Best Way to Catch Walleye

April 26, 2025

Walleye have a well-known behavior among anglers, and their tendency for swimming in low light conditions, like dawn and dusk, is a good way of understanding it. Therefore, opting for the early morning or late night is part of the best way to catch walleye.

When talking about the best way to catch walleye, we firstly must understand it’s a matter of patience, strategy, and knowledge of the fish’s behavior.

In fact, by implementing these aspects quite nicely your chances of catching amazing walleye will greatly increase, regardless of your level of experience. But how can we do that?

Well, this article will walk you through everything you need to know about the best way to catch walleye.

Like that, catching walleye will become an easy task for you!

Knowing how walleye behave

Walleye have a well-known behavior among anglers, and their tendency for swimming in low light conditions, like dawn and dusk, is a good way of understanding it. Therefore, opting for the early morning or late night is part of the best way to catch walleye.

In addition, walleye can be found in lakes and rivers with cold and clear water. Besides, they also have a preference for underwater features like weed beds, drop-offs, and rock heaps.

For sure, by having a notion about how walleye behave, you’ll be able to catch them more easily.

Using the ideal gear

Counting with the appropriate fishing gear is a rather important factor when it comes to discussing the best way to catch walleye.

Furthermore, a medium-action spinning rod and a good reel spooled with braided line or 6 to 10-pound test monofilament are ideal for most approaches.

Moreover, a sensitive rod can be used to detect minor nibbles in walleye because of their relatively gentle bite.

Bring the good bait with you!

Your fishing trip can have a great or bad outcome based on the bait you choose. So, that’s a must when talking about the best way to catch walleye.

Since minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers closely resemble walleye's natural prey, they are excellent examples of live bait. And you can keep your live bait at the right depth and within the fish's reach by using a slip bobber arrangement or a bottom-bouncer rig.

Last but not least, artificial lures can’t be left out when going walleye fishing. For instance, jigs are one of the most successful substitutes, especially when tipped with live bait or soft plastics. And because crankbaits and jerkbaits mimic the movement of baitfish, they work well when trolling near structures.

Best way to catch walleye from shore

During spring, shoreline fishing does the trick nicely because they relocate to shallow areas for spawning.

In order to be successful, you must pay attention to areas with structure, such as rocky shorelines, drop-offs, weed beds, or points where currents meet. And as we said before, doing it in the early morning or at late night will ensure good outcomes.

Without a doubt, by targeting the right locations and being there at the right time, you might catch some walleye from the shore.

By taking these aspects into consideration, you will be always going for the best way to catch walleye. But remember, having an outstanding fishing experience requires patience, practice, and a little strategy.

Just go for it and embrace the journey of catching walleye!

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