Walleye Fishing in Illinois

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Illinois

Walleye are often caught in rivers. In fact the Illinois state record walleye came from the Kankakee River. However, the vast number of walleyes are caught from reservoirs. They like cold deep water and can be found in many lakes in Illinois including Carlyle Lake, Fox Lake, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Clinton, Lake Michigan, Lake Shelbyville and Lake Springfield.

Illinois walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Illinois walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

How To Fish For Walleye

SPRING
Top Baits: Small crankbaits, small jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow to moderate depths as the walleye move into the shallows to spawn. Gravel ledges, points and submerged humps in protected areas are prime holding areas.

SUMMER
Top Baits: Crankbaits, Jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow in the mornings and evenings and move deeper as the sun rises. Use lures that mimic crawfish as this is a favorite food of the walleye. Follow points and rocky or gravel structure deeper until you establish the proper depth.

FALL
Top Baits: Jigs, crankbaits and spoons.
Fish shallow to moderate depths in the mornings and evenings. As the sun rises move deeper toward outside structure and use small spoons or jigs.

WINTER
Top Baits: Jigs, spoons and plastic worms.
Try moderately shallow depths in the mornings then move deeper as the sun rises. Walleyes are less active in cold water, so move your bait in a slow, easy to catch manner and fish deep structure.

Look for Illinois walleye fishing articles here.

Walleye Resources

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Walleye Fishing Information

The purpose of the page is to provide specific information about fishing for walleye in Illinois. Find information on basic trends and seasonal patterns of walleye here in the state of Illinois. Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your walleye fishing trips in IL more successful.

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IL Walleye Fishing -
All About Fishing for Walleye in IL.

25 lbs - 0 oz

14 lbs - 0 oz

38 - 60 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current.