Walleyes are among the most popular of game fish in the northern United States, prized by anglers for both their tenacious fight and delicious taste. Rivers, both large and small, hold walleyes, and the knowledgeable fisherman, who knows where along their stretches to fish and how to present bait in flowing water, can take walleyes in these regions with relative ease.
Locations
Game & Fish magazine recommends looking for deep holes in rocky or gravel bottoms of streams and rivers. Walleyes will hold in these holes, where water tends to slow, as a resting area. Nodak Outdoors also suggests fishing around wing dams, rocky points and other structures that break up river currents.
Pre- and Post-Spawning
Just before or after spawning, walleyes will move upstream or downstream, patrolling for bait fish. Fish for walleyes in areas with riffled bottom, where water speeds are higher and bait fish and other prey are more plentiful.
Depth
Many river walleyes are found at depths not exceeding 10 feet, states Nodak Outdoors. They also tend to remain near the bottom. Use a jig head or sinker on your rig that is heavy enough to reach the bottom easily to present your bait or lure more effectively.
Stinger Hook
Sometimes river walleyes will strike short of your hook. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources suggests adding another "stinger" hook to the existing hook on your fishing rig. This can significantly improve the chances of hooking a reluctant walleye.
Bobber Fishing
Walleyes love nightcrawlers and will take them readily. Rig a hook on a 4-lb. test leader with several split shot weights to keep the worm down in the water. Use a slip bobber with a knot in your line set to the proper depth to make casting easier. Float the bobber rig with the current. This is a good rig for both boat and bank fishing along either small or large rivers.
Trolling
For river walleyes, try trolling a spinner rigged minnow on 30-lb. test abrasion resistant leader lines, around 3 feet long, according to Game & Fish. Troll your bait past deep river holes where walleyes are holding. Vary your speed and depth to entice walleyes to strike.
Fishing Angles
Change your fishing angles when working river walleyes from a boat, says Nodak Outdoors. Try anchoring above an area on the river, then start casting a hair jig or other heavy lure downstream and work it back against the current. When you locate where the walleyes are with a few catches, alter your fishing angle to that area by letting out or taking in anchor line to improve the likelihood of more strikes.
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