AN INTRODUCTION TO

WALLEYE RIVER FISHING

Chasing walleye in a river is a unique experience that offers anglers an ever-evolving challenge dictated by current, water levels, and seasonal migrations.

More so than lakes or other bodies of water, river systems demand adaptability and a keen understanding of walleye behavior in a changing landscape. Fish, much like most animals in the wild, have 2 main focuses in life: surviving and reproducing. Survival comes from having an adequate annual food source, while reproducing or “spawning” comes only for a very short duration of the year.

It’s not for everyone but once you understand their seasonal behavior and you’ve mastered the skills it takes to land a walleye in moving water, the catch is all the more rewarding (and the walleye dinner more delicious too)!

GO WITH THE PRO

Bill Shimota, a seasoned walleye river angler and impressive Berkley Pro Staff member, has spent years on the banks and in the river currents refining his techniques to better navigate the unpredictable nature of river fishing. “The current is your boss” Bill concedes, “and when the water is low or falling, get to deeper water; if it is high or rising, hit the shallows.” With a deep understanding of seasonal migration and feeding patterns, Shimota has developed a range of tactics that help anglers consistently find and catch walleye, no matter the season.

Follow Bill Shimota on Facebook and Instagram and review his quick seasonal guide for walleye success below:

WALLEYE FISHING GEAR CHECKLIST

Rods: Medium to Medium-fast spinning rods from 6’8” for light jigs to 7’6” for crankbaits

Reel: A fast spinning reel in the 2000 or 3000 size range allows for a wide range of angling options to adapt to river conditions

Braided Line: 10lb FireLine® in Flame Green for visibility in murky waters

Fluorocarbon Leader: 12-20lb Trilene® 100% Fluroucarbon for abrasion resistance around structures

Monofilament: 10lb Berkley Trilene® Sensation® when trolling and jigging

A FULL GUIDE TO WALLEYE SEASONAL BEHAVIOR & TECHNIQUE

LATE WINTER / EARLY SPRING: THE PRE-SPAWN

Water Conditions – Cold, clear, and low flow

Walleye Behavior – Migrating upstream, sluggish metabolism, seeking deeper waters

Technique – Vertical jigging with a Fusion19™ Hybrid Jighead tipped with a PowerBait® Pro Twitchtail Minnow, Gulp!® Minnow (size 2.5-3”), or a PowerBait® Drip Minnow / Swimmer. A three-way rig setup is also recommended for use this time of year (see following section for more information).

Colors – Natural shades (shad, blue, purple)

Strategy – Slow drifts with subtle presentations

The Three-Way Rig for Walleye

When talking about walleye river fishing, you’ll often hear about the three-way rig. This is a fishing tactic that can be used year round to target this species but is most commonly used in early spring to fall.

This system leverages a three-way swivel that attaches the main fishing line to both a weighted bank or bell sinker and your favorite floating trolling or crankbait lure.

This system allows for a versatile presentation in a variety of currents and depths – remember that adaptability skill we talked about earlier? Fine-tuning the presentation takes a little more practice and can be done by adjusting the length of the line on the rig. Don't be afraid of the three-way rig, it's simple to setup and will bring lots of fish to the boat.

Spring: The Spawn has Sprung

Water Conditions – Increased water flow from melting snow and rain, murkier water than the previous season allows for more daytime feeding

Walleye Behavior – Collecting in hard-bottom areas with moderate current (often near dams)

Technique – Casting jigs and plastics in shallow waters (1-10 ft. of water) using a Fusion19™ Hybrid Jighead with a Powerbait® Rib Worm or PowerBait® Curly Bones. For deeper waters (10-30 ft), try a Thinfisher™ Blade Bait.

Colors – Brights (Firetiger, Chartreuse Pearl, Orange, etc.)

Strategy – Slow drags or hops with blade baits to excite the pre-spawn walleye bites in holding areas.

BILL SHIMOTA

"ANY COLOR WORKS AS LONG AS IT'S A FIRETIGER"

Early Summer: Post-Spawn & Aggressive Feeding

Water Conditions – Stabilizing current, rising temperatures

Walleye Behavior – Migrating downstream to settle on shorelines, rock piles, and wing dams

Technique – Trolling a Flicker Shad® or Money Badger (4 + 5) along the bends or casting crankbaits like the Dredger, Frittside™, or Dime.

Strategy – Cover wide surface area of water while targeting structures with lures that dive deeper faster than is needed the rest of the year.

BILL SHIMOTA

"WHEN IN DOUBT, GET THE FLICKER SHADS OUT!"

Fall: Winter is Coming

Water Conditions – Resources decreasing, lowering temperatures

Walleye Behavior – Preparing and bulking up for the limited forage supply of winter, longer feeding windows, moving between deep holes and structures

Technique – Casting Fusion19™ Hybrid Jigheads with a PowerBait® Ripple Shad or PowerBait® Paddlin' Powerstinger. This is also a good time to troll a 3-way rig or bottom bouncers in deep holes

Strategy – Work both deep and shallow waters as walleye are alternating between resting to store energy and feeding to bulk up.

There you have it – a starter guide to hunting those trophy walleye in any season. Now that you have the knowledge of the pros at your fingertips, walleye be seeing you on the river this weekend? Walleye Rivers Beware!

PRO TESTED FOR WALLEYE

BE RIVER READY

Bestseller