Walleye
LOCATIONS
BODIES OF WATER
Walleye can be found in many cold, deep water lakes and rivers throughout the Northeastern United States.
Connecticut: Candlewood Lake, Bantam Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Quaddick Reservoir, Highland Lake, Lake Zoar, Lake Saltonstall, Saugatuck Reservoir, Natchaug River, Niantic River
Massachusetts: Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, Connecticut River, Deerfield River, Lake Webster, Lake Quinsigamond, Long Pond, Wachusett Lake, Lake Wyola, Lake Cochituate
Maine: Rangeley Lake, Moosehead Lake, Sebago Lake, Kennebec River, Androscoggin River, Penobscot River, Moose River, St. Croix River, Piscataquis River, Aroostook River
New Hampshire: Lake Winnipesaukee, Merrimack River, Squam Lake, Newfound Lake, Connecticut River, Lake Sunapee, Ossipee Lake, Lake Wentworth, Mascoma Lake, Umbagog Lake
New Jersey: Round Valley Reservoir, Manasquan Reservoir, Musconetcong River, Delaware River, Lake Hopatcong, Swartswood Lake, Greenwood Lake, Raritan River, Wanaque Reservoir, Essex Lake
New York: Chautauqua Lake, Oneida Lake, Lake Ontario, Genesee River, Salmon River, St. Lawrence River, Oswego River, Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, Lake Champlain
Pennsylvania: Allegheny River, Lake Erie, Youghiogheny River, Lake Wallenpaupack, Pymatuning Lake, Susquehanna River, Lake Arthur, Lake Conneaut, Shenango River, Conodoguinet Creek
Rhode Island: Sakonnet River, Wood River, Narrow River, Quequechan River, Potowomut River, Palmer River, Warren River, Kickemuit River, Barrington River, Beaver River
Vermont: Lake Champlain, Winooski River, Connecticut River, Lake Memphremagog, Lake Bomoseen, Missisquoi River, Otter Creek, Lamoille River, White River, Otter Creek Reservoir
STRUCTURE/HABITAT
look for channels and dropoffs with currents.
Look for natural structure like points, sandbars, rocky bottom. Any sudden changes in water depth.
Submerged structure and island areas hold fish.
Deep structure is a great habitat, use electronics to find lumps or holes, large submerged rocks, and trees.
Find bait schools to locate walley nearby.
Found generally in deeper water. Learn how to find different types of structure with your electronics
PATTERNS
Spring
The best time of year to catch walleye is typically in the springtime when they are spawning and actively feeding near the surface. This is when walleye can be found in shallow waters and are most vulnerable to anglers
Summer
In the summer, walleye tend to move to deeper water and seek cooler temperatures.
Target them near drop-offs, submerged structure, and weed beds using live bait rigs, jigs, or bottom bouncers tipped with nightcrawlers or leeches.
Fall
Walleye become more active as they prepare to spawn and can be found in shallow waters again.
Winter
Walleye may become less active but can still be caught in deeper, slower-moving sections of rivers and lakes.
Target these areas using vertical jigging techniques with heavy jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastic baits.
Bait
Minnows, Worms, Leeches