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Summer Walleye Fishing Techniques

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Summary: Some of the finest walleye and sauger fishing takes place in late spring and early summer, once spawning is completed and the fish begin to search for food. Forage fish are not abundant in this period and all predators are moving extensively, a phenomenon which makes it much easier to find the more aggressive fish. Fishing patterns for walleye are not well defined in early summer. Some fish are caught in deep water by still- or drift-fishing, while others are caught in the shallow waters with fast retrieved crank-baits. Later in the summer more definite activity patterns develop that favor the traditional dawn and dusk walleye feeding movements.

In lakes and reservoirs, early summer walleye movement is mostly at random and rather haphazard, often involving most reaches of an entire lake, reservoir or stream. As aquatic vegetation emerges and forms suitable protective cover, where these predators can lay in ambush, the fish associate closely with these natural structures. Movement is reduced, and the fish quickly establish smaller and more predictable activity centers. They inhabit these reaches throughout the summer and on into early autumn. Foraging is more attuned to low light periods, especially at dawn and dusk. A most favorite fishing technique in this situation is to present the bait through the heavy cover. At these times fishing with minnow-dressed leadheads or other live bait is most productive.

Many reservoirs do not develop vegetative cover because of fluctuating water levels, but in summer walleye still associate closely with underwater structures in the form of land points near drop-offs, stone rip-rap on a dam face, sunken islands, and flooded creek channels. Also, windswept underwater gravel bars and reefs or hard clay bottoms are good for walleye in summer. The basic fishing method does not differ from other waters, and most of those discussed work effectively.

In large rivers, like the Mississippi or Missouri, walleye return to the main channel and inhabit rock-protected sites, such as wing dams and channel revetment structures. Timing of this movement depends on water level. If the river discharge remains high, then flooded timber and other terrestrial plants provide additional cover, and the fish often stay in these reaches. Most wing dams and revetments hold walleye, but some are better and easier to fish than others. Look, in particular, for shallow water structures on the outside bend of the channel. Revetments that have moderate slope into deep water are often times productive.

Tips For Fishing Summer Walleys

Fishing methods for walleye and sauger are more varied in summer than in any other calender period. Back trolling with a slip-sinker rig is the best means of locating fish. Begin your fishing trip by using bait-fish, but always carry a few night crawlers or leeches. Instead of a plain hook rig it is on occasion better to add colored beads or a spinner blade in one of the bright fluorescent colors. Sometimes when the fish are using heavy cover such as weeds, stumps, or boulders, it may be necessary to use a slip-bobber rig, which is most effective when fished with natural bait in snag-infested locations. Specialized jig heads which stand at a 45 degree angle when on the bottom and tipped with a large minnow, can produce fish when others fail.

When walleye are associated with aquatic vegetation, one of the best techniques for night-time fishing is long-lining with a minnow shaped floater-diver plug or a night crawler-leech on a harness. Let out 120 to 150 feet of line and troll the bait just above the weed line so it occasionally touches the plants. After dark cast crank-baits over shallow bars, land points and rock reefs for walleye. This type of casting works as well by wading as it does from a boat.

A popular method for walleye fishing in many big waters trolling. Deep diving crank-baits are fished over rock bars and reefs, along flooded river channels and submerged roadways in 8 to 12 feet of water at a constant speed of 3 to 5 mph. Walleye usually strike this lure as it bumps off submerged structures. One word of caution: when speed trolling loosen the reel drag because hooked fish stop the plug suddenly in the water, and if the drag is set too tight, the line will break.

Fishing for walleye in reservoirs using other techniques, such as shoreline wading, can often times be productive in summer, providing you can locate the fish. Best suggestions seem to be night-time fishing near rocky structure, on hard-bottomed land points, and around submerged road beds and islands. Casting with a leadhead tipped with a bait-fish or other natural bait is the most successful method.

Wing dams and dike fields are optimum locations for walleye and sauger fishing in the Great Border Rivers. One of the better methods for fishing these structures is back trolling with a minnow plug type lure or a night crawler on a slip-sinker or three-way rig. Stay about 30 feet above the structure and work along the face and crest of the dam, using just enough weight so the bait touches the rocks. As soon as the sinker touches bottom, lift it with a slow sweep of the rod, and then let it sink again. Continue this sweeping action across the entire length of the structure. Some wing dams are better than others. If no fish are landed after 15 to 20 minutes -- move to another.

Walleye fishing in the interior rivers in summer is consistently best in the deep pools and scour holes immediately downstream from riffles and lowhead dams. Working a slip-sinker rig or a leadhead tipped with a night crawler or plastic lure during low light periods will usually end with fish on the stringer. Start fishing in the head end up the pool and cover it completely, then gradually move to the deepest part of the pool. Present the lure or bait along the bottom while using a pumping action -- alternately raising and lowering the rod tip. Minnows and leeches also work well for walleye, and don't overlook experimenting with a small crawfish for bait.

Early summer fishing is usually best and slowly tapers off until late summer when walleye and sauger fishing becomes more difficult because of an abundance of natural forage. Don't be afraid to experiment with different baits. Change your presentation, and look for alternate locations when you don't catch fish. Walleye are there, but many times they are very selective in their food habits or inactive.