Fishing for Walleye
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
Recently caught Walleye
Detailed Information
Fishing forecast
Water type
Common depth
IUCN Status
Threat to humans
Source: Fishbase
Top Baits
According to catch data from over 15 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the top baits used to catch Walleye.
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.
Recently caught Walleye
Download the Fishbrain app to log your catch
Fishbrain blog
Learn where to fish, when to fish, and top tips from our anglers to help you land that personal best
We interview one of the leading fish biologists for Cleveland Metroparks to learn about the fall walleye migration on Lake Erie and why this is the best time to catch one of our favorite fish.
Curious how to make your next ice fishing trip more successful? Hint: it has to do with location! Read our post by Tailored Tackle and learn how to up your ice fishing game.
