When the Bite is Tough for Walleyes, Try Shallow

When walleyes aren't biting in deep water, try looking shallow. Turbid water, windswept shorelines and low-light conditions allow them to move up surprisingly close to shore. One walleye tournament was won by an angler who fished right along the edge of cattle that had waded out into the lake and muddied the water. Though walleyes spend the majority of their time in the depths they can occasionally be taken on small crankbaits along shoreline cover. Walleyes can see better than preyfish under the cover of darkness or poor water conditions and will chase them right up onto the shoreline. Nearby weeds, rocks and woody cover that attract minnows will also bring in the walleyes. Small jigs tipped with minnows and crankbaits will take shallow-feeding walleyes.