Do you want to learn the best walleye fishing techniques? In this article we highlight the top 9 walleye fishing techniques you need to try on Lake Erie!
Summary of Walleye Fishing Techniques
| Technique | Best Season | Ideal Conditions | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop Shot for Walleye | Spring, Summer | Clear water, deep structures | Use live bait, finesse presentation, and target suspended fish. |
| Ice Fishing Walleye | Winter | Frozen lakes with 4+ inches of ice | Drill multiple holes, use jigs or tip-ups, and keep baits near the bottom. |
| Walleye Fishing at Night | Spring, Fall | Low-light conditions, rocky shorelines | Focus on shallow areas and use glow-in-the-dark lures or live minnows. |
| Shore Fishing for Walleye | Spring, Fall | Rocky points, riverbanks, and piers | Cast crankbaits, jigs, or slip bobbers for better coverage. |
| Bank Fishing for Walleye | Spring, Summer | Mudflats, weed edges, and drop-offs | Use slip bobbers, Carolina rigs, or live bait for effective presentations. |
| Vertical Jigging for Walleye | All seasons | Deep water, drop-offs, and submerged structures | Drop jigs vertically and use sonar to locate schools of walleye. |
| Jig Fishing for Walleye | Spring, Fall | Shallow flats, points, and current areas | Choose light jigs with plastics or minnows and work them slowly. |
| Bottom Bouncing for Walleye | Summer, Fall | Gravel bottoms, humps, and ledges | Use spinner rigs with nightcrawlers and drag along the bottom. |
| Drift Fishing Walleye | Spring, Summer | Windy conditions, open water, and weed lines | Drift with live bait rigs or bottom bouncers and let the current do the work. |
1. Drop Shot for Walleye
What Is Drop Shot Fishing for Walleye?
Drop shot fishing is a finesse technique often used for targeting walleye in deeper waters. It involves suspending bait above the bottom while keeping the weight in contact with the bottom. This allows control over the baits location. Walleye feed up, so keeping the bait above the fish is critical. You can pinpoint the location of walleye with your electronics. Whether that is with live sonar, traditional 2d sonar, or side imaging. This is a good walleye technique to use on Lake Erie during the migration. Walleye tend to school up to feed.
Benefits of Using a Drop Shot Rig
- Precision: Keeps the bait at the desired depth.
- Versatility: Works well in rocky, sandy, and grassy bottoms.
- Natural Presentation: Allows subtle movements, attracting finicky fish.
Best Baits for Drop Shot Walleye Fishing
- Soft plastics (minnow and worm imitations)
- Live bait such as minnows and leeches
- Scented artificial lures
Techniques for Drop Shot Fishing
- Cast near structure, rocks, or drop-offs.
- Let the weight sink to the bottom and keep the line tight.
- Gently twitch the rod tip to create lifelike movement.
2. Ice Fishing Walleye
Understanding Ice Fishing for Walleye
Walleye remain active in winter, making ice fishing a popular on Lake Erie. Successful anglers focus on finding areas where walleye congregate, such as underwater humps, drop-offs, and points. Current is also key when ice fishing for walleye. Anglers need to take caution while ice fishing in current though, the thickness can vary.
Essential Gear for Ice Fishing Walleye
- Ice Augers: Manual or power options for drilling holes.
- Fish Finders: Help locate schools of walleye under the ice.
- Rod and Reel Combos: Sensitive rods for detecting light bites.
- Tip-Ups: Ideal for fishing multiple holes simultaneously.
Best Baits for Ice Fishing Walleye
- Jigging spoons with live bait (minnows or waxworms)
- Rattle baits to attract walleye through vibrations
- Glow lures for low-light visibility
Ice Fishing Safety Tips
- Check ice thickness regularly (4 inches minimum for walking, 8–12 inches for vehicles).
- Dress in layers and wear flotation devices.
- Avoid fishing alone and carry ice picks for emergencies.
3. Walleye Fishing at Night
Why Fish for Walleye at Night?
Walleye are more active at night due to their light-sensitive eyes, making them easier to catch after sunset. At night, anglers target walleye from either the shore or boat. If on shore, shallow running crankbaits or live bait works best. On a boat, troll lures shallow or cast using crankbaits. Walleye fishing at night can be effective in the fall as the water temperature cools.
Night Fishing Techniques for Walleye
- Casting Crankbaits: Mimics baitfish activity near the surface.
- Slow Trolling: Covers more area with minimal noise.
- Jigging in Shallow Waters: Targets walleye near structures.
Recommended Equipment for Night Fishing
- Headlamps and lanterns for visibility
- Glow-in-the-dark lures for added attraction
- Quiet trolling motors to avoid spooking fish
4. Shore Fishing for Walleye
Why is Shore Fishing so Popular on Lake Erie?
Shore fishing on Lake Erie is popular because of the quantity and quality of fish to be had in the spring and fall. During cooler water temperatures, walleye will roam the shores to feed. This makes them easy for shore fishermen to target.
Advantages of Shore Fishing
- Accessibility: No boat required.
- Low Cost: Minimal equipment investment.
- Seasonal Success: Ideal during spring and fall when walleye move close to shore.
Shore Fishing Tips for Walleye
- Target rocky points, river mouths, and weed edges.
- Use slip bobbers with live bait for better depth control.
- Fish during low-light hours for higher activity.
5. Bank Fishing for Walleye
What Makes Bank Fishing Different?
Bank fishing focuses on accessing walleye from riverbanks. In the fall and spring walleye will enter rivers either to spawn or chase bait. In the spring around March, the Maumee River is a popular river to target for walleye. Thousands of walleye enter the river to spawn at that time.
Effective Bank Fishing Tactics
- Cast upstream and let the lure drift naturally downstream.
- Use jigs and soft plastics for bottom-hugging action. The rivers in Ohio have specail regulations, read them.
- Deploy slip sinkers to keep bait anchored in place.
6. Vertical Jigging for Walleye
Why Use Vertical Jigging?
Vertical jigging allows precise targeting of walleye near structures, submerged rocks, or ledges. This walleye fishing technique is popular in the Detroit River. You can either anchor (with spotlock) or drift while vertical jigging. Just be sure your jig is heavy enough to keep your line vertical in the water column.
Top Vertical Jigging Techniques
- Drop the jig straight down and bounce it slightly.
- Use sonar to pinpoint walleye depth.
- Experiment with jig colors and weights based on water clarity.
7. Jig Fishing for Walleye
The Versatility of Jig Fishing
Jigs are one of the most effective tools for catching walleye, especially in varying depths and water conditions. They can be used all year on Lake Erie, but are most popular in the spring time when walleye are on the shallow reefs. Jigging walleye on the reefs of Lake Erie can result in fast limits and big fish!
Best Jigs for Walleye Fishing
- Bucktail jigs for murky waters
- Swim jigs for active retrieves
- Hair jigs for subtle presentations
Techniques for Jigging Success
- Use a slow, steady retrieve to mimic prey movement.
- Bounce jigs along the bottom to trigger strikes.
- Pair jigs with live bait or plastics for added scent and appeal.
8. Bottom Bouncing for Walleye
What Is Bottom Bouncing?
Bottom bouncing involves dragging baited rigs along the bottom. Typically nightcrawlers are used on bottom bouncing rigs, but leeches or artificial bait can be used also. The rigs have a non-snagging weight at the bottom to help keep the bait down. You can use bottom bouncers on rocky areas or sand flats. Tip: In the spring, walleye fishermen think of big crankbaits, but trolling bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers is effective too.
Key Tools for Bottom Bouncing
- Bottom bouncers with spinner rigs
- Snell hooks and crawler harnesses
- Slow-death rigs for subtle rotations
9. Drift Fishing Walleye
Why Drift Fish for Walleye?
Drift fishing for walleye is popular in basins and on the reefs when jigging. Drift fishing allows you to cover water when not trolling. Using this walleye technique in the summer is effective. The sand bar off Sherod Park in Vermilion Ohio is a popular place to drift fish in the summertime.
Advantages of Drift Fishing
- Covers large areas quickly.
- Allows natural presentation of bait.
- Effective in wind-driven conditions.
Drift Fishing Techniques
- Use live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers.
- Adjust drift speed based on wind and water current.
- Target transition zones between shallow and deep waters.
Hopefully, these 9 walleye fishing techniques will help you catch more fish on Lake Erie. Remember, when one technique is not working just switch to another!