Walleye anglers often wonder how deep the fish go during the summer. The answer depends on many factors, including water temperature and the amount of sun exposure.
Generally speaking, walleye will move deeper into the water as the summer progresses. However, there are a lot of chances to catch these shallow fish in many locations. So what’s a walleye angler to do? Here’s a look at how deep walleye usually go in the summer and some tips on where to find them.
Quick Jump
ToggleDo Walleyes Go Deep in Summer?
As summer progresses, many anglers notice that walleye will move deeper into the open water column. Walleye tends to go deeper in various bodies of water, including reservoirs, rivers, and natural lakes.
However, even though they move deeper in the summer, walleye are still shallow in many locations.
The primary reason walleye move into deeper waters is the changing water temperatures and the amount of sunlight. In early to late summer, the water temperature warms up, making it harder for walleye to stay in the shallows.
What Depth Does Walleye Like in Summer?
During the summer months, walleye are found in the hottest parts of many midwestern lakes. These fish can tolerate high dissolved oxygen levels and live as deep as 23′, but they’re usually only there at night when it’s cooler!
The depth that walleye will go depends on the time of year, water temperature, and how much sun exposure there is.
These fish typically move shallower when the water temperature is colder and deeper when it warms up.
What Do Walleye Eat in the Summer?
Since walleye go deeper when the water is warmer, they often feed less in these locations. Luckily, there are still opportunities to catch these fish when they’re in deeper waters.
Walleyes have a wide range of prey in the summer, including yellow perch, shiners, and other minnows, as well as crayfish. They also feed on insects depending on optimal opportunities for food abundance.
What Depth Do Walleye Feed At?
Walleye are typically caught between 10-40 feet. A typical mid-sized lake in the Midwest would likely hold them at 15 to 25 ft., during springtime when they’re hungry for food before migrating upriver towards their birthplaces to Spawn.
The range could be even greater during summer, but walleye tend to stay shallower than in the spring when they’re actively feeding.
What Lures to Use for Walleye?
Summer Walleye fishing can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Lures are often used for targeting trophies, or live bait rigging is not readily available – this means that if you use those pesky little critters as your lure instead of something more common like spinner rig, worms, and grubs, then there are some great options out there!
One type in particular, “ringworm” (which sounds even spookier than it tastes), seems quite popular with anglers who don’t mind spending money on what might smell bad at first bite while they wait their turn behind the scenes.
Best Walleye Lures for Summer
If you’re looking to up your skills when fishing for walleye this summer, you need to be using the right lures.
Check out our list of the top-rated and best walleye lures for summer below. With these lures in your arsenal, you’ll be able to catch more fish than ever before.
- ULTRA-SHARP OWNER HOOKS - Equipped with sharp high quality OWNER...
- HANDMADE - WINNING QUALITY - The TRUSCEND Fishing Lures made of...
- UNIQUE DESIGN - 3D t-shaped soft tail with 360° spinner blade...
- LONG CASTING JIGHEAD - Having an ideal weight for long casting...
- 6 SEGMENTS MINI LURES: Available in snack size lengths of 2",...
- HIGH SIMULATION: With 3D realistic looking eyes and pearl powder...
- BASS VIBRATION: Made of high-quality ABS material and equipped...
- WIDELY FISHING SPECIES: This bass fishing lure can be widely used...
- SUPERIOR SOFT BAITS LURES KIT - The fishing lures are made of...
- A VARIETY OF RIGS - The swimbaits feature top and bottom hook...
- LIFE-LIKE ACTION - The bass fishing lures have a special 3D...
- SECOND-TO-NONE LURES - Packaged in a tail-saving clamshell...
- Amazing Fishing Lure Kit - Our fishing Lures Set features vivid...
- A Must-have for Enthusiasts and Beginner - 110pcs Fishing Gear...
- Premium Fishing Equipment Kit - The fishing gear box is made of...
- Fishing Essentials - Fishing Tackle Kits are available in...
- 3 Operation Modes: 3 holes on upper leading face offers 3...
- High Reflective Vib Lure: Radium coating reflection finish makes...
- Casting Metal Lure: Special weighted belly benefits to disturb...
- Crafted Fishing Spoons: Features simulated dying fish’s eyes,...
What’s the Best Time to go Fishing for Walleye?
Large walleye are most active at dawn and dusk. On windy or cloudy mornings, they will still feed up to an hour after sunrise.
The best times for fishing large fish are early in the morning before work begins and during those short moments between sunset and 9:30 PM when skies are clear enough that you can see stars shining through without interruption from artificial light sources such as streetlights, etcetera.
Sure, we know that most of us can’t regularly fish at dawn or dusk, and dawn breaks way too early for many people.
How to Catch Walleye from Shore in Summer?
Walleye fishing can be a fun and relaxing way to spend a summer day, but if you’re new to the game, it can be tough to know where to start.
Suppose you’ve ever wanted to catch walleye from shore in the summer but didn’t know how you need to watch this video. In it, we’ll show you the basics of how to find and catch these fish using simple techniques and gear.
After watching this video, you’ll be able to go out and start catching walleye like a pro. You don’t need any expensive or specialized gear – just some common sense and this video as your guide.
Trolling Speed for Summer Walleye
Walleye fishing speeds vary depending on the time of year and water temperature.
In spring, when fish are more active as they reach their destination for spawning (or nursery) spots, trolling should be done at 1-2 mph, while summer months see an increase in activity with faster settings being used by anglers who know what’s coming up next!
Trolling Crankbaits for Summer Walleye
Crankbaits are excellent for trolling during the summer months. You can find walleye in nearly any body of water, but chances are you’ll be able to find them in the vicinity of dropoffs, channels, and depressions.
When trolling for walleye during the summer months, it’s a good idea to use northland tackle or crankbaits that are around 3 inches long, about 15 feet of water deep, with the depth depending on how deep water your target area is.
Best Artificial Lures for Walleye
Artificial lures are another excellent option for walleye fishing during the summer months, although they cannot be used during the spring spawning ritual.
When fishing for walleye during the summer, it’s a good idea to use soft plastics or lures with Vibra-tail or rattles.
Strike King Pro-Model KVD Swim’n Caffeine Shad: One of the best walleye lures on the market is the KVD Swim’n Caffeine Shad. It features a unique, twitchy action that walleye can’t resist.
- WELL MADE: 3D fish eyes with fish-attracting printed body...
- LIFELIKE LURES: Appearance and structure design inspired by real...
- DIVE BOARD: Hard minnow baits come with a extended and widened...
- GRAVITY BALL INSIDE: Swimbait lures with steel balls inside, it...
- ULTRA-SHARP OWNER HOOKS - Equipped with sharp high quality OWNER...
- HANDMADE - WINNING QUALITY - The TRUSCEND Fishing Lures made of...
- UNIQUE DESIGN - 3D t-shaped soft tail with 360° spinner blade...
- LONG CASTING JIGHEAD - Having an ideal weight for long casting...
- SUPERIOR SOFT BAITS LURES KIT - The fishing lures are made of...
- A VARIETY OF RIGS - The swimbaits feature top and bottom hook...
- LIFE-LIKE ACTION - The bass fishing lures have a special 3D...
- SECOND-TO-NONE LURES - Packaged in a tail-saving clamshell...
How Do You Catch Walleyes in Late Summer?
Most people think that the walleye fishing season is over by late summer. That’s because most people don’t know how to catch big walleyes in late summer.
This video will teach you a few tips on how to catch walleyes in late summer, even when the fish are biting slow.
Conclusion
Walleye are a popular game fish in North America, and while they can be caught year-round, many anglers believe that the best time to catch them is during the summer. We’ve looked at what depth walleye like in summer and what they eat in this post. We’ve also gathered some great tips on luring these fish and provided a list of lures known to work well for walleye. So if you’re looking to hook in a few of these tasty fish this summer, make sure to keep these tips in mind!
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