Walleye Fishing Facts

Walleyes are strong but not spectacular fighters. They generally wage a dogged battle in deep water. As a rule, fishing is best during dim - light periods--around dusk or dawn, at night, or in cloudy weather. Walleyes bite especially well just before a thunderstorm, when the light level is rapidly falling. Walleyes take a variety of live baits including leeches, nightcrawlers and minnows, but they can also be caught on artificials such as minnowbaits, crankbaits, jigs and spinners.

In big rivers, look for walleyes off the tips of current - brushed points. These spots make good feeding areas because they attract huge schools of shiners and other minnows.

In clear lakes, try casting minnowbaits onto shallow reefs and shoals after dark. Walleyes in these lakes don't feed much during the day but, at night, they patrol the shallows in search of baitfish.

Look for a mudline caused by waves crashing into a rocky shoreline or point. Plankton pushed in by the wind draws baitfish and the reduced water clarity allows walleyes to feed in comfort.

Lead - head jigs with bucktail, feather or soft - plastic dressing make excellent walleye lures. Jigs imitate minnows, the walleye's favorite food, and they are easy to keep on the bottom where walleyes spend most of their time.
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Adapted from the Complete Angler's Library's volume, "Understanding Freshwater Gamefish."