Depending on your approach and exactly where you are looking for walleye, it can be either feast or famine. However, one thing is certain, once you get dialed in it can also be non-stop rod action.

Undoubtedly trolling will reign supreme in larger bodies of water like the Great Lakes, but if you have the patience and temperament for it, casting is a very productive method as well. For the purposes of this writing, I'm going to focus on casting techniques with artificial lures only, the gear used, how I rig it and what areas to look for.

I make no guarantees these methods will produce 100% of the time, but I can say if you apply what you're about to read I feel confident you too will put a few more walleye in the net this season, so let's start off with gear.

Walleye Overview

Let’s start with one fact that everyone in the U.S. knows about walleye—they are considered the best-eating freshwater fish in America.

Found mostly in northern-tier states from west to east and across Canada, walleye are targeted by anglers year-round, both in open water and through the ice.

There are thousands of walleye fishing tournaments held every year. The largest is the National Walleye Tour (NWT), where top anglers compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single event.

Walleye can be found in large lakes like the Great Lakes, as well as small and medium-sized lakes and rivers. They spawn in the spring and can grow to impressive sizes, pushing 20 lbs. However, the best eating fish are typically in the 15- to 20-inch range, and many anglers release larger fish to support reproduction and future fisheries.

What is Walleye?

Walleye are named for their distinctive cloudy-looking eyes, caused by a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum. This adaptation allows them to see extremely well in low-light conditions, giving them a strong advantage when feeding at night.

Walleye are a freshwater species in the perch family and are widely stocked as a popular game fish. They have a long, slender body, typically gold to olive in color with a white belly and dark bands along their sides. They feature two dorsal fins—one spiny and one soft-rayed—and a large mouth equipped with sharp teeth.

They are often confused with closely related species like sauger and saugeye. Sauger can be identified by spotted dorsal fins, darker coloration, and the absence of a white marking on the tail. Saugeye, a hybrid between walleye and sauger, share similar markings but tend to be smaller and display more mixed coloration.

Best Rod and Reel combos for Walleye Fishing

Spinning Setup

For my spinning rod applications, I use a 6.5- to 7-foot rod (fast action, medium power) rated for 6- to 12-lb. line and 1/4 to 3/4 oz. lures. With this rod, I can present jigs, jerkbaits, crankbaits and finesse swimbaits.

I usually run 8 lb braid on this rod and depending on water conditions and sunlight penetration I'll sometimes use a fluorocarbon leader of 36 to 48 inches. I use a size 2000 or 3000 spinning reel with this rod.I also do very well with the Royale Legend Pro 7'2" dropshot combo presenting a nose hooked Gulp minnow or a finesse swimbait.

Casting Setup

For my casting rod applications, I use a 7- to 7.6-foot rod (fast action, medium to medium-heavy power) rated for 1/4 to 1 oz lures. With this rod I can present jigs, squarebills, diving crankbaits, in-line spinner rigs and finesse umbrella rigs.

I fish 8- to 15-lb braid on this rod and I use a fluorocarbon leader if conditions dictate. I usually have a 7.2:1 Mg-Ti Elite Reel on this rod, but sometimes I will drop down to a 5.4:1 Reel depending on the exact presentation.The Royale Legend Pro 7'6" swimbait combo is great for casting 1/4- to 1/2-oz swimbaits.

Best Line Setup for Walleye Fishing

When most folks talk about walleye fishing in gin clear water, you will oftentimes hear how you must use light line (4- to 6-lb test), small hooks, leeches, worms or minnows on a jig or a slip bobber.

You will not hear me argue about that, but remember, we're talking about artificial lures only and in most cases that's horizontal moving baits.

Whenever I fish for big water walleyes, I seem to do best fishing with braided line. I think in part that is due to the fact I'm making super long casts and braided line provides the ability to obtain a quality hookset. Conversely, the stretch of monofilament line impedes my ability for good hooksets at long distances.

The other nice thing about braided line is it allows you to put more line on the spool which translates into longer, smoother casts.

Just a tip – When you are spooling up with braid be sure to put about 10- to 12-yards of mono on the spool first, because this helps prevent the braid from slipping on the spool. Also try to use mono that is smaller in diameter; it does two things for you:

1) helps the braid lay flat on the spool; and 2) prevents it from biting down into the grooves of mono when under pressure.

Leader Line Choice for Walleye Fishing

Fluorocarbon is my first choice, especially when using jigs or jerkbaits. I believe the longer the fish is allowed to inspect the lure, the more a fluorocarbon leader can translate into additional bites.

Spinning Techniques for Walleye Fishing

My first choice for early season walleye is either a jerkbait or a jig tipped with some Berkley Gulp or a Big Bite Baits swimbait.  The jerkbait is usually a Bill Lewis Scope Stik 100 or 120, in perch or baitfish colors and the jigs routinely replicate the same forage base, with the addition of a football head jig dressed with swimbait (to mimic a goby).Jerkbaits are routinely fished in the 5- to 10-foot zone adjacent to weed edges along shoals and rock rubble shorelines with the standard cast, crank it down three or four quick turns, let it sit (pause) for 5- to 10-seconds, reel up the slack line, give it one or two light taps, pause and repeat that cadence all the way back to the boat.

If I notice walleye following the jerkbait back to the boat, but not striking, then a follow up cast with the swimbait on a 1/8 or 3/16 oz. jig head on a steady retrieve usually gets that fish to bite.

Football Jig Technique for Bottom

Another great technique for scrubbing up reluctant walleye that are holding tight on a rock rubble bottom is the football head jig. Here in Eastern Basin of Lake Ontario the round goby has become a staple in every fish's diet and walleye are no exception.

To imitate this tasty nugget, I use a 3/8 or 1/2 oz. football head with a swimbait (Green Pumpkin or Tennessee Shad). I look for these walleye in just a tad deeper in that 15- to 30-foot, casting near or adjacent to rocky shoals and a hard bottom is a must. Cast it out, let it fall all the way to the bottom, reel up the slack line and move the bait by sweeping the rod across your front from 9 to 3 or vice versa or by employing a slow steady crank of the reel. The key element to this presentation is maintaining good bottom contact throughout the retrieve.

The bite's not subtle and you will know without a doubt when they take it, but you must keep your rod in the proper position to set the hook. I've enjoyed my best success dragging the football head by avoiding vertical rod movements and employing the aforementioned horizontal rod movements which keeps me in good position to quickly snap the rod tip for a solid hook set at any point throughout the retrieve.

Casting Techniques for Walleye Fishing (Power Fishing Approach)

I typically employ presentations more akin to power fishing for bass. I use square bills, rattle traps, a Steelshad, medium diving crankbaits, 3.5 to 5-inch swimbaits on 1/4- to 1/2 oz. jig heads depending on depth which is usually in the 5- to 20- foot.The other techniques that serve me well are the umbrella rig and the weight forward in-line spinner both presentations can be fished effectively from 7- to 20-foot with equal success and they allow you to cover massive amounts of water as your search for the active biters.

I will fish all these presentations on the same line, 15 lb. braid tied to the lure, except for the single swimbaits. For single swimbaits I use a 36- to 48-inch section of fluorocarbon and I'm fishing those on a slower speed reel 5.4:1 when fishing in 10- to 25-foot. The slower speed reel helps keep the swimbait in a slightly deeper strike zone.

The crankbaits and Steelshad are exceptional at drawing and trigging strikes from walleye feeding in the 5- to 8-foot, again we're targeting shoals on the main lake or looking at the mouths of creeks off of the main lake with scattered weeds and rock rubble or rock humps nearby. 

The other lure that is a great search bait in the 7- to 20-foot is a weight forward in-line spinner, like an Erie Deerie or South Bend's Walleye Wonder. Traditional walleye angling has you dressing them with a night crawler or minnow, but I've found using rubber worms work very well. My two top choices are the Zoom Trick Worm in 4" or 6" (green pumpkin or green pumpkin with a chartreuse tail) and the Gambler Floating Worm (bubblegum yellow). Why bubblegum/yellow because they hit it and they hit it hard.

Crazy as that sounds these rubber worms work great. Think of it this way, once you cast out and begin the retrieve the night crawler stretch out behind the spinner and the rubber worms look just the same on the retrieve. Other than scent, the only way a walleye can tell the difference is to bite it, and that is exactly what happens. The rubber worm is a lot easier to rig and I usually catch four to five fish on each worm before it is so torn up that I have to replace it.

Retrieve Techniques for Walleye Fishing Lures

With the squarebill, the single swimbait and the weight forward in-line spinner I get the most bites employing a steady retrieve. If I find the fish are on slightly deeper open water adjacent to the shoals, then I employ a countdown method with the weight forward in-line spinner, the umbrella rig, or the medium diving crankbaits, again a steady retrieve works best for me.

Umbrella Rig for Open Water Walleye

For the open water umbrella rig presentation, I prefer a medium heavy power fast action rod dressing the rig with 3.5 to 5-inch swimbaits on 1/4 oz. jig heads. Simply cast out, counting it down to the desired depth and employ a steady retrieve all the way back to the boat. I try to keep the presentation at the depth I saw the fish on the graph or just slightly higher.

This presentation replicates a school of bait fish and while some anglers have mixed emotions about using a multi-hook presentation like this, I can say the umbrella rig is a great choice and oftentimes overlooked presentation for walleye that are feeding on balls of baitfish in open water.

Final Thoughts on Big Water Walleye Fishing

If you think what you just read sounds a bit like power fishing for bass, then you're right. I would also ask you to keep an open mind, because these big water walleyes are predators. They are not as shy or skittish as their inland lake or small river cousins, these fish roam in good numbers and when they move up on or near the shoals to feed, they do so with abandon.

The current New York State record walleye is 18 lb. 02 oz. and these Eastern Basin fish average, 4.5 - to 8-lbs., with a solid 10 lb. (+) fish showing up on any given trip.

Good luck out there, enjoy the fishery, take a few for the table and don't forget to free the fighter, because it might just be that next record catch for another lucky angler.

What does walleye taste like?

A: Walleye is widely considered one of the best-tasting freshwater fish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources describes walleye as having a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a firm yet flaky texture. It is low in fat compared to species like salmon, making it a favorite for pan-frying, grilling, and baking.

Do walleye have teeth?

A: Yes, walleye have sharp teeth. According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, they possess small but needle-like teeth designed for gripping prey such as baitfish. While not typically dangerous to anglers, care should be taken when handling them to avoid cuts.

When do walleye spawn?

A: Walleye typically spawn in early spring when water temperatures reach approximately 42°F to 50°F (5°C to 10°C). Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that spawning usually occurs shortly after ice-out in northern regions, often in shallow rocky areas, river inlets, or gravel shoals where eggs can adhere to substrate and develop.

How has forward-facing sonar (FFS) changed walleye fishing?

A: Forward-facing sonar (FFS), such as systems like Garmin LiveScope, has significantly changed how anglers locate and catch walleye. Traditionally, most anglers focused on bottom contact presentations, but FFS has revealed that a large number of bigger walleye actually suspend in the mid-water column while actively feeding.

This technology allows anglers to see fish in real time and track their lure in relation to the fish’s depth and movement. By keeping a bait in the strike zone longer, anglers can dramatically increase their catch rate.

Both tournament and recreational anglers now use FFS with a variety of presentations, including minnow-style hard baits, jig-and-plastic combinations, and even live bait, making it one of the most impactful advancements in modern walleye fishing.

Learn more about spring fishing articles

Best Northern Pike Fishing Lures for Early Spring

Ice-Out Bass Fishing in the Northeast: Gear, Lures & Techniques for Early Spring

Three Best Pre-Spawn Bass Fishing Baits For Late Winter and Early Spring

About the Author

Captain Burnie Haney is owner/operator of New York Fishing Adventures, Army veteran and retired Sergeant Major with a 38-year military career. A tournament bass angler since 1992, he has won five Angler of the Year titles, set the NYTBF five-fish weight record, and qualified for two National Championships. Burnie holds two International Game Fish Association (IGFA) New York State line class records (walleye and smallmouth bass) and the IGFA All Tackle Length World Record for Chain Pickerel. He is a lifetime member of B.A.S.S. and member of the New York State Outdoor Writers' Association. Haney was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame in 2017. Today, Burnie focuses on multi-species seasonal fishing adventures.