Fishing for Walleye

Sander vitreus

The walleye is a freshwater fish known for its olive and gold coloration and distinctive reflective eyes. Typically found in lakes and rivers across North America, it thrives in cool, deep waters. Walleyes average 14-20 inches in length and weigh 1-4 pounds. They are carnivorous, feeding on smaller fish and invertebrates, and are most active during dusk and dawn. This summary is AI generated

Water type

Freshwater / Mixed

Common depth

39 ft - 89 ft

IUCN Status

Least concern

Threat to humans

Harmless

Source: Fishbase

Best baits to catch Walleye

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Biggest Walleye catches

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Recently caught Walleye

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Walleye

Wisconsin River

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Walleye

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Walleye

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Walleye

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Walleye

Aldred Lake (Susquehanna River)

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Walleye

Mohawk River

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Walleye

Fox River

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Walleye

Fox River

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Walleye

Fox River

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Walleye

West Branch Susquehanna River

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Tips from our Pro anglers

Pro Angler tip for Species

-justen-anglerking

Illinois, USA

Best pre-spawn tactic for catching Walleye: 3-4" paddletails (snap jigging or straight retrieve), 4" jerkbaits (jerk, jerk with long pauses before moving the bait again) rattletraps. For year-round Walleye fishing, you can never go wrong with an 1/8 oz jighead (or heavier depending on current and depth) tipped with live minnows, leeches or crawlers. Drag the jig on bottom or give it a few pops as you reel in, maintaining bottom contact is key in rockey/mud transition areas.

Pro Angler tip for Species

-justen-anglerking

Illinois, USA

Best post-spawn tactic for catching Walleye: 4" paddletails, 4-6" stickbaits that suspend or go under the surface barely 2 feet. Most fish are feeding on baitfish that sometimes tend to stay closer to surface.

Pro Angler tip for Species

MJB6363

North Dakota, USA.

Best pre-spawn tip for catching Walleye: Bottom Bouncers and spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or minnows. For year-round Walleye fishing, Jigs can work all year but don’t cover enough water in late spring or late summer. You will catch more fish by being adaptable to seasonal patterns.

Pro Angler tip for Species

MJB6363

North Dakota, USA

Best post-spawn tactic for catching Walleye: Bottom Bouncers and spinners tipped with crawlers and minnows in late spring, moving to jigs and Lindy Rigs in early summer and moving to cranks in late summer in deep water and weedline edges.

Best pre-spawn tactic for catching Walleye: Swimbaits and lipless. For year-round Walleye fishing, Swimbaits are just all around good because walleye eat things like baitfish but some days you’ll need to slow it down or speed it up to get on those weird bites

Pro Angler tip for Species

ClintSeager

Texas, USA

Best pre-spawn tactic for catching Blue Catfish: Typically I'll suspend fish from my Kayak next to a channel ledge, locating structure and ensuring I'm in a flow of current if possible... It's important to try identify the routes and pathways that the fish will navigate while foraging. For year-round Blue Catfish fishing, Blue catfish will eat year round, the best tactic, especially from a kayak is to locate fish through covering water by suspend drifting, or active dragging. Once the fish are found anchor down and work the area with suspended baits. Don't spend too much time in one spot, if nothing has happened for 30mins try moving along.

FAQ about Walleye fishing

🎣 What bait works best for Walleye?

Walleye go for natural baits and crankbaits — but the best choice shifts with water conditions, season, and local pressure.

Want the answer for your spot, today? BiteGuide in the crunches real catch reports against weather, water conditions, and seasonal patterns to tell you exactly what's working right now. Download the app and let BiteGuide do the guessing for you.

📍 Where do Walleye live?

Walleye often hold near rocky drop-offs and deep structure by day, moving shallower at dusk and dawn to ambush baitfish in low light.

BiteGuide in the narrows it down using real catch data and conditions near you, so you know where to cast, not just where to look. Grab the app and fish smarter.

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