How to Catch Walleye From the Dock

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The walleye is a predatory fish. With sensitive nerve endings located along the whole of its body, walleye are adept at striking bait fish in shallow and deep waters. When fishing for walleye from the dock, a slow and steady approach is best. Always consider the time of day you will be fishing and the bait and tackle you will use. These naturally predatory fish are skilled at hiding until water and light conditions are right for feeding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Medium to medium/heavy action rod
Bait
Fishing line

Step 1

Arrive to the dock early in the morning or late in the evening when light is low.

Step 2

Bait walleye using minnows, leeches and night crawlers. Throw a few pieces of bait into the water or use a net. You can also walk along the dock to see where small fish are biting and cast your line there. Walleye will follow the bait, so if small fish are biting, you won't need to crowd the water with more bait.

Step 3

Thread an 8 to 10 pound test line onto a 6.6 medium action rod with a 2500 series reel. Tie your hook directly to your test line. Make a loop and then thread the free end of your test line through the hoop. Wrap the free end around the test line and then close the knot. This is the sheet bend technique. Attach a 1/8 to 1/2-ounce jig to the line.

Step 4

Cast your line from the dock. Perform a series of quick cast and retrieval patterns to grab the attention of walleye. Watch the current for water disturbance and twitch your line slightly to mimic real bait swimming against the current. Watch out for stumps, which walleye can hide behind as they wait to strike your bait.

Tips & Warnings

Be patient. You may not catch walleye immediately after casting your line.

Resources

WalleyeStrike: How to Fillet a Walleye

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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