What to Cast for Walleye

Are you tired of going on fishing trips and coming back empty-handed? Do you find yourself struggling to catch walleye, despite your best efforts? Well, you’re not alone. Walleye can be elusive and tricky to catch, leaving many anglers feeling frustrated and defeated.

But fear not, because with the right knowledge and techniques, you can improve your chances of catching this prized fish. One key factor in a successful walleye fishing trip is knowing what bait and lures to use. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

In this article, we’ll dive into the different types of bait and lures that are most effective for catching walleye. From live bait to artificial lures, we’ll cover it all. So grab your fishing gear and get ready to increase your chances of landing that big walleye!

Top Bait to Use When Casting for Walleye

Understanding the Walleye’s Diet

Before discussing the best bait to use when casting for walleye, it is important to understand their diet. Walleyes are opportunistic feeders and consume a variety of prey, including insects, crayfish, small fish like minnows, and larger fish such as whitefish or suckers. The type of bait you choose should mimic these food sources.

Best Baits for Walleye Fishing

The top baits for catching walleye include live bait and artificial lures. Live bait options include nightcrawlers, leeches, and minnows. These can be presented on a hook with a split shot weight or used with a slip bobber rig to keep the bait at the desired depth.

Artificial lures that work well for walleye include jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. Jigs are versatile and can be tipped with live bait or fished without any additional bait. Crankbaits imitate small fish and can be trolled or casted using a spinning reel setup. Spinnerbaits have a rotating blade that creates vibration in the water to attract fish.

List of Top Baits for Walleye Fishing

• Nightcrawlers
• Leeches
• Minnows
• Jigs (with or without live bait)
• Crankbaits
• Spinnerbaits

Ideal Time of Day for Casting for Walleye

The ideal time of day to cast for walleye depends on several factors, including the season, weather conditions, and water temperature. In general, walleye are most active during low light periods such as dawn and dusk. During these times, they are more likely to move to shallower waters in search of food.

During the summer months, when water temperatures are warmer, walleye tend to be more active at night. In contrast, during the fall and winter months when water temperatures drop, they may be more active during mid-day hours when the sun is highest in the sky.

It’s also important to consider how weather conditions can affect walleye activity. On cloudy or overcast days, walleye may be more active throughout the day since low light levels mimic dawn and dusk periods. On sunny days with high pressure systems, it may be better to fish during low light periods.

How Deep to Cast Your Line When Fishing for Walleye

Determining how deep to cast your line when fishing for walleye depends on several factors including water temperature and structure. Walleyes often relate to structure like weedlines, points or humps where they can ambush prey.

In cooler water temperatures (50-60°F), walleye tend to stay closer to the bottom of the lake or river. The depth you should fish will depend largely on how deep the water is in that particular area. Anglers typically use a jig with live bait or a slow-moving crankbait along weed edges or drop-offs in these situations.

In warmer water temperatures (70°F+), walleyes may suspend higher up in the water column as they look for cooler water temperatures. This means anglers should try using lures like spinnerbaits or crankbaits that can be worked through different depths until you find where the fish are hanging out.

Recommended Fishing Rod and Reel for Catching Walleye

When it comes to fishing for walleye, the type of rod and reel you use can make a big difference in your success. A medium-light to medium-action spinning rod is recommended since it has enough backbone to set the hook on a walleye but is also sensitive enough to detect bites.

A spinning reel with a high gear ratio is also recommended since walleye are known for their fast and powerful runs. This allows you to quickly retrieve slack line when setting the hook or reeling in your catch.

Recommended Fishing Gear for Walleye

• Medium-Light to Medium-Action Spinning Rod
• Spinning Reel with High Gear Ratio
• Braided Fishing Line (6-10lb test)
• Jig Heads (1/8oz – 1/2oz)
• Crankbaits or Spinnerbaits

Effective Techniques and Strategies for Casting for Walleye

The key to effective walleye fishing is understanding their behavior and using the right techniques. Here are some proven techniques and strategies that can help you catch more walleye:

– Slowly Jigging: Use a jig head with live bait and slowly bounce it along the bottom of the lake or river. This mimics an injured minnow, which attracts hungry walleyes.

– Trolling: Use a crankbait or spinnerbait while trolling at different depths until you find where the fish are biting.

– Slip Bobber Rig: Using live bait with a slip bobber rig allows you to suspend your bait at different depths without getting snagged on weeds or structure.

– Drifting: Drift along weed lines or drop-offs while using live bait or lures like jigs and crankbaits.

Best Locations to Cast for Walleye in a Lake or River

Walleyes are known to be structure-oriented fish, so the best locations to cast for walleye are near underwater structures such as weedlines, drop-offs, and rocky points. They also tend to hang out near deeper holes, channels, and river bends where water flows create eddies.

During low light periods like dawn and dusk, walleyes may move into shallower waters in search of food. This means you should focus on areas with depths of 10-20 feet during these times. During mid-day hours when the sun is high in the sky or fishing at night, try deeper areas like humps or break lines.

Tips on Identifying and Handling a Caught Walleye

When catching walleye, it’s important to handle them carefully to ensure their survival if they are being released back into the water. Here are some tips on identifying and handling caught walleye:

– Use a wet towel or gloves when handling the fish since their skin can be easily damaged.

– Wet your hands before touching the fish since dry hands can remove protective slime from its skin.

– Avoid squeezing the fish too hard since this can cause internal injuries.

– Use pliers or a hook remover tool to gently remove hooks from its mouth.

– Take quick pictures and release the fish back into the water as soon as possible.

Fishing Regulations and Restrictions to Know When Targeting Walleye

Different states have different fishing regulations for targeting walleye, so it’s important to know what restrictions apply in your area. Some common regulations include:

– Catch Limits: Many states have daily catch limits for walleye that vary depending on location and season.

– Slot Limits: Some states enforce slot limits which means that only certain sizes of walleyes can be kept and others must be released.

– Closed Seasons: Some states have closed seasons for walleye fishing to protect spawning populations.

– Special Regulations: Some bodies of water may have special regulations such as bait restrictions or catch-and-release-only rules.

It’s important to check with your state’s Department of Natural Resources or local fishing regulations before targeting walleye. By following these regulations, you can help protect walleye populations for future generations.

In conclusion, knowing what to cast for walleye can significantly improve your chances of catching this popular game fish. With the right gear and technique, you can enjoy a successful and rewarding fishing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about What to Cast for Walleye

What is the best bait to use for walleye?
Minnows are one type of live bait that can be very effective for catching walleye. This usually involves techniques such as still fishing, drifting, or trolling, using a bottom-bouncing rig or slip sinker to attract the fish’s attention in clear water. Along with leeches and nightcrawlers, minnows are among the most popular and successful choices for live bait when targeting walleye.

What is the best setup for walleye fishing?
For the best results, it is recommended to use a spinning rod that is 6 feet in length, has a medium-light power and fast action, along with a 30-sized reel of medium size. This setup is ideal for detecting the subtle strikes of walleye, as they tend to slurp the bait and can be difficult to detect.

What is the secret to catching walleye?
Crankbaits and Soft Plastics are popular choices among experienced Walleye fishermen for catching this type of fish. For beginners, it is recommended to use Live Bait, either by jigging or rigging, to increase the chances of catching fish. However, if Live Bait is not available or if the goal is to catch larger fish, then using lures is the best option.

What color attracts walleye?
Research has confirmed what fishermen have suspected for a long time. When the water is clear, walleye fish can be caught using white lures or almost any color. However, in water that is cloudy with sediment, they are more likely to be caught using yellow or gold lures. In water that is green with algae, black lures are most effective as walleye have better eyesight for this color. This study was conducted on July 6th, 2022.

Why is it so hard to catch a walleye?
Catching walleye during a sunny afternoon is the least ideal time as they prefer deep water and shaded areas to avoid the sun. During these conditions, the fish are less likely to actively feed, so you may need to adjust your fishing strategy and location.

What time of day do walleye bite the best?
The best times to fish for walleye are usually in the early morning or late afternoon when they are most active and searching for food. During these times, walleye tend to move from deeper waters to shallower areas where they can feed on smaller prey such as minnows.