Walleye fishing

Sander vitreus

About Walleye

A dusk and night hunter with light-reflecting eyes. Best in a turbid 'walleye chop'. Wind matters more than sun here, a steady chop breaks up the light and pulls fish onto the windward shore. Work a jig and minnow slowly along the bottom on the edge of a break, or troll a shallow crankbait over the flat once the sun is off the water. Bright cloudless days push it deep or under cover until evening.

Typical size: Usually 1-2.5 kg, big fish over 4 kg. Record (approx.): ≈ 11 kg.

Season, time and habitat

Best season

Apr-May, Oct-Nov

Best time

Dusk, night

Habitat

Lake, River

Season by month

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Darker cell = more active that month. Based on the species' usual yearly rhythm.

Lures and baits that work

Soft-plastic jig Let the jig sink to the bottom and work it with small lifts and pauses. Stay in contact with the line; takes usually come on the drop. Check price on Amazon

Crankbait Retrieve so the plug dives and wobbles. Add pauses and twitches to trigger strikes, or troll it behind the boat. Check price on Amazon

Trolling Pull lures behind a slow-moving boat, often with downriggers or planer boards for depth. Cover water to find the fish. Check price on Amazon

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Waters where Walleye bites

Missouri River Iowa Lake Erie Michigan Lake Huron Michigan Chautauqua Lake Mississippi Devils Lake North Dakota Lake Oahe North Dakota Lake Sakakawea North Dakota Columbia River Oregon

Open a water for live weather, water temperature and today's odds.

Guides about Walleye

Find waters where Walleye is biting now

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Common questions

When is the best time to catch Walleye?

Walleye fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows in the day are usually dusk, night.

What lures and baits work for Walleye?

Effective methods for Walleye include Soft-plastic jig, Crankbait and Trolling.

Where can you catch Walleye?

Walleye is most often found in lake, river. Napp shows the nearest waters and the live odds on the bite right now.