Where are walleye typically seen on the fish finder.

[colovan]

Based on what I have been told the walleye generally tend to hang within the lower/deepest 25% of the water column. In the past I have used the technique of scouting 30'depth looking for a shelf that is heavily populated with fish on the bottom then following that topography to the shore until the depth is 9-15' then I troll that area. It has been successful at times. Do any of you have a better technique/proven ideas?

[BlackSilver]

DuPont lures. :+

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[Greg P]

colovan,
On the the lakes that I primarily fish, most of the walleyes I see on the graph are on the bottom, or within a foot or two of the bottom. Although it is possible to fish for and catch suspended walleyes, I do not typically target them.

What I look for are subtle lumps on the bottom that do not match the bottom contour, or slightly raised arches or lines. On sharp drop offs, it is easy to see fish that are present, they show up as lines suspended just off the bottom, or arches just off the bottom. They are usually facing the uphill direction. At times I have seen fish 'stacked' on top of each other at a certain depth. This is where I will concentrate my efforts.

Another thing I look for is schools of baitfish, with fish showing on the graph, usually on the bottom or suspending near the baitfish. For example, on Rainy Lake where I fish a lot, I will almost inevitably find schools of baitfish near active fish.

Depending on what type of graph you have, it can be easy to learn what you are seeing on the graph and what you can expect to catch.

I used a Lowrance X-35, a low end graph, for many years, and was able to find fish, baitfish, and see my lure when not moving. I now have a LCX-15, and I can easily identify fish on the bottom, and baitfish schools, and I can watch my lure in front of the fish. And at times, see the fish rise to the lure. Another bonus to the nicer graph is that I can distinguish between baitfish and schools of suspended crappies. Keep in mind, you many not always catch what you see, they may not be active, or they may not be walleyes.

On Rainy Lake, I will not even drop a line (in deeper water only) if I do not see fish on the graph.

Again, I do not target suspended walleyes very often, so perhaps others can add some info on this.

I hope this helps, and don't hesitate to ask more questions. (I only read this board during the week, business hours, hope my boss does not see this...)

Good luck.

[colovan]

Greg,
Thanks for responding Greg. What lakes do you fish, also what types of lures do you use? I have only been able to have consistent success with a gold Lindey rig and a crawler. I haven’t jigged seriously yet due to lack of knowledge of how to present the lure. Any insight would be great.

[Greg P]

colovan,
I fish a variety of lakes in Minnesota. Rainy Lake is my personal favorite, but it is not for everybody. Large, rocky, and remote.

There are many ways to catch walleyes. Most of the lakes I fish, I use jigs, troll crankbaits, slip bobbers, or drag lindy rigs around.

Most of the information I have gathered is a combination of reading articles and this site, talking with people, and trying it out for myself.

Pick a lake that you would like to try, read as much about it as you can, in Minnesota this means going to the DNR website and finding out if the lake can sustain a walleye population, if it is stocked, what the creel and netting surveys have found.

Take your time at the access and talk with people, most like myself are happy to share some information. Offering a cold beer doesn't hurt. Also, try to find a bait store nearby and ask someone, they might help, they might not.

One more thing, the time of the year is critical. If you fish for walleyes over the 4th of July, in the middle of the day, with few exceptions, you don't stand a very good chance of catching walleyes. But the same lake, in the spring or fall, might be dynamite.

It can take several years to find when, where and what to use to consistantly catch walleyes on a particular lake. Keep trying, keep asking, and keep moving to different spots. Don't stop fishing in the fall because it's a bit chilly, that is generally my most productive time of the year.

Spending time on the water the only real way to get it figured out. Chat with people, be nice and pleasant, and most will point you the right direction.

The lakes I fish regularily include: Rainy, Mille Lacs, Minnetonka, Borden, Rice (Paynsville), Pine (Finlayson), Kabetogama, and many others less often. I fish for big crappies 60% of the time.

Hope this helps, keep reading this board and you will have all the information you need to be successful.

Good luck.