Walleye Fishing Techniques

The Best Fishing Techniques for Catching Walleye

Walleye fishing has gotten complicated with all the specialized electronics, tournament tactics, and precise presentations flying around. As someone who spent fifteen years targeting walleye from shallow rivers to deep Great Lakes structure, I learned everything there is to know about consistently catching these light-sensitive predators. Today, I will share it all with you.

Location and Timing

Walleye are most active during dawn and dusk. They prefer low light conditions. Fish in areas with submerged structures, weed beds, and rocky points. In spring, look for shallow waters. As summer progresses, deeper waters become more fruitful.

I’ve caught walleye in two feet of water at dusk and eighty feet deep at midday. Light levels dictate their location more than anything else. Probably should have led with this section, honestly.

Jigging

Jigging is an effective method. Use a jig that matches the local forage. Minnows, leeches, and worms work well as live bait. Drop the jig to the bottom and gently lift and drop the rod tip. This simulates an injured baitfish. Try different speeds and movements until you find what works. Fluorescent colors and glow-in-the-dark jigs are advantageous in murky water.

That’s what makes walleye fishing endearing to us anglers—the subtle techniques that separate limits from getting skunked. A tiny change in jigging cadence can trigger bites when nothing else works.

Trolling

Trolling covers more water, increasing the chance of encountering walleye. Use crankbaits, spinner rigs, or crawler harnesses. Keep your speed between 1 and 2.5 miles per hour. Use depth finders to locate fish and adjust your bait accordingly. Line counter reels help maintain the desired depth. Employ planer boards to spread lures and cover a wider area.

I run six rods when trolling big water. Sounds excessive, but it lets me test different depths and presentations simultaneously. When one rod fires, I adjust the others to match that depth and lure.

Using Slip Bobbers

Slip bobbers allow precise bait placement. Adjust the bobber stop to control the bait depth. Use live bait such as minnows or leeches. Cast into likely walleye locations and wait. The bobber moves freely, making it easier to detect bites. This technique is effective in both deep and shallow waters.

Slip bobber fishing taught me patience. Watching that bobber for twenty minutes before it finally goes down tests your discipline, but the hookup rate is excellent.

Vertical Jigging

Ideal for deeper waters and fishing directly below the boat. Use electronics to locate schools of walleye. Drop the jig to the bottom and reel up a few inches. Ensure short, sharp lifts of the rod tip. This mimics the motion of an injured baitfish. Blade baits and spoons are good alternatives to jigs.

Vertical jigging on offshore structure is deadly. I mark fish with my electronics, position directly above them, and jig until they bite. Precise and effective.

Bottom Bouncing

Effective in rivers and lakes with structures. Use a bottom bouncer weight with a spinner rig or crawler harness. The weight touches the bottom, and the bait floats above it. Keep the boat moving slowly. This technique works well in currents and when fish are close to the bottom.

River walleye love bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses. The weight ticks along rocks while the bait floats enticingly above. I’ve worn out bottom bouncers from constant contact with structure.

Using Artificial Lures

Crankbaits, soft plastics, and jerkbaits are effective. Use crankbaits that imitate local baitfish. Soft plastics offer versatility. They can be fished on a jig head or rigged weedless. Jerkbaits work well in clear water. Use a jerk-and-pause retrieve to trigger bites. Match the lure color to the water conditions for best results.

I carry dozens of crankbaits in different diving depths. Walleye can be anywhere from five to fifty feet deep, and having the right diving depth matters enormously.

Live Bait Techniques

Minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers are top choices. Use slip bobbers or bottom bouncers to present live bait. In colder water, smaller bait is effective. As water warms, increase bait size. Ensure bait is lively for better results. Hook minnows through the lips for a natural presentation.

Fresh, lively bait outperforms dead bait dramatically. I change out dead minnows immediately. Walleye want movement and scent.

Using Electronics

Depth finders and fish finders are essential. Use them to locate structures, schools of fish, and depth changes. Side imaging technology helps spot walleye hiding in cover. Chirp sonar offers better target separation. Regularly update your electronics to benefit from new features.

My fishfinder paid for itself in one season. Finding walleye efficiently instead of blindly searching saves hours. I can identify productive structure and return to it precisely.

Seasonal Adjustments

Walleye behavior changes with seasons. In spring, they are shallow for spawning. Use smaller jigs and live bait. During summer, they move deeper. Trolling with crankbaits is effective. In fall, walleye feed aggressively. Use larger baits to attract them. Winter fishing requires ice fishing techniques. Use small jigs and live bait near structures.

I adjust my entire approach by season. Spring means shallow jigs with minnows. Summer sends me to deep structure with crankbaits. Fall walleye are aggressive—I upsize everything.

Weather Influence

Weather affects walleye activity. Cloudy days often produce better fishing as walleye feel more comfortable in reduced light. Before fronts, fish feed aggressively. After cold fronts, fishing slows down significantly. Wind can concentrate baitfish, attracting walleye to windward shores and points.

Pre-front feeding is real. I’ve had limits in two hours before storms roll in. Post-front? The bite dies for days. Understanding weather patterns separates consistent walleye anglers from lucky ones.