Species
Walleye Fishing Charters
Walleye are prized freshwater fish of big northern lakes and rivers, often caught at dawn, dusk and through the ice. 108 captains and guides in 22 towns list walleye. Here is where, and the months it is in season where we have a published calendar.
Key facts
About the walleye
An olive, gray or silvery fish with large, glassy eyes, sharp teeth and a white tip on the lower lobe of the tail. Unlike the similar sauger, it has no spots on the first dorsal fin and has a dark blotch at the rear base of that fin.
- Scientific name
- Sander vitreus
- Also called
- Walleyed pike, yellow pike, pickerel
- Family
- Perch family (Percidae)
- Typical catch
- 14 to 22 inches and 2 to 4 pounds (Ohio); the average walleye kept in Minnesota is about 14 inches and just over 1 pound
- How big they get
- Ohio DNR says up to 36 inches and 16 pounds; FishBase lists a maximum of about 42 inches (fork length) and 25 pounds; Minnesota's state record is 17 pounds 8 ounces
- Where they live
- Native to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, Mississippi River and Arctic basins, south to Alabama and Arkansas, and widely stocked elsewhere in the U.S. Lake Erie is a major fishery.
- Habitat
- Clear to slightly murky water in large lakes and rivers, most often over reefs, gravel shoals, bedrock and other firm bottoms. They move shallow in spring, to deeper mid-lake structure such as humps and points in summer, and back toward shore in fall.
- Diet
- Mostly other fish, such as gizzard shad and yellow perch; in summer they also eat insects hatching from the lake bottom.
- Lifespan
- FishBase lists a maximum reported age of 29 years
- On the table
- Valued for thick, white fillets; Minnesota DNR calls walleye the most sought-after fish in the state.
Where
Where to catch walleye with a charter
| Town | Captains listing it | Main months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | 15 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Report |
| Port Clinton, OH | 13 | Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Devils Lake, ND | 10 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| St. Clair Shores, MI | 8 | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Sandusky, OH | 8 | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov | Report |
| Duluth, MN | 8 | Jun, Jul | Report |
| Mille Lacs, MN | 7 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov | Report |
| Sturgeon Bay, WI | 5 | Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov | Report |
| Oswego, NY | 5 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Report |
| Okoboji, IA | 4 | Jan, Feb, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Ludington, MI | 3 | Apr, May | Report |
| Broken Bow, OK | 3 | — | Report |
| Chamberlain, SD | 3 | Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Milford Lake, KS | 3 | Mar, Apr, May, Jun | Report |
| Lake McConaughy, NE | 3 | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug | Report |
| Branson, MO | 2 | — | Report |
| Fayetteville, WV | 2 | — | Report |
| Page, AZ | 2 | Apr, May | Report |
| Pulaski, NY | 1 | — | Report |
| Mountain Home, AR | 1 | — | Report |
| Guntersville, AL | 1 | — | Report |
| Michigan City, IN | 1 | — | Report |
Counts are captains who list walleye, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about walleye fishing
Things to know
- A reflective layer in the eye lets walleye feed at night and in murky water, so dawn, dusk and sunset are prime times.
- Spawns in April when water is about 40 to 55°F, over gravel and rock in tributary streams and on lake reefs.
- They have sharp teeth: bring a net and pliers or another hook-removal tool.
- Seasons and limits are set by each state and can differ by water body; check your state natural resources agency.
How charters catch them
- Jig tipped with a minnow, often vertical jigging
- Slip-sinker (Lindy) rig with a minnow, nightcrawler or leech on the bottom
- Slip bobber with live bait over rocky reefs and humps
- Slow trolling crankbaits around 1 mph, especially in fall
- Live bait trolling
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Walleye questions
How do I tell a walleye from a sauger?
Walleye have no spots on the first dorsal fin and a white tip on the lower tail lobe. Sauger have spotted dorsal fins, brassy sides and no white tail tip.
When do walleye bite?
Minnesota DNR says dawn and dusk are often the most productive, since walleye move from deep water onto shallow flats to feed. Many anglers rate sunset highest.
Why are they called walleye?
Their eyes have a pearly, reflective look caused by a pigment layer that helps them see in low light.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
For captains and guides
Your boat, listed free. No commission, ever.
Anglers call you or book on your own website, and you keep 100% of every trip. Want more detail or the one Featured spot in your town? Enhanced is $19/month and City Spotlight $49/month.