WU-301: Great Lakes Walleye Fishing Tactics - Part 1

by Dave Truett

A satellite image showing the outline of the five Great Lakes.

Did you know that the Great Lakes contains enough water to cover the lower forty- eight states with ten feet of water?  It is also estimated that the five lakes ( Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario) contain six quad trillion gallons of water, and all five lakes also produce trophy walleyes.  Please don’t lose any sleep in trying to figure out how many zeros that number amounts to!  So where does a walleye angler start fishing for Old Marble ‘Eyes, with so much water to deal with?

Every year, starting in January, I reorganize and restock all of my fishing gear for the new year.  Then I check over my boat, motor and all accessories, assuring me of maximum performance on and off of the professional walleye tournament trail.  Many years ago, in my pre-professional years, I made this simple pie chart graph showing when and how to catch walleyes during their annual seasonal patterns of migration on the Great Lakes.

Click on picture to enlarge

Walleyes are like most predatory fish, and will attack your bait if the right opportunity presents itself to them.  You must give them a presentation which appeals to them during certain conditions and during certain times of the year.  Walleyes feed, grow and reproduce - that’s it!  The abundance of natural food is the principal factor in determining if the walleyes will be in a given area.  When baitfish are scarce, then expect the walleyes to be searching aggressively for food.  You must follow their migratory patterns if you want to catch trophy walleyes throughout the season.  Again, follow the baitfish and pay close attention to conditions, such as water temperature, weather patterns, thermocline level, etc.., if catching” Cruncher ‘Eyes” is your game plan during the spring, summer, fall and winter months.

I am not surprised that the walleye is an exciting game fish, sought after by all.   Blue and white collar working Americans, nationwide, hunt for this magnificent game fish.  Because of the walleyes ever-growing popularity, families across North America plan annual vacation outings, where men, women and children enjoy fishing for this tasty game fish.  As a result of the world-wide web, others from all different parts of the world are booking guided trips and vacations in search of the acclaimed Old Marble ‘Eyes.   

So after all is prepared and planned for, what is your next step?  Wait for the spring thaw and apply all techniques spelled out in the pie-chart section titled “Spring”.

Questions and Answers

1. Can an angler expect to catch walleyes in all of the five Great Lakes?  Yes, an angler can expect to find walleyes in Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario, and should begin to study the walleyes’ seasonal migration patterns.
2. How does a walleye angler start off each year in preparation for the season?  In January, reorganize and restock your fishing gear.  Check your boat, motor and accessories assuring you that when spring arrives you’re ready to roll.
3. Can the  “Great Lakes Walleye Fishing Tactics Seasonal  Pie Chart” be followed on an annual basis with much success?  Yes, this chart has proven very helpful over the years, and has been a primary factor in my success during the past professional tournament seasons.
4. Is walleye fishing only a man’s sport?  No.  All family members enjoy fishing for this tasty, exciting game fish throughout North America.  In fact, women have joined the professional anglers’ field, and enjoy tournament fishing for walleyes equally as well as  men.