What Temperature Do Walleye Bite the Best

Are you a fishing enthusiast? Do you find yourself constantly trying to figure out the best temperature to catch that Walleye you’ve been dreaming of? Well, you’re not alone. Anglers all over the world have been searching for the ultimate answer to this question for years. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to what temperature Walleye bite the best.

As with any living creature, Walleye behavior is affected by their surroundings and environment. There are several factors that can influence their feeding patterns, including water temperature, clarity, and seasonality. But don’t worry – we’ve done our research and gathered all the information you need to increase your chances of catching those elusive Walleye.

In this article, we’ll explore the different variables that come into play when it comes to Walleye feeding behavior and give you actionable tips on how to maximize your chances of a successful catch. So grab your fishing gear and let’s dive in!

What is the ideal temperature range for walleye fishing?

Temperature Range

The ideal temperature range for catching walleye is between 65°F and 75°F. Walleyes are known to be cold water fish, but they tend to slow down when the water becomes too cold or warm. Therefore, it’s important to keep an eye on the water temperature to maximize your chances of catching walleye.

Location

In addition to water temperature, location plays a significant role in catching walleye. During the summer months, walleye fishing can be challenging because they tend to move deeper into the lake where it’s cooler. On the other hand, during spring and fall, you can find them in shallow areas where they spawn or hunt their prey.

Bait and Lure Selection

The choice of bait and lure selection also depends on water temperature conditions. For example, when the water is colder than normal, live bait such as minnows work best. However, when the temperatures rise above 70°F, artificial baits such as jigs and soft plastics become more effective.

At what water temperature do walleye become more active?

When the water temperature reaches around 50°F – 60°F range in early spring after ice-out is one of the best times of year for targeting active feeding Walleyes. As soon as you notice ice starting to melt and break up on a body of water that contains Walleyes start looking for feeder streams or rivers that flow into it.

Lake Features

Walleyes become more active when there are changes in light penetration caused by weather disturbances such as strong winds or cloudy days. When these conditions occur, walleyes will move closer to shorelines with submerged rocks or weed beds where they can feed on baitfish.

Time of Day

Walleyes are typically more active at night when the water temperature is cooler, and the light penetration is low. However, during spring and fall, they may also be active during the day when the water temperature conditions are optimal.

How does water temperature affect the feeding behavior of walleye?

Water temperature plays a significant role in determining the feeding behavior of walleye. When the water temperature is between 55°F – 75°F, walleyes tend to be more active and feed aggressively. On the other hand, when temperatures go above or below this range, their feeding activity slows down.

Metabolism Rate

As with many aquatic species, Walleyes’ metabolism rate increases as water temperatures rise. This increase causes them to burn more energy reserves and require more food to maintain their weight. As a result, they become more aggressive feeders when temperatures are warmer than usual.

Reproduction Cycle

During their spawning season in early spring, walleyes tend to feed less because they focus on reproduction rather than feeding. Afterward, as summer approaches and temperatures rise again, they begin feeding aggressively once again.

Is there a specific time of day when walleye are more likely to bite based on water temperature?

As mentioned earlier, Walleye’s most active times have been found to be at dusk and dawn periods due to their sensitivity towards light penetration in shallow waters. But besides that, if you happen to find yourself fishing during an overcast day or even heavy rain showers where light penetration is minimal for most of the day could very well offer some fantastic bites throughout the entire day.

What factors besides water temperature can influence the feeding patterns of walleye?

Water temperature is just one of the many environmental factors that can influence walleye’s feeding patterns. Other factors include:

Weather Conditions

Walleyes tend to be more active and feed aggressively when there are changes in weather conditions such as strong winds, cloud cover, or rain. Such weather conditions can stir up baitfish and bring them to shallower waters where walleye can easily prey on them.

Time of Year

The time of year also plays a significant role in determining the feeding patterns of walleye. During spring and fall, they tend to move closer to shorelines with submerged rocks or weed beds where they can feed on baitfish. On the other hand, during summer months, they move deeper into the lake where it’s cooler.

Bait and Lure Selection

The choice of bait and lure selection also influences walleye’s feeding patterns. For example, during colder water temperatures, live bait such as minnows work best because they are more attractive to fish than artificial lures.

How do seasonal changes in water temperature impact the walleye bite?

Seasonal changes in water temperature have a significant impact on the walleye bite. During springtime when ice-out occurs, the water temperature is usually between 40°F – 50°F range causing Walleyes’ metabolism rates to increase rapidly due to their need for food after spending all winter under thick ice-cover.

Summer Months

During summer months when water temperatures rise above 70°F range, Walleyes become less active due to warmer temperatures which require more energy reserves burning off faster resulting in less aggressive feeding behavior.

Fall Season

In fall season when temperatures start dropping again towards winter months brings back Walleyes’ metabolism rates increasing once again requiring them to feed aggressively until ice cover takes over once again.

Are there any techniques or lures that work best at certain water temperatures for catching walleye?

The choice of technique or lure selection depends on the water temperature conditions. For example,

Springtime Lures

During springtime when the water temperature is between 50°F – 60°F range, jigs tipped with minnows or plastic worms are most effective.

Summer Lures

In summer months when water temperatures rise above 70°F range, it’s best to use artificial lures such as spinners and crankbaits because they can attract more fish than live bait.

Fall Season Lures

During fall season, when temperatures start dropping again towards winter months, jigging spoons tipped with minnows are most effective due to their ability to mimic injured baitfish.

Can monitoring water temperature help predict where and when to find walleye during different times of the year?

Monitoring water temperature is an essential tool in predicting where and when to find walleyes. It helps determine their behavior patterns based on season changes impacting feeding behavior, metabolism rate fluctuations based on light penetration under specific weather patterns that trigger aggressive feeding activities, and how far from shorelines they move towards deeper waters depending on the water temperature. In addition, it can help anglers understand which baits and lures work best under different conditions. By keeping track of this information, anglers can increase their chances of catching walleye throughout the year.

In conclusion, the best temperature for walleye to bite varies depending on the season and time of day, but they tend to be more active in cooler water temperatures during the early morning and late evening.

Frequently Asked Questions about What Temperature Do Walleye Bite the Best

What temperature are walleye most active?
To catch walleye, it is best to fish in water between 65-70°, although walleye can still be caught in any temperature above 35°. The temperature of the water plays a crucial role in the feeding behavior of walleye and determines how willing they are to take the bait.

At what water temperature do walleye start biting?
What is the best water temperature for catching walleye at the beginning of the season? The best time to target walleye is from when the ice melts until the temperature drops to the low 40’s F. This is when the fish are most active and aggressive before the spawning period, making it a great opportunity to catch many big fish. This information was shared on May 15, 2018.

What time of day do walleye bite the best?
The ideal time to catch walleye is during the hours near dawn and dusk, as these are their traditional feeding times. During these periods, the walleye are often attracted to the shallow flats where they can feast on schools of small prey and minnows.

What is the best month to catch walleye?
In late April and early May, fishing in certain northern states like Wisconsin will be ideal. The water temperature is perfect for spawning and there are numerous fishing spots where walleye can be found.

What is the best depth to catch walleye?
Walleye fish are typically found in depths ranging from 10-40 feet. In a typical Midwest lake of medium size, Walleye can be found at depths of 10-15 feet in the Spring, transitioning to 15-25 feet in the Summer, and reaching depths of 25-40 feet in the Fall.

What depth do walleye like in summer?
When trolling, it is common to have around 60-70 yards of leadcore line out, which allows your bait to swim at a depth of approximately 25-35 feet.