Walleye Fishing Gear

Walleye are opportunistic feeders that love a mix of jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics. In rivers or lakes, jigging with soft plastics or live bait is one of the most effective methods. Try paddle tails, finesse minnows, or curly grubs in natural colours for clear water and brighter tones in stained conditions. Crankbaits like the Rapala Shad Rap or Berkley Flicker Shad are proven producers for trolling or casting. During low light, switch to glow or firetiger colours.

The ideal Shiver Minnow size for walleye depends on the depth and season. In most cases, sizes #2 and #3 work best for vertical jigging or casting in 15–30 feet of water. When targeting larger fish or fishing deeper, go up to a #4 or #5 to maintain control and attract aggressive strikes. Use natural colours like silver or perch during clear conditions and brighter patterns like firetiger in murky water. Pair your Shiver Minnow with a medium or medium-light spinning rod for best action.

The best time to fish for walleye in Ontario is during the spring and fall seasons, when water temperatures range between 50–65°F (10–18°C). Spring walleye are active after the spawn, feeding heavily in shallow areas near rocky points, weed edges, and river mouths. Summer brings deeper patterns and you’ll find them near drop-offs and structure. In the fall, walleye move shallow again to feed aggressively before winter. Early morning and dusk are prime feeding windows, especially during calm or overcast days.

For walleye fishing, choose a medium-light to medium spinning rod around 6’6”–7’ with a fast action tip for sensitivity. Pair it with a 2500–3000 size spinning reel spooled with 6–10 lb fluorocarbon or braid for finesse presentations. This setup gives you the sensitivity to feel light bites and the strength to handle big fish. For trolling, use a medium-power rod with a line counter reel and 10–14 lb mono. Popular options include Shimano, Daiwa, and Okuma combos.

The right line for walleye fishing depends on your technique. For jigging or casting, use 6–10 lb fluorocarbon for clear water or 10–15 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader for deeper or stained conditions. Fluoro is nearly invisible underwater, giving you a stealthy advantage when walleye are finicky. For trolling, go with 10–14 lb monofilament for stretch and shock absorption. If you’re running bottom bouncers, braid helps feel structure and bites better. Top options include Sufix 832, PowerPro, and Seaguar InvisX.

Walleye rely heavily on vision, so colour choice can make or break your day. In clear water, go with natural shades like silver, perch, or gold. In stained or low-light conditions, opt for bright hues like chartreuse, orange, or firetiger. At night or in deeper water, glow-in-the-dark or UV patterns are deadly. Many anglers switch colours throughout the day to match changing light and water clarity.

Walleye move throughout the water column depending on light and temperature. In spring and fall, they often feed shallow (5–15 feet) near rocky points, weed lines, or river mouths. During summer, they shift deeper (20–40 feet) to stay cool and find baitfish. Overcast days and low-light periods can pull them back shallow. A fish finder helps locate suspended walleye over drop-offs or humps. Adjust your lure depth with bottom bouncers, lead core line, or jig weights.

Live bait remains one of the most reliable ways to catch walleye, especially when the bite is slow. Minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers are top picks, either fished on a jig, bottom bouncer, or slip float. Minnows work great in colder water, while leeches shine in summer. Crawlers are excellent for drifting or trolling. Keep baits fresh and moving naturally for best results. Pair your live bait with light fluorocarbon leaders and slow retrieves.