How Do You Find Big Walleye?

Mathew Odenthal

January 4, 2023

There are a lot of ways you can find big walleye. You can troll, jigging, or pull them out of the weeds. But which method works best?

Jigging

Jigging for big walleyes can be one of the most effective ways to fish. This method is particularly effective during the spring and early summer when walleyes feed in shallow water. However, jigging is also an effective technique during the fall.

One of the critical things to remember when jigging is to understand the cadence. The slower the tempo, the more subtle strikes you can detect. Also, consider the type of water you are fishing. Warm water and cold water require different rhythms.

Ideally, a jig should be at most one-quarter ounce in size. A quarter-ounce jig is ideal for catching walleyes in water six to twelve feet deep. Moreover, it is perfect for fishing in any weather.

You can jig with a minnow or a plastic grub. Most anglers hook a minnow through its mid-body.

Trolling

One of the most effective methods for catching post-spawn walleyes on larger waters is trolling. Trolling can be a highly technical fishing technique that involves moving your baited rig behind a boat.

This allows you to cover a lot of water quickly and efficiently. When finding large trophies, trolling is a better option than jigging. However, there are some things you need to know before attempting to catch the big one.

The most important aspect of trolling for big walleye is determining the right speed. Several factors determine the best rate. These include the type of lure, the water temperature, and the presence of aggressive fish. Increasing the speed by 0.2 mph will improve the odds of catching a big walleye.

It can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to trolling for big walleyes. A good rule of thumb is to move in an S pattern. Doing so will allow your bait to get down to the depths you need.

Best times of day to fish

The best times of day to fish for big walleye will vary depending on the time of year and the location. Knowing when to fish is crucial for them to have the best chance of catching a trophy.

The first hour of daylight is a great time to find a walleye. This is because the sun is not directly overhead. However, if the weather is terrible, the fish are less likely to be active during this time.

When the light levels are low, walleye can feed on smaller baitfish. They will also be more willing to take the bait. Some ice anglers even add a minnow head to their jigging spoons.

Another time to get in on the action is during a new moon. A full moon can be a boon to fishing, but anglers should still pay attention to the ominous.

Females are more prominent and fatter than males.

Researchers studied 49,490 walleyes collected during 27 years of Lake Erie surveys. They examined various factors, including harvest pressure, environment, and climate. Overall, the study found that Walleyes grow faster in central basins.

Males are more significant than females at birth, but the size difference between males and females decreases at a younger age. Males develop rounder caudal fins and have larger heads and chests. Females are larger before spawning and are fatter. During spawning, the larger females lay more giant eggs, which means they are more productive.

The Walleye fishery is one of the most important in Lake Erie. It is also one of the most variables in growth. Numerous factors influence their development, including environmental changes and harvest pressure. This study investigated the sexual and temporal variations in growth and maturity in Walleyes.