What Colors Are Walleye Attracted To

Are you an avid fisherman looking for tips on how to catch more walleye? Well, look no further because we’ve got the inside scoop on what colors these elusive fish are attracted to. Walleye fishing can be a difficult and frustrating experience, but understanding what colors they prefer can make all the difference in your success.

Have you ever spent hours out on the water with no luck, wondering why the fish just aren’t biting? It could be as simple as not using the right color bait. Walleye are known for their pickiness when it comes to choosing their prey and understanding their preferred colors is essential to reeling them in.

In this article, we’ll dive into what colors walleye are attracted to and provide tips on how to incorporate these colors into your fishing strategy. So grab your gear and get ready to catch some big ones!

What is the Natural Color of Walleye?

Walleye is a freshwater fish species commonly found in North America. The natural coloration of walleye varies depending on its habitat, age, and feeding habits. Generally, the upper part of their body is olive to dark brown while the lower part is cream to white in color. They have pigmented scales that give them a mottled appearance. Walleyes also have large eyes that are reflective and can be seen glowing in low light conditions.

Factors Affecting the Natural Color of Walleye

The natural coloration of walleye is influenced by various factors such as:

• Habitat: The water’s clarity and vegetation present in their habitat affect how they look.
• Age: Juvenile walleyes tend to be lighter in color with fewer markings than adults.
• Feeding Habits: Their diet affects the pigmentation of their scales. A diet high in crustaceans tends to make their scales more orange, while a diet high in fish makes them darker brown.

Distinguishing Male and Female Walleye Based on Coloration

It is difficult to differentiate between male and female walleyes based on their coloring alone. However, during the spawning season, males may appear slightly lighter or brighter in color than females due to hormonal changes.

Do Walleye Have a Preference for Certain Colors?

Walleye has a reputation for being picky eaters when it comes to lures and baits’ colors. While there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to what colors they prefer, certain hues can be more effective than others in different situations.

Factors That Influence Color Preferences of Walleye

The following factors are known to influence walleye’s color preferences:

• Water Clarity: Clear water requires more natural-looking lures, while murkier water may require brighter colors.
• Light Conditions: The time of day and weather conditions can affect how visible certain colors appear to walleye.
• Baitfish Species: Walleyes often feed on specific baitfish species, which can influence the color of lures they are attracted to.

Common Lure Colors for Walleye Fishing

Some of the most popular lure colors for walleye fishing include:

• Natural Colors: Brown, olive, and black are popular natural colors that mimic the appearance of local baitfish species.
• Bright Colors: Chartreuse, orange, and pink are effective in murky waters or low light conditions.
• Glow-In-The-Dark: Lures that glow in the dark can be effective during night fishing or in deep waters where light penetration is limited.

Which Lures or Baits are More Effective in Attracting Walleye Based on Their Color?

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to which lures and baits are most effective at attracting walleye based on their color, some tips and tricks can help anglers increase their chances of success.

Situational Awareness and Experimentation

Anglers should pay attention to situational factors such as water clarity, time of day, and weather conditions when selecting lures and bait. They should experiment with different colors until they find what works best for a particular situation.

Lure Colors for Different Water Clarity Levels

When fishing in clear water, natural colors such as brown, olive, and black can be effective at mimicking local baitfish species. In murky water or low light conditions, brighter colors such as neon green, chartreuse, pink, and orange can increase visibility.

Using Multiple Colors in a Lure

Some lures have multiple colors or patterns that can mimic the appearance of different baitfish species. Using a lure with multiple colors can increase the chances of attracting walleye by appealing to their color preferences.

How Do Water Clarity and Light Conditions Affect the Color Preferences of Walleye?

Water clarity and light conditions are critical factors that affect the color preferences of walleye when it comes to lures and baits.

Clear Water

In clear water, walleye tends to prefer natural-looking lures that mimic the appearance of local baitfish species. Brown, olive, and black are popular natural colors that work well in clear water because they blend in with the environment.

Murky Water

In murkier waters or low light conditions, brighter colors such as neon green, chartreuse, pink, and orange can increase visibility and attract walleye. These colors stand out better against a dark or murky background.

Light Conditions

The time of day and weather conditions can also affect how visible certain lure colors appear to walleye. During bright sunlight hours or on clear days with high visibility levels, natural-looking lure colors tend to work best. On overcast days or during dawn/dusk hours when visibility is lower, brighter-colored lures may be more effective.

Are There Any Seasonal Changes in the Colors That Walleye are Attracted To?

Walleyes’ color preferences can change depending on the season. Factors such as water temperature, baitfish availability, and spawning behaviors can influence their color preferences.

Spring

In the spring when walleye are beginning to spawn, they may prefer bright colors that mimic the appearance of eggs or minnows. Pink, chartreuse, and orange lures can be effective during this time.

Summer

During the summer months, natural-looking lure colors tend to work best in clear water. In murkier waters or low light conditions, brighter colors such as neon green or yellow can be effective.

Fall

In the fall when water temperatures begin to drop, walleyes may prefer slower-moving lures with natural-colored patterns. Brown and olive-colored lures that mimic crawfish or other bottom-dwelling prey can be effective during this time.

Can Using Multiple Colors in a Lure or Bait Increase the Chances of Attracting Walleye?

Using multiple colors in a lure or bait can increase the chances of attracting walleye by appealing to their color preferences.

Multi-Colored Lures

Some lures have multiple colors or patterns that mimic different baitfish species’ appearance. Using a lure with multiple colors can increase the chances of attracting walleye by appealing to their color preferences.

Glow-In-The-Dark Lures

Lures that glow in the dark can also be effective at catching walleye because they stand out in low light conditions. These lures often have multiple colors and patterns that glow brightly underwater.

Do Different Regions or Bodies of Water Have Varying Color Preferences for Walleye?

Different regions and bodies of water may have varying color preferences for walleye based on factors such as water clarity, temperature, and baitfish availability.

Regional Differences

Regions with clear water tend to have walleye that prefer natural-looking lures that blend in with the environment. In murky waters or low light conditions, brighter colors such as neon green or orange may be more effective.

Lake vs. River Fishing

Walleye fishing in rivers may require different color preferences than lake fishing due to differences in water clarity and temperature. In rivers, a brighter-colored lure may be necessary to attract walleye due to the murkier water.

How Can Anglers Determine Which Colors are Most Effective for Attracting Walleye in a Particular Fishing Location?

Anglers can determine which colors are most effective for attracting walleye in a particular fishing location by paying attention to situational factors such as water clarity, light conditions, and baitfish species present.

Experimentation

Anglers should experiment with different colors until they find what works best for a particular situation. They should also try using multiple colors or patterns in their lures to appeal to walleyes’ color preferences.

Local Knowledge

Local knowledge can also be valuable when determining which colors are most effective at catching walleye in a particular location. Talking to local anglers or guides can provide insight into what has worked well in the past and what is currently working.

In conclusion, walleye are attracted to colors such as chartreuse, orange, and red. However, the specific color preference can vary depending on the water clarity and time of day.

Frequently Asked Questions about What Colors Are Walleye Attracted To

What is the best color bait for walleye?
Gold-colored spinners were most effective in turbid water, while black was preferred by walleyes in water with green algae. When there was no specific water condition, the gold spinner was found to be the most successful in catching fish by Gray and their team. Gray noted that walleyes in inland waters would likely react similarly to different colors. This was discovered on June 19, 2022.

What color light attracts walleye?
When fishing for walleye, the most effective colors to use are typically purple and green. These colors are available in many different shades and can be used in a variety of depths. On bright and sunny days, it is recommended to use brighter and more eye-catching shades of purple or green, while on cloudy days, it is better to use darker, more solid shades of those colors. This information was shared on May 23, 2017.

What’s a favorite color pattern for walleye lures?
The walleye section of the tackle store has many different color options for lures, including variations of Fire Tiger, Red Crawfish, orange belly paired with other colors, Citrus Shad, Hot Pink, and even Hot Purple.

What colors can walleye not see?
Walleye fish have limited color vision due to the absence of blue and yellow cells, similar to those humans with blue and yellow color blindness. As a result, walleye perceive most colors as varying shades of red or green.

What two colors do walleye fish see?
Walleyes possess color vision that is most sensitive to hues in the orange, red, and green regions of the spectrum. While they can detect colors on both sides of these peaks, their sensitivity decreases. They have limited ability to see wavelengths shorter than green and longer than orange-red. All in all, they have good vision for perceiving orange and red, followed by green and yellow.

What is the best way to attract walleye?
For catching walleye, live bait is often the best option, and can be used by still fishing, drifting, or trolling. To attract walleye in clear water, a bottom-bouncing rig or slip sinker is effective. Leeches, minnows, and nightcrawlers are among the most effective live bait choices.