The first walleye hit hard about 7:30pm. We just pulled up in our 16 foot Lund moments earlier and were ready to invest the next two hours in some serious walleye fishing. The sun was going to set in about an hour and this fish was a sign we might have a good evening in store.
We were nestled in some back water about 10 yards off of the main flow of the river and were fishing medium sized jigs with leeches. Chartreuse was the color we liked to use in the evening. For whatever reason, this was usually the order of the day for walleye at this location.
As the sun ducked just below the hill and trees the walleye really turned on. It was no coincidence. We were waiting for that exact moment.
Walleye are wired to hunt at night and in low light conditions. They have a special membrane behind their retina called a tapetum lucidum. The sole purpose of this membrane is to gather light. It’s this membrane that allows walleye to see in light conditions that its prey (mainly baitfish) simply cannot.
Walleye have a definite advantage at dusk, dawn and even the dark of night. Baitfish simply do not have a chance at these times of the day. As such, walleye typically hunt (and feed) when they have the upper hand.
If that isn’t enough to give walleye advantage over its prey, it has sensitive nerve endings that run the full length of its body on each side. The smallest vibrations in the murkiest waters can be detected by walleye. This coupled with its keen eyesight make the walleye as formidable predator as any freshwater fish you will find.
To maximize your success while fishing for walleye, you need to match your presentation toward the walleye’s natural predatory advantages. This is why we always have our most success in the late evening as the sun goes down. The chartreuse jig head, tipped with a leach or minnow, can be a killer combination.
At times if the water is dirty, I like to use a jig with a spinning blade on it. The walleye can easily pick up the motion and sound given off by the blade and this simple addition can really help to solicit a strike.
This night the walleye were “onâ€. My buddy and I easily had our limit by 8:45 and went home with some terrific “eatersâ€. We caught approximately 35 fish between us and had a terrific time fishing catch and release most of the evening.
The pattern was predictable and amazingly fun. We typically cast upstream and let the current carry our lures toward a gravel bar at the edge of the backwater. I like to use no more than 6 pound test when fishing in these conditions because I want the jig to flow naturally in the current.
I let the lure flow downstream and on most occasions when I closed the bail on my spinning reel, I had a fish. Fishing backwaters on a river, or anywhere just below where the flow is coming in is a terrific place to concentrate for walleye.
The biggest walleye of the night was a seven pounder that was fat in all the right places. I’m not fond of keeping fish over four pounds to eat, so we kissed that one on the lips and let her go. The ones we kept were all about 3 pounds – perfect.
Fishing for walleye is one of the most enjoyable freshwater fishing experiences you will ever have. Remember to play to the fish’s predatory advantages and you could have an evening for the ages.
Thanks for reading.
Good fishing.
This article was written by guest author Craig Fiske of Freshwater Fishing Canada. For more walleye fishing tips, you can visit Craig at his website.
