How to catch the big one – Fort Frances Times

Looking to get the edge on your next walleye fishing trip? Here are some insider tips to help you increase your chances of success:

Focus on Structure: Walleye love structures like submerged rocks, reefs, points, and drop-offs. Use sonar to locate these underwater features where walleye often hunt.
Weed Lines and Edges: Early in the season, walleye often hang around the edges of weed beds, particularly in lakes. As the season progresses, they tend to move deeper to cooler waters.
Current Areas: In rivers and reservoirs, walleye are often found near current breaks or where there is water flow, like below dams, narrows, or inflows.

Live Bait: Minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers are classic choices for walleye. Jigging with live bait is often one of the most effective methods.
Jigs: A jig tipped with live bait or a soft plastic is highly effective, especially when bounced off the bottom.
Crankbaits and Rapalas: These lures are effective in trolling and casting. Crankbaits that imitate baitfish are often very successful, especially in deeper water or when walleye are aggressive.
Spinner Rigs: Using a spinner rig with a worm harness while trolling or drifting is a popular method. Vary your trolling speed between 0.5 to 1.5 mph for best results.

Slow Presentation: Walleye are known for being subtle biters, especially in cooler water. A slow, steady retrieve or trolling speed often works best.
Vertical Jigging: Dropping jigs straight down over structure and slowly working them up and down can be a great way to target walleye.
Slip Bobber: This is an excellent method for fishing at a specific depth, especially around structure or over submerged weed beds.

Spring: Post-spawn walleye often linger near spawning grounds in shallow water (6-15 feet). Focus on areas with rocky or gravel bottoms.
Summer: Walleye move deeper as the water warms, usually 15-30 feet deep. Look for them on the edges of underwater structures.
Fall: Walleye become more aggressive and can be found in a variety of depths. This is a great time to use crankbaits and trolling techniques.

Cloudy Days: Overcast skies often lead to better daytime fishing as the walleye feel safer venturing into shallower waters.
Windy Conditions: A slight chop on the water can improve your odds by creating more oxygen and stirring up the baitfish, making walleye more active.

If you’re not having much luck at one depth, try adjusting to shallower or deeper waters. Walleye tend to be finicky and their preferred depth can change based on light, temperature, and time of year.

A fish finder can be invaluable in locating schools of walleye and understanding the underwater terrain. Use it to find baitfish schools and structures where walleye are likely to ambush prey.

Walleye are sensitive to noise. If you’re in a boat, avoid making loud movements or dropping heavy items into the water, especially in shallow areas.

Vary your trolling speed and lure depth. Use planer boards to cover a wide area and to keep your lures away from the boat’s disturbance zone.