Minnows are the most popular bait option for walleye anglers, I have found consistent success with shiner and flathead minnows When targeting bigger fish, shiners in the 4-6″ range are the mainstay, these will weed through some of the smaller fish and get you on 25″+ Walleye
What is the best way to catch walleye?
There is no one way to catch walleye In fact, there are many different ways Popular techniques include casting a jig-and-minnow, trolling live bait, casting or trolling hard plastic lures and even fishing with a bobber All work
What gear do I need for walleye fishing?
Walleye fishing Rods and Reels As you gain an understanding of how to fish for walleye, we recommend purchasing a lighter rod and reel combo specifically for jigging and live bait Ideally, the set up should be a 6′ medium light, fast action spinning rod with a medium-sized 30 reel
What are walleye attracted to?
A few more night fishing tips to keep in mind: At night, walleye are attracted to light, so use lighted or glow-in-the-dark jug heads Be sure to match your lure size with the bait size Always use a slip bobber, and be sure to reel in the slack before you set the hook
What colors are best for walleye?
The most basic and most productive colors for targeting walleye are purple and green These colors come in a variety of shades and can be used in a large range of depths For sunny days, select bright or flashy purple or green, and for cloudy days try a solid, darker green or purple
What is the best depth to catch walleye?
Walleye are generally caught between 10-40 Ft A typical mid-sized lake in the Midwest would likely hold Walleye between the depths of 10-15 Ft during the Spring, 15-25 Ft
What lures do walleye like?
7 Walleye Lures Anglers Can Depend On All Year Jigs SHOP FISHING JIGS Jigs may be the champ of the “year-round bait” category for fishing walleye Jerkbait SHOP JERKBAITS Harness SHOP WALLEYE BOXES Jigging Rap SHOP RAPALA JIGGING RAP Soft Plastic Swimbaits SHOP SWIMBAITS Lipless Crankbaits SHOP CRANKBAITS
Why are walleyes so hard to catch?
You’re cranking weed edges too slowly Walleyes relating to weedbeds often school tightly To find them, quickly work a crankbait along the edges until you get a strike You can pick that area apart slowly after you find the fish with a fast-moving lure Deeper fish call for a diving crankbait with a pronounced action
What size hooks for walleye?
The best type of hook for walleye is the octopus hook type The treble hook type is also good for catching walleye The best size octopus hook for catching walleye is size 2
Are walleye bottom feeders?
Walleyes are basically bottom feeders, but don’t ignore those fish that suspend over drop-offs in deep lakes Some of the best summer walleye fishing is provided by suspended fish Big walleye are consistently taken from these holes
Do you use a leader for walleye?
For walleye per se, you do not need to use a steel leader at all, as they won’t be able to bite through your mainline However, if the water you are fishing in contains pike or muskies, you can use a 10-15lb fluorocarbon leader instead of steel, in order to prevent bite-offs
What time are walleye most active?
Big walleye especially, are usually most active from sunset to sunrise with the dawn and dusk hours being the hottest At night, walleye move into shallower water where they are actively feeding on sheltering prey During the way, walleye move much further offshore into deeper water
What is a walleyes favorite food?
Adult walleye feed mostly on fish such as yellow perch and minnows, but dozens of fish species have been found in walleye stomachs Adults will also feed on crayfish, snails, frogs, mudpuppies and small mammals when fish and insects are scarce
When do you put leeches on walleye?
Water can be cold in the morning and warmer at noon, especially in spring I’ve had guide trips when minnows worked in the early morning onto to have walleyes switch their preference to leeches by mid-day after the water temperature rose a few degrees
What’s the best fishing line for walleye?
The best fishing line for walleye is 8-12 pound test fluorocarbon The fluorocarbon is effectively invisible underwater and does not stretch, making it easy to feel bites The sensitivity also makes it an incredibly adaptable line and able to use in most scenarios
What pound test line should I use for walleye fishing?
If you’re a beginner and not sure about all these details yet, the ideal pound test line to choose for walleye is 4 lb fluorocarbon That’s light enough to fool many of the finicky biters, yet still strong enough to handle the majority of fish you can expect to hook
Do walleye bite when it’s cold?
Great catches of walleyes can be made not only because high numbers of fish are concentrated in relatively small areas, but because the species bites rather well in cold water In water temperatures often measured in the 30s, it’s usually necessary to get your offering right in front of the fish and present it slowly
What is the best month to catch walleye?
Walleye fishing season is the best in spring during and after the spawning season However, summer nights and fall months are just as good for fishing for walleyes
How do you catch a river walleye?
To catch these suspended walleye, use a bright High-Ball Floater tipped with an Impulse Swim’n Grub Rig these in a Carolina Rig using an inline sinker then an 18-48 inch leader followed with a high-ball floater This technique will put jig right in the face of a walleye
Are Circle Hooks good for walleye?
When swallowed by walleyes, circle hooks don’t cause as much damage — and likely kill fewer fish — as traditional J-style hooks, in part because anglers don’t set the hook with a circle hook The second reason circle hooks kill fewer walleyes: They catch fewer walleyes