Walleye Jigging Lake Erie

I will start this post by saying jigging is the best way to catch walleye in the spring. Jigs can be used to catch multiple species, but they are especially effective on walleye. I will use walleye as the main focus of this article.

What is Jigging?

Jigging is a fishing technique where the angler moves a weighted up and down on the bottom or suspended in the water column. Often bouncing to mimic an injured baitfish.

I first discovered jigging when I fished on a walleye charter in the spring. We set up on a shallow reef in the western basin. I bounced the jig on the bottom to catch walleye that day. The action was non stop.

Best Lures for Walleye Jigging

Vertical Jigging

Vertical jigging for walleye is an effective technique where you position directly over a targeted area and present the jig vertically in the water column. The key idea is to use a jig of your choice to mimic a baitfish. You can anchor or even use spot lock if you have that feature on your trolling motor. If there is little current or wind, sometimes you don’t need anything to stay still. This is my preferred method of jigging for walleye. Follow these steps to vertical jig for walleye.

• Drop the Jig: I use an anchor or spot lock to position myself directly over the fish. You can also drift, but you need to increase the weight of your jig.
• Jigging Motion: Use your rod to create an up-and-down motion. You want bottom contact.
• Pay Attention to the Fall: Many walleye bites happen as the jig falls, so keep an eye on your line. If it twitches, stops prematurely, or moves to the side, it might be a bite.
• Set the Hook: When you feel a bite or detect unusual line behavior, quickly lift the rod to set the hook. Sometimes you won’t feel a bite, just weight on the rod. In that case, reel the fish in like normal.

Fishing a Jig for Walleye

Lifting a jig refers to casting a jig away from the boat and jigging it back. This should be a fluid motion. Slow, long lifts of the jig will trigger walleye to follow and strike your jig. I use this with forward facing sonar, only if I see fish in the area. Follow these steps to increase your chances of catching a walleye while fishing a jig.

• The Cast: Choose your target area, such as a drop-off, rocky bottom, or submerged vegetation. Cast the jig out and let it sink. Keep an eye on your line as it falls, as walleye often bite during this phase.
• Let it Hit Bottom: Allow the jig to sink to the bottom. You’ll know it has reached the bottom when your line goes slack.
• The Lift: Once the jig is on the bottom, use your wrist to lift the rod tip in a fluid motion. This action causes the jig to rise in the water column, mimicking the darting motion of an escaping or injured baitfish.
• The Fall: Lower the rod tip slowly, allowing the jig to fall back to the bottom naturally. Most strikes occur as the jig descends, so keep your line semi-tight to feel for bites.

Snap Jigging Walleye

Snap jigging is a high-energy and aggressive method of jigging for walleye that involves snapping the rod tip sharply to create erratic, darting movements of the jig. We have had the most success using straight-tailed plastics on a heavy jig head or a hair jig. Snap jigging for walleye on Lake Erie is very effective during cold water periods. To effectively snap jig, follow the guide below.

• The Cast: Cast your jig toward a target area such as a weed edge, rock pile, or submerged structure. Allow the jig to sink to the desired depth. This could be the bottom or middle water column if the fish are suspended.
• Snap the Jig: Once the jig reaches the right depth, sharply snap your rod tip upward or sideways. This motion causes the jig to dart quickly and erratically, imitating the sudden movements of a panicked prey fish.
• Let the Jig Fall: After snapping, immediately lower the rod tip to allow the jig to fall back down naturally. This free fall action is when most strikes occur, as walleye are often triggered by the sudden stop and drop of the lure.
• Maintain Line Control: Keep the line semi-tight during the fall to feel for any bites. Strikes may feel like a “thud,” a slight tap, or even slack in the line.
• Repeat: Continue the snap-and-fall motion as you retrieve the jig toward you. Adjust the cadence based on the activity level of the walleye.

Swimming a Jig for Walleye

Swimming a jig is a finesse technique used for walleye fishing where you retrieve the jig steadily, imitating the natural swimming action of baitfish or other prey. For this technique, using a swimbait made for bass fishing is OK, but there are specialized baits for just walleye. These baits often mimic what walleye are feeding on in the Great Lakes. I use this technique with forward facing sonar. Follow these directions below.

• The Cast: Begin by casting your jig to your target area, such as a weed edge, rocky structure, or along a drop off.
• Let the Jig Sink: Allow the jig to sink to your desired depth. This could be near the bottom or mid-water column, depending on where the walleye are holding. Watch your line as it sinks
• Steady Retrieve: Start reeling at a consistent pace. The goal is to create a natural, gliding movement that mimics a baitfish swimming.
• Add Subtle Movements: While retrieving, you can occasionally twitch or lift the rod tip slightly to make the jig dart or flutter, adding lifelike variation to its movement.
• Adjust the Speed: Vary your retrieve speed to match the activity level of the walleye. In warmer water or during feeding periods, a faster retrieve might work best. In colder water or when fish are less active, a slower, more subtle retrieve is often more effective.

Where to Jig for Walleye on Lake Erie

The Southern Shore and Western Basin of Lake Erie are great places to jig for walleye in the spring and early summer. That where I fish in March and April. Walleye spawn on shallow rocks in the spring. The best area for Jigging walleye in the Spring is in the reef complex outside Port Clinton, OH. This area is also known as the firing range, due to the marker buoys set out by Camp Perry.