Top 3 Walleye Fishing Techniques

­The downrigger is a trolling devic­e that lets you set your lures at an exact dep­th. It's basically a boom arm with a spool of st­eel wire and a single or dual rod holder positioned above the arm. A heavy weight is attached to the end of the steel wire. Attached to the weight is another wire with a release and a lure that is set anywhere from 10 to 200 feet (3 to 61 meters) behind the release [source: Ross].

The length of the boom arm depends on the size of your boat. Short arms should be used on boats under 15 feet in length. Use a long arm on boats 22 feet (6.7 meters) or longer [source: Hoffman].

The distance between the weight and the lure is known as the lead. Most anglers using a downrigger to catch walleye suggest using shorter leads, which let you make quicker turns and avoid tangles. Longer leads are best for when the walleye are skittish and can't be tempted to come close to your boat.

­Many walleye fishers use multiple downriggers to maximize their strike potential. When setting your downriggers, it's important to alter the depths of your weights to give the walleye a variety of targets. Walleye feed up and from behind, so if your walleye doesn't like one lure, it may continue on to the next. Circling your boat in a figure-eight pattern will enable you to drop your bait down at different angles. Also, keep in mind that boat speed, wind speed and current speed will all affect the angle and distance of your drops.

As always, you want to fish for walleye around ledges or other structures. Most walleye fishers recommend using pancake weights because they are skinnier and produce less drag. Some downrigger users also attach a dodger or a fishing spoon between the release and the lure to further attract the walleye.

For a simpler but equally effective trolling device, read on to learn about the advantages of planer boards.

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Planer boards are another useful trollin­g device, used mostly in shallow water. Like downriggers, planer boards let you fish multiple lines and drop your lures away from the boat.

Your average dual planer boards consist of two vertical runners placed parallel to each other, spaced apart by steel rods, with a mast that mounts near the bow of the boat. A towline and reel attaches to the mast, allowing you to adjust the distance between the planer board and the boat.

You should position your planer board somewhere between 50 and 100 feet (15.2 and 30 meters) off the side of the boat, more if you're fishing in especially calm waters. Dual boards let you use up to five lines per side, and they're especially useful if you're fishing in rough water.

Inline boards, however, are the planers of choice among walleye fishers [source: Richardson]. An inline planer is a single ballasted board that attaches directly to the fishing line, a configuration that allows the board itself to act as a strike signaler. Inline boards are also cheaper, but they need to be kept properly ballasted to keep them from dipping beneath the surface in rough water.

Whether you're using a dual or an inline planer board, you should position your weight 50 feet behind the planer, and let the lure go out 50 feet behind the weight [source: Landahl]. In spring, it's best to use shallow-running stick baits, and use crawlers and spinners in warmer weather. Always use a snap weight and a light tension release.

If you really want to get the full walleye experience, you should try fishing at night. Read on to learn how to get the big walleye to bite at night.

­Night fishing for walleye is one of the more unique fishing experiences you can have. It give­s you the opportunity to catch the especially elusive, larger walleye.

Walleye feed in shallow water at night, so you can fish off a bank, wade in, or cast or troll from a boat. Some walleye fishers find the best spots for night fishing are in narrow entrances to bays and harbors.

Live bait works best when fishing at night, so use shallow-dive crank bait or a thick minnow plug. If you're casting, use a slow retrieve and scope out the waters before you cast. The glow of the walleye's reflective eyes can sometimes be seen at night.

When walleye fishing at night, the most important thing to do is prepare. Find where the minnows are during the day -- that's where the walleye should be at night. Also, remember that walleye are creatures of habit, so if you can learn their feeding schedule you'll know the best time to strike.

If you're trolling at night, stay in water that's no more than 15 feet (4.5 meters) deep. Start at dusk so you can establish your trolling pattern while you're still able to see clearly. Again, remember that walleye feed up, so don't set your lures much deeper than 3 feet (1 meter) [source: Richardson].

A few more night fishing tips to keep in mind: At night, walleye are attracted to light, so use lighted or glow-in-the-dark jug heads. Be sure to match your lure size with the bait size. Always use a slip bobber, and be sure to reel in the slack before you set the hook.