness and outdoor recreation for various publications. Aquino holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and English from the University of Maryland College Park.

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