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DURING THE PAST 20 YEARS, NEARLY 2,000 walleyes have come to scale and tape, entries in In-Fisherman's highly exclusive Master Angler Contest. In combination, these large fish offer hints of wisdom about the walleye's world. Which waters, for example, have been the best producers of big fish? And what about monster walleyes, those fish surpassing 14 and 15 pounds? The best times to pursue huge walleyes? What baits have been best? Do moon phases really spur the activity of big walleyes? And much more, here in capsule form.
CAUGHT AND STAFF COMMENTS)
1. Western Basin of Lake Erie, OH 78
This water offers a superb opportunity for anglers in small inland fishing boats under 20 feet, to catch big walleyes during spring and fall; or to fish from 6-man charter boats, which provide necessary tackle, during spring, summer, and fall. Great ice-fishing opportunities exist when portions of the basin freeze during January and February. Arguably, this is the king of walleye fisheries. While fish size generally peaks at around 10 pounds, top-end size is increasing, with several 15-pounders caught in recent years.
2. Columbia River, OR-WA 64
Multiple fish over 10 pounds are possible nearly any time on this gigantic river system. Angler attention is focused below massive power dams, typically in or within a few miles of tailraces. During the day, fish vertically with heavy jigs or slow troll three-way rigs with either floater-crawler snells or minnow-imitator crankbaits. At night, when many of the largest walleyes are taken, try trolling large diving crankbaits that dive to the 20- or 25-foot level. Peak trophy fishing occurs in the low-flow periods of fall and winter, with a good though more scattered summer bite. From late March through early June, a high flow allows salmon smolts to migrate downstream, resulting in massive current that curtails walleye fishing.
3. Little Bay de Noc, MI 49
This large shallow bay off the north end of Lake Michigan hosts small- to medium-size walleyes all year, plus a late-fall and winter trophy fishery once walleyes migrate into the bay from the big lake, beginning in October. Many tactics produce fish: open-water planer board trolling with crankbaits; structure fishing with livebait rigs, jigs, or jigging spoons along shoreline drop-offs, weedlines, or the edges of humps; or longline trolling the shallows at night with minnow-imitator crankbaits. Also, excellent ice-fishing for hawg walleyes exists from about Christmas throughout winter.
4. Upper Mississippi River, WI-MN-IA 39
Classic big-river fishing conditions exist below dams during spring and fall, from Minneapolis-St. Paul down to the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Yet even below this traditional stretch, winter fishing for walleyes and sauger extends all the way down to St. Louis. Focus on eddies, wing dams, and any current breaks within a mile or so of dams where fish congregate during low water. Vertical jigging with jig-and-minnow combos, three-way rigs baited with minnows, and bladebaits or jigging spoons excel in cold water. In the upper Mississippi, big walleyes are present in sections downriver from dams all summer, though they spread into numerous current-deflecting areas like wing dams and flooded timber.
5. Lake Sakakawea, ND 32
This windswept Missouri River Reservoir is developing a stronger walleye population along the east end of the lake; the western extremity has long been known for producing the best numbers and size. Most big walleyes are caught in the Van Hook Arm area during windy conditions, in October and early November when big 'eyes move shallow into mudlines. Cast jigs and minnows toward shore, or troll bottom-bouncer rigs or crankbaits through mudlines. Large sauger also are taken with vertical jigging tactics, often as deep as 30 to 35 feet.
6. Red River, MB 30
One of the better bets for 8- to 12-pound fall-run 'eyes moving upriver out of Lake Winnipeg. The Lockport Dam area north of Winnipeg traditionally concentrates both fish and fishermen. Vertical jigging with jigs and minnows takes big fish until freeze-up. Some anglers also fish the system through the ice. Spring fishing produces big 'eyes, though the system is better known for big channel catfish beginning in June and lasting through early summer.
7. Mille Lacs, MN 29
Summer and winter walleye opportunities abound, from deep midlake structure to shallow rock reefs on Minnesota's most popular walleye lake, a scant hour's drive from the Minneapolis metro area. Spring fishing keys along shoreline rock points and sand flats, particularly at night. Longline troll floater-diver plugs or anchor and fish lighted slip bobbers and leeches at dusk. In summer, deep mud flats in the central basin are key areas. Use slipsinker livebait rigs tipped with leeches or three-way rigs with spinners and crawlers. Also, when the wind blows, walleyes move up onto shallow rock reefs where bobber presentations or crankbaits excel. In fall, longline troll minnow imitators along shoreline rock points as big walleyes follow spawning ciscoes shallow at night. During winter, deep fishing with jigging spoons on midlake mud flats produces 'eyes of all sizes.
8. Greers Ferry Reservoir, AR 26
Home of the world-record walleye, Greers Ferry still contains a few giant walleyes, though the population over 18 pounds appears to have dwindled. Traditionally, most fish are caught at night in February or March when big 'eyes run up the three forks of the Little Red River to spawn. At night, troll deep-diving crankbaits like Rebel Deep Runners across the tops of shallow spawning shoals and through adjacent deeper pools. During the day, drift through pools and vertically fish with jigs and minnows. Best fishing generally occurs a few days after spring rains muddy the water and raise the water level, attracting fish upstream. Never a numbers game, nevertheless it provides an opportunity for fish of historical proportions.
9. Georgian Bay, ON 24
Huge and mysterious, the bay-and-islands area has yet to be fully explored, though many large river-run 'eyes are caught in fall. The French and Moon rivers produce fish as large as 15 pounds in October and November. During the rest of the year, big walleyes apparently disperse into the maze of islands and deeper water lying offshore--a great place to explore for trophy walleyes, pike, smallmouths, and world-class muskies.
10. Lake Saganaga, MN 23
Focus on early-season river runners and crankin' reefs at night in summer for fish over 10 pounds. Not considered a numbers walleye fishery, huge fish exist in this deep, clear lake trout lake. Minnesota's 17-pound state record was caught in the Saganaga River in May. After spawning, walleyes disperse downstream into the big lake. Some are caught on traditional livebait rigging tactics during the day, but during summer, most walleyes are caught at night on top of shallow midlake rock reefs. Trophy hunters, this one's for you.
11. Saginaw River, MI 23
The Saginaw River in eastern Michigan flows into Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Loads of big-fish opportunities exist in late winter and early spring as walleyes make an upriver spawning run into the Saginaw and connecting Tittabawassee River. Vertically fish current breaks with a jig and minnow. Ice-fishing is possible on the Saginaw, at times, while the Tittabawassee generally remains ice-free. Most big walleyes leave the system and move into the bay in summer.
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 22 lbs. 11 oz. Greers Ferry, AR, 1982 |
 19 lbs. 15 1/4 oz. Columbia River, OR-WA, 1990 |
 17 lbs. 13 oz. Greers Ferry, AR, 1986 |
 17 lbs. 8 oz. Greers Ferry, AR, 1981 |
 17 lbs. 3 oz. Gauley River, WV, 1990 | |
12. Bay of Quinte, ON 23
A superb fall, winter, and spring trophy fishery--some of the best trophy walleye fishing in Canada. Untold numbers of big walleyes move into the bay area from Lake Ontario in fall, wintering somewhere within the generally flat, shallow expanse of protected water. Ice-fishing is big business, with numerous services supplying rental shacks and guides. In spring and fall, open-water angling produces both numbers and size on traditional jigging, rigging, and crankbait tactics. During summer, most of the large walleyes return to deeper, cooler Lake Ontario, though the bay remains a nursery area for small to midsize fish.
13. Lake Manistee, MI 16
Large Lake Michigan walleyes inhabiting the general river mouth area at Manistee produce hawgs for those willing to sacrifice shuteye. Anglers cast crankbaits or jig and twistertail combos at night across shallow slab piles within the lake. Spring and fall are best, though some fish are caught throughout summer. Longline trolling minnow-imitator crankbaits along the breakwater and at the river mouth at night produces big walleyes all through the open-water season. Jigging spoons occasionally produce, too.
14. Lake of the Woods, MN-MB-ON 20
This spectacular walleye fishery for both numbers and size, at the junction of Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario, is loaded with mazes of islands, reefs, bays and inlets. Many walleyes run upriver to spawn in spring, then drop back down to the deeper main lake as the water warms. Focus on reefs adjacent to the big open portion of the lake 'til June, then move out to midlake reefs in summer. Use classic livebait rigging or spinner rigging tactics along the tops or bases of rock reefs meeting water over 20 feet deep. In late summer, downrigger trolling vast open Traverse Bay has evolved into a top tactic for suspended 'eyes topping 10 pounds.
15. Tobin Lake, SK 19
Over the past three or four years, Tobin has become the most intense trophy bite in Canada during October. Literally hundreds of 10-pound walleyes are caught each fall, with mid-teen fish possible. The 17-pound provincial record has been broken several times. Try livebait rigging with leeches (no live minnows allowed), jig fishing with nightcrawlers, or trolling large diving crankbaits along the channel edge in about 20 feet of water. Last fall, however, a good early bite tapered later, perhaps due to increasing fishing pressure or low-water--low-flow conditions that failed to concentrate fish as in recent seasons.
16. Allegheny River, PA 18
Unheralded in walleye circles, the Allegheny is probably the most productive trophy walleye fishery in the Northeast, other than the Great Lakes. This large river with its numerous dams concentrates walleyes and sauger in fall, winter, and spring. The milder climate than that of the upper Midwest allows boat fishing most of the winter season. Use jigs and minnows, focusing on current breaks formed by manmade structural elements like concrete walls, bridges, or faces of dams.
17. Lake Oahe, SD 18
High fish populations have resulted in a strong crop of 8-pounders, with an occasional larger walleye, along with lots of 2- to 4-pounders. Fishing pressure has increased, yet the reduction to a 4-fish limit has helped reduce harvest. Classic bottom bouncer-spinner-crawler tactics excel, though vertical jigging and casting jigs or crankbaits to windswept shorelines produces under favorable conditions. Undoubtedly, the biggest breakthrough is recent success with planer board-crankbait trolling tactics at In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail tournaments. Troll shoreline contours near drop-offs, then move offshore where you see baitfish or big fish suspended over open water.
18. Fox River, WI 17
Spring and fall runs from Green Bay produce walleyes up to 10 pounds, along with good numbers of smaller fish. The dam at DePere is the focal point of fish activity, though bridges and other manmade current-deflecting structure also are good. Jigging is popular, though in recent years, casting Rapalas into exceedingly shallow water at night has become a popular presentation.
19. Lake Geneva, WI 17
An occasional large fish is caught, a holdover from past glory years. This deep, clear lake supports a two-story stocked trout fishery, along with pike and bass. In early spring, try shorecasting at night along rock points at the entrance to Williams Bay. In summer, either drift nightcrawler rigs at about the 30- to 35-foot level along extensive deep flats in the eastern end of the lake, or longline troll minnow imitators or spinner-crawler harnesses over cabbage weeds. Fish at night to avoid excessive boat traffic.
20. Missouri River, SD-ND-MT 16
Most large fish occur in lakes Oahe and Sakakawea, in the Missouri River section between them, and in Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. Traditional reservoir tactics apply in the impounded sections. Within the shallower fast-flowing river portions, jig eddies. Also troll current breaks along shorelines at the 8- to 15-foot levels with Shad Raps or similar crankbaits. Note that shallow sandbars often form in midriver, yet may have a deep slot of flowing water between the sandbar and the shore, which attracts fish.
For 20 more great trophy walleye waters plus lists of the largest walleyes kept and released, the best baits, the best moontimes, plus more, refer to the March 1997 issue of In-Fisherman.
