Ice Fishing for Walleye

Catching Walleye on the Ice

Even if winter isn’t the most productive time of the year, you can still pull some walleye out from under those thick layers of ice.  Although there are a few nuances to ice fishing for walleye, veteran walleye anglers are likely to find that walleye stay in character, no matter the time of year. 

Winter walleye are bound to be close to a food source, even if they aren’t feeding, but finding these holes is the trick.  Experts claim that they will commonly hold close to the mouths of rivers and bays, as well as in depressions on the bottom, although they have been known to suspend.  Areas near pressure ridges are also known to attract walleye.  To track them down, an underwater camera and sonar system are invaluable.  Used together, you can drill a hole, see if it looks promising, and fish for ten or so minutes before moving on to the next spot if it doesn’t produce any bites.

Also typical of walleye, they feed most aggressively at dawn and dusk when light conditions are changing most rapidly.  During midday, ice fishing murky lakes is much more likely to produce strikes than clear water lakes.  Because prey-fish can see fairly well in clear water lakes during the middle of the day, many walleye become inactive, favoring those peak times when they can see far better than baitfish, making the hunt easier.  If you find yourself with your line through the ice of a clear water lake during the middle of the day, deep water where the light dwindles is likely to be your best bet.

Once you find an area with some fish, walleye anglers can take a few pages out of the crappie fisher’s playbook.  In fact, crappie anglers who hit the ice will occasionally hook into a walleye, because of the similarity of habitat, bait preference, and striking habits.  Finesse is the name of the game here, especially during midday.  Light jigs, livebait, or a combination is usually the ticket, with slow, low motion presentations tempting finicky walleye to bite.  As always, minnows are popular, sometimes just on a hook with a split shot pinched on 12” to 18” up.  Jigging spoons have also been known to be successful as well.  It is important to walk that thin line between a slow presentation (they are cold blooded and in icy water) and working it fast enough to create a sense of urgency. 

Even in an area likely to have fish, figuring out how far they are off the bottom can be tricky and requires experimentation.  A slip bobber with an easily adjustable bobber stop can be useful for doing this, as you can readily change much line you have in the water. 

Following these tips, along with some cold weather gear to keep you warm, should help you to pull a few walleye out from under the ice this winter.