Walleye Fishing Tips & Tactics

As soon as ice breaks up in spring, Walleyes begin spawning in areas with current or sandy spots like beaches and sandbars. During this time, they are hungry and aggressive, making them easy targets. Even when not feeding, they will attack anything entering their spawning areas.

Bright colors like Fire-Tiger, Red, Yellow, and Chartreuse are most effective. Cast shallow-running Rapalas and Thundersticks in the current or along sandy shores to catch more Walleyes. For sandy areas, try light jigs (1/8 oz with a twister tail). Walleyes tend to be shallow in 1 to 3 feet of water, especially along shores or in the current.

On rivers like the Attawapiskat River, Walleyes stay near or in the current year-round, with smaller males easier to catch during spring spawning. Bigger females retreat into deeper holes below the main current during the day but move into shallow areas at dusk. For trophy Walleyes, fish deeper water during the day and focus on shallow areas near dusk.

For early spring fishing at camps off river systems, stay close to shore. Walleyes often gather in large spawning schools around sandy areas or feeder streams. The best approach is trolling near shore, then stopping the motor to cast when you find them. Avoid trolling over the same area too much to prevent spooking the fish.

The most popular method for catching Walleye north of Nakina in the summer is using a white unscented twister tail on a jig. Scented baits generally don’t work well in the north, and while salted baits can be effective, Walleyes are less attracted to artificial scents. Stick with unscented twister tails for the best results. In the spring, Walleyes are aggressive and will bite anything, guaranteeing non-stop action.

For an extra edge, save the gullets when cleaning Walleyes. The gullet, a translucent, arrowhead-shaped flesh under the bottom jaw, has a strong odor that drives Walleyes crazy. Add a small piece of gullet to your jig or scuff it with a knife to release the scent and rub it on your lures. This scent will double your strikes.

In lakes not connected to river systems, Walleyes are found off rocky points, near weeds, or in the weeds on bright afternoons. They also gather around shoals or just outside narrows between two bodies of water. If you’re not catching Walleyes in these areas, a big Northern Pike might be nearby, scaring the Walleyes.

In river system lakes like Beteau Lake, Walleyes migrate between areas with current, traveling along the shore and entering small bays to feed. Focus on points leading into bays or, if the bay is weedy but over 6 feet deep, drop your jig between the weeds. Bigger Walleyes are near points or just off the weed line in deeper water.

If you’re drifting past a rocky point and smaller Walleyes stop biting in deeper water, don’t move the boat. Drop your jig deeper, as larger Walleyes prefer deeper water during the day, usually 15 to 20 feet down.

Hot, sunny days with no wind are typically tough for Walleye fishing, as the fish tend to sit on the bottom and become less active. In these conditions, drop your jig to the bottom and give it tiny jigs of 2 to 3 inches every few seconds to mimic a bug crawling along the lakebed. When you feel any weight, set the hook. Walleyes become lazy and less aggressive in such weather, so keeping the jig right in front of them is key to triggering a strike.

If you’re fishing at one of our Attawapiskat River camps, head straight to areas with river current. Walleyes will be more active in the current, increasing your chances of success.

By mid-August, cooler nighttime temperatures trigger the die-off of weeds in shallow bays. As these weeds decompose, they absorb oxygen and release sulfates, which Walleyes avoid. This causes Walleyes to migrate to areas with current, or, in lakes without river systems, to rocky points and shorelines where wave action creates more oxygen.

During this time, Walleyes become less aggressive and prefer more natural colors like silver and black, brown and black, or perch patterns. White twister tails on a jig remain effective, but bigger Walleyes are generally more active in the evening. Mid-August to September offers an excellent opportunity for catching large trophy Walleyes. The best time to target these fish is right before dark and for about an hour after sunset, when trophy females move into the shallows.

For optimal results, fish around sandbars or sandy shoals that drop into deeper water. Trolling slowly in 2 to 3 feet of water along the shore or casting a blue and silver jointed Rapala in river current can yield impressive catches.

For deeper Walleyes, the large females often stay in deeper water during the day. Back-trolling slowly with a 3-way swivel and a worm harness, using a big fat worm about 30 feet from shore, will help you land these trophy fish.

Walleye Gear

Rods, Reels, Line: Light to Medium Light 6′ – 7′ graphite rods with fast action tips, reels to match
rod for weight and balance, 6 – 8 lb. test line.

Artificial Baits

1/4 – 3/8 oz. jigs heads – bright citrus colours such as chartreuse,pink, lime and firetiger.
Twister Tails 3″ – 4″ long
Lindy Rigs
Worm Harnesses with bright citrus coloured blades.
Berkley Gulp Minnows and Grubs 3-4″
Fuzzy Grub jigs
Floating Jig Heads
Deep diving crankbaits such as #8 & #9 Rapala Shad Raps and #9 & #11 Minnow Raps
Sinkers – Bullet (1/4-3/8 oz. for spinner rigs), Lindy Type (1/8 oz. – 3/8 oz. for Lindy Rigs)
Split Shot (BB-5), Bottom Bouncers (3/8 oz. – 2 oz.)