Walleye Fishing Trips

Walleye are a northern lake vacation fish. Missouri’s conservation department calls them one of the most important freshwater game fish on the continent, prized for their sporting qualities and their firm, tender meat. A walleye trip fits many styles: a lake resort with a rental boat, a guided day, a Great Lakes charter, a fly-in lodge in Canada or an ice house in January.

The key to walleye is light. Their eyes are highly reflective and built for low light, which gives them their glassy look. They usually hold in deep water by day and move shallow at night, so dawn, dusk and after dark are when many anglers fish hardest. Adults typically run 12 to 28 inches and half a pound to 8 pounds, and they eat mostly other fish.

Where to go for walleye

Minnesota lake country. Explore Minnesota lists walleye first among the state’s fish, ahead of bass, trout, panfish, northern pike and muskie. Its fishing pages feature Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, and its ice-fishing page shows fish houses on Mille Lacs. See our Minnesota Lake Country guide.

Northern Michigan and the Great Lakes. Pure Michigan names walleye among the state’s main species. The Michigan Charter Boat Association lists captains on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, and walleye are among their target species. Michigan also has about 11,000 inland lakes. See our Northern Michigan guide.

Ontario. Ontario has more than 250,000 lakes, rivers and streams, and fishing goes on all year. Northern Ontario’s lodges range from short drives to remote fly-in trips, including camps that focus on walleye and northern pike. Winter brings ice fishing for walleye as well.

Other waters. Walleye also live in large rivers and reservoirs farther south, such as in Missouri, where stocking has increased their numbers, and Montana’s lakes hold walleye too. Michigan’s charter association also lists ports on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.

When to go

• Spring: walleye are among the first fish to spawn, once water passes about 46°F. Seasons differ by state, province and water, so check the agency for opening dates.
• Summer and fall: walleye hold deep by day and move shallow at night, so plan on early, late and evening fishing.
• Winter: ice fishing. Minnesota offers everything from a bucket on the ice to heated fish houses and guided trips, and Ontario anglers ice fish for walleye too. Montana FWP recommends at least 4 inches of clear, hard ice before you walk out.

Our June and January pages compare summer and winter options. Seasons and conditions change each year, so check with resorts and the state agency.

How the trips work

Lake resorts. A lake resort or cabin with a boat suits walleye well. Fish the mornings and evenings, and spend the middle of the day with the family.

Guided trips. A guide knows where the fish are holding this week. On big water like Lake of the Woods or the Great Lakes, we’d go with a guide or charter on a first visit.

Fly-in lodges. In Ontario, fly-in trips reach remote lakes for walleye and pike. Ask what the package includes, from flights and boats to meals.

Ice fishing. Minnesota’s winter fishing ranges from a bucket on the ice to heated fish houses and guided trips. Some areas hold ice-fishing festivals.

Choosing a destination

• A family lake week: Minnesota or northern Michigan, from a resort with boat rentals.
• Big water: Lake of the Woods or a Great Lakes charter.
• Remote and quiet: an Ontario fly-in lodge.
• Winter trip: Minnesota ice fishing, from Mille Lacs to Lake of the Woods.

Before you book

• Licenses. Minnesota, Michigan and Ontario each sell their own licenses, and each has its own seasons and limits. Ontario sells Outdoors Cards and licences online. See our fishing license guide, and check the agency before each trip.
• Ask a resort whether boats, motors and fuel are included, whether they have a fish-cleaning station and freezer, and what the busiest weeks are.
• Ask an ice outfitter how they check ice, what the fish house includes, and whether they drive you out.
• Guided or DIY. Our guided vs DIY fishing guide explains the tradeoffs.

See also northern pike, muskie and bass.