How to Choose Walleye Baits and Lures

Lures are designed to mimic a fish's natural prey, so think about­ walleyes' eating patterns and food. Lures that move quickly will attract these aggressive hunters. Additionally, lures should be similar in size to the smaller prey fish.

If you're fishing with a jig head, choose the jig head based on water depth -- the deeper the water, the heavier the head. For the deepest walleye fishing, you'll want a jig head of about ½ ounce. In shallower waters, you can go as light as a 1/8-ounce jig head. If conditions are rough or windy, a heavier jig can help. [Source: Hoffman]

Depending on the time of year, you may want something that sticks close to the bottom, like a small but heavy jig (with a lead head) or a crankbait. [Source: Eggerston] If you go with a crankbait, again, choose one that mimics walleyes' natural prey -- narrow, and between three and five inches long. [Source: Hoffman]

In various fishing conditions, you might want to try:

Finally, you can key your color choice to the sort of water you'll be fishing. Use brighter colors for weedy or turbid waters.

Obviously, your bait depends on your choice of lure, as well as the fishing conditions. Read on.

Remember that walleyes' behavior and location chan­ges seasonally -- so, the b­ait that worked so well at the beginning of September might not be the best one for March. Come prepared to try a few different kinds of baits, and remember that every angler works by trial and error.

When the weather is cold, you may find the best results with live bait. In cold water, walleyes are sluggish. The movement of live bait will likely be most effective at stimulating them to bite. Walleyes are more aggressive in warmer weather, and that can sometimes let you get away with plastic bait, especially plastic worms. [Source: All About Fishing] But many anglers swear by minnows year-round.

If you're using a live bait jig, try minnows, worms, leeches or red tail chub. With a spinner, try a piece of worm.

One approach you may want to explore is coordinating your baitfish to whatever is schooling in the water. If you see a school of perch, for example, walleye are probably feeding close by, so use perch as bait. Then let your jig drop a few feet at a time, the better to imitate the movement of the baitfish. [Source: Kane] Obviously, this requires a bit more observation, flexibility and patience on your part. But isn't that why you go fishing in the first place?