Walleye Fishing Tips

Walleye Fishing Tips

Each year the Division of Wildlife stocks more than 20 million walleye fry and 2.5 million walleye fingerlings in 15-20
reservoirs to maintain high-quality fishing. Although walleye can naturally reproduce in Ohio reservoirs, natural reproduction
is rarely sufficient to maintain a fishery; therefore, walleye produced naturally are typically considered a “bonus” in these
waters. Natural reproduction of walleye does, however, sustain fisheries in the eastern portion of the Ohio River.
Although walleye are not as common as sauger in Ohio River tailwaters, they are not uncommon and are typically
caught using the same methods in those locations.

TIPS

Fish slow on the bottom in spring before the gizzard shad hatch starts in about mid-May. When selecting crankbaits, try suspending models this time of year.
Starting about late May, many walleye will suspend to feed on gizzard shad. Try trolling small gizzard shad imitating crankbaits, such as Wee Warts and small Shad Raps, near the surface.
Spring is the best time to target walleye if you don’t have access to a boat. Fish the tailwaters, faces of dams and any available causeway openings from shore at walleye lakes, especially at first and last light.
Ohio River Tips:
Needle-nose fisherman’s pliers will be helpful to remove hooks from a mouth full of teeth.
During high flows, walleye tend to stay out of strong current. During high flows at lock and dam tailwaters, walleye move out of strong current behind the lock walls and on the slack water shoreline behind the lock. The will also concentrate near shore along rip rap, trees and other woody debris.
During low flows, walleye tend to move off shore to deeper flats. Deeper water along lock walls also holds fish at low flow.
Remember, as water temperature increases by May, walleye disperse away from the tailwaters and move “down pool” to confluences, tributary streams and islands.
Lower water temperatures in the fall, winter and early spring concentrate walleye at the tailwaters and near shore (shallower than 12 feet).
Check for near shore movement to shallower water at dawn, dusk and after dark. Daytime angling, especially in clear water, should be in deeper water. Walleye will move in shallow during the day in muddy conditions; however, the best fishing near shore is at night and ½ hour after sunrise and ½ hour before sunset.