Walleye are abundant in Michigan waters, including those in the Upper Peninsula. Walleye can be found in numerous bodies of water including Lake Superior, Northern Lake Michigan, the St. Mary's River and many other rivers and inland lakes. Anglers can fish for walleye from the shore or by boat using many methods and types of bait.
Identification
Walleye are the largest member of the perch family. Their backs and sides are olive or gold to brown with irregular blotches and their bellies are a white or cream color. Walleye have clouded eyes, canine teeth, one spiny dorsal fin and one rayed dorsal fin. Walleye prefer water temperatures between 55 and 68 degrees F and bite year-round.
Geography
Walleye are found in Lake Michigan, the Huron Bay in Lake Superior and the St. Mary's River near Munoscong Bay, Raber Bay and Drummond Island.
Inland lakes in the Upper Peninsula that have large walleye populations include Big Bay De Noc, Little Bay De Noc, Indian Lake, Lake Michigamme, Lake Independence, and Au Train Lake.
Lake Gogebic, the Upper Peninsula's largest inland lake which lies in the western part of the region near Ottawa National Forest, is known for some of the best walleye fishing in the state. The state Department of Natural Resources plants a large amount of walleye every other year in North Manistique Lake, where anglers regularly catch 15 to 20 inch walleye in May and June.
Location
Walleye spawn in the spring in feeder springs or gravel-bottomed shallow bars or shoals near deep waters of lakes in the Upper Peninsula. They can be caught during the spring season in shallow waters near gravel ledges, points and humps. In North Manistique Lake and Lake Gogebic they are found under logs, brush, stumps or near drop-offs. During summer they can be caught in shallow waters during early morning and evening, and then in deeper waters as temperatures rise. Walleye tend to stay near weed beds, rock piles and currents in the fall.
Features
Walleye feed on smaller fish, insects, and crustaceans, so they hit on bait that resembles what they usually eat. Use minnows on jig heads in the spring or fish with crankbaits, spoons, spinners or plastic worms. Fish during the spring on the eastern shore of Lake Gogebic near walleye spawning sites. Use nightcrawlers or leeches on jig heads during summer months, troll with crawler harnesses or artificial bait that resembles crayfish, or cast and retrieve plugs or crankbaits. Troll with crawlers between the Escanaba River and the lighthouse in Little Bay De Noc when temperatures drop in the fall, and use minnows in Big Bay De Noc to catch walleye from Round Island south to Peninsula Point. Ice fish in winter with jigs and plastic worms in shallow water during morning and deeper waters later in the day.
Considerations
Anglers ages 17 and older need to carry a valid fishing license. A restricted Michigan license will work for walleye fishing in the Upper Peninsula or you can purchase an all-species license good for 24 hours, 72 hours or one year. You can buy a fishing license online or at bait shops, sporting good stores or sporting goods departments of local stores.
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