Walleyes are indigenous to North America with populations concentrated across the northern states and a large portion of Canada. The eyes point to the side, which is the characteristic that gives this fish its name. At night, the eyes reflect light making them easily visible underwater at shallow depths. Finding the right walleye trolling lures can improve success for any angler.
Anglers will have to adapt their methods according to the season. These fish spawn in sandy areas or in a swift moving river current. Fishing season usually begins after the fish spawn but they are relatively easy to find because they protect their spawning beds during this time.
To find larger females during the day, anglers should head to deep water. Selecting a spot near the spawning bed and trolling 10 feet down is a good place to start. For quantity, stick near the shoreline and use a light jig to catch small males.
The trick to trolling close to shore is to go slowly and stop as soon as the fish start biting. Continuing to move back and forth can scare them away. Most anglers will use a thunderstick or an original floating Rapala when trolling in shallow water. Attracting walleye at this time of year is easiest when using red, fire tiger, chartreuse, blue, or other bright colors.
Trolling at deeper depths is necessary to catch the females. A deep husky jerk is a suitable lure for these conditions. This lure makes a loud rattling sound and is effective at all speeds.
During the summer, anglers will have to follow the walleyes to deeper waters. At this time of year, they tend to hang around off rocky points or at the river mouth. If the land surrounding the lake is flat, they will swim in thick weeds to escape the sun. Anglers should choose lures with natural colors. Brown, white, black, and silver are the colors that work best. Troll using a thunderstick or original floater for success. Avoid the bright colors at this time of year to keep from reeling in pike instead of walleye.
Maintaining proper boat speed is just as important as selecting the right lure. Fishing with a junior thunderstick or small floater in a smaller boat at slower speeds near the shore is a good place to catch females after dark. Anglers with larger boats can find the females farther away from shore during the day. When trolling in open water, a deep husky jerk or a J-13 jointed Rapala deployed to a depth of 15 to 35 feet should be successful.
The walleye is more elusive later in the year. This is when it moves to open water because dying weeds near shore produce a poisonous gas. Casting with free floating or thunderstick lures can be successful when fishing in deep pools or adjacent to rapids. Finding the best lure for catching walleyes requires the angler to consider boat speed, water depth, and time of year. Knowing the habits of this fish during the various seasons can greatly improve the chances of a successful fishing trip.
Anglers will have to adapt their methods according to the season. These fish spawn in sandy areas or in a swift moving river current. Fishing season usually begins after the fish spawn but they are relatively easy to find because they protect their spawning beds during this time.
To find larger females during the day, anglers should head to deep water. Selecting a spot near the spawning bed and trolling 10 feet down is a good place to start. For quantity, stick near the shoreline and use a light jig to catch small males.
The trick to trolling close to shore is to go slowly and stop as soon as the fish start biting. Continuing to move back and forth can scare them away. Most anglers will use a thunderstick or an original floating Rapala when trolling in shallow water. Attracting walleye at this time of year is easiest when using red, fire tiger, chartreuse, blue, or other bright colors.
Trolling at deeper depths is necessary to catch the females. A deep husky jerk is a suitable lure for these conditions. This lure makes a loud rattling sound and is effective at all speeds.
During the summer, anglers will have to follow the walleyes to deeper waters. At this time of year, they tend to hang around off rocky points or at the river mouth. If the land surrounding the lake is flat, they will swim in thick weeds to escape the sun. Anglers should choose lures with natural colors. Brown, white, black, and silver are the colors that work best. Troll using a thunderstick or original floater for success. Avoid the bright colors at this time of year to keep from reeling in pike instead of walleye.
Maintaining proper boat speed is just as important as selecting the right lure. Fishing with a junior thunderstick or small floater in a smaller boat at slower speeds near the shore is a good place to catch females after dark. Anglers with larger boats can find the females farther away from shore during the day. When trolling in open water, a deep husky jerk or a J-13 jointed Rapala deployed to a depth of 15 to 35 feet should be successful.
The walleye is more elusive later in the year. This is when it moves to open water because dying weeds near shore produce a poisonous gas. Casting with free floating or thunderstick lures can be successful when fishing in deep pools or adjacent to rapids. Finding the best lure for catching walleyes requires the angler to consider boat speed, water depth, and time of year. Knowing the habits of this fish during the various seasons can greatly improve the chances of a successful fishing trip.