Walleye fishing is simultaneously incredibly rewarding and also challenging Even the most experienced anglers make mistakes that lead to missed opportunities or slow days on the water. Learning to avoid these common pitfalls makes a significant difference in your success rate. In this blog, we’re going to identify the top mistakes anglers make when targeting walleye and provide some practical tips on how to avoid them.
Walleye tend to be finicky so small errors in technique, presentation, and location can have a big impact on your results. When you understand the common mistakes and know how to avoid them, you can improve your chances of consistently catching walleye.
Overcomplicating Gear Selection
Overcomplicating gear selection is one of the most common mistakes anglers make. Sure, it can be tempting to bring a wide variety of rods, reels, and tackle, but too many options can be overwhelming and counterproductive. Walleye fishing doesn’t require some complex setup. You just have to focus on a few versatile gear combinations that can handle a variety of situations.
Most of the time, a medium-light to medium power spinning rod paired with a quality spinning reel will do. It will be sensitive enough to detect subtle bites, but strong enough to handle larger fish. When it comes to the line, a 6-10 power test monofilament or fluorocarbon is a good all-around choice, while braided line with a fluorocarbon leader is perfect for jigging or trolling.
Ignoring Seasonal Patterns
Walleye behavior changes dramatically with the seasons, so failing to adjust your tactics is an obvious mistake. They tend to be more active during the cooler months of spring and fall. During these times, they are often found feeding in shallow waters in preparation for either spawning or winter. During the summer, they’ll tend to dive deeper in search of cooler water and schools of baitfish.
To avoid the mistake of not following seasonal patterns, it’s important to understand the seasonal movements of walleye and adjust your strategy accordingly:
- Spring: Target shallow areas such as rocky shorelines, river mouths, and sandy flats where walleye are likely to be spawning. Use jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics for best results.
- Summer: Focus on deeper water structures like humps, points, and submerged weed beds. Trolling with crankbaits or bottom bouncers is particularly effective during this time.
- Fall: Return to shallower waters, targeting drop-offs, points, and weed edges. Walleye will be feeding heavily in preparation for winter, making this a prime time for jigging and casting.
- Winter: If ice fishing, focus on areas with structure, such as underwater humps or drop-offs. Use small jigs tipped with live bait and pay close attention to subtle bites.
Poor Bait Presentation
Bait presentation is a critical aspect of walleye fishing. Even if you’re using the right bait, presenting it incorrectly can significantly reduce your chances at success. Walleye are known for their cautious nature, and they often inspect a lure or bait before committing to a strike. A poor presentation—such as unnatural movements, inconsistent speeds, or improper depth—can cause walleye to shy away.
Here’s how to improve your bait presentation:
- Match the Speed: The speed of your presentation should match the water temperature and the activity level of the walleye. In colder water, slow down your retrieve or jigging motion. In warmer water, you can speed things up. For trolling, adjust your boat speed to ensure your lure is moving at the right pace.
- Maintain a Natural Movement: Whether you’re using live bait or artificial lures, the key is to make your presentation look as natural as possible. Avoid jerky or erratic movements unless you’re specifically trying to trigger a reaction strike. Let live bait move naturally and, with artificial lures, mimic the swimming action of the local forage.
- Stay in the Strike Zone: Walleye often hold close to the bottom or near specific structures. Make sure your bait is presented at the right depth, where walleye are most likely to strike. If you’re jigging, keep your bait near the bottom and if trolling, adjust the line length.
Fishing the Wrong Depths
Walleye are typically found at specific depths depending on the time of year, water temperatures, and light conditions. Fishing too shallow or too deep can result in a missed opportunity. To avoid such a mistake, you can use tools like sonar or fish finders to identify the depth where walleye are holding. This will likely be about five to 15 feet deep in the spring and fall and 20 to 40 feet in the summer, depending on the body of water.
Here are some tips for finding the right depth:
- Use Electronics: A quality fish finder can help you locate walleye by showing you the depth and structure where they’re holding. Pay attention to the depth where you’re marking fish and adjust your presentation accordingly.
- Observe the Thermocline: In deeper lakes, the thermocline is the layer of water where the temperature changes rapidly. Walleye often hold just above or below the thermocline during the summer.
- Adjust Based on Conditions: Depth can vary based on weather and time of day. On bright, sunny days, walleye may move deeper, while on overcast days, they may be found in shallower water. Be prepared to adjust your depth throughout the day based on the conditions.
Not Adapting to Weather Conditions
Weather is a significant factor in determining how walleye behave. Bright, sunny days can make walleye more cautious and less likely to bite. They’ll move deeper or seek cover near structures to avoid direct sunlight. Slow down your presentation and use subtle, natural-colored baits to entice bites.
Meanwhile, what we consider to be bad weather can actually be great for walleye fishing. They tend to be more active under certain conditions, such as overcast skies, light rain, and windy days. Overcast conditions are especially adventitious since the reduced light levels can make walleye more comfortable moving into shallower water. You just have to increase your retrieval speed slightly and use baits with more flash to attract attention. Wind can also be beneficial since it stirs up the water, making walleye less cautious. Light can trigger increased feeding activity, so be prepared with waterproof gear and keep fishing, as these conditions can lead to great catches.
Avoiding all of these common mistakes can greatly improve your success when fishing for walleye. Follow our advice and you’ll be well on your way to catching more walleye. Remember, experience and adaptability are key to mastering walleye fishing. And if you’re looking for the perfect place to put your new knowledge to the test, consider Mattice Lake Outfitters. Call us toll free at 1-800-411-0334 or email us at mattice@walleye.ca to begin planning your trip today!