Walleye fishing
Sander vitreus. Two separate dorsal fins, with a dark spot at the base of the spiny first dorsal fin.
Walleye fishing uses a jig or a nightcrawler on a spinner harness on 6 to 12 lb line and a medium spinning or casting rod for jigging and trolling, at dawn, at dusk, and at night. Utah fisheries such as Willard Bay are maintained largely by stocking millions of walleye fry each year, and studies there found stocked fry make up a larger share of each new year class than fish from natural reproduction.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Dawn, Dusk, and Night
- Line
- 6–12 lb
- Hook sizes
- Size 4 and 6 hooks for bait
- Stocked in
- 13 states
- Peak in ID
- June
Identification
- Two separate dorsal fins, with a dark spot at the base of the spiny first dorsal fin.
- Prominent canine teeth and a white margin on the lower lobe of the tail fin.
- Lacks the dark vertical bars seen on yellow perch, a common source of misidentification.
- Typically 16 to 25 inches (2-12 lbs); quality waters can produce 20-30 inch fish up to 15 lbs.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Top lures
Trolled with a nightcrawler, small split shot, and a 1-2 oz barrel weight along bottom contours.
Top baits
Threaded onto a harness with a wire leader, small split shot, and 1-2 oz barrel weight, trolled near bottom.
Line & tackle
- Line
- 6–12 lb
- Rod power
- Medium spinning or casting rod for jigging and trolling
- Hook sizes
- Size 4 and 6 hooks for bait
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026 , ohiodnr.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026
Depth by season
Spring · 18–25 ft
General daytime depth range; fish stay close to bottom, often near rocky break-lines.
Summer · 18–25 ft
Same bottom-oriented daytime pattern; weed beds can also hold fish seasonally.
Fall · 18–25 ft
Bottom-oriented pattern continues as water cools toward winter.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Stocked behavior
Utah fisheries such as Willard Bay are maintained largely by stocking millions of walleye fry each year, and studies there found stocked fry make up a larger share of each new year class than fish from natural reproduction.
Common mistakes
- Fishing fast and high in the water column; WDFW's three secrets to catching walleye are to fish on the bottom, fish slowly, and use nightcrawlers.
- Skipping a leader; a stout wire leader 12 inches above the hook protects the line from abrasive rocks and the walleye's sharp teeth, though it is not necessary.
Best time to fish Walleye
Most commonly stocked in June in Idaho, based on 23 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Michigan, based on 1573 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Montana, based on 1048 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in April in New Mexico, based on 44 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in New York, based on 530 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in October in South Dakota, based on 329 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in April in Utah, based on 213 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Wyoming, based on 153 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
186 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
New York
Ohio
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 18.81 lbs | Scott Regan | Standley Lake(Jefferson County) | 1997 |
| Idaho | 17.88 lbs | Damon Rush | Oakley Reservoir | 2011 |
| Kentucky | 21.50 lbs | Abe Black Shaker Heights, OH | Lake Cumberland | 1958 |
| Michigan | 17.19 lbs | – | Pine River, Manistee County | 1951 |
| Montana | 18.02 lbs. | Trevor Johnson | Holter Lake | 2021 |
| New York | 18 lb. 2 oz. | Brian Hartman | St. Lawrence River, St. Lawrence Co. | 2018 |
| Utah | 15 lbs. 9 oz. | Jeffery Tanner | Provo River | 1991 |
| Virginia | 15 lbs. 15 oz. | Anthony P. Duncan | New River | 2000 |
| Washington | 20.32 lbs | John Grubenhoff | Lake Wallula, Benton County | 2014 |
| Wisconsin | 18 lbs. 0 oz. | – | High Lake, Vilas County | 1933 |
| Wyoming | 17.42 lbs | Stan Seivewright - Casper, WY | Boysen Reservoir, Fremont County | 1991 |
Common questions
What lures work for Walleye?
Jig, a jig in chartreuse, orange, and white. Deep-diving crankbait, a crankbait in firetiger, chartreuse, and orange. Casting spoon, a spoon in silver and gold. Spinner harness, a spinner in chartreuse, silver, and gold: Trolled with a nightcrawler, small split shot, and a 1-2 oz barrel weight along bottom contours.
What bait works for Walleye?
Nightcrawler on a spinner harness: Threaded onto a harness with a wire leader, small split shot, and 1-2 oz barrel weight, trolled near bottom. Nightcrawler on a jighead.
Where do Walleye hold?
Spring: 18 to 25 ft. General daytime depth range; fish stay close to bottom, often near rocky break-lines. Summer: 18 to 25 ft. Same bottom-oriented daytime pattern; weed beds can also hold fish seasonally. Fall: 18 to 25 ft. Bottom-oriented pattern continues as water cools toward winter. Winter: Fish move into deeper water than the rest of the year.
How big do Walleye get?
The Colorado record is 18.81 lbs from Standley Lake(Jefferson County) in 1997. The Utah record is 15 lbs. 9 oz. from Provo River in 1991. The Washington record is 20.32 lbs from Lake Wallula, Benton County in 2014. 8 more state records are on this page.