What Lures to Use for Walleye Fishing

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Foundation of Walleye Fishing: Jigs and Trailers
3. Hard Baits: Crankbaits and Jerkbaits
4. Vertical Presentations: Blade Baits and Spoons
5. Spinner Rigs and the Crawler Harness
6. Seasonal Strategies for Lure Selection
7. Selecting the Right Gear to Support Your Lures
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
9. Conclusion
10. FAQ

Introduction

We have all been there—staring at a sonar screen lit up like a Christmas tree, knowing the fish are right below the boat, yet the livewell remains empty. Walleye are notoriously fickle predators, often referred to as "picky eaters" by even the most seasoned anglers. They are light-sensitive, structure-oriented, and can change their preferences based on a five-degree shift in water temperature. Success on the water requires more than just luck; it requires a versatile arsenal of lures and the knowledge of when to deploy them. At BattlBox, we focus on providing gear that performs when it matters most, and understanding your tackle is the first step in mastering the outdoors. If you want expert-curated gear delivered monthly, subscribe to BattlBox and build your kit for the water. This guide will break down the essential lure categories, seasonal transitions, and specific techniques to help you consistently land more walleye. By the end of this article, you will know exactly how to match your presentation to the environment for maximum impact.

Quick Answer: The best lures for walleye fishing include lead-head jigs tipped with soft plastics or live bait, deep-diving crankbaits for trolling, and blade baits for vertical jigging. Success depends on matching the lure’s vibration and depth to the current water temperature and forage species.

The Foundation of Walleye Fishing: Jigs and Trailers

If you had to pick only one lure to fish for walleye for the rest of your life, it would be the jig. Jigging is arguably the most effective and versatile method for targeting these fish because it allows for precise depth control and a variety of presentations. For anglers who want to stay dialed in on the right tools, our Fishing collection is a smart place to start. A jig is essentially a lead weight cast onto a hook, but the nuances in head shape and weight can make a massive difference in your catch rate.

Ball-Head vs. Specialty Jigs

The standard ball-head jig is a staple in every tackle box. It is simple, inexpensive, and effective. However, specialty jigs like the Northland Deep-Vee Jig or the VMC Neon Moon Eye Jig offer advantages in specific conditions. The Deep-Vee shape, for example, is designed to cut through the water column quickly and track straight in heavy current. This is vital when you are fishing deep river holes where a standard ball-head might get swept away before it ever reaches the "strike zone."

Selecting the Right Weight

Weight selection is critical for maintaining contact with the bottom, which is where walleye spend most of their time. If your jig is too light, the wind or current will prevent it from reaching the fish. If it is too heavy, the presentation looks unnatural and is more likely to snag on rocks or timber.

• 1/16 to 1/8 ounce: Ideal for shallow water (under 8 feet) or finesse applications in calm conditions.
• 1/4 ounce: The "all-around" weight for mid-depths and moderate winds.
• 3/8 to 1/2 ounce: Necessary for deep water (over 20 feet) or heavy river currents.

Soft Plastic Trailers

While many anglers still prefer live minnows or leeches, soft plastics have become incredibly advanced. Modern plastics like the Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ or the Berkley PowerBait Minnow are infused with scents and salt that encourage fish to hold on longer.

For anglers building a broader backcountry setup, BattlBox’s Hunting & Fishing collection keeps the fishing side of your kit connected to the rest of your outdoor loadout.

Paddle tails (or swimbaits) create a lot of vibration and are excellent for "search fishing" when you want to cover water. Grubs with curly tails offer a more subtle, flowing action that excels in cooler water. When rigging any soft plastic, the most important rule is to ensure it is perfectly straight on the hook. A crooked plastic will cause the jig to spin or spiral, which looks unnatural and will often spook wary walleye.

Hard Baits: Crankbaits and Jerkbaits

When walleye move out of the shallows and begin roaming open water or deep structure, hard baits become the primary tool for the job. These lures are designed to mimic the erratic movement of a wounded baitfish, triggering a predatory "reaction strike" even if the fish isn't actively feeding.

Trolling with Deep-Divers

Trolling is one of the most efficient ways to find walleye on large bodies of water. Lures like the Rapala Down Deep Husky Jerk or the Berkley Flicker Shad feature long plastic "lips" that dive to specific depths. By adjusting the amount of line you let out, you can position these lures exactly at the depth where fish are holding. If you’re looking to sharpen your presentation, our guide to fishing basics is a useful next step.

We often see walleye suspended in the water column during the summer months, following schools of shad or alewives. A deep-diving crankbait allows you to stay in that "suspension zone" for the entire duration of your troll.

Casting Jerkbaits in the Shallows

During the spring and fall, walleye often move into shallow water (3 to 10 feet) to spawn or feed on congregating baitfish. This is the perfect time to cast jerkbaits. Unlike crankbaits, which are usually retrieved steadily, jerkbaits are fished with a "twitch-twitch-pause" cadence.

The pause is the most important part of the retrieve. Because many jerkbaits are "suspending," they sit perfectly still in the water column when you stop moving the rod. A walleye will often follow the lure during the movement phase and strike the moment it stops.

Choosing Colors for Visibility

Walleye have a unique reflective layer in their eyes called the tapetum lucidum, which helps them see in low light. This is why they are often most active at dawn, dusk, or in "stained" water.

• Clear Water: Use natural patterns like silver, blue, or "perch" colors.
• Stained/Muddy Water: Go with high-visibility colors like chartreuse, orange, or "firetiger."
• Deep Water: White and glow-in-the-dark patterns remain visible even when sunlight doesn't reach the bottom.

Key Takeaway: Always start with natural colors in clear water and move toward brighter, high-contrast colors as water clarity decreases or as you move deeper.

Vertical Presentations: Blade Baits and Spoons

When walleye are tightly tucked against deep rocky reefs or hovering in river depressions, a horizontal retrieve might move the lure out of the strike zone too quickly. This is where vertical jigging with metal lures shines.

The Power of the Blade Bait

Blade baits, such as the Heddon Sonar, are thin pieces of metal with a lead weight on the nose. When you pull them upward, they vibrate violently, sending out massive pressure waves that fish can feel through their lateral lines. They are especially effective in cold water or when fish are aggressive. The key is to use short, sharp "hops" rather than long sweeps. You want the lure to vibrate just enough for you to feel it through the rod tip, then let it flutter back down on a semi-tight line.

Jigging Spoons for Deep Schools

Spoons like the Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon add sound to the visual flash. These are weighted to fall quickly and are excellent for "heavy" vertical jigging. If you find a school of walleye in 30 feet of water, a jigging spoon is often the fastest way to get a lure in front of them. The rattling chambers inside the spoon can help call fish in from a distance in dark or turbid water.

If you need a compact way to stay ready for quick on-the-water changes, the Exotac xREEL Roundabout Kit is a handy piece of gear to keep nearby.

Spinner Rigs and the Crawler Harness

In the heat of summer, when walleye can become lethargic and "lazy," a slow-moving spinner rig is often the only thing that will trigger a bite. This setup usually consists of a weighted "bottom bouncer," a long fluorocarbon leader, a spinning blade (Colorado or Willow leaf), and a series of beads leading to one or two hooks.

The Meat Advantage

The most common way to fish a spinner rig is with a large nightcrawler, often called a crawler harness. The combination of the flash from the spinning blade and the natural scent and movement of the worm is a deadly combination. It is a slow-trolling technique, typically performed at speeds between 0.8 and 1.2 MPH.

A small, field-ready blade like the Exotac Firerod XL belongs in the same "always ready" mindset as your tackle, especially when your day on the water turns into an overnight stay.

Customizing Your Rig

One of the best things about spinner rigs is how easy they are to customize. You can swap out blade colors and sizes in seconds. A large Colorado blade creates a lot of "thump" and lift, allowing you to troll very slowly. A Willow blade is thinner and creates more flash with less drag, which is better for slightly faster speeds. Our team often experiments with different bead colors to match the local forage—green and gold for perch-heavy lakes, or silver and blue for shad-heavy reservoirs.

Seasonal Strategies for Lure Selection

Understanding what lures to use for walleye fishing requires an understanding of the seasonal "calendar" of the fish. Their behavior changes drastically as the water warms and cools.

Spring: The River Run and Shallow Flats

In early spring, walleye are focused on spawning. They often move into rivers or onto shallow rocky shoals. This is "jigging season." Use 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jigs tipped with fathead minnows or 3-inch grubs. The fish are often in moving water, so a jig that can stay vertical is essential.

Summer: Deep Water and Weed Edges

As the water warms, walleye move toward deeper, cooler water. This is when trolling crankbaits and spinner rigs becomes the dominant strategy. Look for fish along the "thermocline"—the layer of water where the temperature changes rapidly. If you are fishing a lake with heavy vegetation, try "ripping" a swimbait or a lipless crankbait through the tops of the weeds to trigger a strike.

For low-light summer and fall trips, BattlBox flashlights are a practical addition to your kit.

Fall: The Big Bait Window

In the fall, walleye are looking to bulk up for the winter. They are targeting larger forage. This is the time to upsize your lures. Instead of a 3-inch minnow plastic, move up to a 5 or 7-inch jerkbait. Large "oversized" jigs and swimbaits like the Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ can be incredibly effective during this time.

Winter: Ice Fishing and Vertical Finesse

During the winter, walleye metabolism slows down, but they still need to eat. Vertical jigging remains the king. Small spoons, blade baits, and "gliding" jigs like the Rapala Jigging Rap are the standard. The movements should be much more subtle than in the summer. Sometimes just a tiny wiggle of the rod tip is all it takes to convince a winter walleye to commit.

Selecting the Right Gear to Support Your Lures

Having the best lures won't matter if your rod, reel, and line aren't up to the task. Walleye have relatively "soft" mouths but very bony jaws, meaning you need a setup that can provide a solid hookset without ripping the lure away.

• The Rod: A 6’6” to 7’0” medium-power, fast-action spinning rod is the gold standard for jigging. The fast action means the rod is stiff through most of the blank but has a sensitive tip, allowing you to feel the "thump" of a walleye inhaling your jig.
• The Line: Braided line (8-12 lb test) is preferred by most pros because it has zero stretch, providing maximum sensitivity. However, because walleye have excellent eyesight, we recommend always using a 3-to-6-foot leader of fluorocarbon line. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater and provides a bit of abrasion resistance against rocks and walleye teeth.
• The Reel: A 2500-sized spinning reel with a smooth drag system is perfect. Walleye don't make long, screaming runs like a salmon, but they do "head shake" and dive toward the bottom as they get close to the boat. A sticky drag will result in lost fish at the net.

If your kit needs a clean-water backup for longer trips, the Water Purification collection is worth a look before you head out.

Note: Always carry a high-quality pair of long-nose pliers. Walleye have sharp, needle-like teeth and sharp gill plates. Attempting to remove a deep-set lure with your fingers is a recipe for a trip to the first aid kit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the right lures, a few simple mistakes can ruin a day on the water.

1. Fishing Too Fast: Walleye are generally not high-speed pursuers. If you are trolling or retrieving too quickly, the fish may decide the energy required to catch the lure isn't worth it. If you aren't getting bites, try slowing down by 0.5 MPH.
2. Ignoring the Bottom: Most walleye lures are designed to be fished within two feet of the bottom. If your lure is too high in the water column, you are fishing over their heads. Use your electronics to ensure your lures are in the strike zone.
3. Not Changing Colors: If you know fish are present but they won't bite, change your color before you change your location. Sometimes switching from a bright chartreuse to a subtle translucent color is all it takes to trigger a school.
4. Neglecting Lure Maintenance: Check your hooks frequently. Walleye fishing often involves dragging lures over rocks and gravel, which can dull hook points quickly. A dull hook is the primary cause of "the one that got away."

The right emergency gear matters, too, and Medical & Safety gear is a smart companion for any day on the water.

Bottom line: Success in walleye fishing comes from a combination of depth control, speed management, and color selection—always prioritize keeping your lure near the bottom and matching the speed to the water temperature.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of walleye fishing is a journey of constant adjustment. Whether you are vertical jigging in a cold river or trolling deep-diving crankbaits across a massive reservoir, the key is to stay versatile. We know that the right gear makes all the difference when you are out in the elements, and having a well-curated tackle box is the first step toward self-reliance on the water. Use the strategies outlined here to build your confidence and refine your technique. As you spend more time on the water, you will begin to "read" the fish and know instinctively which lure to tie on next.

If you want more field-ready gear and outdoor know-how, our guide to spinning rods is a helpful next read.

At BattlBox, we are dedicated to helping you build the skills and the kit necessary for any outdoor adventure. Every mission we deliver is designed to prepare you for the real world, whether that means surviving a night in the woods or landing the trophy fish of a lifetime. Adventure is out there—make sure you are ready for it.

To get expert-curated survival and outdoor gear delivered to your door every month, subscribe to BattlBox and choose the tier that fits your lifestyle.

FAQ

What is the best all-around color for walleye lures?

While it depends on water clarity, the combination of chartreuse and orange (often called "Firetiger") or chartreuse and white are widely considered the most effective all-around colors. These colors provide high contrast that walleye can see in both stained and clear water. In very clear water, natural silver or perch patterns often perform better.

Do I need to use live bait with my walleye lures?

It is not strictly necessary, but it can help. Tipping a jig with a live minnow or a piece of nightcrawler adds natural scent and "taste" that can convince a hesitant fish to bite. However, modern scented soft plastics have become so effective that many professional anglers now use them almost exclusively to save time and hassle.

How deep should I fish my lures for walleye?

Walleye are generally bottom-dwelling fish, so you should aim to keep your lure within 1 to 3 feet of the bottom. During the summer, they may suspend higher in the water column to follow baitfish or stay above the thermocline. Using a fish finder is the most reliable way to determine exactly what depth the fish are holding at on any given day.

What is the best lure for river walleye fishing?

A lead-head jig is the undisputed king of river fishing. Jigs with a streamlined or "V" shape are particularly effective because they cut through the current and reach the bottom more quickly. For river fishing, you often need to use heavier weights (3/8 oz or 1/2 oz) than you would in a lake to maintain control of the presentation.