Fishing for Walleye

Sander vitreus

188K logged catches • 1.3M followers

The walleye have extraordinary night vision, and feeding peaks during sunlight transitions, they are typically more active throughout the night in comparison to the day time. Handle with care as Its upper dorsal fin has pointy spikes

The most popular recent Walleye catch on Fishbrain

SheLovesToFish, Fishbrain angler since 2016

Recently caught Walleye

Detailed Information

Fishing forecast

Water type

Freshwater / Mixed

Common depth

39 ft - 89 ft

Common length

21 in

Common weight

4.4 lbs

Maximum age

29 years

IUCN Status

Least concern

Threat to humans

Harmless

Source: Fishbase

Top Baits

According to catch data from over 15 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the top baits used to catch Walleye. Click on a bait to learn more, or buy it directly from our shop.

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Tips from our Pro anglers

-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.

-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.

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.

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.

Pike-_-catcher

Canada

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

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.