Summertime is an excellent period to be out on the water fishing and for good reason the action is often very good. Some species however, such as walleyes, become a bit more difficult to catch during the dog days; here are a few tips and tricks to help you score with more marble eyes.
Try it at night: Perhaps the most obvious way to beat the heat, avoid heavy boat traffic, and get in on some fine walleye action is by fishing at night. Begin your quest by casting minnow-style crankbaits such as Firestick Minnows or Flicker Shads along the edges of weed beds, especially those with proximity to deeper water. Don't have weeds, that's okay too try the same presentation along stump fields or over shallower rock or gravel bars. It's imperative to keep your boat clean and organized when night-fishing. Release tools should be ready, extra hooks and lures put away, and multiple light sources should be at the ready.
Slip it to em: Slip bobbers can be a deadly summer presentation for walleyes. While the rig itself allows an angler to present their offering in a manner that keeps the bait right "in their face", often provoking strikes from sluggish fish, there is a draw back you must fish slowly. Seeing that time is of the essence, you'll need to carefully choose which spots you intend to fish. On the river, I begin by working large leeches along the deeper snags and blow downs with a slip bobber and weed less jig. Deeper structural elements, especially those with current, wind, or any combination thereof also get my attention.
Super suspenders: Any musky angler knows the effectiveness of fishing for suspended muskies during the open water season; the same can be true for summertime walleyes. To locate areas holding fish, good electronics are a must. Begin searching deeper flats and channel sections to find your quarry. Trolling is an excellent technique for this type of fishing as it allows you to present multiple lines while covering large areas in search of fish. Once you've caught a fish or two from an area, continue working through as there may be concentrations of walleye there. A variety of crankbaits work well and anglers need to continue experimenting to find what the preference for the day is.
Just because it's hot out doesn't mean you can't catch walleyes. Try these 3 tactics and you'll catch walleyes all summer long. Remember, selective harvest keep only what you intend to eat and let the big ones go. I'll see you on the water