Fishing for walleyes in rivers is the most common method in my region of the country. While walleye live in many local impoundments, most walleye fisherman target the areas below locks and dams of the Ohio River. The banks just below these areas are often shoulder to shoulder with fisherman and the air is filled with flying lures. While this isn’t my idea of a pleasant fishing experience all those people are there for the simple reason that it is a great place to catch walleyes. Here are some fishing tips for catching walleye in rivers no matter wherever in the country that you live.
Fishermen and fisherwomen need to keep in mind that generally walleye don’t like to hang out in current. I’d know how many people notice this when we are lined up below the dam that most walleye are being caught near the bank, near the dam away from the outlets, and in calmer sections of water. This is due to the fact that suspending and hunting in a strong current uses a lot of energy and all animals prefer to use as little energy as possible. Those seeking walleye need to keep this in mind that while fishing below a dam offers a lot of draws to the fish they still need to target the areas of least current.
In a river of any size, walleye fisherman need to fish structure that provides a break from the current. Not only are walleye most likely to hang out in areas behind boulders, bridge piers, logjams and the like, but fish that walleye feed on will be found in this area as well. Don’t forget that many forms of structure provide slow water on both sides of the structure, not just behind them.
As with other fish species, a steady rain and gently rising water levels in a river will trigger walleye to feed. Look for action near inlets that are washing in new food sources, areas of slow water that will congregate baitfish and the shallows in general where walleye usually hunt for food. As the water becomes muddy, target your walleye fishing in the clearer water where walleye can still see to hunt food. Water in front of inlets is a good place to target walleye in muddy situations as it is generally clearest.
Rivers often provide a lot of shade to the water. Walleye have good night vision with their large eyes, which means that they shy away from bright sun. They also prefer cooler water temperatures. This means that on those hot, bright, summer days, stretches of water along a shaded area of the river should hold larger numbers of walleyes.
Rivers are better than most lakes during the heat of the summer in general as rivers have cooler water. When the water heats up in your local lake and the walleye fishing is not so productive, give you local rivers a try.
