Fishing Resources

  Guide Service

By Andrew Ragas

Article Posted: August 22, 2006

12:15am CST.

Most anglers find it impossible that you could catch a fish as finicky as a walleye throughout the entire year. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. As picky and confusing as Walleyes are, they will drive you nuts. Been there, done that! Believe me, Walleyes are a tough fish to master for everyone. Even the best of the pro's have trouble with these fish. However, they're not that hard to find in the rivers you fish throughout the entire season. Providing that you understand how to fish rivers, and if you know the holes and how to read current, it can be a piece of cake. Besides Bass fishing, this is my number-two way of fishing. Wading for Walleyes.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Walleye (Stizostedion Vitreum), it is a member of the percidae family and is native to Canada and the northern United States. The Walleye is closely related to the European Zander, which grows up to twice the size of a Walleye.

The name, "walleye" originates from their eyes. When light is on their eyes, the eyes reflect and turn a yellow/white color. Walleyes are a coolwater fish and are most active in low-light conditions, especially at night when they feed. The eyes of the walleye allow them to see well in murky & turbid waters, which results in a major advantage over their prey. In consequence, most anglers will look for walleyes where there is rough water and structure nearby.

Walleyes grow to 30-inches and can normally weigh up to 15lbs. Even though the world record walleye from Tennessee stands at 24lbs, the potential for fish over 15lbs exists. Walleye prefer a habitat of deep, rocky lakes and are commonly found in moderate to low-gradient rivers.

Walleye reproduction begins as the fish is matured at the ripe-old age of 3 or 4 years old. The Male fish at the time will average in length anywhere from 12" to 16" and the females will be at the length of around 18" to 22". Walleyes prefer spawning in water with a hard bottom composition. These areas are tributaries with hard bottom (usually rock or gravel), and on lakes, these areas are rock & gravel shorelines which are exposed to the wind. The Walleye spawn occurs when water temperatures are between 43-50degrees. As walleyes grow into adults, they will feed on leeches, worms, minnows, chubs, shiners, and as they grow into large adults, they will feed heavily on yellow perch, small panfish and ciscoes.

Now that we all know what a walleye is, here's how we catch them throughout the year. At least this is what I do most of the time.

The Winter Blues

Winter is the dead period for most open-water fishing. If you're not fishing through the ice, rivers will obviously be one of the best choices.

The winter period for walleye fishing runs through late-November and lasts until the very end of February. During this time, the water temperatures in most rivers in the walleye range will be near freezing and the fish may be lethargic. However on some days, you may be able to catch a break and you will pop yourself into a few fish.

In the winter, water temperatures will hover over 32degs. Normally, I've found the water temperatures to be between 35-40degs here in Northern Illinois. When the water is that cold, fishing sloooooooow is a must! The areas walleyes will be concentrated near are deeper holes which the fish will use for wintering. These wintering holes will be deeper than most other areas in the river and can vary in bottom composition - rocks/ sand/ gravel/mud. Walleye wintering holes are usually right below dams, mid-river channels, and holes right below a series of riffles (below current). If these areas don't produce, another good option is to search for warm-water discharge areas. These can usually be found near "crap plants", factories, and buildings that are just off the riverbank.

In the winter, most anglers use the staple jig/minnow combinations for their fish. On the other-hand, I am a fan of plastics. A simple jig/grub usually works for me. If this option fails at first, then the live-bait rig, and jig/minnow combination will be the next alternatives.

This January 20" Walleye was taken from turbid water with a 4" jig/twister combo.

When wading rivers in the winter, there's no guarantee. The action and feeding activity from walleyes could increase with warmer and mild temperatures. Meanwhile, if winter isn't suitable for your style of fishing, just wait for spring to come.

Springing for 'Ole Marble-Eyes

The spring season usually begins in March and lasts till the last few weeks of May. Spring begins in March as water temperatures push to the 40-degree range. At this time, Walleyes will increase their metabolism and will start to prepare for their spawn. When trying to locate the spawn on rivers, it's all about timing. Once the water temperatures hit 43-degrees or so, it's their time. This usually occurs in late-March and early April. In this period, walleyes will be found in areas with current and hard bottom. Walleye eggs need well-oxygenated water. Remember?

A milting Male walleye. Taken below the dam on my local river during the first few days of April.

This fish was definitely in the process of spawning.

This is the time when BIG female fish can be found and when most anglers flock to their nearest, most-productive river systems so they hit the annual spring walleye runs. Around the spawn period, walleyes will be rather unpredictable. This is due to the water temperatures as they spawn when the temperatures are ideal to them.

After the spawn Walleyes will go on a major feeding spree and can be taken on all kinds of baits. Peak walleye activity begins after spawn and lasts until the water temperatures hit around 60-degrees or so - First week of May in most areas. Popular baits for spring walleyes are jig/plastics, minnowbaits such as the original Rapala floaters, Countdowns, Husky Jerks, and even the simple jig/live bait combos and live bait rigs.

Not only is spawn and post-spawn an ideal time to find spring walleyes, an angler should also concentrate on finding walleyes well into spring during low-light conditions. In this period, the same methods and baits used for the spawn should be used. The main difference from early spring to late-spring is that the fish will not be as concentrated as they once were. With that being said, you will need to cover more than one hole, or gravel bar in your river.

As late-spring progresses into the summer period, the angler will be puzzled like none-other. However, there will be times of peak activity.

This pair of  19" and 20" walleyes were taken during the first week of May, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

The top fell victim to a simple jig/plastic combo while the bottom came on a 3" floating Rapala.

Summer of Slam

Summer is usually the off-time for Walleyes. This is due to the increased water temperatures which usually average anywhere from 75 to 90degrees. Sometimes, the waters in my neck of the woods can get up to 90-degrees which is downright hot! However, these fish do catch a break and can be found if you make the effort to possibly be out on the water during the off-hours for humans. Early mornings and late evenings. Ha! Get it? Those are the times when people take a break from fishing. But if you're me, I'd be out on the water during those times for these fish.

Okay. The same forms of walleye structure still apply for the summer period. At this time, most fish will be relating to areas with current and depth. These areas hold forage fish as well as higher levels of oxygen. If the water temperatures are around 85degrees on your river during mid-summer, expect the water in these areas to be a few degrees cooler, probably near 80degs. If you find an area with water that is out of the ordinary with temperature, and if it has some depth, expect a few walleyes to reside someplace nearby.

In the summertime, walleyes are most-active in low-light periods. The low-light period of activity will extend well into the fall period. When fishing at night, or during the dawn hours of any day, try using a larger sized minnowbait. Something over 3-inches should be used, but on average, I mostly throw a 4" floating Rapala. The larger the lure is, the greater vibration and wobble it will have. With those ingredients, the action from the lure will bring in the fish. In addition, Walleyes have excellent vision when it's dark out. Therefore, don't come to the water without a larger profile bait. Something the fish can see and feel.

25" Walleye, caught during the dog-days of summer on a F-11 floating Rapala.

Forget about fishing during the daytime for summer river 'eyes. It's night-time, or no-time.

Fall Fatties

Out of the four seasons for walleye fishing, mid to late-fall is my all-time favorite. This is due to the possibility of catching a pure trophy fish. In addition to finding possible trophy fish, walleyes put the feed-bag on and need to fatten up for winter. At this time the walleye metabolism hits a season peak, and they move away from their summer locations and will progress toward their wintering holes. During this period, walleyes will be feeding heavily.

The fall period begins in late-September and runs through late-November. The final season [fall] ends at around Thanksgiving. After Turkey day, it's all winter. But prior to that, it's all action.

In fall, Walleyes will be found near deeper holes with hard bottom. They may also be found near fallen timber which offers them another form of structure. The action in these areas is seldom consistent with action usually lasting for a short period of time and then starting up again later. it's not that the fish left the area, but rather they aren't biting. Therefore, it is smart to bring a variety of lures such as plastics, jigs (usually 1/16 and 1/8oz), crankbaits and minnowbaits. Have a wide assortment of colors as well (white/ chartreuse/ orange/ yellow/ pumpkin) because you'll never know which color may be the hot one for a walleye.

< A few of my all-time favorite grubs. - Berkley Power Grubs.

In the fall, my favorite method for catching walleyes is fishing with plastics. I enjoy throwing Berkley Power Grubs on either a 1/16oz or 1/8oz jig. Usually, I try fishing whichever colors I have for a period at a time and if one color doesn't work, I change it up. The weight of the jig varies with the current. If there isn't a lot current, then I opt for the 1/16oz jig. If there is current, a 1/8oz jig is the best option. Other good options for plastics are Berkley Walleye grubs which have a slimmer profile than the Power Grubs. Another new plastic that I've been experimenting with is the Lindy Munchie grubs. These have worked well in 2006 as well. Finally, there are other grubs worth mentioning and the most notable is the BPS Spring grub.

18"  October Walleye from a gravel bar which forms a 5ft hole.

If plastics aren't producing, don't fret. Minnowbaits are yet another excellent option for finding that

big fish you're after. This 25" Walleye turned out to be my largest-ever (at the time)

Countdown Rapala - October 31, 2005.

One week before Thanksgiving. This 22" fatty turned out to be my final walleye during the fall of '05.

Jig & plastics baby!

If you're asking yourselves why I haven't mentioned live-bait for the fall, and possibly summer, it's because it's unnecessary. Leave that messy stuff at home during the fall. It's a nuisance!

The final option for finding walleyes in the fall is to bring those summer-patterns into the picture. Big baits and night-time angling. By keeping this in mind, be prepared to possibly find that fall fatty.

Heck. You can basically catch a large Walleye during any time of the year on any river system. You just need to fish the proper areas at the right time.

Timing is key!

With the unpredictable walleye, you better know the timing and understand the rivers you fish!