Walleye feeding habits

• Walleye primarily eat fish. They begin eating fish early in their lifespan, becoming adept predators by the time they reach a size of interest to anglers. Walleye ambush their prey by hiding behind obstacles like rocks. They swim out, open their mouths and flare their gills, vacuuming in the minnow or other small fish. Walleye are thought to be short striking fish. They really are not--it's just that a lot of anglers do not allow the walleye time to take the bait before they try to set the hook. They wind up jerking the bait out of the fish's mouth before it has a chance to really get it. Slow down; give the fish a chance to get the bait in its mouth. When you feel the bait taken, relax and let the fish start to swim off, then set the hook by simply raising your rod tip until you feel firm resistance.
  
  

Locating walleye

• You need to know the body of water you are fishing. The best way is to learn the lake before it freezes over. If you have a boat, go out with your fish finder and a map to mark the places where walleye are holding and note how deep the fish are. Walleye are often found where the bottom is covered with rocks or gravel. They will tend to be in deeper water. Look for holes with rock or gravel bottoms that have a drop-off nearby. Walleye will use these areas to ambush bait fish and to stay in their comfort zone. Also, with good low-light vision this will give walleye an advantage over its prey.
  
  

Deciding where to fish on the ice

• Once the ice forms and is thick enough to walk on, go out on the ice and scout the ice holes. Note how far from shore they are. Are people fishing in one area and not another? Use your map. Watch the action on the ice. Talk with successful walleye anglers.
  
  

Simple and effective way to rig your bait

• A simple and effective method is to hook a minnow between the eyes for a natural presentation. Fish it slow (the metabolism of walleye is slow in the colder months) and deep over an area that has rocks or gravel on the bottom. Walleye are often found on or near the bottom, so you need to have enough weight to get your bait down to the fish, but not so much that you drag your bait to the bottom interfering with its natural motion and your ability to feel a bite. One good way of doing this is to rig a three-way swivel with the sinker about two feet past the swivel and the bait about two feet out from the swivel, allowing it to swim naturally. Lower the bait to the bottom, then reel it back up about a foot.
  
  

Closing comment

• A live bait rigged so it swims naturally, presented at the right depth over bottom that attracts walleye, is the key to winter walleye fishing.