Finding the Perfect Location for Walleye
Tips on Finding the Perfect Location to Fish for Walleye
If you are an avid angler, you probably already know why the walleye is an excellent catch. If you have only begun your adventures in fishing, then the walleye is definitely the fish you’ll want to catch one of these days. It’s a sleek, beautiful fish with a tinge of gold and olive that can grow to an impressive 30 to 36 inches in length. It’s also quite a challenge to reel in. To catch it, you will have to know its habits to find the perfect place where you can fish for walleye.
The popularity of the walleye
Other than its impressive appearance which makes it a favorite wall mounting, the walleye also makes a popular meal at the dinner table. It is a great tasting fish and for many anglers, considered as the one with the best taste among freshwater fish.
Walleye remain as one of the most popular for anglers to catch. Its elusiveness makes it perfect for tournaments and it is also the type of fish that lives in some of the most picturesque areas in the U.S. and Canada. The views, along with the perfect walleye catch, make pursuing this fish an incredible adventure.
Where to find the walleye
The walleye is a fish that likes little light and it is built to survive darker areas in a lake. Walleye have eyes that are highly efficient at gathering light so it does not matter if the area where they swim is dark or if the sky is overcast because these fish can see clearly. In fact, even in choppy waters when the area near the surface of the lake is rough, walleye can still hunt for their prey even if the visuals aren’t too good.
The walleye is Minnesota’s state fish and although it is certainly abundant in this area, the fish can also be found in other locations in both the U.S. and Canada. Rivers such as Missouri, Mississippi and Seagull in Cook County are excellent locations for walleye fishing. In Canada, the Great Lakes, Winnipeg River, the Forks, Gouin Reservoir and Columbia River in British Columbia are a favorite among locals and tourists. You can also find walleye in many wildlife refuge areas.
How the walleye behaves
Knowing where the walleye lives is just half the adventure. This fish is rather elusive, making it an exciting challenge and a top choice as a game fish for many anglers. Because of its excellent eyesight, the walleye is also capable of staying in deeper waters, although anglers prefer to catch the fish near the surface close to the banks of the lakes or rivers, when it is often found feeding. This is the easier way to catch the fish, when it’s more receptive to lures and bait, whether they’re live or artificial.
However, the walleye also spends a lot of its time looking for food so you can expect it to be on the move. During these times, they are difficult to catch from the banks so fishing with a boat is often required.
The night fish
The walleye is the type of fish that you will have to wait for at night to catch because of its nocturnal habits. Your chances of catching one are also better if you fish during overcast or cloudy days when light don’t penetrate the water too much.
And of course, there’s also the walleye chop you should watch out for. On days when the water is rough, the walleye like to feed and throwing in your life-like lure can reel in a pretty good catch.
A season for catching walleye
Not everyday is a good day to fish for walleye. Females, which are preferred because of their size over males, are often not interested to feed post-spawn. They will keep to the bottom of the lake to rest.
You are better off fishing for walleye in spring or fall. These are excellent seasons to catch the walleye, so if you want to get your hands on this solid-bodied fish, April through May and September through October are great months to fish. These are the times when walleye are more receptive to lures and bait because of their feeding activity. However, knowing where they are found during certain months is also important.
In May, for example, just after the walleye have spawned, the transition phase keeps the fish near the areas where they spawned and walleye tend to group together. This is why they are best fished near large sand flats. Summer, on the other hand, is not very friendly for walleye-chasing anglers, when it’s more difficult to lure the fish.
In winter, ice-fishing for walleye is a favorite among anglers. Holes are bored through the ice to drop the bait into the water. Using jigs, minnows or jigging spoons, anglers have had excellent success in catching this fish.
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